DLA Piper and Addleshaw Goddard have become the latest firms to target the fast-growing flexible working market with the launch of new temp lawyer initiatives.

DLA is putting together a flexible working unit along the lines of Allen & Overy's (A&O) Peerpoint – which drafts in former staff to work on projects during periods of high demand – while Addleshaws has set up a new venture, AG Consulting, which will offer several service lines including contract lawyers.

Under DLA's system it is expected that the firm will initially draw on a pool of alumni for times of peak demand or for secondment requests, but may widen the pool at a later stage. The unit is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

A DLA spokesperson said: "We constantly look to improve the quality of our service delivery to clients, and in response to client feedback we have developed a number of solutions to ensure that we continue to meet their demands while ensuring that we can attract and retain the best talent.

"This includes not only looking at flexible working, but also legal project management, alternative resourcing platforms and better use of technology as part of our strategy going forward."

Meanwhile, Addleshaws will unveil its own contract lawyer business after the summer, which will fall under the new AG Consulting brand launched this week. AG Consulting has been set up as part of the firm's client development centre, which has been running since 2005.

As well as operating a contract lawyer element, AG Consulting will focus on spend analytics, legal process analysis, legal risk management and horizon scanning, knowledge management, legal project management, legal needs analysis and panel management.

All three brands will be overseen by Greg Bott, head of the client development centre.

"If you look at some of the consulting services out there, its just a number of partners extending the existing legal services they provide into what accountants may have provided," Bott told Legal Week. "But what this is is real management consultancy: saying we can help your business become more effective."