Skip to main content
  • login
  • contact
  • language
    • English
    • Français
    • Español
    • Português
    • Deutsch
    • Italia
    • 简体中文
    • 日本語
  • search
X
    GEP Logo GEP Logo
    • Company  
        • About Us 
        • Culture 
        • Careers 
        • Contact Us 
        • AI-First at GEP
        • Sustainability at GEP

        About Us

        • Leadership
        • Customers
        • Partners
        • News
        • GEP in the News
        • Events
        • Mission & Vision
        • Awards & Recognition
        • Contact Us

        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        Read More
        A Procurement Software Platforms Leader — 4 Years Running

        Tariff Resource Center: Strategies and Action Plans 

        Read More

        Culture

        • Diversity
        • GEP Cares
        • GEP Core Values
        • Women at GEP
        A Procurement Software Platforms Leader — 4 Years Running

        GEP & Xylem Unite to Bring Clean Water to 1,800 in Maharashtra

        Mapping & Reducing Scope 3 Emissions: A Quickstart Guide for Procurement Pros

        GEP & Akshaya Patra: Partnering to Deliver 4 Billion Meals and Fight Hunger Worldwide

        Careers

        • Explore Global Careers Opportunties
        • North American
        • Europe
        • India
        • Latin America
        • Asia-Pacific
        • Join Us
        • GEP Per Se
        • Campus Connect
        TOP EMPLOYER 2025 - USA
        TOP EMPLOYER 2025 - UK
        TOP EMPLOYER 2025 - INDIA
        TOP EMPLOYER 2025 - Costa Rica

        Contact Us

        • Ask Us
        • Request for Proposal
        • Schedule a Demo
        • Share Feeback
        GEP - AMERICA

        GEP in the Americas

        GEP - EUROPE

        GEP in Europe

        GEP - ASIA

        GEP in Asia

        GEP - AFRICA

        GEP in Africa 

        GEP - Middle East

        GEP in the Middle East

        AI-First at GEP

        Sustainability at GEP

    • Solutions  
        • Software 
          • GEP SMART  
          • GEP NEXXE  
          • GEP FINA  
          • GEP QUANTUM  
          • GEP GREEN
        • Strategy 
          • Procurement Consulting  
          • Supply Chain Consulting  
        • Managed Services 
          • Procurement Outsourcing  
          • Supply Chain Outsourcing  

        Software

        GEP SMART

        • Procurement Software
        • Direct Procurement Software
        • Indirect Procurement Software
        • Midsize & High Growth Enterprises

        GEP NEXXE

        • AI-First Supply Chain Management 
        • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution 
        • Supply Chain Planning 
        • Supply Chain Collaboration  

        GEP FINA

        GEP GREEN

        GEP QUANTUM

         

        GEP SMART

        • Procurement Software
        • Direct Procurement Software
        • Indirect Procurement Software
        • Unified Source-to-Pay
        • Source-To-Contract Software
        • Procure-to-Pay
        • GEP SMART for Midsize & High-Growth Enterprises
        • Key Capabilities
        • Spend Analysis
        • Sourcing
        • Contract Lifecycle Management
        • Supplier Lifecycle Management
        • Third-Party Risk Management
        • Purchasing
        • Payments
        • Data Analytics and Reporting
        • Do More With GEP SMART
        • Intake Management & Orchestration
        • Intelligent Category Management
        • Tail Spend Management
        • Cost Data & Analytics (GEP COSTDRIVERS)

        GEP NEXXE

        • AI-First Supply Chain Management
        • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution
        • Logistics Visibility  
        • Inventory and Warehouse Management
        • GEP Multienterprise Collaboration Network
        • Supply Chain Control Tower
        • Field Services  
        • Supply Chain Collaboration & Planning  
        • Supply Chain Planning
        • Purchase Order Collaboration  
        • Forecast Collaboration 
        • Capacity Collaboration  
        • Quality Management Software  
        • Should-Cost Modeling
        • Direct Material Sourcing
        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        Read More

