Some companies can’t afford or simply don’t perceive the need for in-house legal counsel. However, many are seeing the benefits of using outside legal help regularly, rather than when a problem is at hand, says Enrique Marinez, a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley PC.
“Smaller and midsize businesses need to be proactive and preventative in addressing issues that could lead to litigation problems. The role of general counsel should be one of collaboration and proactive planning to address some of those eventualities before they become problems,” Marinez says.
Smart Business spoke with Marinez about how to best utilize outside counsel to provide a level of service that replicates having in-house expertise.
Why has the role of outside counsel changed?
There’s been a proliferation of the use of electronic media and technology, which brings additional challenges that not all companies have kept up with. One problem that’s prevalent now concerns the handling of electronic media — how to store backup tapes and how often backups should be run. Companies need to have polices and procedures in place to put holds on emails and electronic information when a claim or other circumstance arises.
Another problem area is dealing with employee complaints. You need to have policies to address complaints about the workplace environment — someone claims they’ve been sexually harassed or discriminated against because of age or race. There should be a procedure for how to investigate claims.
Other employment issues can range from someone not being paid proper overtime, providing for proper meal and rest breaks or items like smartphones. If you send employees work-related texts, should you be paying for the phone?
If you have policies and procedures to guide you through these issues, you can follow those when a problem arises rather than responding in the heat of the moment.
Can’t these policy needs be determined by meeting with counsel on a regular basis?
Exactly. Risk management should be part of every company’s business plan. Part of that is meeting with a legal professional who can guide them so they’ll be better positioned when a problem arises. That should be on the agenda at meetings.
Often, counsel attends board meetings or company leaders visit to address issues such as policies and procedures for handling complaints and other employment issues. Believe it or not, there are a lot of companies that do not have employee handbooks.
Meet with counsel on a quarterly basis to make sure risk management procedures are in place and to ensure you have proper liability insurance, including directors and officers, and employment liability coverage. Make it part of the business plan to discuss preventative measures, so you’re better able to address situations as opposed to being reactive.
Do companies just not think about using outside counsel that way, or is it that they don’t want the expense?
It’s a little of both. Some people think that you use a lawyer only when you have a problem. But much of the problem can be ameliorated on the back end when there are preventive measures taken upfront. And, yes, there is a cost, but it’s often much less than waiting until a problem requires litigation. For example, if you don’t change your car’s oil, then the engine blows out and you’re paying $3,000. That type of analogy fits exactly for the use of outside counsel.
Plus, establishing an ongoing relationship with a law firm provides additional benefits. Counsel has experience dealing with other companies and exposure to how they have addressed employment issues. For example, a multiservice firm deals in many different disciplines and can help with insurance issues, obligations in real estate contracts and things of that nature.
Outside counsel should be viewed as an extension of your company that can provide assistance similar to in-house. It’s unfortunate that many companies don’t have a dedicated attorney to work with them and only seek legal assistance when there is a problem. When you reactively act on the defensive, things do not go as well as they could. Address issues head-on before they become the subject of litigation. ●
Enrique Marinez is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley PC. Reach him at (650) 780-1679 or [email protected].
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