Companies that regularly face significant litigation typically devote substantial resources to client-side oversight of those matters. They retain and rely on outside counsel, but they also deploy experienced in-house litigators charged with overseeing the matter from the organization's perspective.
Not every organization has that capability. Some do not litigate frequently enough to justify it. Others may have legal departments with different areas of focus.
Litigation stewardship makes that capability available on a matter-specific basis through an independent client-side role working alongside outside counsel.
The role focuses on helping clients evaluate options, navigate important decisions, remain actively engaged in the litigation process, and manage cost, risk, and complexity over the life of a matter. Depending on the circumstances, that may include strategy development, case assessment, counsel and expert selection, litigation oversight, communications and reporting, and resolution planning.
Litigation stewardship reflects the view that significant disputes benefit from informed and engaged client participation, enabled by independent litigation expertise.