Resource Library

This Leading Practices Profile, an update to ACC’s 2005 Leading Practices Profile, Leading Practices in Law Departments Adding Value and Moving Beyond the Cost Center Model, features law department leading practices for generating and demonstrating value to the organization, as well as best practices for improving the bottom line and optimizing collaboration with business units. In the wake of the economic downturn and increased pressure to “do more with less,” 10 participating corporations share their best value-generating and value-sustaining practices in law department staffing, targeted practice areas, outside counsel management, strategic planning and the use of metrics to measure and track value practices.

This Value Practice resource give background and benefits to Viacom's legal department use of a matter management system for its domestic legal operations.

This resource details Prudential Financial's structured approach to project management, including a Project Management Office, focusing on project definition, scope, risk assessment, training, and review.

Valorem's customized alternative fee arrangements, and its firm structure and practices are designed to consistently deliver value to clients. Patrick Lamb discusses key elements to their approach.

Guidelines developed by Royal Bank of Canada for their Demand Management practices used to engage outside counsel.

Diversity initiatives continue to grow and change with corporate business models: taking on a different complexion when applied in companies with significant global presence and offering new challenges in an era defined by bottom-line attention to corporate compliance and social responsibility. Read ACC's newest leading practice profile and find out how the legal departments of 10 different companies have developed diversity initiatives that are making a difference.

A Value Practice resource that details Cisco's use of technology and strategic work flow processes to increase productivity and enable lawyers to work more effectively.

This resource highlights Hewlett-Packards' program to onboard law school graduates, train them, and mentor them each step on their way toward full engagement within the law department.

This Leading Practices Profile continues the series of ACC Leading Practices Profiles examining the role of law department leaders and in-house counsel in managing the legal affairs of companies doing business abroad.

This Leading Practices Profile presents themes, trends and leading convergence practices of six legal departments and three law firms in selecting and managing preferred outside counsel networks as value partners.