In-House Counsel

Bait-and-switch by law firms proposing to handle your work

By Rees Morrison

Are there techniques to lessen the risk of taking the bait of stellar lawyers at the final presentation, but working thereafter with a switch to earthly types? This question occurred to me when GC New England Mag., 4th Q. 2007 at 27, used the term. I think of bait-and-switch as empty promises of the attention and expertise of an individual, like the eminent senior partner of the firm. Then the third-year associate shows up.

A broader meaning, however, is what the general counsel quoted in the article means. ?He sees a mismatch between the assurances made by the team that sells the deal and the resources available to actually do the work? (See my posts of Aug. 4, 2007: separately meet the associates proposed for your matters; and May 30, 2005: pros and cons of beauty parades.). Not just one person is paraded but then disappears; the broader capabilities of the firm are touted but then disappoint.

All I can imagine for the individual sleight-of-hand is to offer some kind of premium for the time of the eminent lawyer and threaten a deep discount on other people?s time.

Full post as published by Law Department Management on July 21, 2008 (boomark / email).