Corporate legal departments are increasingly shifting away from utilizing secondees—attorneys temporarily assigned from law firms to work in-house—and are instead opting to invest more heavily in interim counsel arrangements. This trend reflects a reevaluation of the true value and practicality of secondees, whose role is intended to mimic a full-time in-house attorney. However, Navy Binning, a managing director at Major, Lindsey & Africa, pointed out significant limitations. Many clients find that the utility of secondees can be constrained, as they often require extensive training that diminishes their overall cost-effectiveness (Law.com).
The pivot towards interim counsel can be seen as a strategic move for legal departments aiming for greater flexibility and expertise without the burden of lengthy onboarding processes. Interim attorneys bring the advantage of being highly experienced professionals, often with extensive backgrounds in specific areas of law, thereby providing immediate value without the lag associated with ramping up secondees.
This transformation in staffing strategy also addresses the common challenge of resource allocation in legal departments that manage fluctuating workloads, especially during peak times or when dealing with complex legal matters. By leveraging interim counsel, organizations are able to maintain agility and ensure that their legal needs are met with appropriate expertise and efficiency. This shift aligns with broader industry trends where agility and specialized knowledge are key drivers of success for in-house legal teams (Forbes).
The decision to reduce reliance on secondees in favor of interim professionals is also influenced by budgeting considerations, as companies grapple with maximizing their return on investment in legal services. This calibrated approach allows businesses to tailor their legal spending more precisely to meet actual demand while avoiding the unpredictable costs associated with extensive training periods required for seconded attorneys (Bloomberg).
As organizations navigate these changes, the evolving landscape of legal department staffing will likely continue to favor arrangements that promote efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and high-caliber expertise. The increasing preference for interim counsel over traditional secondment signifies a notable shift in how legal support is procured and managed in the corporate realm.