The Value of Law Firms Outsourcing
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, companies and law firms continued to learn the value of outsourcing task work and the benefits of team that work remotely. While IT companies traditionally embraced the benefits of virtual and hybrid work models; a myriad of non-IT companies had to adopt these models to remain in, and conduct, business. This includes the legal industry. Law firms quickly adapted and realized the value of adding virtual remote teams to operations.
Current Hiring Challenges: The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the workforce and, even, the nature of work, a cultural shift. Many industries experienced hiring challenges, a war on talent, and potential employees’ desire for flexibility in their employment, which includes working remotely and the maintenance of work-life balance. How many times have you heard, or have you had to say, “We are Short-Staffed.” The Society of Human Resource Management has cited reasons for the shortage of workplace talent.
Health Reasons – Employees continue to be sensitive to in-office work due to lingering effects of the pandemic, which may include mandated vaccine requirements.
Competition– The talent landscape is incredibly competitive. Most companies must strategize on how to attract and retain talented and skilled workers, while balancing the need to reopen safely with the increasing demands of how to operate in this new environment.
Benefits of adding virtual teams to your practice
While developing a workforce strategy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, the pandemic has definitely shown that there is value in incorporating virtual teams to a legal practice. As law firms evaluate adding outsourcing to their business operations model, there are a few benefits as to why they should:
Reduced Costs: Adding virtual teams to a firm’s strategic business model is a cost-effective way to help to reduce operating costs. Such cost savings include equipment, additional office space needs, and utilities.
Increased Efficiency: There is greater efficiency using virtual team member(s) because they can focus on the tasks or projects at hand. However, there is also greater access to a full menu of services that law firms may need.
Flexibility: Outsourcing allows for law firms to remain agile and respond quickly to clients’ needs. Allowing paralegals and attorneys to focus on their core competencies adds to a firm’s ability to scale.
Additional Assistance of In-House Staff: Who does not need an extra set of hands, especially with staff shortages. Outsourcing can be a solution to augment overworked employees and fill staff rosters. This allows your current staff to focus on core tasks and bigger responsibilities.
Common Tasks to Outsource
Once managers and law firm administrators decide to outsource and add virtual teams, including vetting outsource service providers, the next step is to decide which tasks should be delegated to those teams. The figure shows a list of potential tasks that may be outsourced:
Before You Hit the Green Light
When considering which tasks to outsource, law firms should keep in mind that the result is a success. Before you hit the go button, here are the questions to ask:
- Which tasks should be outsourced?
- Is it cost-effective to outsource?
- What is the expertise of third-party outsource provider; do their values mirror your firm’s missions and values?
- Can the outsourced provider accomplish the tasks you need to be performed?
