Insights from Multilaw CEO, Adam Cooke
The challenges facing in-house legal teams have rarely been more acute. The ALB–Multilaw In-House Counsel Survey 2025 highlights what many general counsel already experience daily: lean departments, rising workloads, and the growing complexity of cross-border regulation.
These pressures are reshaping how in-house counsel think about support. The survey shows approaches are divided — some organisations build dedicated internal teams for international matters, while others rely more heavily on external advisers. But when in-house teams do seek outside help, their preferences are clear.
Respondents ranked cost efficiency and flexible pricing as the most important factor when choosing external counsel, alongside sector-specific expertise, responsiveness and speed, and the ability to coordinate cross-border matters seamlessly. Cost control and responsiveness were consistently highlighted across all ranking positions.
Rethinking support models
These findings show a profession that is pragmatic about legal services. In-house teams are not just looking for technical capability; they want trusted partners who can extend their reach, align with business priorities, and deliver predictable value.
One of the most striking insights is the openness to alternatives. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they would use an international law firm network if the value proposition was strong. Another 25% might combine networks with global firms. Only 13% preferred to rely exclusively on large global firms or said they were unfamiliar with the network model.
As the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) has observed, “In-house teams are redefining value, and external providers must demonstrate flexibility and innovation to earn their trust.”
The ALB/Multilaw survey suggests that this shift is accelerating.
The network in practice
The question many in-house counsel ask is whether networks can deliver the same consistency and coordination as a single global firm. At Multilaw, that has been central to our model.
Our network brings together more than 10,000 lawyers across 100+ countries, combining local depth with international capability. But crucially, membership is not open-ended. Firms are subject to a rigorous selection and continuous appraisal process to ensure the highest standards of service, responsiveness, and quality. This means in-house counsel can have confidence that whether they are operating in Shanghai, Singapore, or São Paulo, they will receive the same calibre of advice.
That consistency is not just theoretical. It is reflected in how our members collaborate.
Client perspective: seamless solutions in China and beyond
As Henry Shi, Corporate Partner at JunHe, Multilaw’s member firm in China, explains:
“Our clients are increasingly international in outlook, yet their expectations are for seamless, high-quality service at competitive cost. Through Multilaw, we can deliver that — collaborating instantly with colleagues across the world, sharing local knowledge, and ensuring clients receive a joined-up solution without unnecessary overheads.”
This reflects what we hear consistently from in-house counsel worldwide: that value lies not only in the quality of advice, but also in the ability to integrate cross-border work smoothly — without duplication, inconsistency, or unnecessary cost.
Meeting evolving expectations
The survey findings also show that general counsel value more than execution. Over 80% rated horizon-scanning and thought leadership from external advisers as important to their role. In-house teams are looking for external partners who can provide foresight as well as delivery — helping them anticipate risks, benchmark approaches, and navigate complexity before it becomes critical.
This is why we created Multilaw Connect, our dedicated platform for in-house counsel. It provides a community for knowledge-sharing, peer collaboration, and direct access to our global network of independent firms. For general counsel, this means the ability to tap into international expertise, share perspectives with peers, and engage in dialogue about the challenges that matter most.
Where next for in-house counsel
The 2025 survey results send a clear message. In-house counsel are pragmatic, cost-conscious, and open to new models of support. They want advisers who are responsive, sector-savvy, and capable of delivering solutions without unnecessary cost or complexity.
For traditional global firms, this may pose challenges. For networks like Multilaw, it represents an opportunity — but also a responsibility. The credibility of the network model depends on demonstrating, consistently, that collaboration is not just possible but embedded in the way we work. That quality is not assumed, but assured through rigorous appraisal. That responsiveness and flexibility are the norm, not the exception.
In an environment where business crosses borders daily, the question for in-house counsel is no longer whether to look beyond the traditional model, but which external partners can genuinely deliver on their promises.
At Multilaw, our goal is to be that partner: acting local, thinking global, and supporting in-house counsel with solutions that match the realities of modern business.
This article was also published in the 2025 Asian Legal Business & Multilaw In-House Counsel Survey Report.
Publication Date: September 2025