        GEP FINA

        • E-Invoice Network
        • E-Invoice Receiving
        • E-Invoice Sending
        • E-Invoicing Compliance
        • Digital Supply Chain
        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        Read More

        GEP QUANTUM

        • AI, ML & Automated Technology
        • AI-Powered Data Analytics
        • Cloud Integration
        • Low-Code Application Development
        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        GEP Is a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Source-to-Pay Suites

        Read More

        Strategy

        Unrivaled supply chain and procurement expertise + the transformative power of AI

        Procurement Consulting

        • Procurement Transformation
        • Digital Procurement Transformation
        • Opportunity Assessment
        • M&A Services

        Supply Chain Consulting

        • Environmental, Social and Governance
        • Sustainability Consulting Services
        • Socially Responsible Sourcing
        • Scope 3
        A Procurement Software Platforms Leader — 4 Years Running

        Tariff Resource Center: Strategies and Action Plans 

        Read More

        Procurement Consulting

        • Procurement Transformation
        • Digital Procurement Transformation
        • Opportunity Assessment
        • M & A Services
        • Strategic Cost Management
        • Supply Risk Management
        6 Strategies for CPG Companies To Supercharge Sales and Operations Planning

        6 Strategies for CPG Companies To Supercharge Sales and Operations Planning

        Read More

        Supply Chain Consulting

        • Environmental, Social and Governance
        • Sustainability Consulting Services
        • Socially Responsible Sourcing
        • Supply Chain Strategy
        • Supply Chain Diagnostics
        • Inventory Optimization
        • Network Optimization
        • GEP Total Inventory Management Solution
        Mapping & Reducing Scope 3 Emissions: A Quickstart Guide for Procurement Pros

        10 Practical Steps To Reduce Scope 3 Emissions

        Read More

        Managed Services

        World-class skills, experience and know-how — amplified by the power of AI

        Procurement Outsourcing

        • Source-to-Contract
        • Spend Analysis 
        • Procure-to-Pay
        • Cost Recovery & Invoice Auditing

        Supply Chain Outsourcing

        • Planning & Forecasting
        • Inventory Management
        • Logistics Management
        • Supply Chain Data Management
        GEP Named a Leader in Procurement Outsourcing Services

        GEP Named a Leader in Procurement Outsourcing Services

        Read More

        Procurement Outsourcing

        • Source-to-Contract
        • Spend Analysis
        • Strategic Sourcing
        • Category Management
        • Tail-Spend Management
        • Procurement Support Services
        • Procure-to-Pay
        • Cost Recovery & Invoice Auditing
        • Accounts Payable
        GEP Named a Leader in Procurement Outsourcing Services

        GEP Named a Leader in Procurement Outsourcing Services

        Read More

        Supply Chain Outsourcing

        • Planning & Forecasting
        • Inventory Management
        • Logistics Management
        • Supply Chain Data Management
        • Supply Chain Risk Management
        GEP Named a Leader in Procurement Outsourcing Services

        Expanding the Possibilities for Procurement and Supply Chain Management by Using AI

        Read More
    • Industries  
        • Explore by Industry 

        Explore by Industry

        • Automotive
        • Chemicals
        • Consumer Packaged Goods
        • Energy & Utilities
        • Financial Services
        • Government & Nonprofit
        • Industrial Manufacturing
        • Life Sciences
        • Oil & Gas
        • Private Equity
        • Retail
        • Telecommunications, Media & Technology
        • High-Tech
        • Media & Entertainment
        • Software, Social & Platforms
        • Telecom
        • Travel & Hospitality
    • Knowledge Bank  
        • Explore by Topic 
        • Explore by Type 
        • Global Supply Chain Volatility Index

        Explore by Topic

        • Artificial Intelligence
        • Digital Transformation
        • Software & Technology
        • Strategy & Planning
        • Operations
        • Procurement
        • Sustainability
        • Inflation Strategies
        A Procurement Software Platforms Leader — 4 Years Running

