For our second installment of our General Counsel Corner, I’m very pleased to welcome a GC from the Baltics! 

Risto Hübner works as the General Counsel / Head of Legal for Nortal, which is the largest software development company in the Baltics. You can learn more about Nortal on their website here: http://www.nortal.com/about-us/overview

My question to Mr. Hübner was: 

What is your process for selecting outside counsel?"

As with our first GCC response, Mr. Hübner is looking for many of the same things. He told us: 

"There are usually several factors (which may somewhat differ from case to case) that I consider when selecting outside counsel. However, usually most important of these factors is the prior practical experience, as well as his or her specialization in similar matters. Other factors to consider include, but are not necessarily limited to, responsiveness, smooth communication, cost-effectiveness, personal experience from prior cooperation, etc. In addition, I must feel confident that outside counsel is actually motivated and interested to deal with the legal matter in question."

It’s a very interesting, and important, point that he mentions – "I must feel confident that outside counsel is actually motivated and interested to deal with the legal matter in question." Lawyers – are you making sure that your clients and potential clients know that you really care about the work they’re giving you, regardless of the size of the matter? 

As we saw with our first GC, inside counsel will often use a smaller matter to get a sense of how the relationship with the outside firm will work – which tells me that there is no such thing as "small" matters. Make sure to give your full attention and enthusiasm to all of the work you do – you never know what will lead to more work. 

Thanks so much to Mr. Hübner for his participation in our General Counsel Corner!