Member News

Stout Launches Legal Management Consulting Practice

CHICAGO – Stout Risius Ross, Inc. (Stout), a global advisory firm, is pleased to announce a new Legal Management Consulting service to assist corporate legal departments in optimizing their practices. Stout welcomes to the firm Jim Mitchell and Stacie Neeter, who will lead the new line of business as Managing Directors. Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Neeter bring to Stout more than 25 and 15 years’ experience, respectively, including long tenures at Arthur Andersen and Huron Consulting Group.

The vast majority of their careers have been spent working inside legal departments, helping lawyers and their teams be as effective as possible resolving matters, as well as addressing business challenges impacting department operations. Increased cost pressures on corporate counsel have accelerated the need for closer management of litigation processes and operations. In addition to cost sensitivity, the risk associated with effectively managing data is as important as ever. Legal technology enhancements are also helping departments do more through automation and reporting.

Mr. Mitchell and Ms. Neeter assist companies with initiatives in these areas that stress results and endure change, serving both as advisors and as experienced, scalable hands-on resources. “Jim and Stacie come to us through the group of Arthur Andersen and Huron Consulting Group professionals that joined us in January of this year,” says John Bone, Managing Director in Stout’s Dispute Advisory & Forensic Services Group. “This is yet another example of leveraging existing relationships to grow the firm with people who have a proven track record and a strong cultural fit with our core values.” “The ability to assist corporate counsel, their business, IT departments, and outside counsel in solving legal and business problems, while working with the professionals at Stout, creates a perfect platform for us. I look forward to rounding out Stout’s C-suite services and further integrating our complementary experience, while providing clients increased value through all Stout’s capabilities.” says Mr. Mitchell. “I am excited to be part of the Stout culture, where the commitment to putting clients first and being surrounded by talented professionals is paramount.” says Ms. Neeter.

“The Stout platform allows us to continue building on the success we have had with our clients and be even more creative in the way we help them manage the most important elements of a legal department – risk, cost and data management.” Representative Stout legal management consulting services include operational policy and process assessment, organizational structure design, spend analysis and reduction, technology evaluation and implementation, and discovery strategy and implementation, both at a program and individual case level. –

Compliments of SRR – a member of the EACCNY