GLAXOSMITHKLINE

The clear objective to move all of GSK's legal work to value-based fee arrangements and the use of technology and a scorecard to select outside counsel are novel and have led to substantial cost savings.

THE HOME DEPOT

An example of focusing on one specific area of practice at a time and delivering truly significant results: 45 to 55 percent reduction in some areas, and with near certainty in many. And this isn't short-term: the company has been doing this for years and no doubt is getting better and better at it, along with outside counsel.

LUCCHINI S.P.A.

This Italian company took a first step of establishing terms and conditions for its legal services providers and ensured that they were followed, resulting in substantial cost savings. Then they added the rigor of evaluating the type of work and the steps/procedures to help them better price the legal services they consume.

MEDTRONIC

An important focus on no longer being reactive; thinking through the legal issues, how they are managed and how the processes can be improved. Through its multifaceted approach, Medtronic achieved significant savings even as outcomes improved.

PFIZER INC.

Pfizer's Legal Alliance is well known. This is an example of devotion to continuous improvement. Innovations since the launch of the Pfizer Legal Alliance include appointment of relationship managers on both sides, a virtual communications hub and the Associate Roundtable to improve collaboration, and a joint training program for new law school grads.

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS & MORGAN LEWIS

An interesting mix of approaches for employment litigation, no doubt with the understanding that one size doesn't fit all, but with consistency on how to approach each matter. Also, an emphasis on managing and monitoring.

ROCKWELL COLLINS & SEYFARTH SHAW LLP

Applying "lean" practices, Rockwell Collins teamed up with Seyfarth Shaw and deployed sub-teams to reengineer how it selects, engages, manages and evaluates outside counsel. Tools include template engagement letters for value-based fees, a short-form RFP, checklists and a decision tree. 

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS & GALLAGHER SHARP

An excellent example of how the use of a single firm to coordinate designated types of matters nationwide can result in significant savings, improved predictability and improved outcomes. Deep collaboration included outside counsel participation in technical training to better understand the product, a boon to defense effectiveness.

TARGET & NILAN JOHNSON LEWIS P.A.

Target's Employee and Labor Relations Department and Nilan Johnson applied different value fee approaches to each of four types of work. Performance scorecards emphasize not just cost savings, although they logged truly significant savings without degrading the quality of the legal work.

TYCO INTERNATIONAL & SHOOK HARDY & Bacon

Tyco's partnership with Shook Hardy shows that value-based arrangements aren't a short-term fad. They have been on a flat fee arrangement since 2004, demonstrating that a firm that puts its mind to it, and a focused in-house department, can make major improvements in how legal work is handled. Note that the annual cost is routinely coming down while outcomes are continuing to improve.

UNITED RETIREMENT & PORTER WRIGHT

This partnership enabled United Retirement to establish a predictable legal budget for securities and leasing matters, while preparing for the unpredictable nature of legal work through risk probability and risk sharing strategies.

WHIRLPOOL & WHEELER TRIGG

Whirlpool shows that value-based fees are uniquely suited to target specific results, in this case earlier resolution of product liability cases. And the seven member firms of Whirlpool's National Product Council now constitute a brain trust for Whirlpool's in-house lawyers - a "virtual law firm" producing significant savings.