MAY 26, 2016 – The lawyers and staff of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP congratulate our client Microsoft Corp. on receiving one of the most respected honors in the legal industry: a "Value Champion" award from the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC).
First launched in 2012, the Value Champion awards recognize law departments, and law department/law firm collaborations, that are successfully deploying strategies to control spending, increase client satisfaction, and improve outcomes. ACC, a global association representing more than 40,000 members in 85 countries, recognizes just 12 honorees each year as Value Champions.
Microsoft was recognized for the work of its Procurement & Contracting (P&C) group, a small in-house legal team supporting procurement contracts—everything from software and hardware to events and travel—globally across the company. Led by Lucy Bassli, assistant general counsel, the team has implemented a new managed service model that delivers greater efficiency and budget predictability, while providing data-driven insights that enable the group to continuously improve its performance.
Davis Wright Tremaine, in partnership with London-based Addleshaw Goddard, was pleased to be engaged by Microsoft last year as the exclusive law firm partners in this new effort. According to ACC, the two firms were selected partly because Bassli was "really impressed that they were interested in new delivery models."
According to the ACC, the fixed-fee arrangement has improved budget predictability for Microsoft while generating savings of 18 percent. Clear and consistent processes have resulted in improved service to internal clients. ROI has increased, as has job satisfaction in Bassli’s department. Meanwhile, the Microsoft/Addleshaw/DWT team continues to meet weekly to review data and brainstorm paths to further progress.
We’re honored to assist Microsoft in this innovative work and congratulate Lucy Bassli and everyone on her team for this outstanding and well-deserved recognition.