Dentons launches Nextlaw In-House Solutions

Nextlaw In-House Solutions, a strategic consulting service, will provide integrated, multi-disciplinary solutions to in-house counsel with ex-general counsel as consultants. The firm said that the service would be targeted at inhouse counsel who often have limited resources to build contemporary, effective operations whilst managing new legal problems, legal technologies, procurement processes, and varying types of legal service providers.

Strategic role

Commenting, Chris Pinnington, CEO of Nextlaw In-House Solutions said: ‘One thing we consistently hear is that our clients are under enormous pressure, not just to resolve legal issues but to deliver business solutions, play a more strategic role in the C-Suite, modernise their legal departments, redefine processes and implement the latest technologies.’ He said that as part of Dentons, ‘We enjoy unique advantages, including the privilege of working with and learning from sophisticated clients across the globe, spanning diverse industry sectors, legal systems and cultures.’

Delivering solutions

Nextlaw In-House Solutions will bring together experience in the general counsel role from major organisations around the world, along with legal technology and process management experts and professionals across the spectrum of legal operations disciplines, to provide advisory services, market insights and experienced perspectives. These services can range from delivering solutions to improve the management of external counsel relationships and legal spend to leveraging innovation and legal technology to enhance the value delivered by legal departments. The GC team also provides coaching and mentoring for new general counsel or counseling on risk and compliance issues, as well as experienced interim or permanent in-house support.

Reinventing the legal profession

‘Dentons is at the forefront of reinventing the legal profession, and Nextlaw In-House Solutions is a further step in a comprehensive strategy to lead transformation and disruption in the industry,’ said Elliott Portnoy, Dentons Global CEO. ‘With the launch of Nextlaw Labs in 2015, Nextlaw Global Referral Network in 2016, Nextlaw Public Affairs Network in 2017, and now Nextlaw In-House Solutions, Dentons is demonstrating that we are a catalyst for change in the delivery of solutions to the challenges confronting our clients. Nextlaw In-House Solutions teams will be on the same side of the table as their clients delivering solutions to the real problems facing in-house counsel,’ said Dentons Global Chair Joe Andrew.

Day-to-day challenges

‘Other firms market to clients, while we are focused on their real, day-to-day challenges. In-house counsel have clients as well, the business leaders, and while Dentons and other law firms will provide solid legal advice, the in house-counsel need more. They need someone who understands the pressures they are under, because they have been in the same situations, and can provide guidance on how to manage those pressures,’ added Mr Andrew.