In-house survey signals less outsourced volume and faster fee pressure

On October 20, 2026, Everlaw published a Wakefield Research survey of 300 in-house legal professionals in which 54% said AI had already reduced work sent to outside counsel and another 44% planned to reduce outsourcing within a year. The sponsored study also found 81% expected most legal work to be priced by outcome within five years, while 92% reported measurable cost savings from generative AI. These are respondent expectations rather than audited spend data, but they provide a concrete client-demand signal. Mid-sized firms should identify labor-heavy work most exposed to insourcing and redesign it as a fixed-scope service, while preserving premium pricing for judgment, accountability and sector expertise.