        Tariff Resource Center: Strategies and Action Plans 

        Read More

        Explore by Type

        • White Papers
        • Research Reports
        • Bulletin
        • Case Studies
        • Webcasts
        • Blogs
        • Podcasts
        • Insights From the Top
        • Glossary
        Resilience: Delivering Value Amid Volatility

        Resilience: Delivering Value Amid Volatility

        Read More

        Global Supply Chain Volatility Index

    • Careers
      • Join Us
      • GEP Per Se
      • Campus Connect
    • Partners
       
    • GEP Software ›
      • GEP Software
      • ‹ Back
        • GEP SMART ›
          • GEP SMART
          • ‹ Back
            • Procurement Software
            • Direct Procurement Software ›
              • Direct Procurement Software
              • ‹ Back
                • Bill of Materials Management
                • Data Analytics & Reporting
                • Inventory Management
                • Master Data Management
                • Quality Management
                • Supplier Collaboration Portal
                • Supply Chain Operations
            • Indirect Procurement Software ›
              • Indirect Procurement Software
              • ‹ Back
                • Source-to-Contract
                • Savings Project Management
                • Savings Tracking
                • Guided Buying
                • Procurement Portal
                • Catalog Management
                • Order Processing
                • Invoice Management
            • Unified Source-to-Pay
            • Source-To-Contract Software
            • Procure-to-Pay
            • Midsize & High Growth Enterprises
            • Key Capabilities
            • Spend Analysis
            • Sourcing
            • Contract Lifecycle Management
            • Supplier Lifecycle Management
            • Third-Party Risk Management
            • Purchasing
            • Payments
            • Data Analytics and Reporting
            • Do more with GEP SMART
            • Intake Management & Orchestration
            • Intelligent Category Management
            • Tail Spend Management
            • Cost Data & Analytics (GEP COSTDRIVERS)
        • GEP NEXXE ›
          • GEP NEXXE
          • ‹ Back
            • AI-First Supply Chain Management
            • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution ›
              • Supply Chain Visibility and Execution
              • ‹ Back
                • Inventory and Warehouse Management
                • Control Tower
            • Logistics Visibility
            • Inventory and Warehouse Management
            • GEP Multienterprise Collaboration Network
            • Supply Chain Control Tower
            • Field Services
            • Supply Chain Collaboration & Planning ›
              • Supply Chain Collaboration & Planning
              • ‹ Back
                • Purchase Order Collaboration
                • Quality Collaboration
            • Supply Chain Planning ›
              • Supply Chain Planning
              • ‹ Back
                • Demand Planning
                • Supply Chain Bill of Materials
                • Supply Planning
            • Purchase Order Collaboration
            • Forecast Collaboration
            • Capacity Collaboration
            • Quality Management Software
            • Should-Cost Modeling
            • Direct Material Sourcing
        • GEP FINA ›
          • GEP FINA
          • ‹ Back
            • E-Invoice Network
            • E-Invoice Receiving
            • E-Invoice Sending
            • E-Invoicing Compliance
            • Digital Supply Chain
        • GEP QUANTUM ›
          • GEP QUANTUM
          • ‹ Back
            • AI, ML & Automated Technology
            • AI-Powered Data Analytics
            • Cloud Integration
            • Low-Code Application Development
        • GEP GREEN
        • Innovation ›
          • Innovation
          • ‹ Back
            • Emerging Technologies
            • Native to Cloud
            • Native to Mobile
            • One Unified Platform
            • Security
            • User-Centric Design
    • GEP Strategy ›
      • GEP Strategy
      • ‹ Back
        • Procurement Consulting ›
          • Procurement Consulting
          • ‹ Back
            • Procurement Transformation ›
              • Procurement Transformation
              • ‹ Back
                • Procurement Strategy
                • Org. Design & Implementation
                • Capability Building
                • Change Management
                • Governance & Performance
                • Processes & Policies
                • S2P Operations
                • Sourcing & Category Management
                • Technology
            • Digital Procurement Transformation
            • Opportunity Assessment
            • M&A Services ›
              • M&A Services
              • ‹ Back
                • M&A Clean Room
            • Strategic Cost Management ›
              • Strategic Cost Management
              • ‹ Back
                • Zero-Based Budgeting
            • Supply Chain Risk Management
