More and more, legal departments are moving their work from large, big-name law firms to small, boutique firms like Lilenfeld PC.  While the recession prompted much of this movement, I am now observing that this is a lasting practice for efficiency-minded in-house counsel.

Boutique law firms such as ours are flourishing because clients are turning to different law firms for different tasks.  This practice allows legal departments to match specific tasks to the right lawyers. For example, a new client came to us recently specifically because most of the litigation we handle involves trademark infringement claims.

Legal departments are recognizing the benefits of splitting work between firms with different focuses and using small, boutique firms that offer the right fit for each individual matter.  In-house attorneys also acknowledge that the work produced by small firms is as good as (or better than) what they receive from large, big-name law firms.  Small firms like ours also have far fewer conflicts, can make decisions regarding representation in hours instead of days and are equipped to provide personalized service.

Technology has also made small firms more competitive with large ones.  Software, for example, speeds up document production and review, while, cloud computing makes sharing documents, invoices and case developments fast and efficient.

Lilenfeld PC focuses entirely on intellectual property, and its highest hourly billing rate is $325, a rate 40 to 50 percent lower than that of large-firm counterparts.  Our clients receive the same level of expertise as clients of large firms but at a lower price.  Since we have less overhead, we have lower rates, which helps our clients manage budgets and increases the volume of business we receive.

Consider talking with us about your intellectual property needs.

David M. Lilenfeld