The 2026 Global Outside Counsel Rate Trends Report

Double-digit increases are no longer isolated to the top of the market, and annual negotiation alone is no longer enough to control spend. That's a big takeawat from our newly released 2026 Global Outside Counsel Rate Trends report. 

Perhaps most importantly, our data reveals a structural shift:

• Standard rates — not discounts — are now the true pricing lever.

• Discounts have settled into predictable ranges that offer limited protection.

• A small subset of senior partners can drive disproportionate exposure.

Negotiations still trim initial asks. But they rarely change the long-term trajectory. Firms are anchoring high, conceding selectively, and preserving net increases that compound year over year.

The implication for legal departments heading into 2026 is significant: pricing outcomes are increasingly determined before negotiations begin. Governance, panel design, and rate architecture now separate teams that manage inflation intentionally from those reacting to it.

If you’re preparing for your next rate cycle, this report provides the data and strategic context you need.

Download the full report to see how the market is truly moving — and what it means for your outside counsel strategy.