How to build a flexible legal function without compromising on quality
In-house legal teams are under more pressure than ever to be agile, cost-conscious and commercially focused. But how can you meet these demands without compromising on quality or burning out your team? One answer lies in rethinking your resourcing model—and building a legal function that flexes in response to changing needs.
Hiring interim Lawyers is key to the solution. At Taylor Root, we’ve helped employers across a range of sectors to build flexible legal functions using high-quality interim professionals. Whether it’s a gap in headcount, a complex project, or an unexpected spike in demand, interim support can help legal teams stay sharp and sustainable.
Why flexibility matters now
Legal risk is growing, regulation is evolving, and businesses are becoming more global and fast-paced. In this context, the traditional model of a static, permanent-only legal team is increasingly out of step with operational realities.
In our work, we see legal leaders seeking ways to respond more quickly to change—without sacrificing quality or overextending their teams. Interim Lawyers allow legal functions to scale up and down based on demand, absorb pressure during peak periods, and deliver specialist expertise exactly when needed.
What does a flexible legal function look like?
A flexible legal team is built on a blend of permanent staff, strategic interim hires, and carefully selected external advisers. It’s a model that gives legal leaders the freedom to resource work in the most efficient, effective way—whether that’s supporting business-as-usual operations, delivering complex transactions, or leading transformation projects.
We often see clients using interim Lawyers to:
- Cover roles during parental leave, resignations or secondments
- Manage discrete projects or regulatory changes
- Test new team structures or reporting lines
- Support business growth without committing to permanent headcount
Quality should never be the trade-off
Some organisations hesitate to use interim legal support because they fear a drop in quality. But that fear is misplaced. Many interim Lawyers are former GCs or Heads of Legal. Others have years of sector-specific experience and thrive on variety and challenge.
The key is to work with a recruitment partner who understands your needs, your culture, and your business goals. In doing so, they can carefully you with interim professionals who not only meet technical criteria but who also bring commercial pragmatism and strong communication skills.
The commercial benefits of interim hiring
In addition to flexibility and speed, interim hiring often delivers commercial benefits:
- Faster onboarding: Interim Lawyers are used to stepping in at pace. Most are fully operational within days
- Reduced reliance on external counsel: Bringing specialist knowledge in-house, on a short-term basis, can cut legal spend and improve collaboration
- Less disruption to the team: With the right interim cover, permanent team members can stay focused on core priorities
- Better decision-making: Interim professionals can offer fresh perspectives and identify areas for improvement or risk mitigation.
Making interim work for you
To get the most value from interim support, it’s important to scope the role clearly. Define the outcomes you need—not just the tasks to be completed. Think about the level of stakeholder interaction, the systems and processes they’ll be using, and the level of autonomy required.
Many employers build interim resourcing into their annual planning cycle. This proactive approach ensures they’re ready to respond to change—without the delays and disruption that often accompany reactive hiring.
Real-world impact
One of our clients, a global FMCG company, needed legal support for a large-scale technology rollout. Rather than hiring permanently, they brought in a senior interim commercial counsel for six months. The result? The project launched on time, internal teams felt supported, and the legal function avoided burnout.
Another client in the fintech space used interim support to cover a parental leave. The interim lawyer brought prior sector experience and, during their nine-month assignment, helped streamline template agreements and improve contract turnaround times.
Future-proofing your legal function
Flexibility is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a business imperative. Legal teams that can adapt quickly to shifting priorities, new risks and resourcing pressures will be better equipped to support growth and protect value.
By incorporating interim professionals into your legal team strategy, you’re not just plugging gaps. You’re building a more resilient, responsive and sustainable legal function.
If you’re interested in exploring how interim support can help your team, get in touch.
