Big law firms do great work, that’s for sure. They certainly cover all the legal bases on mega-deals, have experts in every business law field. But, sometimes lead counsel on a multi-jurisdictional transaction (multi-state or international) don’t really need another big law firm as special counsel in every venue.
If you want to get senior partner type of expertise and judgement, sometimes a solo or small business firm can do the trick. Small firms can be more accessible, flexible and responsive. And perhaps, just a tad less expensive. Also, even a limited local counsel mandate can be a relatively valuable file for a solo solicitor, so lead counsel gets VIP treatment and service.
Big isn’t always better.