How flexible talent powers the Great Reinvention of in-house legal teams
Managing work volume is the top challenge for legal professionals, according to LOD’s Global Survey Report, The Great Reinvention. This challenge is only getting tougher with the rapidly accelerating pace of data growth.
While solutions such as automation and AI hold long-term promise, they sometimes require big investments, change management, and cultural shifts. That means they aren't the quick fix that legal teams need right now.
But there is a more immediate, practical way forward. Legal teams that opt for smaller, impactful operational changes are starting to lead the great reinvention. Bringing in flexible talent enables in-house teams to boost their efficiency and free up time for bigger transformations down the line that set the stage for long-term success by reducing manual labour, facilitating the adoption of new technology, and refining workflows.
As this year’s survey revealed, making small changes today can be the bridge to major breakthroughs tomorrow. By using strategies—like flexible talent—to manage workload bottlenecks now, legal teams can prepare to fully embrace AI, global solutions, and other innovations when the time is right.
The common challenges facing in-house teams
Managing and prioritising the increasing volume of work continues to be the biggest headache for legal professionals. As global data doubles every two years, legal teams are under more strain than ever. Almost half (48%) of survey respondents said it’s their top concern for the third year in a row.
Operational efficiency is another sticking point: nearly a third of respondents (31%) said it’s one of their biggest challenges. Legal teams have been structuring and routing work effectively for years, but the sheer scale of today’s workload makes it harder to stay ahead. On top of that, getting the right mix of skills and seniority in teams remains a struggle for 29% of respondents, highlighting the need for smarter resource allocation.
Budget constraints also play a role, with 25% of respondents saying that financial pressures are a major strategic concern. Given the rising costs of data management and compliance, legal teams are trying to find ways to get more done without sacrificing quality—a tough balance to strike. Combined, the need for efficiency and budget pressures make the need for streamlined, cost-effective solutions even more urgent.
AI and innovation are shaping the future of legal work
The legal industry sees AI as a game-changer. Almost half (46%)of respondents believe it will be the top driver of future change. AI’s ability to streamline compliance, automate contract management, and enhance data analysis is even more valuable as regulatory demands grow.
However, AI adoption is lagging. Almost half (48%) of in-house legal teams are planning or piloting innovation projects, but few have fully adopted them. Document review and legal research are the most common areas for AI adoption, with 20% and 22% of in-house teams, respectively, testing or deploying AI solutions. And while 52% of teams are involved in contract management innovation, only 1% have deployed AI solutions.
The wide gap between recognising the benefits of AI and actual implementation reflects challenges like limited budgets, lack of expertise, and organisational resistance to change. But the lack of implementation isn’t just a tech issue—integrating AI into existing workflows requires careful planning and team buy-in. Just under half (43%) of legal teams say they don’t have the resources or internal knowledge to take the plunge.
Ultimately, AI’s success depends on improving foundational workflows. By simplifying processes and removing inefficiencies, legal teams can create the breathing room needed to adopt emerging technology without overburdening their staff. This is where flexible talent comes in.
Flex talent is a catalyst for agility and innovation
The survey showed that teams are outsourcing work reactively, addressing resource limitations in the event of headcount freezes, employee leave, or expertise gaps. However, many organisations aren’t taking full advantage of the benefits flexible talent can offer. In fact, no respondents reported using flexible talent for strategic innovation.
This is a crucial missed opportunity. Proactive resourcing can help legal teams enhance efficiency by helping them tackle high-volumetasks more efficiently, manage complex compliance and litigation issues, and accelerate their adoption of new technologies. Integrating flexible talent canal so inject expert knowledge into teams, strengthening their operational agility.
By using flex talent to ease the workload on permanent staff, legal teams will have more room to focus on big-picture strategies and innovation. And, over time, teams can reduce their reliance on external support as they build capacity. This way, legal teams address their short-term needs while building a stronger, more resilient team ready to tackle future challenges.
To learn more about how in-house legal teams are making incremental changes that drive long-term value, read the Global Survey Report: The Great Reinvention.