How to Empower Teams Outside Legal to Do Legal Work

Legal teams are under increasing pressure to deliver more with less, through legal delegation. According to recent research from Deloitte and DocuSign, poor agreement management costs businesses a staggering $2 trillion annually in global economic value. This value destruction happens because legal professionals—often small, expensive teams within organizations—get bogged down in routine tasks instead of focusing on high-value strategic work.

But what if there was a better way? What if your legal team could empower colleagues across the organization to handle certain legal tasks independently, while maintaining appropriate oversight and compliance?

What is legal delegation?

Legal delegation—or more accurately, empowering colleagues to take on legal work at the point of requirement—involves strategically shifting routine legal tasks to other departments. This approach distributes responsibilities while ensuring the legal team maintains oversight where necessary.

As Zeno Capucci, General Counsel at DocPlanner, explains: “Anything that doesn’t require bespoke intervention, creative thinking, legal judgment, we delegate it.” This approach recognizes that many legal processes can be effectively handled outside the legal department when the right systems, guidance, and tools are in place.

The benefits are substantial. By implementing effective delegation, legal teams can:

• Focus on high-value strategic work instead of routine tasks
• Reduce bottlenecks and accelerate business processes
• Improve cross-departmental collaboration and understanding
• Enhance job satisfaction for legal professionals
• Reduce costs associated with legal operations

The evolution of legal delegation

Legal delegation has transformed significantly over the past decade. In the past, legal teams might have delegated basic administrative tasks while keeping tight control over substantive legal work. Today, with advancements in contract management software, even complex processes can be safely delegated to non-legal professionals.

The shift toward broader delegation reflects a fundamental change in how contracts are perceived—not just as legal documents, but as dynamic data assets crucial for operational efficiency and financial performance. According to Concord’s 2024 market report, “100% of survey respondents noted that contract ownership is evolving beyond the legal department.”

This transformation is driven by several factors:

1. Technological advancements: Modern contract lifecycle management software makes it easier for non-legal professionals to handle legal tasks safely
2. Cost pressures: Organizations need to maximize the value of expensive legal resources
3. Speed requirements: Business needs demand faster turnaround times than traditional legal processes allow
4. Rising complexity: The increasing volume and complexity of legal work necessitates new approaches

Five practical areas for legal delegation

1. Contract generation and execution

Self-service contract creation represents one of the most impactful opportunities for legal delegation. With contract automation software, departments like sales, procurement, and HR can generate their own compliant agreements using pre-approved templates and clause libraries.

As one Concord customer described on G2: “The template process is a bit difficult and cumbersome to use at times. However, the biggest problem we have been able to solve using Concord has been managing our large swath of contracts and other agreements that were previously housed on people’s computers or just in hard copy.”

A well-designed self-service workflow includes:

• Pre-approved templates for common agreement types
• Conditional logic that adapts contracts based on user selections
• Mandatory fields ensuring all essential information is captured
• Approval routing for exceptions or high-risk scenarios
• Automated signature collection
• Centralized storage in a secure contract repository

2. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

NDAs represent a perfect starting point for delegation because they’re high-volume, standardized, and relatively low-risk when properly templated. According to Zeno Capucci, “Our Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are 100% automated using oneNDA and autoNDA, a related plugin. This system saves the entire business time, effort, and money—not just legal!”

Modern legal contract management software enables this approach by allowing:

• Business users to self-serve on NDAs through integrated platforms
• Automated workflows that route NDAs for approval only when necessary
• Tracking of all executed NDAs in a centralized repository
• Analysis of NDA usage patterns to identify optimization opportunities

3. Data subject access requests (DSARs)

Privacy compliance often falls to legal teams, but DSARs can be efficiently handled through delegation. “DSARs are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean legal has to oversee every single one,” notes Capucci. “At DocPlanner we’ve put a process in place that everybody has to follow when a DSAR comes in, which means everybody is singing from the same hymn sheet.”

An effective DSAR delegation process includes:

• Clear documented procedures for handling requests
• Assignment of responsibilities to appropriate departments
• Standardized templates for responses
• Escalation paths for complex cases
• Regular training for all involved personnel
• Compliance tracking within a central system

4. Content moderation

Content moderation represents another area where legal teams can effectively delegate routine decisions while maintaining oversight for exceptional cases. Using contract compliance management software, organizations can:

• Establish clear content guidelines and policies
• Create decision trees for common scenarios
• Automate routine moderation through AI with human supervision
• Reserve legal review for only the most challenging cases

“At DocPlanner, when it comes to content moderation, we have a whole set of guidelines and policies to decide what we would accept, moderate, or reject,” explains Capucci. “This enables people in our moderation team to make an informed decision, and gives them a clear point of contact for escalation that isn’t the legal team.”