        • Supply Chain Consulting ›
          • Supply Chain Consulting
          • ‹ Back
            • Environmental, Social and Governance
            • Sustainability Consulting Services
            • Socially Responsible Sourcing
            • Scope 3
            • Demand and Supply Chain Planning
            • Collaborative Planning
            • Source To Contract
            • Procure To Pay
            • Inventory Strategy & Management
            • Operations & Manufacturing Excellence
            • GEP Total Inventory Management Solution
            • Network Strategy & Optimization
            • Warehousing & Transportation Management
    • GEP Managed Services ›
      • GEP Managed Services
      • ‹ Back
        • Procurement Outsourcing ›
          • Procurement Outsourcing
          • ‹ Back
            • Source-to-Contract
            • Spend Analysis
            • Strategic Sourcing ›
              • Strategic Sourcing
              • ‹ Back
                • MRO
                • CAPEX
                • Logistics
                • Packaging
                • IT & Telecom
                • Energy
                • Direct Materials
            • Category Management ›
              • Category Management
              • ‹ Back
                • Contract Management
                • Supplier Performance Management
                • Savings & Compliance Tracking
            • Supply Market Intelligence  
            • Tail-Spend Management Services
            • Procurement Support Services ›
              • Procurement Support Services
              • ‹ Back
                • eSourcing
                • Supplier Performance Management
                • Savings & Compliance Tracking
                • Sourcing Support
            • Procure-to-Pay
            • Cost Recovery & Invoice Auditing
            • Accounts Payable
        • Supply Chain Outsourcing ›
          • Supply Chain Outsourcing
          • ‹ Back
            • Planning & Forecasting
            • Inventory Management
            • Logistics Management
            • Supply Chain Data Management
            • Supply Risk Management
    • Industries ›
      • Industries
      • ‹ Back
        • Automotive
        • Chemicals
        • Consumer Packaged Goods
        • Energy & Utilities
        • Financial Services
        • Government & Nonprofit
        • Industrial Manufacturing
        • Life Sciences
        • Oil & Gas
        • Private Equity
        • Retail
        • Telecommunications, Media & Technology
        • High-Tech
        • Media & Entertainment
        • Software, Social & Platforms
        • Telecom
        • Travel & Hospitality
    • Knowledge Bank ›
      • Knowledge Bank
      • ‹ Back
        • Explore by Topic ›
          • Explore by Topic
          • ‹ Back
            • Artificial Intelligence
            • Digital Transformation
            • Operations
            • Procurement
            • Software & Technology
            • Strategy & Planning
            • Sustainability
            • Inflation Strategies
        • Explore by Type ›
          • Explore by Type
          • ‹ Back
            • Insights From the Top
            • White Papers
            • Research Reports
            • Bulletins
            • Case Studies
            • Webcasts
            • Blogs
            • Podcasts
            • Glossary
        • Global Supply Chain Volatility Index
    • Company ›
      • Company
      • ‹ Back
        • About Us
        • Leadership
        • Customers
        • Partners
        • AI-First at GEP
        • Sustainability at GEP
        • News
        • Events
        • Culture ›
          • Culture
          • ‹ Back
            • GEP Core Values
            • Women@GEP
            • Diversity
            • GEP Cares
        • Mission & Vision
        • Awards & Recognition
        • Contact Us
    • Global Presence ›
      • Global Presence
      • ‹ Back
        • Americas ›
          • Americas
          • ‹ Back
            • English
            • Español
            • Portugués
        • Europe ›
          • Europe
          • ‹ Back
            • English
            • Deutsch
        • Asia-Pacific ›
          • Asia-Pacific
          • ‹ Back
            • English
            • 中文
        • Middle East ›
          • Middle East
          • ‹ Back
            • English
            • العربية
    • Contact Us
    • Careers ›
      • Careers
      • ‹ Back
        • GEP Per Se
        • Campus Connect
    • Language ›
      • Language
      • ‹ Back
        • English
        • Français
        • Español
        • Deutsch
        • Italia
        • Português
        • 简体中文
        • 日本語
    • BLOGS
    • Strategy
    • Technology
    • MIND
     
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    Blog Image

    Legal Services - Key Trends Driving Change

    January 30, 2017 | Professional Services

    With firms eyeing transforming legal services from a typical low mature procurement line item to a more strategic function requiring constant monitoring and a more futuristic framework, we take a look at key trends to watch out for this year.

