Outsourced General Counsel: A New Legal Services Model

According to a recent article on law.com, a new law firm model is emerging that could be the perfect fit for men and women attorneys who want a more entrepreneurial work environment and more control over their work schedules. Called "spot" or "outsourced" general counsel, these lawyers keep legal fees low for small to mid-sized businesses by working onsite at clients' offices performing defined projects on a fixed-fee basis, or for a monthly retainer. Essentially, these "virtual" firms are eliminating overhead, and passing the savings on to clients. It's a compelling proposition for companies that can neither afford their own "in house" counsel nor pay the rates demanded by larger law firms.

However, the concept only seems practical for lawyers who have built up expertise in particular practice areas after a couple of years in government or at a large firm.

See the full law.com article here.