Vendor consolidation applies to law firms, e-discovery providers, court reporters, expert referral services, and investigators. Consolidation concentrates spend with fewer providers in exchange for negotiated rates and service commitments.
It typically follows a formal sourcing process.
Alternative Names:
Supplier Consolidation, Vendor Rationalization
Why it Matters?
Consolidation shifts vendor selection from the case team to the procurement function, which can conflict with defense counsel's judgment about which expert or investigator a particular matter requires. Preferred vendor mandates that override counsel's professional judgment raise ethics questions where they compromise the representation. The practical response is negotiating an exception process for matter-specific needs rather than accepting a blanket requirement.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What is the risk in mandated vendor lists?
What is the practical response?
