In 3 Geeks and a Law Blog, Casey Flaherty, Baretz+Brunelle partner and LexFusion co-founder, delivers a wide-ranging, unsparing critique of traditional legal cost-control tactics—discounts, panels, RFPs, billing guidelines, and AFAs—arguing they are often elaborate rituals that yield diminishing returns. Despite widespread concern about outside counsel costs, in-house teams frequently rely on symbolic solutions that add friction without delivering real value.
Casey challenges legal departments to shift from performative discipline to substantive change: understanding the work, aligning legal services to business outcomes, and building trust-based partnerships. Without this foundation, cost-control efforts become costly theater.
Read the article to explore Casey’s insights.