Outsourcing of Core Legal Service Functions: How to Capitalise on Opportunities for Law Firms

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Outsourcing of Core Legal Service Functions: How to Capitalise on Opportunities for Law Firms

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Is outsourcing right for your law firm?

Law firms of all sizes are discovering opportunities from outsourcing some of their core operating functions that have traditionally been performed in-house. This Special Report outlines a highly firm-specific approach to identify and prioritise the components of a business case for outsourcing, as well as in-depth examinations of three representative types of outsourced services that are available to law firms:

Patent research;
Cybersecurity; and
Large-volume document review.

It will examine their potential impacts on a law firm’s bottom line, and the frequently encountered management challenges in a law firm’s relationship with its external service provider. It concludes with a look at the future of outsourcing in the legal services industry.

Edited by Norman K Clark, this report is a step-by-step guide to a well-informed outsourcing decision as well as a roadmap for implementing it in a way that produces the best return on the law firm’s investment of management attention and resources. It will be of interest to anyone considering the option of outsourcing their core legal service functions, including small and mid-sized law firms, both those in general practice and specialised boutiques.

I. The business case for outsourcing of core legal service functions

Norman K. Clark and Fernando Moreno - Walker Clark LLC

1. The emerging “assembly factory” model for law firms

2. What is the scope of the internal functions that a law

firm should consider for outsourcing to external service

providers?

3. Current examples of the outsourcing of major operating functions of law firms

4. Outsourcing as a fundamental part of sustainable profitability

5. Outsourcing as a source of competitive advantage

6. A methodology for evaluating and managing the risks

II. Case studies in outsourcing

1. Patent drafting, research, and analysis

Gaurav Khandelwal and Tushar Gupta - Intricate Research

a. The changing nature of patent law practice

b. Scope of services typically delivered through outsourcing

c. “as needed” and “dedicated” service models

d. Key impacts on law firm profitability and service quality for clients

2. Information technology systems security

Sitima Fowler and Chase Sonen - Iconic IT

a. Recent “scandals” in this area, the financial liability and reputational risks for law firms and the reduced cost of these services

b. Services delivered

c. Finding the right balance between remote and in-house management of IT security

d. Key impacts on risk management for law firms

3. Document review and computer-supported coding and analysis

Karl Schieneman - Baia do Joao Eco Pousada

a. The impact of technology on outsourced document review in major litigation cases, and its importance in

profitable due diligence services in M&A transactions

b. Services delivered

c. Service delivery modes

d. Key impacts on quality assurance and price competitiveness for law firms

III. The future of outsourcing in the legal services industry

Norman K. Clark and Fernando Moreno - Walker Clark LLC

1. What are the emerging opportunities for outsourcing of core legal service functions of law firms?

2. What are the central strategic, operational, and financial issues that law firms will need to address in

making wise decisions about what functions to outsource and which ones to keep in-house?

As so many firms are focused on current business stresses, this Special Report offers a clear and challenging analysis which will force law firm leaders to look to the future, to balance current issues with long term realities. Given the predictive nature of the analysis, to not read this report is a lost opportunity.

- Abe J Schear, Real Estate Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory (Atlanta, GA)

An extremely comprehensive, in-depth, and experience-based guide that provides a high level of comparative analysis utilizing outstanding case studies. Its self-interview format is an excellent opportunity for a quick and efficient assessment of your firm from the outsourcing perspective. I strongly recommend the report to those who are seeking to increase their firm’s productivity and adaptability to change.

- Vladislav Zabrodin, Managing Partner, CLS