Why outsource in the UK?

At a time when the UK’s economic outlook remains precarious, it can be difficult for businesses to grow and expand. However, with awareness and careful management there is room for businesses of all kinds to perform well and one way companies are able to do this is through the use of outsourcing.

Outsourcing here in the UK can reduce risk for businesses and help them to extend both their service offering and manpower at a time when the rise of operational costs could otherwise make this difficult.  By partnering with outside specialists such as Ventura BPO Services businesses can reduce costs for projects, or a specific element of their operations, while enjoying the revenue generated.

Although outsourcing can take place within the premises of your own company, commonly one factor that can contribute to savings made is the eradication for purchase of equipment, software or the cost of premises when outsourcing is contracted off-site. Despite this, the largest benefit of outsourcing is undoubtedly the ability to have a larger workforce at your disposal on a quick and flexible basis. On top of this outsourcing projects or operational elements of your business means you will not be responsible for the cost of training these staff, nor will you need to employ them on a permanent basis. Outsourcing also allows you to tap into the skills of an external and flexible workforce with existing skillsets allowing businesses to grow and dip their toes in new waters while minimising risk and investment.

Where work is outsourced to experienced teams firms can see increased performance and productivity, as well as enjoying access to the knowledge of experts within the field that the business may otherwise struggle to secure. In this way utilising the service of outsourcers can help you adopt best practices and innovations as you can tap into their tried and tested methods and reap the rewards of their established contact networks.

Press Release: CPA Global celebrates success in Greater China IP market

Growing client base underlines region’s strong focus on intellectual property
and increasing demand for professional IP services

Achievements mark second anniversary of Hong Kong office

CPA Global, the world's top intellectual property (IP) management specialist and a leading provider of legal services outsourcing (LSO), has made significant inroads into the Greater China market since opening its office in Hong Kong two years ago, helping a growing number of companies protect and manage their valuable IP assets.

On the second anniversary of its Hong Kong office, CPA Global is celebrating successful growth in Greater China (incorporating mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan), and an expanding client base, comprising leading corporations in sectors such as telecommunications, electronics, and semi-conductors.

Clients include international telecommunications solutions provider Huawei Technologies; leading global manufacturing companies Johnson Electric and Techtronic Industries (TTI); The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and China Patent Agent, one of China’s leading IP agencies.

Prior to opening its Hong Kong office, CPA Global had already forged successful business alliances in Japan and Korea, and established a strong operational presence in India. The aim of the Hong Kong office was to spearhead CPA Global’s business development in North and South East Asia, with a particular focus on the fast-growing Greater China region.

Commenting on the company’s achievements in the region over the past two years, CPA Global Group Chief Executive Peter Sewell said: “The phenomenal economic growth in Greater China has brought with it a stronger focus on intellectual property as companies in the region increasingly develop their own IP and recognise the value of that intellectual capital. Indeed, China is now the world’s fastest growing market for IP and the largest filer of international patents. We are delighted to have made such significant inroads into this important region since opening our Hong Kong office, and are pleased to be able to celebrate two successful years of helping clients throughout Greater China manage and protect their valuable IP assets.”

Joanne Hon, CPA Global's Head of Sales & Marketing, Asia, who has led the Hong Kong office since its opening, said: “As companies in Greater China have become more international in their outlook and operations, they have seen the benefits of enlisting professional IP management companies like CPA Global to help them manage their IP portfolios to ensure that their prized IP assets are protected and maintained. We are seeing increasing opportunities to work with companies throughout Greater China, as well as other parts of North and South East Asia. Earlier this month, we opened our first office in Korea, and we are planning to open further offices in China over the next couple of years.”

Commenting on their successful working relationship with CPA Global, Chris Murray, Senior Corporate Patent Attorney - Johnson Electric Group, said: "In appointing CPA Global to handle our patent renewals, we were seeking improved efficiency, cost savings, reliability and, above all, peace of mind. And that's exactly what they've delivered for us. This has enabled us to concentrate on other matters and not have to worry about our patent renewals as we know everything will be handled in timely fashion and without drama by CPA Global; and that we will be promptly informed and fully briefed should any issue arise. On top of this, their customer support teams are always quick to respond and friendly to deal with."

