Law Firm Outsourcing: How to Use It Effectively
The idea of outsourcing legal services to a third party initially brought a level of hesitation and uncertainty to law firms, even if they needed the additional support. The ability to work more efficiently with qualified legal professionals, especially those who have been vetted and work in a secure setting, has brought about a change in perceptions of the industry. Thanks in large part to rapid advances in technology, law firm outsourcing has become commonplace. According to one recent report, the legal process outsourcing (LPO) market is expected to reach $27.19 billion by 2024.
Whether your law firm has been using LPO services for years or is considering finding an LPO partner, these tips can help you use legal outsourcing services more effectively:
- Identify the specific service or services that you need. LPO providers may specialize in one particular area, such as contract analysis or lease abstraction, or they may provide a suite of service offerings that firms can pick and choose from. While a specific need may have driven you to consider legal support outsourcing, you may find that it makes sense to outsource multiple tasks or projects. If outsourcing will allow you to take on additional cases, it can be a cost-effective alternative to adding staff to your firm.
- Evaluate providers. There are many LPO service providers in the market today. Before choosing one, consider their background and processes, including how they work with clients, how they avoid conflicts of interest, and what you can expect in terms of timeframes and deliverables. You will also want to consider the differing educational requirements and training offered by each LPO.
- Be conscious of privacy. The standards for attorney-client privilege and client confidentiality can vary from country to country. Be sure any service providers you contract with are aware of, and agree to comply with, the privacy standards your firm adheres to. And consider outsourcing to countries (such as the Philippines) that have standards that mirror those in the United States.
- Keep the lines of communication open. When you work with an LPO partner, be clear about your expectations, including how and when you will review the work they provide for your firm, so there is transparency in the review process. And provide feedback – ideally at predetermined intervals – so you can continue to have an effective law firm outsourcing relationship.
Baer Reed effectively and efficiently provides a variety of outsourced legal services to law firms around the world that realize the benefits and savings of a partnership with our expert legal team. To learn more, contact us online or call us at 888-433-1990 today.
- On October 2, 2018
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