Law firms and corporate legal departments often look at contracting outside attorneys as a dollars-and-cents proposition. Law firms have found they can save money on routine work that can be performed less expensively externally, while freeing up associates to perform higher-level tasks that can be billed at a premium. Similarly, corporate legal departments view contract attorneys as a means of keeping in-house counsel focused on higher-level work, which helps them reel in outside counsel costs and, often, manage expenses more seamlessly through flexible billing options worked out with their alternative legal service providers (ALSPs).
But working with contract attorneys can offer advantages that go well beyond increasing margins and decreasing costs. And while these benefits may not be as obvious, they are important to consider as staffing decisions are being made. Some of these hidden benefits include:
