Ride the Lightning
Cybersecurity and Future of Law Practice Blog
by Sharon D. Nelson Esq., President of Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
LeClairRyan Creates Legal Solutions Center
November 6, 2013
This is news because it is BIG. Other law firms have brought legal support firms in-house or partnered with an outside legal tech firm. But Bloomberg news reports that 400 people are transferring from the law firm to the LeClairRyan Legal Solutions Center, which has opened in Richmond, Virginia.
The move comes as a result of partnering with consulting firm UnitedLex. LeClairRyan Chairman Gary LeClairs says the move will reduce costs, increase cost predictability and efficiency and give clients a full menu of services.
LeClairRyan will use UnitedLex’s technology and existing infrastructure. This is certainly the direction many firms are taking, though it remains to be seen whether such moves fully meet expectations. While I can see many efficiencies here, I think there is always a question about whether firms will pay the kind of salaries necessary to attract top-level talent, which leaves the issue of quality potentially in question.
But I certainly agree with LeClair Chief Executive Officer David Freinberg who says “Clients are demanding better, faster, cheaper." We are probably in for a long period of exploring methods to meet that demand.