Or resources within the company may not be allocated in proportion to the task. It is not uncommon for management to select patent counsel based upon litigation necessity. Engineers are focused on their new projects. Their incentives are usually derived, and properly so, from finishing their current project on time so that production can start as soon as possible. Patent attorneys of necessity are driven by their caseloads.
Patent Attorneys can have their priorities dictated by the needs of the courts.
Also, while most patent attorneys have engineering degrees, it is rare for them to be practicing engineers. As a result, it is normal that they rely heavily on your engineers for technical analysis, direction and understanding. Firms located outside of the U.S. face additional hurdles. Distance and language difficulties make everything more difficult. A lack of familiarity with U.S. patent practice can be a significant barrier for some companies doing their work primarily in other countries.