5. Basic procurement agreements

Procurement teams can handle many standard vendor agreements with minimal legal involvement when equipped with appropriate tools and guidelines. Procurement contract management software facilitates this by providing:

• Pre-approved templates for common vendor agreements
• Clause libraries for standard terms and conditions
• Guided workflows for risk assessment
• Exception handling for non-standard terms
• Integration with vendor management systems

As one procurement professional noted in a Concord review on Capterra: “I am very happy with Concord and would recommend it to any large company who maintains driver files.”

Keys to successful legal delegation

1. Choose the right technology platform

The foundation of effective legal delegation is selecting the best contract lifecycle management software for your organization’s needs. Look for solutions that provide:

• Intuitive interfaces accessible to non-legal users
• Robust template management capabilities
• Configurable workflows and approval processes
• Conditional logic for dynamic document generation
• Strong security and permission controls
• Integration with existing business systems
• Comprehensive audit trails and reporting

According to Deloitte’s research with DocuSign, “Leaders with more advanced contract creation capabilities report outperforming their financial goals 55% more than organizations that create agreements from scratch.”

2. Implement clear governance frameworks

Successful delegation requires well-defined boundaries. Establish:

• Clear documentation of what can and cannot be delegated
• Decision trees for common scenarios
• Escalation paths for exceptions
• Regular reviews of delegation effectiveness
• Performance metrics for delegated processes

3. Invest in training and enablement

Empowering non-legal colleagues requires proper training and ongoing support. Consider:

• Regular training sessions on delegated processes
• Easy-to-follow documentation and guides
• Designated points of contact for questions
• Feedback mechanisms for continuous improvement

As one G2 reviewer noted about Concord: “The on-boarding process was made very easy, thanks to our Account Manager who walked us through that process and went the extra mile to make sure it was setup perfectly for our needs.”

4. Maintain appropriate oversight

While delegation empowers other teams, legal still needs visibility and control. Effective oversight includes:

• Regular audits of delegated activities
• Reporting on key risk indicators
• Periodic review and updates to templates and guidelines
• Continuous improvement based on feedback and performance metrics

5. Start small and scale gradually

Don’t try to transform everything overnight. Begin with:

• Pilot programs for specific document types
• Limited user groups for initial implementation
• Regular assessment and refinement before expansion
• Celebration of early successes to build momentum

The impact of artificial intelligence on legal delegation

AI is transforming what’s possible in legal delegation. Contract analytics software with AI capabilities enables:

1. Automated data extraction: AI can automatically identify and extract key information from contracts, reducing manual data entry.
2. Risk assessment: AI can flag potential issues or deviations from standard terms, enabling non-legal users to handle routine contracts while ensuring legal reviews the riskiest ones.
3. Contract comparison: AI-powered comparison tools make it easier for non-legal users to understand differences between contract versions.
4. Clause suggestions: AI can recommend appropriate clauses based on contract context, helping non-legal users draft more accurate documents.

According to Concord’s market report based on finance and operations leaders, “88% of survey respondents noted AI’s revolutionary potential in contract analysis, while acknowledging the need for careful implementation and human oversight.”

However, it’s important to note that AI should augment rather than replace human judgment. As Tammy Carroll, Contract and Strategy Manager at OneCare Vermont, emphasizes: “You still need a human.”

Case study: Pima Community College’s grant success through legal delegation

Pima Community College (PCC) relies heavily on grants and contracts—representing 20% of its annual operating budget—to fund vital programs. Before implementing effective delegation through contract management software, they faced significant challenges with fragmented communication and inefficient approval processes.

By implementing Concord’s Agreement Intelligence platform, PCC transformed their approach:

• Centralized communication through discussion tabs that kept all stakeholders informed
• Implemented consistent workflows across departments
• Created flexible access controls to maintain security while ensuring appropriate access
• Established real-time visibility into agreement status

The results were substantial. The time required to secure General Counsel approvals decreased significantly, and the overall contract development cycle was shortened dramatically. This increased agility directly translated into more successful grant applications in the first year, representing additional funding for critical student programs.

Julie Dell’Aglio, Executive Director for Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts at PCC, explains: “It gives us the ability to have those discussions right in the discussion tab. And it sends out emails so everybody stays in the loop.”

Common challenges and solutions

Challenge 1: Resistance from legal teams

Some legal professionals worry that delegation might compromise quality or increase risk.

