In a world where most law firms and their clients are friends, IP boutique Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner and construction equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. are blood brothers.
Over the past six years, Caterpillar and Finnegan have established a uniquely entwined attorney-client relationship. Finnegan lawyers have access to Caterpillar’s internal e-mail directory, Caterpillar in-house counsel train young firm associates, and Finnegan lawyers attend Caterpillar’s closed business strategy meetings. Even stranger, both sides say there’s rarely bickering at the annual negotiations over fees.
