FT to showcase legal outsourcing business

Legal process outsourcing (LPO) will be high on the agenda at an upcoming Financial Times (FT) conference. Scheduled for 27 and 28 April at London's Andaz Hotel, Navigating the Waters: Economic Turmoil, Business Models and Industry Transformation will feature a detailed LPO roundtable with material of interest to IP professionals. Other aspects of the knowledge economy will be examined in talks from leading technology and pharmaceutical firms, plus a look at the role of R&D.

The chief aim of the event is to evaluate the role of outsourcing in the global economy, with a special emphasis on how it can prosper beyond its appeal for bringing short-term cost savings. The FT hopes that its event will provide answers to questions such as: 'How compelling are outsourcing and offshoring as tools in an organisation's competitive weaponry? When should you consider outsourcing and offshoring? [And] how is the current economic turmoil affecting the decision making of global services leaders?'

With that in mind, Day One's session Global Services at a Crossroads Navigating Change will feature input from Karen Mansell, head of procurement at IP-rich pharma firm, AstraZeneca. Together with representatives from telecoms and finance, Mansell will talk about how all forms of outsourcing, including LPO, can help lead companies through the recession and find their feet in the aftermath.

As IP work accounts for around two thirds of activity in the LPO sector, Day Two's roundtable will be of particular interest to IP professionals. It offers insights into best practice for managing LPO work, plus advice for potential LPO clients on which IP and legal support services they should outsource. Speakers will also give their ideas on how to source a service provider and structure an LPO agreement. The roundtable also promises discussion on the most effective LPO operating strategies before, during and after an implementation process, along with wider issues such as the dramatic changes that are currently taking place in the global legal profession.

Other key topics covered include:

• Assessing LPO's role in an organisation's current business needs
• Measuring the return on investment of LPO ventures
• How to introduce LPO into a business strategy
• Firm-wide buy-in and change management
• Ethical implications of outsourcing legal work

Processes and issues involved in outsourcing various kinds of IP work will all be discussed.

Pharma and technology companies will hold their own roundtables on their experiences of using outsourcing services, and breakout sessions will enable visitors to network and share their thoughts on best practice. Also on Day Two, the session Maximising the Value of Outsourcing and Offshoring: Planning Beyond the Financial Short-Term Benefits will help delegates to focus on specific outsourcing challenges particularly on how effective change management can deliver business strategies with lasting benefits.

Currently awaiting a slot in the schedule, a talk on the knowledge economy will demonstrate the relevance of this area in the current economic climate. In addition, it will show how successful companies are harnessing knowledge as a competition tool, and how R&D outsourcing can help to leverage service providers and their clients. Lawyers are also advised to look out for a further session on trends in multisourcing and joint ventures, both of which involve contractual, legal and IP issues.