James Michalowicz has joined Huron Legal as a managing director with a focus on cost control and metrics in law firms and legal departments.

It is trite to say that the control of costs is a key driver for clients who get involved in eDiscovery exercises. The ability to predict and control costs is one of the primary attributes expected of those who offer professional services whether at in-house departments or in external law firms. The “more for less challenge” as Richard Susskind calls it, has never been more acute.

That challenge is met, in part at least, by the improvements in analytical software which captures cost and performance and the metrics both on specific cases and in the general management of in-house and law firm departments. The value derived from this goes beyond cost reduction and prediction and into the ability to fix fees – the latter is impossible if one has no idea of what a “typical” job costs and what variables might arise

This is where James Michalowicz experience comes in. Bob Rowe, executive vice president of Huron Legal, is quoted as saying:

The use of Big Data and business analytics to control costs has brought great opportunity for law departments and law firms facing constant pressures to contain outside spending while delivering quality service. Our clients will benefit from Jim’s track record of delivering results through value-based budgeting, alternative fee arrangements and cost/result driven metrics.

The press release is here.