Frequently asked questions.

Our legal consultants’ technical knowledge is thoroughly tested during the recruitment process, but there are times when they might encounter legal issues they haven’t previously dealt with and would like to discuss them with a subject matter expert. In such cases, they’ll be able to contact sponsoring and technical partners at A&O Shearman for advice and guidance.

Additionally, Peerpoint consultants have full access to A&O Shearman’s resources and expertise while they are on placement, including know-how, seminars and training and events through the Peerpoint network. They are also covered by our professional indemnity insurance.

Beyond providing extra capacity and specialist legal skills, Peerpoint’s consultants offer broader commercial skills, in areas such as governance, risk, compliance, project management and legal operations and technology to in-house departments. They can facilitate and identify ways of increasing efficiencies and help accelerate the development of corporate legal operations, for example by connecting clients to A&O Shearman’s wider range of Advanced Delivery & Solutions services that combine resourcing solutions, process and technology with high-end legal expertise.

One of the most important cultural traits our consultants exhibit is their ability to adapt to any organization. Working on a succession of interim placements requires our consultants to fit in quickly with organizations and teams and adjust to different working arrangements, systems, processes and corporate politics. Peerpoint consultants have an ability to hit the ground running and work under pressure in different organizations and this is especially valuable in today’s unpredictable business environment.

One of our key differentiators is that we are part of the leading global law firm A&O Shearman. In order to join the Peerpoint panel, our consultants have to meet A&O Shearman’s very high standards. Our recruitment process involves technical interviews with senior A&O Shearman lawyers, often partners, as well as multiple interactions with the Peerpoint management team to ensure a ‘consultant mindset’ – displays of integrity, openness, transparency, ownership and adaptability.

Once a lawyer joins our panel, they are properly supported when they are on assignment with access to A&O Shearman’s partners, practice groups, knowledge and know-how resources, professional development opportunities as well as a number of other support services. For clients, this provides reassurance and confidence that their interim consultant will meet the standards and caliber of their external counsel and will have the associated ‘wrap-around’ support of a magic circle law firm.

In the UK, we’re set up to support you with legal consultants either through a Personal Services Company (PSC) or an employed fixed term contract (FTC) basis. Our employed FTC model has been operating successfully since 2020 and we can work with you in a way that best suits your needs.