Comments from a recent panel discussion sponsored by the American Corporate Counsel Association suggest that small law firms and boutiques are more efficient and provide a better value for clients than large law firms.

The article, published in the Fulton County Daily Report (paid sub. required) featured a discussion among in-house lawyers dissatisfied with the billable-hour model of large law firms.

Susan Hackett, the general counsel of ACCA, said “I don't think anyone is saying law firms can't provide efficiency, but their business model is structured so that inefficiency is encouraged.”