In a recent Platforum9 Session, Ciara O’Buachalla, a lawyer with diverse experience in traditional law firms, in-house roles, and legal tech startups, shared valuable insights on the emerging world of Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs). This article summarises key points from the discussion, providing an introduction to ALSPs and their role in the evolving legal landscape.
What are Alternative Legal Service Providers?
ALSPs are companies that provide legal services outside the traditional law firm model. They offer a range of services, typically focusing on high-volume, process-driven work that doesn’t require complex legal analysis. O’Buachalla explained:
“It’s really for the more straightforward, high volume things, for example, commercial contracts. So it’s to help in-house teams, especially during busy periods, it’s very cyclical.”
Types of Services Offered by ALSPs
ALSPs typically focus on areas such as:
- Commercial contract review and drafting
- Data protection compliance
- E-discovery
- Regulatory compliance
- Due diligence
O’Buachalla noted that these are often tasks that traditional law firms struggle to price competitively or that may not provide valuable experience for junior lawyers.
The ALSP Market
The ALSP market is most developed in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. However, it’s growing in other jurisdictions, including Ireland. O’Buachalla observed that some UK-based ALSPs are expanding into Ireland, and there’s increasing cross-border flexibility within the industry.
ALSP Models and Flexibility
ALSPs offer various models to meet client needs:
- Fixed-term placements (e.g., 3 days a week for a set period)
- Project-based work (e.g., 20 hours per week until project completion)
- On-demand services
This flexibility is a key advantage of ALSPs, allowing them to meet diverse client needs and provide lawyers with varied work arrangements.
Quality Control in ALSPs
O’Buachalla described several methods ALSPs use to ensure quality:
- Assessments and interviews during onboarding
- Matching lawyers’ specialties with client needs
- Some ALSPs add contractors as temporary employees to maintain firm standards
She emphasised the importance of clients having well-organised templates and playbooks to maximise the effectiveness of ALSP services.
The Role of AI in ALSPs
While AI is used in some ALSP services, particularly e-discovery, O’Buachalla cautioned against over-reliance on automation:
“I don’t believe that AI is just going to run these services on their own. I don’t buy into automation with AI and legal services and most services at all. I believe you can equip the consultants or your contract lawyers to use AI while they’re doing their reviews and while they’re drafting their contracts. But the human in the loop is so important when it comes to law.”
Who Works for ALSPs?
ALSPs attract a diverse range of legal professionals, including:
- Lawyers seeking flexibility while pursuing other projects (e.g., startups)
- Those looking for work-life balance or reduced hours
- Lawyers who want to work intensively for periods, followed by extended breaks
- Professionals interested in working with a variety of clients and industries
The Future of ALSPs
O’Buachalla sees growth potential for ALSPs, particularly as part of the broader trend towards fractional and flexible work arrangements. She noted:
“I do see it growing. I don’t think that as an early stage startup that you can afford the fees and then the actual offerings themselves. I know they want to play the long game, but it’s awful when you’re in there and you know that you’re a collectible.”
She also suggested that traditional law firms might expand into this space, potentially offering their own ALSP-style services.
Implications for the Legal Profession
The rise of ALSPs has several implications for the legal profession:
- Increased flexibility for lawyers throughout their careers
- Potential to retain talent that might otherwise leave the profession
- More cost-effective options for clients, particularly for routine, high-volume work
- Challenges for traditional law firms in competing for certain types of work
O’Buachalla emphasised the importance of this flexibility:
“I genuinely believe in a change and more flexibility in order to survive your stay in the legal industry for such a long time. To adapt for your stage of life and your desire to work, whether it’s 60 hours at that certain time. I think it’s the key to keeping people in the legal profession.”
Conclusion
Alternative Legal Service Providers represent a significant shift in the legal services landscape. By offering flexible, specialised services, they provide new opportunities for both lawyers and clients. As the legal profession continues to evolve, ALSPs are likely to play an increasingly important role in meeting diverse legal needs and providing lawyers with alternative career paths.