Solution: Start with low-risk, high-volume documents where standardization is easy to achieve. Demonstrate how delegation frees legal to focus on more strategic work. Share success stories from organizations like DocPlanner that have implemented successful delegation.

Challenge 2: Adoption by business users

Business users may be reluctant to take on what they perceive as “legal work.”

Solution: Focus on user experience and simplicity. As one Concord user noted on G2: “I like that the format is similar to gmail, so it is simple, and intuitive to use.” Provide adequate training and emphasize the benefits of faster turnaround times.

Challenge 3: Integration with existing systems

Standalone delegation tools can create new silos.

Solution: Choose contract management software with demo capabilities to ensure it integrates with your existing CRM, ERP, and other business systems. According to Concord’s research, “75% of respondents emphasized that seamless integrations between CLM systems and other core business applications are no longer a luxury, but a necessity.”

Challenge 4: Maintaining consistency across delegated activities

Different business units may develop inconsistent approaches.

Solution: Implement centralized template management and governance. Regularly audit delegated activities and provide feedback. Use contract management software pricing that scales with your organization without becoming prohibitively expensive.

Getting started with legal delegation

Ready to begin your legal delegation journey? Here’s a simple roadmap:

1. Assess current state: Identify high-volume, low-risk legal activities that could be candidates for delegation.
2. Select the right technology: Evaluate contract management software options based on your specific needs and integration requirements.
3. Develop governance framework: Establish clear guidelines for what can be delegated and under what circumstances.
4. Implement in phases: Start with a pilot program focused on a single document type or business unit.
5. Measure and refine: Track key metrics before and after implementation to demonstrate value and identify improvement opportunities.

FAQs about legal delegation

What types of legal work are best suited for delegation?

High-volume, standardized processes with clear guidelines are ideal for delegation. Examples include NDAs, routine sales agreements, basic employment contracts, data access requests, and content moderation decisions.

How can legal maintain control while delegating effectively?

Legal teams can maintain control through:

• Pre-approved templates and clause libraries
• Configurable approval workflows for exceptions
• Regular audits of delegated activities
• Centralized repositories with comprehensive reporting

What role does technology play in legal delegation?

Technology enables effective delegation by providing:

• Self-service document generation with guardrails
• Automated workflows and approvals
• Centralized visibility and reporting
• AI-powered risk assessment and insights

How should we measure the success of legal delegation initiatives?

Key metrics include:

• Reduction in legal team time spent on routine tasks
• Improved turnaround times for standard documents
• Volume of self-service contracts generated
• Error rates and compliance metrics
• Internal customer satisfaction scores

What are common pitfalls when implementing legal delegation?

Common challenges include:

• Inadequate training for business users
• Overly complex workflows that discourage adoption
• Insufficient governance and oversight
• Technology that doesn’t integrate with existing systems
• Trying to delegate too much too quickly

Comparison of leading contract management solutions for legal delegation

Feature	Traditional CLM	Modern Agreement Intelligence Platform	Legacy Document Management
Self-service capabilities	Limited	Comprehensive	Minimal
AI-powered insights	Basic	Advanced	None
Implementation timeline	6+ months	1-30 days	3+ months
Business user adoption	Challenging	High	Low
Template management	IT-dependent	Self-service	Manual
Integration capabilities	Limited	Extensive	Minimal
Mobile accessibility	Varies	Full-featured	Limited
Total cost of ownership	High	Moderate	Moderate

Conclusion: embracing the future of legal operations

Legal delegation, when implemented thoughtfully with the right technology, represents a significant opportunity for organizations to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enable legal teams to focus on high-value strategic work.

As Concord’s market research indicates, this approach is becoming increasingly common, with 100% of survey respondents reporting that contract ownership is evolving beyond the legal department. By embracing this trend and implementing the practices outlined in this article, legal teams can transform themselves from perceived bottlenecks to strategic enablers of business growth.

Ready to explore how Concord can help your organization implement effective legal delegation? Request a demo today to see our Agreement Intelligence platform in action.

Bibliography

• Concord. (2024). Agreement Intelligence in Action: How Concord’s customers achieve real-world success.
• Deloitte and DocuSign. (2024). Unlocking the Value of Agreement Management.
• Concord. (2024). The Evolution from Contract Management to Agreement Intelligence.
• Capterra. (2025). Best Contract Management Software.
• G2. (2025). Best Contract Lifecycle Management Software: User Reviews.
• Juro. (2023). Legal Delegation at DocPlanner.
• Procurement Magazine. (2024). Deloitte & DocuSign: Finding Value in Agreement Management.
• DocuSign. (2025). Contract Management Trends for 2025: Generative AI, Agents and More.