Unpacking client capture: evidence from corporate law firms

Reconsidering Lawyer Autonomy: The Nexus Between Firm, Lawyer, and Client in Large Commercial Practice

“…The last trend in law firm practice raised in this article relates closely to the increased competition for legal services and was alluded to in several of the quotes from subjects above, namely, the need to be “businesslike.” The common interpretation of this expression is that the lawyer must understand the business of the client, provide advice that meets those business needs, and in a time‐sensitive and efficient manner: “giving timely service, good practical advice, you know, that reflects sort of the client's needs, you know, in a timely manner, and sort of being accessible and responsive.” In principle, this is not controversial and as economic power shifts between the respective parties, law firms' attention to these qualities will become more or less focused. The desire to provide such service potentially imposes pressures on lawyers that may test ethical boundaries, which is relevant to this study.…”

Bad apples, bad barrels and bad cellars: a “boundaries” perspective on professional misconduct

“…As a result, boundaries originally designed to protect clients acquire a new significance in protecting professionals themselves (Heinz, 1982). "Client capture" (Leicht and Fennel, 2001;Gunz and Gunz, 2008;Gabbioneta et al, 2014;Dinovitzer et al, 2014) refers to situations where advice is tailored to the commercial interests of clients and weakens the professional's fiduciary obligations to the broader public. In other words, the interests of clients are prioritized to the point where the "social trusteeship" (Brint, 1994) responsibilities of professionals are compromised.…”

“…In other words, the interests of clients are prioritized to the point where the "social trusteeship" (Brint, 1994) responsibilities of professionals are compromised. Although capture may occur over relatively mundane issues (Dinovitzer et al, 2014), it particularly matters where it affects the "gatekeeping" role of the professions -such as their commitment to the administration of justice or to the accuracy of financial statements.…”

Professional identity and anxiety in architect-client interactions

“…Increasingly, professionals seek to exercise autonomy in complex project contexts involving a number of significant others, including clients, partners, contractors and regulators, delivering projects as a part of a broad-based collaboration (Dainty et al, 2007). In these multiorganizational contexts, powerful and influential clients (Dinovitzer et al, 2014;Gustafsson et al, 2017) participate in the development of 'shared understanding, norms, values and practice' with the professionals with whom they interact (Nikolova et al, 2009: 296). In the case of architects as one of the key players on construction projects, clients play an active role not just in terms of defining design and construction constraints but also in giving 'advice, and approval throughout the process, without which the appropriateness of the services is threatened' (Cuff, 1991: 171).…”