Added Emmanuelle Prono, Assistant General Counsel at Techtronic Industries (TTI): “When we looked at consolidating TTI Group’s IP renewal systems and processes, CPA Global was one of the very few IP service providers able to satisfy all of our needs in relation to the renewal of a large and diverse IP portfolio, as well as the monitoring of that portfolio. What made the difference was the proximity and quality of the service of CPA Global’s staff, whether based in Europe or Asia. We are very happy today with the services provided in maintaining and protecting our iconic brands and patents portfolio.”

Xiangling Zeng, Patent Attorney and Deputy General Manager at China Patent Agent (H.K.) Ltd, commented: “Our two companies have developed a strong business relationship and, with the ongoing growth of CPA Global’s Hong Kong office, we believe our relationship will continue to foster and grow.”


* * * *

About CPA Global

CPA Global is the world's top intellectual property (IP) management specialist, and a leading provider of legal services outsourcing (LSO). CPA Global supports many of the world’s best known corporations and law firms with a range of IP and broader legal services, helping them to manage risk, cost and capacity, and realise greater value for their businesses and their IP assets.

CPA Global helps its clients manage their valuable IP Rights, such as patents, designs and trademarks, ensuring that IP portfolios are protected, maintained and regularly reviewed in order to maximise value. Services include search, filing and renewals for patents and trademarks; trademark watching; portfolio valuation and optimisation; as well as IP management software.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs more than 1,500 people, serving clients' needs in over 100 countries. CPA Global has offices in major international locations, including the UK, France, Germany, the USA, Australia, India, China, and Korea; with strategic partnerships in these and other important markets, including Japan.

CPA Global’s diverse client list ranges from major global corporations, headquartered in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, to small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation start-ups; and from top international law firms to national and regional law and IP firms. Clients include leading Fortune 500 and FTSE companies, and two-thirds of the Global Lawyer 100.

2011 State of the LPO Sector Survey

Last year Ravi Shankar, a Harvard Law graduate, administered the 2010 State of the LPO Sector Survey to study business fundamentals of the LPO industry in India at large. The report had (a) profiled LPO firms and (b) sought to understand how they market themselves.[1] Notable findings from the corresponding 2010 State of the LPO Sector Report include:

· Despite strong growth projections, it is a challenge for most LPO firms to attract clients: Why do LPO firms and commentators project strong industry growth, yet firms find it difficult to attract clients? One explanation offered by a plurality of LPO firms is that few firms capture most of the market.

· 2004 to 2007 may have been a “golden age” for starting a LPO firm: Outside of this three-year window, the number of LPO firms entering the industry appears to have fallen. Does this suggest that new entrants are unable to capture market share despite strong growth projections?

· BPO experience helps: In the view of one CEO, BPO companies possess two advantages: First, security infrastructure is in place—both for employees and data. Second, they have experience marketing themselves to an American and British client base.

Informed by the 2010 Survey as well as communication with LPO firms and relevant field experts, the 2011 Survey has evolved to ask LPO firms about their (a) clients, (b) revenue, and (c) opinion of often-cited market analysts. If you are interested please write to Ravi Shankar at IndianLPOSurvey@gmail.com

[1] A full copy of the 2010 Report is available at http://lposavvy.info/downloads/Ravi_Shankars_LPO_Survey_Report.pdf.

[1] A full copy of the 2010 Report is available at http://lposavvy.info/downloads/Ravi_Shankars_LPO_Survey_Report.pdf.

CPA Global hosts event on the latest trends in Cloud-based IP Management

CPA Global, the world’s top provider of intellectual property (IP) management and leading provider of legal services outsourcing (LSO), today brought together IP experts in Palo Alto, Calif. for the company’s event IP in the Cloud: Managing Your IP while Keeping Pace with Innovation to explore the latest trends in cloud computing.

