Case study
Albertsons Companies strengthens legal operations with Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker
By using Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker, Albertsons Companies saved nearly $2 million in outside counsel spend while improving invoice review, guideline enforcement, and legal operations efficiency
Key results
- Saved close to $2 million year to date in outside counsel spend through Legal Tracker
- Improved invoice review and outside counsel guideline enforcement with AI-powered audit
- Maintained momentum during a major internal transition with hands-on support from the Thomson Reuters team
Executive summary
As one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, Albertsons Companies operates over 2,200 stores. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the company employs approximately 280,000 associates and serves over 45 million loyalty members.
Albertsons Companies’ legal operations team adopted Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker to manage outside counsel invoicing and spend. With Legal Tracker’s AI-powered audit capabilities and automated volume discount features, the team has saved nearly $2 million year to date in outside counsel spend while expanding the scope of work its in-house legal team can handle independently.
$2 million
Outside counsel spend saved year to date
In-house focus
Expanded legal work without added headcount
AI-powered audit
Faster, more accurate invoice review
Managing outside counsel spend at scale while embracing innovation
For a legal department supporting one of the nation’s largest retailers, managing outside counsel relationships and costs is a constant priority. Albertsons Companies works with approximately 180 outside law firms, and the pressure to reduce that spend has intensified. As Elaine Watkins, Program Manager for Legal Operations at Albertsons Companies, explained, “Pain points at the moment for Albertsons would probably be similar to many other organizations with trying to cut outside counsel spend, and that’s a big push.”
At the same time, the broader adoption of AI across the business presented both opportunity and hesitation. “The biggest industry trend that we’ve noticed definitely over the past couple of years is how much AI is impacting every aspect of our business,” Watkins said. “And it’s been, I think, difficult to get Albertsons on the bandwagon of implementing AI. So many security scares, you know, how is this going to affect us?” The legal operations team recognized the potential of AI-driven tools but needed a trusted partner to help the organization move forward confidently.
Legal Tracker’s AI-powered audit transforms invoice management
Albertsons Companies turned to Thomson Reuters Legal Tracker as the foundation of its legal operations technology stack. Legal Tracker gave the team visibility into outside counsel activity across all 180 firms and introduced powerful automation capabilities.
“Legal Tracker would definitely be my Thomson Reuters go-to product. The newer implementations of the audit for invoices powered by AI, as well as implementing things like the volume discount, has been instrumental in saving probably almost $2 million year to date in outside counsel spend.”
Elaine Watkins
Program Manager, Legal Operations, Albertsons Companies
The AI-powered invoice audit feature proved especially impactful. When invoices with hundreds of line items are submitted, the system automatically flags items that require attention. “It’s very easy to just gloss over that when you’re looking at an invoice that has hundreds of line items,” Watkins noted, “but when they’re bold and red and you have the audit flag that brings it to the attorney’s attention and they can look a little deeper and be like, oh, wait a second, this shouldn’t be the case.” The automated volume discount feature further streamlined operations by automatically applying negotiated rates when invoices are submitted, freeing the team to focus on strategic firm negotiations rather than manual tracking.
Beyond Legal Tracker, the team is now implementing CoCounsel to further expand its AI capabilities. “We’re now finally implementing CoCounsel, which is a great step forward,” Watkins said, noting that the broader Thomson Reuters suite — including Westlaw and Practical Law — provides comprehensive support across the department’s research, operations, and cost management needs.
Significant savings, stronger capabilities, and a partnership built on trust
The results have been substantial. “Just the fact that when invoices are submitted and they’re immediately deducted based on our volume discount rate, that’s given us the ability to focus our efforts on personal negotiations with these firms rather than spending individual time within the department tracking each of the invoices that come in,” Watkins explained.
The partnership with Thomson Reuters also proved essential during a period of unexpected transition. When Albertsons’ legal operations manager passed away suddenly, the Thomson Reuters team ensured continuity without missing a beat. “Thomson Reuters has a team that will come alongside you and support your business in a human way,” Watkins reflected. The Thomson Reuters account team walked the new leadership through every existing plan and implementation roadmap, ensuring no momentum was lost. “I’m thankful that we have the support system with Thomson Reuters, with our account executives to come alongside us and help teach us about the new products and guide us along the way and push us when we’re dragging our feet,” Watkins added. “But then it makes progress happen.”
For Watkins, the value of the relationship extends well beyond technology. “Working with Thomson Reuters is more than just innovative products,” she said. “Thomson Reuters has brought along a team that has kind of pushed our legal department out of their comfort zone, but along with that has come cost savings, more knowledge, innovation and just the opportunities to expand what our legal team can manage in-house and avoiding having to go outside to look for additional support.”
At a glance
Industry
Food and drug retail
HQ region
Boise, Idaho
Solutions
Legal Tracker
CoCounsel Legal
Year founded
1939
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