In this Q&A, Sara Keith offers ideas for ways corporate in-house lawyers can give back to the community and talks about how AI is shaping expectations with outside counsel.
Texas Lawbook: What are the best ways that corporate in-house counsel can give back to the community?
Sara Keith: Time and financial contributions are both critical. Funding is essential to providing legal services to those in need, so individuals who cannot volunteer time can instead donate to an organization of their choice. Many worthy organizations operate across Texas, and most companies offer matching programs that amplify the impact of those donations. Time is equally important, and in-house lawyers are uniquely positioned to contribute it, as their roles often provide greater flexibility and less conflict concerns to engage in pro bono work.
Lawbook: What are the factors you consider when deciding about hiring outside counsel?
Keith: I focus on value for the expertise. The proposal should demonstrate a clear understanding of the key issues and align with the company’s goals, risk tolerance, desired outcomes and propose a budget for the risk.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Keith: I view managing outside counsel as a strategic partnership. Budget management is a top priority, so my approach is to focus counsel on the aspects of the case that matter most and avoid tasks that will not affect the outcome. I remain actively involved, stay current on the facts and issues and provide historical and company-specific insight to support the team.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work?
Keith: AI has streamlined certain administrative and related tasks, creating efficiencies. It is also helpful for generating quick summaries or guidance based on prior work. However, it can produce inaccuracies, so prompts must be precise and outputs carefully verified.
Lawbook: How is AI impacting your work and relationship with outside counsel?
Keith: AI is shaping expectations around pricing and efficiency. Accordingly, we seek proposals in which firms use AI, where appropriate, to streamline workloads.