Joined up thinking – GCs push to make collaboration more than a buzzword

Collaboration has become a buzzword as progressive GCs press their advisers to parcel up work between them. Legal Business asks if such an approach can deliver the value its supporters claim

The battle to secure panel work is arduous for any law firm partner. With the threat of reduced panel slots and clients seeking more innovative examples of what separates firms from the competition, collaboration is increasingly becoming a buzzword among the more progressive general counsel (GC). As a condition of getting one of those coveted places on a major corporate’s panel, more firms are being asked to collaborate with all the other firms on the roster. They must communicate frequently, swap data and even, in some cases, pitch together for future pieces of work.