Featuring noted industry expert Mary O’Malley, Senior Patent Paralegal at eBay, Inc., the presentation focused on the growing popularity of Software as a Service (SaaS), specifically cloud-based IP management. Organizations that embrace this model find it increases data access speed and simplifies the IP process with minimal infrastructure.

“The practice of cloud-based IP management brings strategic value to corporations and enhanced client relationships to firms,” said Jim Lee, Sales Manager at CPA Global. “As a result, the growing industry trend has gained quite a bit of recent attention for the time and cost savings it offers companies.”

An early adopter of the SaaS model, O’Malley addressed the benefits of implementing a cloud-based IP solution. These include cost savings and the reduction of IT overhead, enhanced portfolio visibility, system customization, scalability, collaboration with outside counsel and inventors, as well as the use of the cloud to ensure business continuity and security. She also discussed how the cloud simplifies the management of information disclosure statements, a critical component of patent prosecution that is particularly time-consuming and burdensome.

The presentation also taught attendees how cloud computing can complement client-centric organizations, discussing how to leverage the model as a strategic business platform and highlighting its ability to enhance client-law firm relationships.

For more information on CPA Global, please visit www.cpaglobal.com.Read more: http://www.hostreview.com/news/110617-cpa-global-hosts-event-on-the-latest-trends-in-cloud-based-ip-management#ixzz1Pn6rNypJ

Press Release: CPA Global one of fastest climbers in Global Outsourcing 100

Leading legal services outsourcing company CPA Global has leapt up the rankings of The Global Outsourcing 100®, a prestigious industry listing produced by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP).

CPA Global is one of the fastest climbers in the 2011 Global Outsourcing 100, which covers the leading players in all disciplines of outsourcing, including the largest IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies. CPA Global rose to 23rd place this year, compared with 42nd in the 2010 ranking and 60th in 2009. The company was also identified as one of the top 20 providers to both the financial services and technology sectors.

Companies selected for The Global Outsourcing 100 undergo a rigorously judged application process that assesses four critical characteristics: size and growth, customer references, organisational competencies, and management capabilities.

Commenting on the occasion, Anand Sharma, CFO and Head Management Service, CPA Global, said: "Being one of the fastest climbers in 2011 list, indeed marks a great achievement for CPA Global. The stride we have taken, from the 60th place to the 23rd place reinstates our committed focus on excellence, business capabilities, and best-in-class service standards for our esteemed customers."

He further added, "We continue in our endeavor to be the preferred partner in the space."

Leah Cooper, CPA Global's Director, Legal Services Outsourcing, said: "Many international corporations are already recognising the benefits of LSO, and the question they are increasingly asking us is not 'why LSO', but 'how' do they go about introducing LSO into their organisations."
Michael Corbett, IAOP Chairman and chair of the judges' panel, said: "CPA Global is to be congratulated on again being one of the fastest climbers in The Global Outsourcing 100 and to breaking into the top quartile. The Global Outsourcing Outsourcing 100 is a top industry ranking. The companies who make it into the listing are proven leaders and rising stars. They are the companies you want to partner with to achieve success and better outsourcing outcomes."

Note: * CPA Global defines 'pure-play legal services outsourcing provider' as a company whose sole outsourcing focus is in legal services rather than more general IT and business process outsourcing, etc.

For further information, please contact:
Avian Media
Isha Sharma
Mobile: +919818282734
Email: isha@avian-media.com

Guest Post: Will Outsourcing Still Enjoy the Limelight in the Years to Come?

There are many things that outsourcing has achieved, both positive and negative – it has made a huge difference to the lives of people in countries like China and India where most of the manufacturing and service industries have relocated respectively because they can now find work in their own countries, but with a higher pay scale than the normal standard that had existed so far. However, for the countries that outsourced these jobs because of cost constraints, it has led to problems galore even though they’ve been able to reduce their overall expenditure considerably by paying less than half the usual amount in salaries.

