Texas Lawbook: What are the critical factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel, and what are the biggest mistakes that outside counsel make in their relationship with in-house counsel?
Lisa Fields: As in-house attorneys, we develop deep familiarity with our industry and our company’s operations. We’re required to be broad generalists and sharp issue-spotters, constantly evaluating new corporate initiatives and challenges across a wide range of legal disciplines. When a matter falls outside our core expertise, we rely on trusted outside counsel with specialized knowledge to guide us. In my 18 years at VSP, we’ve been fortunate to maintain a relatively light litigation portfolio and had never before faced a constitutional law matter. When HB 1696 presented that challenge, we turned to outside counsel partners who had served us well in other contexts and pooled our internal experience to make a thoughtful decision.
One of the most common missteps for outside counsel is failing to appreciate the unique role of in-house counsel. We are not just legal advisors — we are business partners who must balance legal risk with operational realities. Outside counsel who provide purely academic or overly cautious advice without considering the business context can slow down decision making or miss opportunities to add strategic value. It might be useful for outside counsel to imagine that they are advising the CEO of a corporation, rather than the in-house counsel. That is the level of advice that we are often seeking.
Another frequent mistake is underestimating the importance of responsiveness and clarity. In-house teams often operate under tight timelines and need concise, actionable guidance. Long memos filled with caveats may be technically sound, but they’re not practical. The best outside counsel distill complex issues into clear recommendations and help us move forward. A lack of industry-specific understanding can also be a barrier. In-house counsel are deeply embedded in the business, and we appreciate outside partners who take the time to learn our industry, our company’s culture and our strategic goals. That context makes their advice more relevant and impactful.
Lawbook: What has been your best day working at VSP?
Lisa Hill: It’s hard to pinpoint a single “best day” at VSP — there have been so many meaningful and rewarding moments. I genuinely enjoy being in the trenches with our business operators, helping them navigate challenges and achieve the organization’s goals. That collaboration is both fun and intellectually stimulating. Still, a few standout days come to mind: the completion of the Visionworks acquisition, which marked my first experience with a major corporate transaction; the day Christine Warren joined VSP from USAA and promoted me from general counsel of Visionworks to senior vice president and deputy general counsel of VSP; and the deeply personal joy of celebrating the births of two children born to employees on my team. I’ve also had the privilege of supporting and securing promotions for two of my team members — something I hope to do many more times in the future. And of course, listening to the Fifth Circuit oral arguments in our HB 1696 case was unforgettable. It was a moment that brought together months of hard work, strategic collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting member and consumer rights.
Lawbook: Teamwork is clearly important to you and the VSP legal team, especially with the legal team spread out across the U.S.
Hill: One of the things I truly value about being part of an in-house legal team is the diversity of experience and expertise each attorney brings to the table. Together, we work toward a shared goal: enabling the company’s mission and strategic objectives. When I was a solo GC before joining VSP, I often relied on outside counsel to fill gaps in specialized knowledge. Now, I’m fortunate to be part of a team where that expertise is just a quick call away. Having worked side by side through complex challenges, we’ve built a foundation of trust and collaboration. What makes our group exceptional is the genuine collegiality, deep commitment and strong work ethic that each team member brings.