Secondments & Contract Lawyers

Legal Talent, On Your Terms

When Your Team Needs More. Right Now.

Every in-house legal team faces the same challenges: mounting workloads, skill gaps, budget constraints, and the impossible task of planning for the unpredictable. Whether you're managing parental leave, navigating a surge in commercial contracts, or steering through a major transaction, you need legal expertise that fits your needs—not a one-size-fits-all solution.

FirstCounsel delivers experienced legal professionals who integrate seamlessly into your team across the UK and Australia, providing the flexibility and expertise you need, exactly when you need it.

Why Businesses Choose firstcounsel's

Top-Tier Talent, Without the Top-Tier Costs

Our lawyers aren't fresh graduates learning on your time. They're seasoned professionals with 10+ years of post-qualified experience who've worked across leading law firms and in-house teams. They understand both the technical rigour of private practice and the commercial realities of working in-house.

You get senior-level expertise at a fraction of traditional law firm rates—delivering exceptional value for your legal budget.

Hit the Ground Running

We don't believe in lengthy onboarding periods. Our legal professionals are selected for their ability to quickly understand your business, integrate with your team culture, and deliver results from day one.

Whether you need support for three weeks or twelve months, your FirstCounsel lawyer becomes a genuine extension of your team—not an outsider trying to catch up.

Flexibility That Actually Flexes

Legal needs don't follow a predictable calendar. You might need:

Emergency cover for unexpected leave
Specialist expertise for a complex transaction
Extra capacity during peak periods
Long-term support while you recruit permanently
Project-based assistance for a defined initiative

FirstCounsel lawyers work on your terms—full-time, part-time, on-site, or remote. Scale up when you need more hands on deck. Scale down when the pressure eases. No lengthy contracts. No recruitment fees. No compromise on quality.

What We Offer

Legal Secondments

Place a highly experienced lawyer directly into your team. They work alongside your existing lawyers, reporting to you and operating as part of your legal function. Perfect for covering absences, bridging recruitment gaps, or providing sustained project support.

Contract Lawyers

Engage specialist legal talent for discrete projects or time-bound initiatives. Ideal for M&A due diligence, regulatory investigations, contract reviews, or any matter requiring deep subject-matter expertise without permanent headcount.

Outsourced In-House Counsel

Access on-demand legal support without building a full-time team. Whether you're a growing business without in-house legal capability or an established team needing supplementary expertise, we provide scalable legal solutions that adapt to your business.

Our Expertise Spans the Legal Spectrum

Our network of legal professionals covers the full range of in-house legal needs:

Whatever your sector—whether you're in financial services, technology, retail, energy, healthcare, or manufacturing—we match you with lawyers who understand your industry's specific challenges and regulatory environment.

How FirstCounsel Works

1. Tell Us What You Need A quick conversation about your challenges, timeline, and the skills you're looking for. No lengthy RFP process—just a straightforward discussion about your needs.

2. We Match You with the Right Fit We take the time to understand not just the technical requirements, but your team culture, working style, and business priorities. Then we introduce you to pre-vetted lawyers who fit the brief.

3. Seamless Integration We handle all the administrative complexity—contracts, insurance, payroll—so you can focus on the work that matters. Your dedicated relationship manager ensures everything runs smoothly throughout the engagement.

4. Ongoing Support Your FirstCounsel lawyer has access to our wider network for guidance and support. Regular check-ins ensure expectations are met and any issues are addressed promptly.

Who Benefits from FirstCounsel?

General Counsel & Legal Directors

Stop saying no to opportunities because your team is stretched thin. Protect your existing team from burnout. Access specialist expertise without permanent hiring commitments.

Growing Businesses

Get sophisticated legal support without the overhead of a full-time legal department. Scale your legal function in line with business growth.

Established Legal Teams

Cover unexpected absences without panic. Bridge gaps during recruitment. Bring in fresh perspectives and specialist skills for complex matters.

Project & Transformation Teams

Staff major initiatives with lawyers who have both legal and project management capabilities. Access expertise in change management, digital transformation, and process improvement.

The FirstCounsel Difference

We're Lawyers, Not Recruiters FirstCounsel is a law firm, which means we genuinely understand how lawyers work and what clients need. We're not a staffing agency placing bodies—we're legal professionals supporting legal professionals.

Quality Over Quantity We're highly selective about who joins our network. Every lawyer undergoes rigorous vetting, including reference checks from multiple former supervisors. Only those who meet our exacting standards represent FirstCounsel.

Transparent, Fixed Pricing No hidden costs. No surprise invoices. Just clear, upfront pricing that lets you budget with confidence.

Partnership, Not Transactions We take the time to build genuine relationships with our clients and lawyers. This isn't about filling vacancies—it's about understanding your business and providing ongoing support as a trusted partner.

Ready to Transform How Your Legal Team Works?

Stop letting resource constraints hold your business back. Whether you need immediate cover, specialist expertise, or long-term flexible support, FirstCounsel has the legal talent to help your team thrive.

Get in touch today for a confidential conversation about your needs by submitting an enquiry here

FirstCounsel provides legal secondments, contract lawyers, and outsourced in-house counsel services to businesses across the United Kingdom and Australia. We're lawyers supporting lawyers, delivering flexible legal solutions that help your team work smarter, not harder.