02 Dec Legal Contracting: A Talent Puzzle
Contract lawyers are the missing piece for in-house legal teams.
The in-house legal world has come a long way from being a shadowy support function. Today, it’s a legal strategy, risk management and governance powerhouse, sitting confidently at the table alongside business leaders. But with increasing workloads, and shrinking budgets, legal teams are facing the ultimate challenge: how do you build a team that’s both nimble, cost-effective, while keeping everyone sane?
Enter contracting—a solution that’s no longer just a quick fix but a strategic play. Contract lawyers bring expertise on demand, making them an ideal fit for in-house teams managing the ebb and flow of projects, regulatory changes, and those dreaded “urgent” board deadlines.
The Trends Driving Change
Trends that are shaping how in-house teams think about talent resourcing include:
- Flexibility: The pandemic-era shift to hybrid work has normalised flexibility. Contracting fits right in, allowing teams to scale up or down as needed.
- Talent Shortages: The race for top legal talent is again heating up, leaving permanent hires feeling like a long-term relationship, in a speed-dating world. Contracting offers a chance to access specialised skills quickly, without the long lead times, or commitment.
- Budget Pressures: CFOs and business leaders are keeping a hawk’s eye on legal budgets. Contracting enables teams to stay lean, delivering just-in-time expertise, without the overheads of full-time employment costs.
The Benefits Speak for Themselves
Hiring a contract lawyer isn’t just about plugging gaps; it’s about finding legal professionals who thrive on adaptability and hitting the ground running. Whether it’s covering parental leave, navigating a compliance audit, or supporting a one-off transaction, contract lawyers can step in, deliver, and leave once the job’s done—all with minimal disruption.
For employers, contracting mitigates the risks of over-hiring in uncertain economic times. For candidates, it offers the freedom to explore diverse industries and work on high-impact projects without being chained to a desk.
How Monty Edge can help
The demand for contract lawyers is on the rise, particularly in sectors like financial services, technology, and government. For in-house teams, this represents an opportunity to rethink their staffing strategies and embrace a more fluid workforce model.
Montgomery Edge has a dedicated contract/ temp offering that has been running for almost four years now and we are perfectly placed to help businesses looking for support.
The message is clear: contracting isn’t just a temporary solution; it’s a competitive advantage. So, for those in-house legal teams grappling with the talent puzzle, consider this your nudge to think outside the permanent box.
After all, the legal landscape is evolving—and the smartest teams know how to evolve with it.
Keen to get in contact? Call us for a chat, we love to chat…
Bill Panourgias: bill@montyedge.com.au//+61 426 233 077
Becc Smith: Becc@montyedge.com.au //+61 431 909 244
