For mid-sized law firms and associations, technology management is a balancing act. You need reliable, secure, and responsive IT to keep operations running smoothly—but you don’t necessarily have the scale (or the appetite) to maintain a massive in-house department.
Over our three decades supporting organizations in the Washington, DC region, we’ve seen how the right IT support structure can make or break productivity. The key is knowing your options.
The Six Layers of IT Management
It’s helpful to break technology management into six layers:
- Network and connectivity
- Server and cloud management
- Workstation management
- Employee support
- Business application support
- Strategic IT direction
We go into these in greater depth in this article, but the short story is that every organization needs all six covered. The real question is how you allocate responsibility.
Six Models for IT Management
Here are the six models we most often see mid-sized law firms and associations use successfully:
1. Full Insourcing
All six layers are handled internally by a dedicated IT team.
- When it works best: Organizations with the budget and scale to maintain a deep bench of IT talent.
- Example scenario: A 200-person law firm in DC employs a CIO plus a full team of specialists. They like having control and immediate access to their IT staff, though the cost of maintaining that team is significant.
2. Full Outsourcing
All six layers are entrusted to a managed services provider.
- When it works best: Organizations that want predictable costs and access to a wide range of expertise without building an internal team.
- Example scenario: A 50-person association with no internal IT staff partners fully with an MSP. Their outsourced team handles everything from daily helpdesk tickets to long-term planning.
3. Insourcing Everything but Strategy
A lean in-house team manages daily operations, supported by a fractional CIO for executive-level guidance.
- When it works best: Firms with skilled technicians but no senior strategic leader.
- Example scenario: A mid-sized law firm brought in a CIO consultant to build a three-year technology roadmap while their IT manager executed the plan.
4. Outsourcing Low-Level Maintenance
An internal team focuses on high-value initiatives while routine tasks like monitoring and patching are offloaded to an MSP.
- When it works best: Small IT departments that are bogged down with maintenance.
- Example scenario: An association’s IT staff frees up time by outsourcing infrastructure, enabling them to launch a new member portal ahead of schedule.
5. The “Bookend” Approach
Internal staff support employees directly, while an outsourced partner covers both strategic planning and infrastructure maintenance.
- When it works best: Organizations that want strong employee support paired with expert-level oversight at the top and bottom.
- Example scenario: A professional society employs IT resources who—with mentorship from a fractional CIO—are fully dedicated to securing, supporting, and optimizing firm devices, applications, and how staff use both t be effective.
6. Outsourcing Everything but Employee Support
A dedicated internal resource provides hands-on assistance to staff, while a provider handles infrastructure, applications, and strategy.
- When it works best: Firms that want a “friendly face” on-site but don’t need to maintain a full department.
- Example scenario: A 75-person law firm kept one IT coordinator for staff support while outsourcing the rest, giving employees a trusted contact without losing strategic depth.
Choosing the Right Model
The best model for your organization depends on your size, culture, growth trajectory, and budget. A law firm poised for expansion might prioritize strategic CIO support, while an association with a small internal team might benefit most from offloading infrastructure.
The important thing is to evaluate technology management holistically. If one layer is underserved, the whole structure becomes shaky.
For the top signs that you might need to reconsider your support model, take a look at our other article here to see if any resonate with you.
Final Thoughts
Technology doesn’t have to be a drain on your team or a drag on your mission. By understanding the six layers of IT management and the six proven models available, you can configure support in a way that maximizes productivity, reduces risk, and gives you confidence in your future.
If you’re unsure which approach is the best fit for your firm or association, let’s chat—we’ve helped hundreds of mid-sized organizations in the DC region find the right balance.