Peerpoint by A&O Shearman

Frequently asked questions

Looking for interim legal talent can feel like a challenge. We’re here to make it easier. Here are the questions we hear most often from clients.

Your questions, answered

What is a legal consultant?

A legal consultant is a well-qualified, experienced lawyer, often self-employed, who takes on contract work to add value and capability to your legal function.

What are the main benefits of flexible resourcing for in-house legal teams?

Flexible resourcing gives in-house legal teams extra capacity at different levels of seniority, without growing the size of your permanent team. It’s ideal for handling large-scale matters, bringing in specialist knowledge for transactions, regulatory projects or disputes, or covering extended absences such as secondment, parental or caring leave. It can also fill interim management roles, for example, after a general counsel or head of legal departs, while you recruit a permanent replacement. It can also include fractional legal resources for example, fractional general counsel for smaller in-house teams.

Does Peerpoint provide flexible legal resourcing solutions on an on-demand basis?

Yes, we provide legal resourcing solutions on an on-demand, as-needed basis, and we work with clients to find solutions that are flexible in duration, working pattern and fee structure.

Where does Peerpoint operate from?

Peerpoint is based in five hub offices: London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. Our team works with clients across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

What makes hiring a legal consultant through Peerpoint different?

At Peerpoint, you get access to a network of top-tier lawyers whose skills help in-house teams achieve ambitious goals. Established in 2013 by Allen & Overy, the first magic circle law firm to offer this type of service, Peerpoint has the full backing of A&O Shearman today, giving us more mature, robust systems and processes than many in the industry. Our dedicated client management team also builds long-term relationships, developing a deep understanding of your priorities so we can find the best consultant match whenever a need arises.

How does Peerpoint recruit its legal consultants?

We only endorse lawyers who meet A&O Shearman’s high-quality standards, and our panel includes alumni from magic circle and other top-tier firms. Every consultant is carefully vetted through a rigorous recruitment process, including background checks and technical interviews with the Peerpoint team and senior A&O Shearman lawyers, testing both their technical skills and their motivation for consulting. This ensures every consultant can deliver to the standards we expect.

How does A&O Shearman support Peerpoint legal consultants while they’re on placement?

If a consultant encounters an unfamiliar legal issue while on placement, they can turn to sponsoring and technical partners at A&O Shearman for advice and guidance. Our consultants also have full access to A&O Shearman’s know-how, seminars, training and events through the Peerpoint network, and they’re covered by our professional indemnity insurance.

Can I access support from non-legal professionals via Peerpoint?

Yes, beyond legal expertise, Peerpoint consultants bring broader commercial skills in governance, risk, compliance, project management and legal operations and technology. They can help identify efficiencies and accelerate your corporate legal operations, including by connecting you to A&O Shearman’s wider Advanced Delivery & Solutions services, which combine resourcing, process and technology with high-end legal expertise.

Other than legal skills, what other qualities does a Peerpoint consultant provide?

Adaptability is one of the most valuable qualities our consultants bring. Moving between interim placements means fitting in quickly with new organisations and teams, and adjusting to different working arrangements, systems and processes. That means our consultants can hit the ground running and perform under pressure, especially valuable in today’s unpredictable business environment.

What makes Peerpoint different to a traditional recruitment agency?

Being part of A&O Shearman, our legal consultants must meet the firm’s very high standards to join the Peerpoint panel. Our recruitment process includes technical interviews with senior A&O Shearman lawyers, often partners, plus multiple conversations with the Peerpoint team to confirm the right consultant mindset (for example integrity, openness, transparency, ownership and adaptability). Once on the panel, Peerpoint consultants are supported throughout their assignments with access to A&O Shearman’s partners, practice groups, knowledge resources and professional development opportunities. For clients, that means the reassurance that your legal consultant will match the standards of your external counsel, with the wrap-around support that only one of the world’s leading law firms can provide.

How can my business engage with Peerpoint in light of the IR35 legislation in the UK?

In the UK, we can support you with legal consultants through either a Personal Services Company (PSC) or an employed fixed-term contract (FTC). Our employed FTC model has operated successfully since 2020, and we’ll work with you in whichever way best suits your needs.

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