Why In-House Teams Are Rethinking ‘BigLaw’

If you’re still spending premium law firm rates for work that could be delivered faster and smarter, by an interim, you’re not alone.

But you do have options.

At The Stephen James Partnership (SJP), we’re on a mission to help legal leaders reduce spend without compromising on quality. We’ve built a model that’s fast, flexible, and built around value, not inflated billing.

Our interim division has grown by over 400% in just four months.

That’s not by accident.

Why the Traditional Model Isn’t Working Anymore

Law firms and the traditional ALSPs have had the space to themselves for too long. In-house teams are under more pressure than ever:

And yet, many still default to biglaw pricing, even when the service no longer justifies it.

Legal leaders and procurement teams alike are now asking: what’s the alternative?

SJP’s Answer: A Better Way to Resource Legal Work

We’re not a law firm. We’re not a traditional ALSP. We’re a strategic resourcing partner with a different model.

Here’s why clients are choosing us:

Most importantly: we do all the work at SJP. We don’t subcontract the resourcing to legal recruiters – next time you receive a large bill from a traditional ALSP it might be worth asking them if they are paying a recruiter to find the talent.

A Strategic Lever for Legal and Procurement Teams

Interim legal support isn’t just a fallback, it’s a forward-thinking choice.

SJP helps in-house teams control spend and deliver results. We’re increasingly partnering with procurement and commercial functions to provide:

It’s about better value, not budget cuts.

Case Study: Fintech Facing Regulatory Pressure

A UK fintech scale-up was hit with an urgent regulatory review and needed legal cover fast.

We placed a city-trained interim with relevant fintech in-house experience in under 72 hours.

The outcome?

Client feedback:

“We expected a stop gap. We got someone who felt like a core team member from day one. That’s rare, and exactly what we needed.”

Let’s Rethink Legal Resourcing

Whether you lead legal, run procurement, or just know you’re overpaying for average, SJP is here to help.

Message us. Connect on LinkedIn. Or just send a knowing nod across the boardroom. We’re building something better - and we’re not doing it quietly.

Follow SJP on LinkedIn or get in touch directly to learn more about our interim lawyer service.