In this Q&A with The Texas Lawbook, Jane Ann Neiswender discusses the traits she seeks in outside counsel, what outside counsel need to know when working with her and more.
Texas Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Jane Ann Neiswender: Deep expertise in the given subject matter area is certainly an initial requirement. But assuming all of the counsel being considered have that expertise, I am drawn to counsel who work with our legal team as partners and who communicate timely, clearly and efficiently. The counsel I rely on — and go back to time and time again — are those who learn and care about the business, understand that we have to balance business needs and legal risk and provide actionable advice. I look for counsel who will work collaboratively and creatively to solve the business need, not someone who is going to provide a lengthy memo outlining every possible risk with no actionable solutions. Now if only we could get lower hourly rates, too!
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about working with you?
Neiswender: I am a trial lawyer and expect to have a partnership with my outside counsel. I am a very active participant in the issues impacting the company for which I am responsible.
Lawbook: What are your pet peeves with outside counsel?
Neiswender: Not listening! That is the biggest one, and it is surprising how often we experience it. When outside counsel listen to what we or our business people tell them — and seek to understand why things operate the way they do, or why something that might not seem to be an issue is actually very difficult — it creates a better working relationship and result. My second biggest pet peeve is not providing briefs, declarations, etc. with sufficient time for review and comment.
Lawbook: What question am I not asking that I should be asking?
Neiswender: I think the biggest question, and the one we are all trying to answer, is what will impact the legal profession and in-house teams in particular. AI is the popular answer right now. It can increase efficiency and productivity, and we are working to incorporate it as it makes sense. I do think, however, we have a responsibility to use AI as a tool, while still making sure that we are developing lawyers’ ability to think, write and creatively solve problems. Becoming too reliant on AI may ultimately weaken the skilled practitioners we will need in-house in the coming years.
Click here to read the Lawbook profile of Jane Ann Neiswender.