Among the negatives of outsourcing are the facts that it is very hard to effect quality control when your operations are oceans away, and in the hands of people with a completely different culture. The security of operations is compromised at times, as is the quality of service provided. Also, in-house tensions flare up as locals realize that their jobs are being shifted offshore so that the company can cut costs and make more money. And factor in the fact that most governments are now cutting out tax breaks for companies that outsource, and you have many organizations rushing to reshore or backshore their operations.

So the key question today is – how important is outsourcing going to be in the scheme of things to come? With globalization on a massive scale thanks to the Internet and other technologically innovative forms of communication, is it possible to dismiss this phenomenon which took the world by storm just a decade or so ago? And is it viable now for organizations to bring back all their overseas operations and still operate profitably?

The reason why outsourcing took off so swiftly and enjoyed such great success is not just because of the low cost of services in developing nations like India which boast a well educated population, but also because the quality of services delivered more often than not exceeded expectations, and because over a period of time, the initial hiccups gave way to operations that were smooth and satisfactory. Of course, the odd problem surfaced every now and then, but then, that’s to be expected even with onshore operations.

So yes, while a few companies are moving lock, stock and barrel back home, there are many more who are still sticking it out; and it’s not too premature to hazard a guess that outsourcing will continue to enjoy its day in the sun, even if the rays are not as bright as they used to be.

This guest post is contributed by Chris Jacobson who writes on the topic of Criminal Justice Degree Online . Chris can be reached at his email id: chris.jacobson7-AT-gmail-Dot-com

Plenty of career opportunities in LPO firms

Guest article (as it appeared in Deccan Herald)

Legal process outsourcing (LPO) industry has left its pangs of dithering and clarification and reached the stage where its feet are firmly grounded in the outsourcing domain and is charged for an aggressive expansion.

Valuenotes report suggests that the Indian LPO market will be worth more than USD $1bn by 2014. The economy saw the industry strengthening even at the times of global recession where for mature and stable providers of LPO it meant more business with Valuenotes estimating LPO revenues (from India alone) to be USD 370 million for 2009.

This exponential growth is owing to increasing pressure on businesses to boost capacity, lower costs and devise efficient ways to deliver services.

For markets such as India, industry experts opine that since developed markets are turning extremely volatile the former are fast emerging as better investment destinations. This creates a big pool of opportunities for young lawyers in India as they stand to benefit not only in the domain of experience by getting a chance to do quality and multijurisdictional legal work but also finding opportunity to take up a business manager’s role as they move up the corporate ladder, which in case of a conventional lawyer is not a predictable career progression.

Litigation or work at law firms in India is associated with initial years of relentless struggle wherein the return on investment of time and money is slow.

Platform for lawyer

LPO companies on the other hand provide a platform that not only enriches a lawyer with global exposure and knowledge of multiple jurisdictions but also give them the experience to build and manage teams in a relatively short span of time. Employees’ development in such corporations becomes intrinsically linked with the growth of the corporation. Example of one such legal service provider is CPA Global where Succeeding together is one of their corporate values. To actively help its employees succeed, the company inculcates the culture of leadership at all levels. Lawyers gain in-depth knowledge of both nitty-gritty’s of law and dynamics of business owing to the international business environment provided in its functioning. Established LPO companies such as CPA Global have opened avenues to build long-term career for both fresh and experienced lawyers. A wide variety of services with various levels of complexity has today become the USP for the industry from the work spanning across Legal Research, Contract Solutions, Transaction Support to Document Review.

Opportunities galore

Opportunities such as these are now attracting many young yet experienced lawyers to join LPOs. Lawyers with LLM from international universities equipped with work experience in a law firm as well as some years in private practice choose to work for leading LPOs.

One of them said and I quote - Although legal profession offers a plethora of opportunities, the LPO industry offers a completely new avenue wherein a legal professional not only develops as a lawyer but also is presented with an administrative role.

