BTI Consulting Group: Fortune 1000 Corporate Counsel See Caseload Rising 11%; Almost 50% of Companies See a Bigger Caseload; Business Expansion and the Economic Downturn Key Drivers.

Business Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2002

A new survey of more than 175 corporate counsel at the Fortune 1000 predicts an increase in their case load--11% a year over the next two years--despite the economic downtown. The survey, conducted by The BTI Consulting Group of Boston, shows 48% of in house counsel expects their caseload to increase, while another 28% expect it will remain the same.

"The caseload is increasing as pressure builds on corporate counsel to deliver more business value and reduce costs," says Roanne M. Neuwirth, a Principal at The BTI Consulting Group. "As a result, Corporate Counsel are looking to streamline the management of their departments, reduce the costs of legal services and increase the business value they bring," adds Neuwirth. "Given their caseload demands and business pressures, Corporate Counsel are looking to simplify management of their programs and their law firms," Neuwirth continues.

The BTI Consulting Group is the leading supplier of high impact, compelling, and strategic information to the legal services industry. BTI has benchmarked how companies acquire mange and sell of all types services for the last 12 years. The survey results are now available in The BTI Survey of Corporate Counsel Management Strategies, Tactics and Practice 2002. Details of the survey are available from BTI's website at www.bticonsulting.com.