    As corporate legal spend hit record levels in 2016, a recent survey covering over one thousand Chief Legal Officers across multiple countries established that in-house legal spend has increased due to rising government scrutiny for regulatory breaches. Almost one-third of law firms have been scrutinized for regulatory violations, with the spotlight on ethics and compliance issues. Corporations are increasingly utilizing legal services for guidance on cross-border regulatory issues, as they expand overseas and take extra care to avoid litigation and heavy penalties.

    Over 50% of legal spend was claimed as in-house and the rest on external help last year, with firms taking another look at the advantages of housing internal resources rather than outsourcing key functions. With major legal markets such as the US and UK considering a more inclusive approach over the next few years, the future of Legal Process Outsourcing hangs in the balance. There is also a conscious effort by corporate houses to differentiate commoditized legal support with high value services. Corporations are outsourcing their standard legal work for lesser costs to paralegals, contract attorneys or third parties, which includes standard contracts, wills and estates and incorporation papers. Firms are willing to pay $200/hour and above only for complex high-value services which would require senior associates or partners. There is also a rise in hires of paralegals and staff attorneys who specialize in niche areas to add to in-house capabilities.

    As with other services-based industries, the online marketplace is turning out to be quite a disruptor, with startup firms like UpCounsel allowing corporations to place their projects on open portals allowing freelance lawyers to place bids regarding fees and time to complete project. UpCounsel has raised $2.4 million in seed funding and already has 5000 registered employees. Others, such as RocketLawyer in the US and LawPath in Australia, allow clients to pose simple legal questions and get answers for a lower fee, posing a threat to the traditional mode of engagement.

    Top growing practice areas include the fields of cyber law, real estate and corporate law. Cybersecurity is growing three times greater than the average growth of other practice areas, as there is a surging need for compliance and representation in litigation and government investigations. Practices such as real estate and corporate grew by 3.1% and 2.8% respectively in the US. However, lucrative practices like bankruptcy fell by 3% due to improving economic conditions in North America.

    Overcapacity and its impact on profitability is causing some reorientation in the legal sector, with 52% of firms stating that their employee resources were underutilized and over 60% of firms not being able to keep their non-equity partners fully utilized. Above 80% of firms with 250 or more lawyers currently face this problem and are trying to address it with lateral acquisitions by hiring partners who bring business to the firm, while some are shifting work to less costly part-time lawyers. Laws firms are increasingly merging together to maintain their profitability by acquiring firms with strengths in other legal practice areas.

    The rise of alternate fee models is also interesting to note, with corporate legal departments willing to experiment Alternate Fee Arrangements (AFA) with 76% of $18 billion invoices being paid with AFAs in 2015, up from 59% in 2011. AFA models that are most popular are task or unit-based fee, percentage-based fee, retrospective fee based on value and hybrid-based fee arrangements. Over 80% of firms strongly feel that an increase of non-hourly billing methods is the preferred mode of engaging with legal advisory firms.

    Some critical levers that large companies can capitalize on to reduce legal expenses include:

    • Cutting the short cost per hour of a lawyer’s time and the number of hours of lawyer time required by the company
    • Negotiating ‘alternative billing arrangements’ with external lawyers
    • Developing settlement strategies
    • Channeling legal resources to the areas of highest risk exposure and implementing reverse auction for low value components in legal spend

    Outsourcing of lesser significant activities to LPOs and hiring of on-demand talent from various technology platforms may have more control over legal costs until more guidelines are set in place for legal spend.

