- The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked a wave of transformation across the legal industry. From contract analysis to legal research, AI tools are handling tasks that once consumed hours of a lawyer’s time. In some corners, this has led to speculation that legal departments will soon be lean, automated machines. But here’s the truth: even in a world of highly capable legal AI, in-house…, Ethical and Strategic Accountability Can’t Be Outsourced, Every legal decision exists in a landscape of risk and responsibility, and AI doesn’t bear the weight of fiduciary duties, professional ethics, or reputational consequences. When something goes wrong, AI doesn’t answer to regulators, stakeholders, or the press. Humans do. That accountability and responsibility is what gives in-house lawyers their voice at the table—and their authority to make the…, AI Handles Tasks, Humans Handle Judgment, AI can highlight a risky indemnification clause, suggest redlines, or summarize a complex contract. But it can’t decide how much risk is acceptable given your company’s strategic goals, market position, or appetite for confrontation. In-house lawyers bring more than legal know-how. They bring judgment: the ability to weigh competing priorities, read between the lines, and make decisions in…, Trust Is a Human Currency, In-house lawyers are often among the most trusted advisors within a company. They understand the business beyond the black-and-white of the legal code. They know the players, the backstory, and the internal politics. When a crisis hits—or a sensitive issue bubbles up—executives don’t turn to a dashboard. They turn to someone they trust. AI might generate a summary, but it won’t earn your CFO’s…, The Future Is Human And Machine, AI isn’t replacing in-house legal teams. It’s reshaping how they work—and freeing them up to focus on what they do best. Alternative legal services providers (ALSPs) like FLEX are leading the way in combining human expertise with AI efficiency. Our lawyers bring years of expertise across industries, including an ever-increasing amount of experience with AI-related laws, regulations, issues, and…
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- At FLEX by Fenwick, our lawyers focus on what clients need most — deep experience in technology transactions to support commercial flow; hands-on product counsel and privacy experience to advise businesses on the development of new products from inception to launch; in-house support on general corporate matters; and guidance navigating emerging legal issues, including AIML considerations. As we…, Tech Transactions in the Lead, Unsurprisingly, commercial agreements continue to set the pace for our clients. Tech transactions have accounted for 31% of client demand this year, reflecting the ongoing wave of deal-making, partnerships, and licensing arrangements in an innovation-driven economy. From AI collaborations, government contracts, and SaaS agreements, the appetite for experienced transactional lawyers is strong. , Corporate Support Remains Core, Corporate work represents 11% of client demand, driven by fractional GC requests, private financing, M&A activity, and general governance needs. Growth companies especially are looking for agile legal help to keep momentum while managing risk. , Product & Life Sciences Activity Grows, Product-related legal needs — covering everything from product counseling to privacy navigation — make up 8% of our engagements. Meanwhile, life sciences stands at 6%, reflecting a steady pipeline of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and MedTech work. These matters often sit at the intersection of science, business, and regulation, and our clients turn to FLEX attorneys for that breadth of expertise…, Complia, nce and Specialist Roles, As regulations evolve, compliance work accounts for 3% of demand, with clients focused on strengthening internal programs and meeting heightened oversight expectations. Litigation needs are at 2%, involving in-house litigation management and legal operations. IP stood close to 0% so far in 2025 — a reminder that many growth-stage clients rely heavily on outside counsel for patent and IP support. , Looking Ahead, These numbers confirm what we see daily: clients are committed to supporting outbound deals and adopting new technology even when legal teams face resignations, extended leaves, or competing priorities. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of a cross-border software license, managing corporate governance, or life sciences innovation, FLEX is ready to connect clients with an experienced lawyer…
