Metric Programs for In-house Counsel Work

Suzanne Miller, Director and Managing Counsel, HP Inc.

Numbers don’t tell a story. We tell a story about the numbers. In-house attorneys are under increasing pressure to produce numbers – metrics - which measure their work. The pressure comes from a number of sources. Data analytics are transforming functions such as Finance or Operations produce metrics from the systems they manage in order to do their jobs. Human Resources are relying on predictive analytics to manage the workforce. Outside the company, legal process companies may use analytics as a selling tool for outsourcing legal work or legal operations. Legal departments are then asked the question: where are your metrics? In a rush to produce numbers, some legal departments will look for metrics are obvious and easy to produce. It’s easy to measure (and explain) whether a department stayed within its operational and outside counsel budget or met headcount and training objectives.