Reflecting on 2024: A Message From Our CEO

2024 was one for the record books. It was both one of the most challenging and one of the most rewarding years in my tenure at Paragon—and perhaps in Paragon’s history. 

As I reflect on the past year,  I can confidently say I haven’t been this excited or optimistic about what lies ahead in a long time.  Let me share why. 

The legal industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. At Paragon, our goal has always been clear: to meet you where you are, providing the talent, insights, and solutions your in-house legal team needs to succeed.

This past year reinforced what we’ve long believed: the right legal talent, deployed at the right time, can make all the difference in helping in-house teams thrive. 

And if you stand by your purpose, have a laser focus, and stay true to your values – you too will thrive. 

That’s what we did.  Guided by our 2024 focus to harness the drive to win, champion change and adaptability, and focus on being the best in the business, here’s what we’ve accomplished and where we’re headed.

Harnessing the Drive to Win

2024 was a year of meaningful wins, powered by our relentless drive to exceed expectations:

• Exclusive Partnership with AdvanceLaw: We were honored to be selected as the exclusive flex legal talent partner to AdvanceLaw, a Mitratech company that partners with 350+ GCs to access top quality boutique law firms, and has now expanded to flex legal talent. We were chosen after completing a rigorous vetting process alongside our industry peers, cementing our place as the trusted provider for sophisticated in-house teams.
• Record Growth: From where we started the year to where we ended, our trajectory in 2024 was incredible. We achieved unprecedented highs in new clients, new attorneys, and new opportunities created for in-house teams to succeed, marking a banner year for Paragon.

Championing Change and Adaptability

The legal industry is in a unique and ongoing moment of change. This year, we leaned into adaptability to ensure we stayed ahead of your evolving needs:

• Cutting-edge AI Partnerships: We forged industry-leading partnerships with Screens.ai and TermScout, empowering our attorneys and clients with impactful and relevant AI capabilities. These partnerships highlight Paragon’s commitment to being a part of the AI revolution, enabling faster and smarter output for our clients and attorneys.
• Career Connect Program: In a year when DEI was under fire, we kept our Career Connect program, creating opportunities for two deserving law school grads who are now valued members of our team.

Focusing on Being the Best in the Business

2024 was a year of excellence at Paragon:

• Unmatched NPS Scores: Our industry-leading Net Promoter Scores (NPS) of 79 and employee NPS (eNPS) of 80 underscored our dedication to delivering exceptional value and satisfaction to both our clients and team.
• Client Referral Program: We launched our client referral program to acknowledge and give back to our network for what they’re already doing in sharing the Paragon experience – a network that is a source of tremendous pride and gratitude. 
• Geographic Expansion: From Florida to Alaska, we expanded our geographic footprint across the United States to be where you need us most.

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, the legal landscape remains dynamic and full of opportunity. Here is what we see on the horizon:

• Budgets Are Back: Legal chiefs are ready to invest strategically, reflecting renewed confidence in the business and the value of rightsourcing – especially since legal teams are busier than ever.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: The regulatory environment is undoubtedly about to change, with loosening regulations creating paralyzing uncertainty in some cases and freedom to move quickly in others, requiring legal teams to navigate these shifts with agility.
• AI Curiosity Continues: While legal teams are still exploring and intrigued by AI’s potential role, we anticipate only incremental clarity on uses and regulations – a significant shift isn’t likely just yet.
• Flex Talent on the Rise: A surprising number of our new clients have never used flex legal talent before.  Some legal departments are dipping their toe in for the first time, some are expanding their use, and all are exploring new use cases to make their teams more nimble, productive, and efficient. Paragon is here to help you tackle these opportunities and challenges with confidence. 

At Paragon, our mission remains steadfast: to make in-house legal practice more flexible, more efficient, and more rewarding. 

Thank you for trusting us to be your partner in 2024. We’re excited to continue helping your team thrive in the year ahead. And thanks to our attorneys, legal professionals, and internal team members—the heartbeat of Paragon—who make what we do possible.

Cheers!

Trista Engel
CEO, Paragon Legal