     

    Add Comment +

    GEP Outlook 2025: Procurement & Supply Chain Key Trends, Challenges and Opportunities

    Read More

    FEATURED POST

    ...
    Risk Management

    Act Now or Play Safe? Here’s How to Respond to Tariff Uncertainty

    ...
    Supply Chain Strategy

    The AI Race Isn’t Just About Tech — It’s About Supply Chain Agility

    ...
    Source to Pay

    From Vision to Execution: Why GEP Is a Leader for S2P Suites in Gartner 2024-25 Magic Quadrant

      BLOG CATEGORIES

    • Marketing
    • Pharma and Life Sciences
    • Professional Services
    • IT & Telecom
    • Logistics
    • Chemicals
    • Energy & Utilities
    • Market Intelligence
    • Oil and Gas
    • Supply Chain
    • MRO
    • Facilities Management
    • Human Resource
    • Agro
    • Packaging
    • CAPEX
    • Procurement Process and Excellence
    • Direct Materials
    • Automotives
    • Healthcare
    • Metals & Minerals
    • Corporate Travel
    • Technology
    • Category Management
    • Awards and Events

    TAGS

    sustainability
    Procurement Software
    supply chain strategy
    Inflation
    Russia-Ukraine War

    By checking the box below, you consent to GEP using your personal information to send you thought leadership content – such as white papers, research reports, case studies – and other communications. GEP representatives may contact you to provide additional information or answer questions.

    If at any point in time you decide to withdraw your consent, you may unsubscribe by emailing your request to us at privacy@gep.com.

    Please refer to the GEP Privacy Statement to understand how we manage and protect your personal information.

    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement

    SEND US YOUR QUESTION(S)

    By checking the box below, you consent to receiving thought capital – such as white papers, webinars, news and research – and other communications from GEP. When you download an asset, GEP representatives may contact you to provide additional information or answer questions.

    GEP will never sell or share your information with anyone. You may opt-out at any time. Please refer to the GEP privacy statement to understand how we manage and protect your personal information.

    If you choose to withdraw your consent in the future, you may do so by emailing your request to privacy@gep.com

    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement

    Breadcrumb

    1. HOME
    2. BLOGS
    3. MARKET INTELLIGENCE
    4. LEGAL SERVICES - KEY TRENDS DRIVING CHANGE

    Contact Us

      Demo Schedule a live demo of our software
      RFP Request for a business proposal
      Ask Us Send us your question(s)
      Feedback Share your comments and suggestions
           
    STRATEGY
    Strategy
    •   Procurement Consulting
    •   Digital Procurement Transformation
    •   Strategic Cost Management
    •   Opportunity Assessment
    •   Supply Chain Risk Management
    •   Supply Chain Consulting
    •   Supply Chain Strategy
    •   Supply Chain Diagnostics
    •   Inventory Optimization
    •   Procurement Transformation
    •   Sustainability and ESG Consulting
    SOFTWARE
    Software
    •   Procurement Software
    •   Supply Chain Software
    •   Source-to-Contract
    •   Procure-to-Pay
    •   Supply Chain Planning
    •   Supply Chain Collaboration
    •   Supply Chain Visibility & Execution
    •   Supply Chain Control Tower
    •   Should-Cost Modeling
    •   Inventory & Warehouse Management Software
    •   Source-To-Pay Software
    •   Midsize & High Growth Enterprises
    MANAGED SERVICES
    Managed Services
    •   Procurement Outsourcing
    •   Strategic Sourcing
    •   Tail-Spend Management
    •   Category Management
    •   Procurement Support Services
    •   Supply Chain Outsourcing
    •   Supply Chain Planning & Forecasting
    •   Inventory Management
    •   Logistics Management
    COMPANY
    Company
    •   About Us
    •   Leadership
    •   Customers
    •   Sustainability at GEP
    •   Careers
    •   News
    •   Awards
    •   Partners
    •   Contact Us
    Stay Connected

       
       

    Download the GEP GO App

    Stay connected with cutting-edge procurement and supply chain insights – anytime, anywhere.

    app store
    play store
    © Copyright GEP 2025. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Cookie Policy |  Cookie Settings | Quality Policy | GEP Logo