In a recent Q&A with Vox Media, anthropologist David Graeber discusses his theory, and new book, on how technology has rendered many white-collar jobs useless. Corporate lawyers are among the careers Graeber claims are pointless, and he argues that if all corporate law jobs went away, nobody would notice their absence, or even, the world may be improved. Graeber’s comments are provocative and hotly debated. But, as in-house law departments face increasing scrutiny to demonstrate value and bolster the bottom line, they have an edge that, on some level, may ring true.

To understand how legal value can be ascertained, it is important to first examine why business “buys law.” Typically, legal departments are invested in to achieve two outcomes: 1) to ensure that money comes in, through securing the right to operate, realization of contract value, protecting IP and brand rights and pursuing claims; and 2) to ensure that excess money does not go out by avoiding restrictions, sanctions and penalties, maintaining obligations and defending against claims. Within these expectations, legal departments are beginning to address the growing pressure to measure and boost value in numerous strategic and innovative ways.