Delving with business along with the legal nuances gives a bigger and intrinsic perspective to the legal scenario involved in global transactions. Further, it is a multi faced role which keeps fleeting from one client to another and never gets to be monotonous. Along with vast array of knowledge at the work place, the work life balance also forms a pivotal point for a bulk of lawyers transitioning to the outsourcing industry. The outsourcing industry provides more flexibility and a better platform to deliver than rigid and hectic schedules of a legal firm. A brand like CPA Global with some of the biggest names in the global business being its dedicated clients, offers the perfect platform to the legal fraternity to achieve the pinnacle of success in the outsourcing industry.

In the current scenario LPO industry is moving towards consolidation with recent mergers and acquisitions being indicative of this growth. This change is guided by the move to capture the global legal market share where LPO in India, according to some industry experts, alone is expected to reach USD $1bn by 2014, which is less than 1% of global law industry. Although this appears to be a small portion of the pie but undeniably is indicative of the huge potential of legal outsourcing and a glimpse of exciting times ahead.

Authored by Anand Sharma, CFO and Head of Management Services, CPA Global.

CPA Global named in Global Outsourcing 100 for third year running

Leading legal services outsourcing company CPA Global has been named in the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals' (IAOP) Global Outsourcing 100for the third year running – the only pure-play LSO provider to have achieved such distinction.

The prestigious top 100 listing covers the leading players in all disciplines of outsourcing, including the largest IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies. Companies selected for the Global Outsourcing 100 undergo a rigorously judged application process that assesses four critical characteristics: size and growth, customer references, organisational competencies, and management capabilities.

Leah Cooper, CPA Global's Director, Legal Services Outsourcing, said: “We are honoured to have been selected for this important industry listing for a third year in a row. Our position as the only pure-play LSO provider in the 2011 Global Outsourcing 100 establishes CPA Global as a true industry leader. Legal services outsourcing is a fast emerging sector and this high level recognition by the IAOP underlines the key role that CPA Global is playing in developing the sector.”

Michael Corbett, IAOP Chairman and chair of the judges’ panel, said: “Congratulations to CPA Global. Being named in the Global Outsourcing 100 is a great achievement, especially given the strong competition from outsourcing providers in both well established and newly emerging sectors. The companies on The Global Outsourcing Outsourcing 100 are proven leaders and rising stars. They are the companies you want to partner with to achieve success and better outsourcing outcomes.”

Note: * CPA Global defines 'pure-play legal services outsourcing provider' as a company whose sole outsourcing focus is in legal services rather than more general IT and business process outsourcing, etc.

About CPA Global
CPA Global is the world's leading provider of legal services outsourcing, including document review, transaction support, contract solutions, legal research, and intellectual property (IP). With offices across Europe, the United States, Asia and the Pacific, CPA Global supports many of the world’s best known corporations and law firms with a diverse set of legal and IP specific requirements, helping them to realise value by managing risk, cost and capacity.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs 1,500 people, serving clients’ needs in over 100 countries. CPA Global has offices in key city locations such as London, Paris, Munich, Washington DC, Sydney, Hong Kong and New Delhi; and has strategic partnerships covering a number of other important markets, including Japan and Korea. The company has extensive operations in India, with some 800 people in two state-of-the-art legal services delivery centres in the Noida and Gurgaon districts of Delhi. The company's focus on quality and security in its Indian legal services outsourcing business is underlined by its certifications in ISO 9001 for operational quality and ISO27001 for IT security. For further information visit: www.cpaglobal.com or contact:

United Kingdom: Steve Clark +44 (0)20 7549 5504, sclark@cpaglobal.com
Victoria Knowles +44 (0)20 7549 4585, vknowles@cpaglobal.com
United States: Julie Mandell +1 571-227-7025, jmandell@cpaglobal.com

About IAOP
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) is the global, standard-setting organisation and advocate for the outsourcing profession. With more than 110,000 members and affiliates worldwide, IAOP helps companies increase their outsourcing success rate, improve their outsourcing ROI, and expand the opportunities for outsourcing across their businesses. To learn more, visit http://www.iaop.org or contact:

Kimberly Maneeley, IAOP Director, Marketing & Communications
+1 845-452-0600, ext. 104, kim.maneeley@iaop.org

About The Global Outsourcing 100
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) is in its sixth year of compiling its annual ranking of the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors – The Global Outsourcing 100. As part of The Global Outsourcing 100, IAOP also introduced a new list in 2009, The World's Best Outsourcing Advisors.

