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! 

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Photo of Lindsay Griffiths Lindsay Griffiths

Lindsay Griffiths is the International Lawyers Network’s Executive Director. She is a dynamic, influential international executive and marketing thought leader with a passion for relationship development and authoring impactful content. Griffiths is a driven, strategic leader who implements creative initiatives to achieve the…

Lindsay Griffiths is the International Lawyers Network’s Executive Director. She is a dynamic, influential international executive and marketing thought leader with a passion for relationship development and authoring impactful content. Griffiths is a driven, strategic leader who implements creative initiatives to achieve the goals of a global professional services network. She manages all major aspects of the Network, including recruitment, member retention, and providing exceptional client service to an international membership base.

In her role as Executive Director, Griffiths manages a mix of international programs, engages a diverse global community, and develops an international membership base. She leads the development and successful implementation of major organizational initiatives, manages interpersonal relationships, and possesses executive presence with audiences of internal and external stakeholders. Griffiths excels at project management, organization, and planning, writes and speaks with influence and authority, and works independently while demonstrating flexibility in thinking, especially in challenging situations. She also adapts to diverse and dynamic environments with constant assessment and recalibration.

JD Supra Readers Choice Top Author 2019

In 2021, the ILN was honored as Global Law Firm Network of the Year by The Lawyer European Awards, and in 2016, 2017, and 2022, they were shortlisted as Global Law Firm Network of the Year. Since 2011, the Network has been listed as a Chambers & Partners Leading Law Firm Network, recently increasing this ranking to be included in the top two percent of law firm networks globally, as well as adding two regional rankings. She was awarded “Thought Leader of the Year” by the Legal Marketing Association’s New York chapter in 2014 for her substantive contributions to the industry and was included in Clio’s list of “34 People in Legal You Should Follow on Twitter.” She was also chosen for the American Bar Association Journal’s inaugural Web 100‘s Best Law Blogs, where judge Ivy Grey said “This blog is outstanding, thoughtful, and useful.” Ms. Griffiths was chosen as a Top Author by JD Supra in their 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards, for the level of engagement and visibility she attained with readers on the topic of marketing & business development. She has been the author of Zen & the Art of Legal Networking since February 2009.