Some corporate counsel have expressed intrigue over nonlawyer-owned firms, especially as regulations restricting these have begun to loosen in some states.

The nontraditional law firms can be appealing to some corporate counsel due to innovative fee approaches and the flexibility to move away from the billable hour. Indeed, it appears some small to midsize businesses are already working with such firms. But it remains unclear whether large corporations with legal departments will use such firms down the road.