In today's cost-constrained environment, corporate legal departments (CLDs) must focus on delivering both savings and value—no easy feat. CLDs are simultaneously managing several matters, both exotic and mundane. Buried in mountains of legal work, many inside counsel teams immediately default to choosing tier one law firms as their "pressure release valve." But is that always the appropriate response?

No. Because while tier one firms may be the best at what they do, and can provide significant wins and peace of mind, their expertise, and the price that comes with it, may not be required for certain matters. They may get the work done, but potentially at a cost that's too high for CLDs that are trying to balance their budgets and gain value.

In truth, it may not be necessary to outsource all of the time. You may have a full bench of strong internal resources right down the hall and may not even realize it. Or, you may truly need to use the power and resources that an outside firm provides.