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In-house lawyers turn to smaller firms & AI

22 November 2023
Issue: 8050 / Categories: Legal News , Artificial intelligence , Profession
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One third of in-house legal teams aim to use artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce costs, research has found

Moreover, 39% will shift work from big firms to smaller firms; and 66% will bring work in-house (compared to 59% last year), according to a survey by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) in partnership with litigation and investigation platform Everlaw.

The report, The state of collaboration in corporate legal departments, published last week, also found only 42% of in-house lawyers happy with cost transparency and 38% with cost predictability. One quarter intend to cut the number of law firms they work with next year.

Respondents also highlighted obstacles they face when collaborating with other departments. ‘Legal teams continue to be seen as roadblocks on projects and nearly half reported they are consulted too late in strategic corporate decisions,’ said Blake Garcia, the ACC’s senior director of business intelligence. ‘Technology adoption is likely the most efficient way teams can improve communications with every corner of the organisation.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
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