Insights by Melissa Pelcovitz, Managing Director – Legal & Compliance, Landing Point Consulting
The corporate hiring landscape is constantly evolving, and one trend we’re seeing at the moment is a rising demand for contract attorneys. This surge is especially notable among companies that are navigating periods of restructuring, cost-cutting, and organizational realignment.
With today’s uncertain economic pressures, corporate downsizing, and rapid regulatory changes, employers are seeking flexible and cost-effective legal talent solutions. As layoffs affect in-house legal departments, law firms, financial institutions, and other regulated industries, the need for skilled (not to mention immediately available) legal and compliance professionals is greater than ever. Here’s what’s driving this trend and how Landing Point is here to help.
Why are companies turning to contract attorneys?
Downsizing legal departments amid layoffs
Layoffs across industries—especially finance, tech, and healthcare—have affected legal departments just like any other. In many cases, companies are laying off permanent in-house counsel to reduce payroll costs while still needing to fulfill essential legal and compliance functions. Contract attorneys provide a cost-effective solution, offering immediate expertise without the long-term financial commitment of full-time hires. Companies can scale their legal resources up or down depending on workload—ensuring flexibility in an uncertain hiring environment.
Increased regulatory pressure and compliance obligations
From ESG reporting and GDPR regulations to anti-money laundering rules and increased SEC scrutiny, regulatory frameworks have become more complex and data intensive. Companies suddenly find themselves short-staffed in compliance but under pressure to meet strict timelines and avoid legal or financial penalties.
Contract attorneys, particularly those with compliance-specific experience, are being brought in to manage regulatory filings, internal audits, due diligence, policy updates, and training initiatives. Their ability to integrate quickly into legal and compliance teams allows organizations to maintain agility while ensuring alignment to evolving regulatory requirements.
Litigation and e-discovery surges
Legal disputes haven’t stopped just because of tighter budgets. In fact, economic downturns often drive an increase in bankruptcy filings, class action lawsuits, employment claims, and regulatory investigations. Many firms tap into contract attorneys for document review, e-discovery, and case analysis, minimizing overhead while keeping timelines on track.
Project-based work & transactions
Contract attorneys are an ideal resource for handling short-term, project-specific needs such as:
- Large-scale contract review projects
- M&A compliance due diligence
- Lease abstraction and renegotiation
- Policy rewriting to align with remote or hybrid work policies
These use cases don’t always necessitate permanent hiring but demand high-level legal expertise on a compressed timeline.
As organizations face economic uncertainty, shifting regulatory demands, and internal restructuring, the legal and compliance functions remain critical to operations and risk management. The growing demand for contract attorneys is a direct response to these pressures—providing companies with the flexibility, speed, and subject-matter expertise needed to navigate complex legal challenges without overextending their internal teams.
Whether you’re seeking interim legal support, project-based compliance consultants, or a strategic staffing partner to help you stay ahead of emerging legal and regulatory trends, Landing Point is here to help. Our deep bench of experienced professionals, industry-specific recruiters led by a former practicing attorney, and flexible hiring models ensure you get the right legal talent—right when you need it. We’re here to help you turn today’s staffing challenges into tomorrow’s strategic advantage.