LPO ≠ BPO

Fronterion recognizes that legal outsourcing is different than any other type of outsourced services. We do not treat outsourced legal services in the same generic, mechanized manner as business process outsourcing providers and advisory firms. Respecting the differences and understanding the implications that affect a legal outsourcing initiative are critical to the success of the engagement.

The Departure: Domain Expertise

The level of legal domain expertise required by frontline provider personnel to successfully deliver legal outsourcing services is the paramount difference between legal outsourcing and business process outsourcing. Many general aspects of a legal outsourcing engagement reflect basic outsourcing practices, but failing to address specific legal differences may be detrimental.

If an outsourcing provider's personnel are not specifically trained legal professionals, they may be prone to neglect the underlying legal issues central to the legal services. The personnel may not fully grasp the implications of client confidentiality and objective analysis.

Furthermore, the optimal legal outsourcing solutions and the respective provider differ for each individual firm. The expertise and maturity of each provider firm varies, regardless of its size.

Implications

Successful legal outsourcing relationships require more than corresponding service areas and price points. Contracting U.S. law firms and corporations must ensure due care to align the operating strengths of the provider with their specific needs. Fronterion assists clients to evaluate and understand how each provider delivers services and ensures quality.

The critical nature of legal services demands due care in provider selection and ongoing management. Cients of legal services must have a strong perspective of the entire legal outsourcing industry and respective service delivery approaches before entering into an engagement. Fronterion provides this perspective.

For more information regarding the implications resulting from outsourced legal services, Contact Us.