Although digital automation is revolutionising the way the legal sector manages these assignments, we’re consistently witnessing the ongoing power of people when it comes to delivering critical work like Document Review with precision and passion. Humans can spot subtleties that tech and algorithms overlook, picking up on tone of voice, ambiguity, nuance, and errors, all the while channelling empathy, ambition, and enthusiasm for the job. This is crucial for legal admin, which involves interpreting sensitive issues and information that shapes people's lives.
There is a great synergy between high-focus work and temporary contracts too, with interim staff often proving the ideal manpower in this scenario. After years of connecting with and supporting top temporary candidates across the legal industry, we have seen just how that their talent brings not just flexibility, but genuine expertise and value to a team.
Raring to go
As well as bringing specialist market knowledge, temporary candidates are accustomed to going into roles with a with sprint-level energy, enthusiasm, and focus – an impactful combination of qualities that is less sustainable across long-term employment, and that tech is yet to match!
We were reminded of this in our recent mobilisation of a 65-person temporary Doc Review team for a leading law firm - a moment which prompted us to reflect on the unique value of interim talent and how the right force of temps can totally transform a firm's potential.
Short-term tenure, long-term impact
As well as providing a flexible and cost-effective resourcing solution, short-term contracts drive long-term ROI too. One of the greatest privileges of working with temps is witnessing the impact they have on our clients beyond their initial success, how they empower and complement organisations from internal culture to business bottom line.
Our temp candidates regularly go into a firm, fulfil the assignment and:
Yes, interim contracts provide flexible opportunities for candidates to learn and grow across companies and specialisms, but they also put leaders in a position to draw on the experience of a continually evolving and diverse workforce.
Mobilising opportunities
Aside from the business benefits of working with temps on high-admin projects, there’s a Responsible Business aspect to this too. Where handing these tasks over to software closes doors to aspiring professionals, flexible positions greatly diversify your teams and mobilise opportunities for emerging talent – and this is acutely true in the Document Review space.
Skills-based pathways
Project-based contracts are a powerful enabler for candidates across specialisms and skillsets, and many of our temps seek them out because:
Potential over education
Admin and project-based work can pave the way in for people from non-traditional educational backgrounds, emphasising skills, adaptability, and practical performance rather than academic credentials. This is really positive, and we love to see our candidates progressing in the sector after their initial temporary placement.
Flexible working
The flexibility of short-term contracts open doors for candidates who are navigating all sorts of lifestyle limitations – parents, carers, part-time students, people living with disability or illness. Without the barriers and commitments associated with permanent employment, candidates have a chance to develop and thrive in a career they deserve, in a job they feel supported in.
Throughout our hubs and across specialisms, we encourage clients to factor social impact into resourcing decisions. How will today’s decision impact future talent? How will this empower younger generations? How can hiring this person shape our future workforce? It’s about fulfilling the immediate role whilst keeping a keen eye on the bigger picture, and this means creating opportunities for as many people as possible.
Securing trusted temp talent, at speed!
If you’re reading this, perhaps you already know how urgently ad-hoc admin projects can arise. It's a common challenge for stretched managers who don’t have the time to source, vet, and hire people with the skills they need. Things can move especially fast in legal, and this is a sector which can really benefit from the ability to scale resource with agility and confidence.
Partnering with a temporary recruitment specialist gives you a running jump on accessing trusted candidates (already assessed for their technical skills and personal fit) and getting the right talent through your doors, fast. It’s worth saying that while temporary recruitment has its differences, the goal is the same – finding the absolute best person for the job, who is the ideal match in talent and potential, and who will add value to your firm well beyond the initial job spec.
If you’ve got an urgent Document Review or admin-intensive project on your hands, get in touch with our highly-experienced temporary recruitment consultants.
***ENDS***
Co-authored by Daisy Raiteri, Yasmine Bakhtawar and Gemma Coyston.
Daisy and Yasmine lead Ryder Reid’s temporary division, securing short-term hires for leading UK, US, and International law firms. They follow in the footsteps of Gemma, who laid the blueprint for our market-leading temps desk and continues to support their work in her new role as Client Relationship Lead.