Outsource the stuff that requires expertise so expensive that you can’t reasonably afford to hire it. Here are some examples:

• forensic accounting,
• website design,
• private investigation,
• accounting and technology assistance in small firms,
• interior design,
• furniture repair,
• systems development,
• malpractice defense,
• etc.

Also, outsource the work that is easy, simple, and routine:

• document filing,
• office cleaning,
• document copying,
• trial notebook assembly,
• mail,
• etc.

Keep everything that falls between the two extremes.

But keep studying the tasks that fall in the middle.

As you evolve and grow, some tasks will move toward simple and routine, and you’ll outsource more. Once in a while, you’ll grow to the point where it makes sense to bring some of the high-level, more expensive tasks back into the firm. Keep an eye on the work and reorganize tasks at the periphery so they go to the right people.