As legal departments face mounting cost pressure amid expanding mandates, General Counsels are being asked to do more with less—while still delivering strategic value. This closing session focuses on the hard realities of legal spend, outside counsel management, and data-driven decision-making in a cost-conscious environment. Featuring a deep dive from a leading voice on legal cost control, followed by data-driven insight and discussion, the session explores how GCs are using legal intelligence—not just metrics—to make defensible tradeoffs, manage rate pressure, and align legal investment with enterprise priorities. Discussion topics include:

• Using cost and matter data to make informed tradeoffs under budget and rate pressure
• Managing outside counsel expectations while maintaining quality and strategic alignment
• Connecting legal spend discipline to broader business, financial, and operational goals