The Global Outsourcing 100 and its sub-lists are essential references for companies seeking new and expanded relationships with the best companies in the industry. The lists include companies from around the world that provide the full spectrum of outsourcing services — not just information technology and business process outsourcing, but also legal services, facility services, real estate and capital asset management, manufacturing and logistics.

Ireland to be the next stop for legal outsourcing . . .

In an article written by Russell Smith an interesting development has to come to fore. Legal outsourcing is recently been seen having a new base in Ireland. To quote him “A flurry of reports indicate that UK mega law firms Allen & Overy and Herbert Smith both are setting up legal support offices in formerly war-torn Belfast in the coming months. The outsourced jobs will include not only hundreds of back-office clerical positions, but also over 75 fee-earning legal jobs.”

Does this mean a precursor to the legal outsourcing market in India? Is the Indian market capable to handle this situation keeping in mind that the Irish government is going out of its way to support the industry? I agree with Russell when he says that a lot would be clear when Indian government will reveal its decision regarding the IT-enabled services next month.

Read more to know his opinion.

Executive Summary: 12 Ways Offshore Legal Outsourcing Could Shake Up the Law World in the New Decade

Many good points already have been made about what offshore legal outsourcing (or legal process outsourcing/LPO) has achieved in 2010, and what it is likely to contribute in 2011. But this is not just a new year; it's a new decade. This second decade of the 21st century is the one in which the legal world, as we know it, might be turned upside down. Along with related factors, offshore legal outsourcing is likely to continue to be among the leaders of the law revolution. Let us count the ways:

1. Meritocracy Beats Aristocracy

In the new, client-centric legal world, legal services providers can no longer rely on privileged positions. They can no longer depend on unwavering acceptance of the old model, which Cisco General Counsel Mark Chandler famously described as "the last vestige of the medieval guild system to survive into the 21st century." Lawyers and law firms must deliver value. That's what high-quality, offshore legal outsourcing is all about. This is the number one reason why the LPO (legal process outsourcing) sector is likely to continue to boom throughout the new decade.

2. Change is happening in the East as Much as in the West

Much has been written about the dramatic upheaval in the US and UK legal worlds. But just as rapidly as the Western legal market is changing so is the legal world in India. National law schools are proliferating, skill sets are improving, business-oriented metrics are beginning to prevail, and India's "demographic dividend" is in full effect.

3. The New Tort Reform

Now that high-profile U.S. law suits have been defeated with the use of high-end, offshore legal outsourcing, the corporate world is just beginning to realize that the best response to bogus claims is not a costly settlement payout, but instead, a cost-effective defense.

4. Capital Funding of Litigation

The new development of third-party funding of plaintiffs' litigation, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars provided by seemingly unlikely investors such as Citigroup, means that corporations are under even more pressure to reduce their legal costs. Offshore legal outsourcing answers not only them but also to the claims investors, who want to maximize their returns on worthwhile cases, rather than see most of their money go to legal fees.

5. The Billable Hour Bites the Dust

Value-based, flat-fee or fixed-fee billing already is beginning to turn the legal world upside down. Instead of trying to maximize hours and costs, law firms that practice alternative billing, voluntarily or otherwise, are now trying to minimize those same hours and costs. Under that scenario, offshore legal outsourcing is not a dangerous threat to law firms, but instead a great opportunity.

