Legal Commentary

Can BigLaw Afford To Look Askance At Contract Lawyers

By Patrick J. Lamb

Here's a sentence that should scare the bejesus out of every inside lawyer:

"Other firms, however, are taking work they would typically farm out to contract lawyers and instead are giving it to associates who might not have much on their plates."

So says Raunn Ross of Agency Legal Staffing in Los Angeles.  Apparently, some firms are resorting to the argument that its better to have work done by experienced employees "who have a proven track record."  This is the gist of a Law360 article, Temp Attorneys Boon For Some, Liability For Others.

If you're an inside lawyer, you've got to wonder.  When assignments are being made in a law firm, say for document review, exactly how much consideration is given to the permanent associate's track record?  But more importantly, is the law firm so out of touch with the market for contract lawyers that it doesn't realize the number of high quality, high caliber lawyers who suddenly are on the market.

Once again, clients have to be saying to themselves, "with friends like this..."

Full post as published by In Search of Perfect Client Service on June 16, 2009 (boomark / email).