Chapter 3: Not Your Old-School Outsourcing: Offshore Legal Gets an Upgrade
Recap from the Masters Conference New York | Right Discovery Staff Writer
Featuring Panelists: Ishika Aggarwal (IOTA Analytics), Bobby Coppola (PLUSnxt), Sharri Wilner (Gravity Stack), Jennifer Schettler (Cognicion LLC), Bradley Wolf (Complete Legal)
In a profession often defined by precedent, the offshore legal delivery model is anything but traditional. At the “Technology + Talent: Why Offshore? Unlocking the Future of Legal Service?” panel, five seasoned leaders brought sharp perspective and real-world experience to a conversation that’s fast becoming essential in the evolving legal landscape: how do we scale smarter, not just cheaper?
Led by Ishika Aggarwal of IOTA Analytics, the panel tackled the misconception that offshoring is simply a cost-cutting tool. Instead, they positioned it as a strategy for enabling faster, better, and more agile legal services — powered by a combination of purpose-built technology, global expertise, and structured process excellence. “This scenario isn’t five years away. It’s happening now,” said Aggarwal, setting the tone for a session that felt both urgent and energizing.
From Staffing Band-Aids to Integrated Strategy
Forget the old narrative of offshore providers as temporary staffing band-aids. Today’s global partners are embedded, highly trained professionals who deliver consistency, quality, and domain-specific knowledge — especially when it comes to complex, data-heavy matters. “Offshoring isn’t outsourcing,” said Jennifer Schettler of Cognicion. “It’s integration. Our global teams are in daily standups, part of our platforms, and fully aligned with our clients’ goals.” This reframing is critical. With data volumes ballooning year over year and the pressure for 24/7 responsiveness mounting, the industry needs sustainable, repeatable models. Offshore legal teams — especially those focused on review, analytics, and litigation support — are uniquely positioned to meet those demands with precision.
Process, Permanency, and Performance
As panelists emphasized, scaling legal services requires more than just talent — it requires dedicated talent supported by robust process frameworks. Offshore models, particularly when structured with full-time resources, offer just that. Unlike domestic contractors who often cycle between projects, offshore teams are built for continuity. This translates to stronger institutional knowledge, faster onboarding, and reduced variability in performance. As Bobby Coppola from PLUSnxt noted, “If you can’t build process at scale, you’re probably not going to have the results you’re looking for.” Offshore teams also bring structure that many domestic setups lack — operating from brick-and-mortar facilities with tight access controls, compliance standards, and in-house project management, creating a more secure and manageable environment.
Debunking the Myths
The panel methodically debunked several outdated myths:
• Myth 1: Offshore = Less Secure
In reality, most offshore teams operate under stricter controls than domestic reviewers, many of whom now work remotely. Compliance certifications like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR are standard — and often, a competitive advantage.
• Myth 2: Offshore = Simple, Low-Level Work
Not anymore. Today’s offshore teams handle complex reviews, multilingual contracts, trial support, and even generative AI deployments. One panelist shared a case where an offshore team processed 15 million data points across just 100,000 documents — a staggering workload that required both expertise and speed.
• Myth 3: Offshore = Cost-Cutting Only
While cost is a factor, the real ROI lies in value creation: faster turnarounds, scalable support, and the ability to allocate the right resource for the right task at the right time.
AI + Offshore = The Next Frontier
Another powerful theme: the intersection of offshore talent and artificial intelligence. As legal teams begin to experiment with generative AI tools for document review, deposition prep, and more, offshore teams are evolving into nimble, cross-functional task forces — complete with prompt engineers, AI validators, and defensibility experts.
Sharri Wilner emphasized that the future belongs to teams that can build hybrid workflows integrating AI with human review. “It’s not just about having the tech. It’s about having the trained people who know how to use the tech — and that’s often your offshore team.”
Communication is the Glue
Perhaps the most underappreciated factor in offshore success? Communication. Daily stand-ups, real-time dashboards, client-facing reports, and clear feedback loops were all cited as essential for long-term performance.
Bradley Wolf of Complete Legal shared how transparency and cultural integration were non-negotiables in building trust with both clients and global partners: “You have to invest in the relationship, not just the resource.”
A Future Built on Global Collaboration
Ultimately, the panelists agreed: the question is no longer if law firms and legal service providers should explore offshore models — it's how to do it well. The winners will be those who view offshoring as a strategic advantage, not a transactional fix.
As one attendee put it on the way out: “That wasn’t just a panel. That was a masterclass.”
Key Takeaways
• Offshore legal delivery has matured into a high-performing, process-driven model focused on value, not just savings.
• Permanent offshore teams provide consistency, speed, and domain-specific knowledge.
• Generative AI + global talent = faster turnaround, smarter workflows, and stronger client outcomes.
• Security and compliance protocols offshore are often more robust than current domestic remote models.
• Daily communication, feedback loops, and cultural integration are key to making the model work.
As one attendee put it on the way out, “That wasn’t just a panel. That was a masterclass.” And it wrapped exactly the way a masterclass should — with a churro break. Because really, what pairs better with hot takes on global legal strategy than a warm, sugary twist of fried dough? Attendees left buzzing with insights, armed with fresh ideas, and maybe a little cinnamon sugar on their fingertips — proof that when you mix tech, talent, and a touch of sweetness, you’ve got a recipe for success. If you missed it? Oof. There’s always next year… but no promises on the churros.
Right Discovery is a proud sponsor of Masters Conference & Masters Conference Legal Events.
Want more insight-packed events like this? Check out the events that we are attending and proud to support.
Topics: offshore legal services, global talent integration, legal process optimization, generative AI in legal, data security compliance, legal technology adoption, hybrid legal delivery models, scalable legal operations, multilingual document review, process-driven legal strategy