Every key account manager has to deal with legal advisers from time to time, but the working relationship can be challenging. Account managers sometimes regard dealing with Legal as a time-consuming diversion from their “real” job. Lawyers in turn get frustrated about being pulled in to support contract negotiations without being properly briefed, or too late in the day to add any value.
So how can you best engage with Legal in order to make sure that you get the input you need, in the form you want and at the time you need it?
The answer lies in appreciating what commercial lawyers do, how they work, and what they need from you in order to do their job. By understanding these things, account managers will be able to brief their legal advisers more effectively, and will see the benefits in the form of faster response times and more commercially-relevant advice.
In this seminar, Jeremy Newton will explain:
- How different types of lawyers work and why in-house lawyers differ from external counsel
- What information do lawyers need when you first engage them
- What documentation they need to see (and what they don’t)
- How to control legal time (and cost) by effective communication.
- Do’s and Dont’s!
Jeremy will illustrate the session with examples from his 30 years in practice as a commercial lawyer, both in-house and in private practice. He will share the Do’s and Don’ts of dealing with lawyers, and how to manage them effectively to ensure that the legal support you receive is relevant, practical and timely.
Jeremy Newton
Director at specialist law firm Codified Legal
Jeremy has worked in the field of information technology law and contracts for over 30 years, both in private practice and in-house. His experience includes advising supplier and customer organisations on their bids/procurements, from drafting and responding to RFPs through to the final rounds of contract negotiation and subsequent contract changes.
