In a significant trend that's reshaping the legal landscape, midsize and regional law firms are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for corporate counsel looking to manage both routine and complex legal matters. This shift is highlighted in a recent survey conducted by Above the Law, where a notable 80% of over 500 in-house attorneys reported regularly engaging midsize firms for their legal needs.

The survey reveals that these firms are not just handling mundane tasks but are also trusted with high-stakes, complex legal work, with nearly half of the respondents (48%) relying on them for such matters. This is a considerable development, considering the traditional dominance of larger law firms in handling intricate legal issues.

Furthermore, the data indicates a growing trend of moving work away from the larger, more established law firms to smaller, more nimble counterparts. About 35% of surveyed in-house counsel noted that they had shifted work from large to midsize or smaller firms over the past year, and 32% anticipate continuing this trend in the upcoming year.

The reasons behind this shift are clear. A vast majority (87%) of respondents find midsize firms to be more cost-effective. Additionally, 48% praised their agility and responsiveness, and 45% appreciated the more personalized attention they received. This suggests that midsize firms offer a compelling mix of affordability, customer service, and legal expertise that is increasingly recognized by corporate clients.

These findings are part of Above the Law’s comprehensive 2025 Outside Counsel Survey, which promises to unveil more insights in the weeks to come. The evolving preferences of in-house counsel could signal a broader reevaluation of legal service models, potentially leading to increased opportunities for midsize firms ready to step up to the challenge.

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this developing trend and provide further analysis on the shifts within the legal services market.