BT took the decision to consolidate down to 15 firms from over 40 in order to enable deeper and stronger relationships with a core set of panel firms.
The scope of the panel exercise included all UK legal matters for external advice as well as international matters originating from BT’s head office.
Firms submitted bids across 21 lots representing different areas of law where BT requires external legal advice and representation.
Commenting on the appointment, Catherine Haslam, client lead partner at DWF, said: ‘We are delighted to have been appointed to BT’s new legal panel. This is great recognition for DWF’s differentiated offering and our strategy of transforming legal services. This also builds on our existing relationship following our appointment as the strategic legal partner to BT last year.’
Sabine Chalmers, group general counsel, BT, said: ‘We continue to transform and simplify the way we work across BT. We hope to foster closer relationships with a smaller panel such that firms can support us more effectively. Delivery of the right advice including the correct judgement calls requires insight into our business.’