- As technology companies grow, they often reach a tipping point where outsourcing all legal needs is no longer efficient. The decision to bring on a full-time in-house counsel is a big one — and so is finding the right person for the job. At FLEX by Fenwick, we’ve helped hundreds of innovative companies at all stages find exceptional lawyers who understand both the legal and business needs of tech…, DO: Clearly define your company’s needs before you start interviewing, Prioritize what you really need relative to your existing department — whether that is practice area, management experience, location, industry knowledge, interim versus permanent commitment, or even soft skills — be clear on who you need. Getting clarity on the must-have details versus nice-to-haves will focus your search and help candidates self-select. Working with an ALSP like FLEX for…, DON’T: Overemphasize pedigree at the expense of fit, Sure, a resume stacked with top-tier law firms and big-name companies can be impressive. But in a fast-paced tech environment, agility, business sense, and cultural fit often matter more than the logo list. Excellent in-house counsel need to translate legal risks into business decisions quickly — and thrive in the ambiguity of a growth environment. , DO: Look for tech-savvy problem solvers, Technology companies face unique legal issues around IP, data privacy, AI ethics, open-source licensing, global expansion, and much more. Great in-house lawyers in tech aren’t just “issue spotters” — they’re creative problem-solvers who can give actionable, business-oriented advice in complex, emerging areas. Ask interview questions that explore how candidates have navigated rapidly evolving…, DON’T: Overload the role from day one, It’s tempting to hire one lawyer to “handle everything.” But stretching a single hire across wildly divergent areas — from international privacy compliance to managing litigation to drafting equity plans — can lead to burnout and missed details. Clarify priorities and, if needed, plan for phased growth of your legal team or supplemental support from long-term or interim in-house counsel as you…, DO: Move quickly when you find the right person, Great in-house counsel — especially those with tech experience — are in high demand. Lengthy hiring processes or hesitation over minor details can mean losing your top choice to another offer. Streamline internal approvals and keep candidates informed and engaged at every stage. , DON’T: Neglect onboarding, Even experienced counsel need time to learn your products, market, and internal processes. A strong onboarding plan that includes introductions to leaders across the company and deep dives into your business strategy will help them deliver value faster and with more confidence. , Final Thoughts, Hiring in-house counsel is a strategic investment in your company’s growth and risk management. The right hire can help you scale more efficiently, navigate regulatory change, and seize opportunities with confidence.
- , Tom finds that FLEX provides access to great clients and a variety of work that keeps him interested and relevant as technology continues its lightning fast evolution., Tom is a long-standing FLEX lawyer who partners with our tech clients on everything from fractional General Counsel support to day-to-day technology transactions. Tom has served as a trusted advisor to boards and C-suites in private and public companies for more than 15 years as general counsel. He offers particular expertise with governance, managing disputes, M&A and policy development and…
- FLEX Role, Emily matches emerging, private and public companies with top quality FLEX attorneys, managing client relationships and business development for FLEX., Pre-FLEX, Prior to joining FLEX, Emily was an associate in Fenwick’s Intellectual Property group, where she represented clients in the high technology and life sciences industries in a broad range of IP matters, including utility and design patent prosecution, copyright strategy, and open-source counseling. After a decade in practice, she joined the FLEX team to continue supporting the innovative clients…, Education, Emily received a B.A. in Political Science and French from Saint Michael’s College and her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.
- Practice Area Demand Trends at FLEX in 2025, As we reflect on 2025, FLEX’s data on client demand offers insights into how the legal market progressed — particularly for in-house counsel at technology companies. From tech transactions to privacy, product counseling, and compliance, demand shows diversification, specialization, and the continued impact of emerging technologies. Below, we break down the key trends in the interim counsel market…, 1. Tech Transactions Remains the Powerhouse Practice Area at FLEX, Unsurprisingly, Tech Transactions was by far the largest category tracked in 2025. Across scaling client demand, companies sought attorneys experienced in general commercial, outbound SaaS, procurement/inbound licensing, supply chain, data licensing, and government contracts. Key observations: Outbound SaaS and commercial agreements remain a staple, showing demand from AI companies, cloud…, 2. Product Counseling Demand is Elevated — Especially in Consumer-Facing & AI, Product counsel requests ranked second in volume, showing strong demand for attorneys who can counsel on product launches, safety, advertising, monetization, and regulatory alignment. Notable 2025 trends: AI & content moderation roles at the major global tech enterprises highlight the intersection of product law and trust & safety. Fintech product roles among mid-size and scaling startups…, 3. Privacy Continues its Critical Role — With Cybersecurity, Health, and AI Overlap, Privacy work was widespread, with roles spanning general counseling, commercial/data processing agreements, health privacy (HIPAA), and cyber incident response. Key patterns: Companies in biotech, healthcare tech, and life sciences drove demand for HIPAA/privacy hybrid attorneys. Cybersecurity law expertise is highly sought at companies facing ransomware response, data breach work, and regulatory…, 4. Compliance Roles Expand Beyond Safety — Think Sustainability & Anti-Corruption, While smaller in count than tech transactions or product counsel demand, compliance demand was diverse: Safety-focused regulatory compliance for platforms, e-commerce, and consumer products. Sustainability compliance in supply chain and tech transactions. Anti-corruption and import/export controls, especially for global tech footprint companies., 5. Corporate Law (M&A, Governance, Venture Financings) Holds Steady, But More Specialized, Corporate positions in 2025 skewed toward attorneys familiar with: Venture financings in tech startups and VC fund work. Corporate governance for rapidly scaling tech companies — including global expansion roles and public company readiness. M&A still appears in volume but is heavily industry-targeted toward tech and life sciences., 6. Life Sciences Roles and Litigation, Life Sciences and litigation demand at FLEX remained low last year. Many of our clients with these demands primarily work with outside counsel., Final Thoughts: FLEX’s 2025 Tech Legal Profile, The FLEX data suggests that the most in-demand tech attorneys in 2025 were interdisciplinary — blending tech transactions with product counseling, privacy, compliance, and corporate skills. Emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and health-tech created hybrid legal needs that didn’t fit into rigid categories. FLEX expects to see continued growth in product counsel demand in 2026, including AI…
- , "Having served as both a General Counsel and commercial counsel for multiple high-growth and innovative technology companies, I can speak from personal experience that FLEX represents the superior choice and ideal model, in terms of expertise, quality of work and flexibility, in how top-tier legal talent serves the various legal needs of these types of companies. It delivers flexible, high-…, Greg is an experienced legal executive and in-house commercial transactions and corporate attorney with a deep background in gaming, interactive entertainment, digital media, and emerging technologies (including blockchain, crypto and web3). Through FLEX and otherwise, he has served as outside general counsel and commercial counsel to leading game companies, as well as a wide range of venture-…
- Susan Watson is an experienced in-house counsel advising C-suite executives and senior leadership in technology-driven, high-growth companies. She combines a transactional and litigation foundation with deep experience in complex commercial contracts, corporate governance, risk management, compliance, data privacy, and dispute resolution. Across organizations ranging from startups to…
- Like many of our innovative clients, FLEX continues to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve efficiency, control costs, and protect our most valuable resource—time—without compromising the human connection that defines our work. We’ve integrated AI into several core processes. Across recruitment, client development, and marketing, AI helps reduce routine administrative tasks,…, Recruitment, Recruiting new lawyers to FLEX involves a combination of understanding client needs, recruiting expertise, and effective use of technology. Our recruiters are skilled at recognizing the nuances in an attorney’s background and advising style that best align with each client’s needs—a process that depends on human insight and experience. At the same time, we are utilizing AI tools within the top…, Client Development, Successful FLEX Engagements are based on a clear understanding of client goals and an attorney’s experience, work history, and communication style. While these matches rely largely on judgment and familiarity, AI can expand the range of potential candidates and can quickly compare several objective details such as bandwidth, compensation, and location. Reducing time spent on candidate evaluation…, Marketing, As a lean team, our focus is on supporting clients and attorneys first, which leaves less time for marketing and brand awareness. AI helps make these efforts more efficient, enabling us to reach a wider network without taking time away from the personal relationships that are central to our work. We use AI to assist with content review, identify data trends, and edit drafts—including applying our…, Contract Drafting Tools for FLEX Attorneys, FLEX is reviewing AI tools to identify those most useful for our attorneys on engagements. These include platforms for contract drafting and review. Our goal is to find options that improve efficiency, maintain data security, and fit smoothly into existing workflows., The Bottom Line: More Time for What Matters, By integrating AI into multiple aspects of our work, FLEX reduces manual tasks, increases accuracy, and accelerates essential processes. Whether capturing notes, analyzing data, or preparing client materials, these tools help us spend less time on administration and more time on value-driven work for our clients.