6. Unintended Effects of Regulatory Reform

The financial regulations that arose from the lack of transparency and oversight blamed for the recent recession that shook the core of the Western economy, together with the regulations contained in the new U.S. healthcare legislation, have created vast new compliance obligations for U.S. corporations, all of which cry out for cost-effective, offshore legal solutions.

7. "Legal Trauma Units" Level the Playing Field

As the ABA Ethics Commission astutely recognized, offshore legal outsourcing can be a blessing to overwork and out-gunned solo practitioners and small law firms. LPO providers are acting as "legal trauma units" for such lawyers, expertly handling their deadline emergencies, leveling the playing field for them, magnifying their strength and allowing them to not only meet difficult deadlines, but even run circles around the client-required, "lean staffing" of large law firms.

8. Offshore Beats Nearshore

While some companies reportedly are thrilled to pay $100-200 per hour for "nearshore" or onshore U.S. contract attorneys, and although this trend may thrive for some time in contrast to the $300-500 per hour that "BigLaw" firms charge for similar work, the nearshore/onshore providers will continue to have serious competitive trouble in the face of the reality that very high-quality, more reliable alternatives are available offshore for $20-40 per hour, or better yet, for inexpensive flat fees.

9. The Death of the "They're Taking our Jobs" Myth

The mostly untapped market for affordable legal services (a phrase now widely seen as an oxymoron) is vast. At some point, it will become apparent to the legal and corporate worlds that when offshore legal outsourcing allows otherwise unaffordable court cases to be opposed or prosecuted, and deals to be done, most of which require Western lawyers to supervise and implement, the amount of work for Western lawyers will go up, not down.

10. More Proliferation than Consolidation

Some experts talk, perhaps wishfully at times, about the supposedly upcoming "consolidation" of the LPO industry. In fact, there has been much more proliferation than consolidation. With the one exception of the acquisition of LawScribe by UnitedLex, it seems that so far there has not been a single example of one LPO buying or merging with another. Of course, several legal process outsourcing providers have disappeared entirely (some leaving their old websites intact for posterity, like electronic tombstones), but for every company that has gone under, another three or so have cropped up. The industry has gone from 15 companies in 2005, to over 200 today, and that trend will only increase, as offshore legal outsourcing becomes more popular. This can be a very good thing, not just a bad thing, to the extent that boutique and other niche LPOs emerge to satisfy client needs that go beyond the currently dominant trend of high-volume document coding.

11. Western Lawyers Switch to Football

Instead of complaining about the supposed loss of jobs, forward-thinking Western lawyers are realizing that offshore legal outsourcing provides them with an opportunity, and maybe even a necessity, of moving up the value chain. Whether they are litigators or transactional lawyers, they have the opportunity to focus on becoming quarterbacks or team coaches, or as Jordan Furlong puts it, "solutions managers." That's what clients want from them the most. As for young associates, they will be trained to negotiate deals, appear in court, supervise offshore providers, and provide legal advice. None of those tasks can be done best (or in some cases, at all) by foreign lawyers. All of those roles provide an opportunity for growth, not decline, at least on the part of modern law firms that are willing to embrace the future, rather than resist it.

12. The Future May Belong to the "Just Crazy Enough"

In a now-famous New York Times article, business journalist David Segal reported on the surprising fact that many venture capital funds deliberately look for entrepreneurs who have a mental disorder. The investors are looking for potential business leaders who are "just manic enough" or "crazy enough." In the LPO field, about 6 years ago, Indian providers like Mindcrest, Lexadigm, Quislex, Pangea3 and others were "just crazy enough" to provide document review and other services that most Western companies and law firms would never imagine sending overseas. Now, the sending of document work to India is routine. Today, arguably "crazy" legal outsourcing entrepreneurs and other LPO leaders are setting their sights on the highest-value and highest profit-margin mother lode, which is legal research and legal drafting. It is in those areas that offshore legal outsourcing is likely to make its greatest and most profitable mark.

For the entire article please click here.

Written by Russell Smith