What is ad hoc legal support?
Ad hoc legal support refers to the tailored legal services that are provided on a case-by-case basis, usually to accommodate a specific, immediate requirement. Primarily employed by firms to fill in the gaps when internal resources are stretched thin, ad hoc legal support brings temporary staff into the fold to fulfil designated tasks. Although these are highly specialized projects, they are usually short-term in nature.
Practicing law isn’t an easy job: amendment, modification, and review could take a fair amount of time. Fulfilling mundane (yet essential) tasks like due diligence, document review, contract management, and client retention takes precious time away from the core business of a legal practice. The concept of ad hoc support is simple – augment the existing capacity with temporary resources .
Ad hoc support in the legal profession functions similarly to its use in other industries. Those who require legal expertise will employ temporary assistance as needed – hence the term ‘ad hoc’, or ‘as the situation demands’. Unlike traditional forms of legal representation, ad hoc support only comes into effect on a per-case basis.
Ad hoc legal support also differs from our tradional staffing services in that the former tends to involve a specific scope and duration of legal services with clear project guidelines to follow. After the benchmarks are met, the ad hoc support workers then leave the firm; this is different to traditional staffing, which onboards professionals as part of their firm. This is the reason why roles offered under ad hoc legal support also tend to vary from those found on traditional job boards.
When to utilize ad hoc legal assistance
Before you continue with your normal day-to-day operations, its important to scour your contract for all the necessary legal aspects. Even when a business uses the most up-to-date and expansive legal smart contracts, issues can crop up that require an outside opinion. For example, when a business signs a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement there could be situations where a legal expert needs to understand the nature of the business before giving advice, or simply walk the team through the process. These situations, while likely few and far between, require an outside opinion to understand or navigate. Now add-on that a business is rolling out an Internal Audit Program or Compliance Program, there are going to be significant legal aspects that need to be addressed. For example, if, while implementing a Compliance Program, a business decides it needs to register qualified persons with the U.S. Federal government or another foreign government, a legal opinion will be needed to ensure it meets the correct guidelines.
Even within a legal proceeding is there a need for ad hoc support. A business could be facing the possibility of a major lawsuit, requiring a legal opinion be reviewed or simply replacing an individual involved in a case unable to work, for example. Also, a business could be defective in a legal filing due to a missing signature requiring outside counsel to assist the team in filing the corrected document. There are just far too many examples of when ad hoc legal assistance is required.
Advantages of ad hoc legal services
One of the most appealing aspects of ad hoc legal services is that they can be used as an affordable alternative when full-time legal staffing isn’t necessary. Independent legal counsel can be brought in to cover for an absent full-time attorney or to tackle overburdened overflow, allowing a solo practice or small firm to address all its legal needs. This reduces the risk of burning out team members during particularly busy periods. A dedicated on-call attorney can help with overflow for meetings, court appearances, and depositions to guarantee that work moves forward on schedule.
Ad hoc legal assistance can help to keep a firm nimble and responsive to client needs. Beginning or growing solo practices and small firms often need to handle urgent and time-sensitive legal matters but are ill-equipped to do so. An in-house legal assistant struggling to meet their caseload is no match for an independent attorney who can step in whenever needed. Allowing internal legal staff to focus on their most critical ongoing tasks can free them to concentrate on the most pressing needs of either their firm or their clients.
A small endeavor often requires the same level of service as a large legal project; ad hoc services can provide that flexibility. For example, ad hoc services can provide support during trials and depositions, assisting in research or preparing documents for presentation at trial. Ad hoc attorneys can also offer sound advice when strategic business decisions are concerning but not necessarily urgent. As a solo practice or small firm grows, ad hoc can adapt to suit their needs; without lengthy applications and waiting periods, processes remain nimble.
How to source ad hoc legal support
Finding qualified and reliable ad hoc legal professionals can be a critical step in ensuring the success of your legal matter. There are several tips and strategies that can help guide you in this process.
First, consider leveraging the resources of your existing professional network. Reach out to colleagues, referral sources, or industry contacts who might have experience working with ad hoc legal professionals. They may be able to recommend someone they’ve previously collaborated with, or at least point you in the right direction to help refine your search.
Another option is to search online legal directories or platforms specializing in legal support personnel. These websites often allow you to post a request for specific skills or qualifications, and they will match you to suitable candidates. Additionally, these online resources usually have customer reviews and testimonials that can provide more information on the potential candidates.
Third, when assessing candidates, look for those with experience in the relevant field of law or jurisdiction . This is essential because local regulations, procedures, and customs can vary from state to state, so having someone familiar with these nuances can be invaluable.
Qualifications and education are also important factors to keep in mind. Look for candidates that hold a relevant degree or certification in their area of expertise, such as a paralegal certificate or a law degree if they will be performing legal work. Experience is another key factor to consider; review their resumes and ask for references to gauge their level of expertise in the field.
Finally, assess whether the candidate is available and able to work on the desired schedule. Consider not only the hours of support needed but also the duration of the project. Some ad hoc legal professionals work on a retainer basis, whereas others may be available on an hourly or as-needed basis to varying degrees. Clarity on the scope of the work, as well as the pricing, is crucial to ensure there are no surprises down the line.
Limitations of ad hoc legal services
While flexibility is an advantage of ad hoc support, unexpected changes can pose a risk for clients. If a sudden need arises, a client may have to scramble to line up support, even though they thought they were covered. Another potential downside to ad hoc support is that it doesn’t guarantee continuity. The person in your office today could be assigned other work tomorrow, or might be available for regular hours today but not next week, meaning there might not be support later on that you come to rely on. And if you’re planning on ad hoc support being part of your strategy, you’re at the mercy of the temp agency – you have no control over the level of expertise working for you. It’s likely that the generalist you got through a temp agency will have a shallow base of experience; it’s unlikely you’ll find an expert in a niche area. For matters requiring significant oversight and collaboration, ad hoc support may not be as efficient a solution as expected.
Ad hoc legal support trends
The future of ad hoc legal assistance is being shaped by a variety of factors that are influencing the legal profession as a whole. Two of the most significant of these are technological advancement and evolving client needs.
Technology continues to influence the ways in which legal work is conducted. Online legal services and marketplaces are expanding, offering clients access to a broader range of legal professionals at more competitive prices. Video conferencing options and collaborative digital tools create more efficient communication with clients and among legal teams. These technological innovations are making ad hoc legal support more accessible to a wider range of businesses, as legal work can now be conducted remotely and on a project-by-project basis.
In addition, there is a growing emphasis on cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Small firms and solo practitioners are increasingly serving as on-demand legal support for larger firms. The cost of hiring full-time legal staff is forcing law firms to reevaluate their work structure and consider alternative methods of filling legal gaps . In this way, ad hoc legal assistants have become invaluable assets for businesses that need to be flexible and respond quickly to the ebbs and flows of their business.
As attention continues to be paid to diversity and inclusion in the legal industry, ad hoc legal assistants are also seen as an opportunity to broaden hiring practices and provide opportunities for women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. The ability to hire freelancers allows firms to cast a wider net and attract diverse talent, while not impacting budget as much as hiring permanent staff.
Ad hoc legal assistants will continue to be a significant part of the legal landscape into the future by providing law firms and businesses with the flexibility, convenience, cost efficiency, and cultural diversity that are increasingly essential to success. The technology available to support remote legal work, combined with a growing familiarity among entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes with a gig economy, means that ad hoc assistants will remain a viable and necessary option for many.
