Updated February 11, 2025 | Argopoint Consulting

Legal Department Structure is critical.  The right structure can provide a source of competitive advantage. The wrong structure can impede even the strongest in-house legal organizations.

With more and more demands being placed on legal departments, it is imperative to get the big questions right.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE: OverVIEW

Corporate law department structure should enhance the value of legal service delivered.  A well designed legal organization is usually the result of a thoughtful diagnostic assessment and complete strategic planning exercise for the law department. 

Key factors to consider when designing or assessing a law department structure include: 

• Core competencies – Legal departments should prioritize areas where their attorneys provide the most strategic value.

• Utilization of outside counsel – Companies must determine the best balance between in-house resources and external legal support. 

• Corporate and legal department goals – The structure should support both short-term operational needs and long-term growth. 

• Roles and responsibilities – Clearly defining roles improves efficiency and accountability within the legal team. 

• Geography and talent development – Global operations and legal expertise must be considered when designing a scalable structure. 

• Legal and business processes – Optimizing workflows ensures seamless collaboration between legal teams and business units.  

LEGAL DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE: SOlutions

Argopoint has assisted leading legal departments with structure and design issues.  We perform a through assessment, frame issues and options, and provide actionable recommendations.  Our client's legal organizations are left strongly positioned to succeed in the future.