Managed IT vs. Hiring an Internal IT Employee: Which Is Better for a 10-25 Employee Law Firm? 

As your law firm grows, technology becomes increasingly critical to your daily operations. Eventually, many managing partners ask the same question: Should we hire an internal IT employee or partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)? The answer depends on your firm’s size, technology requirements, budget, and long-term goals. For most 10–25 employee law firms, outsourcing IT to a Managed Service Provider provides broader expertise, stronger cybersecurity, predictable costs, and access to an entire team of specialists often for less than the cost of hiring a single full-time IT professional.

In this guide, we’ll compare both options to help you determine which approach best supports your firm’s growth.

Why This Decision Matters

Technology now impacts nearly every aspect of a law firm, including:

• Client communication
• Case management
• Microsoft 365
• Cybersecurity
• Document management
• Remote work
• Compliance
• Business continuity
• VoIP communications

As technology becomes more complex, firms need more than someone who can fix computers they need a strategic technology partner.

Option 1: Hiring an Internal IT Employee

Hiring an in-house IT professional gives your firm dedicated on-site support.

Typical responsibilities may include:

• User support
• Computer setup
• Printer troubleshooting
• Software installation
• Basic network administration
• Vendor coordination
• Hardware purchasing

An internal IT employee becomes familiar with your firm’s people, processes, and systems.

However, there are important limitations to consider.

Advantages of an Internal IT Employee

Dedicated Support

An internal employee is available during business hours and understands your firm’s day-to-day operations.

Familiarity with Your Environment

Because they work exclusively for your firm, they gain detailed knowledge of your technology and workflows.

Immediate On-Site Assistance

Hardware issues can often be addressed quickly without scheduling a service visit.

Strong Internal Relationships

Employees often appreciate having a familiar face available for technology questions.

Challenges of Hiring Internal IT

While internal IT has benefits, many small law firms encounter several challenges.

Limited Expertise

Technology today spans numerous specialties, including:

• Cybersecurity
• Microsoft 365
• Cloud infrastructure
• Networking
• Compliance
• Backup & disaster recovery
• VoIP
• Identity management

It’s unrealistic to expect one person to be an expert in every area.

Vacation and Sick Coverage

When your IT employee is unavailable:

• Who handles emergencies?
• Who responds to cybersecurity incidents?
• Who supports attorneys working remotely?

Coverage gaps can become significant.

Higher Total Employment Costs

The cost of hiring extends beyond salary.

Employers should also consider:

• Payroll taxes
• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Continuing education
• Certifications
• Recruiting costs
• Software tools
• Security platforms

The true annual cost often exceeds the advertised salary.

Limited Strategic Resources

Many internal IT professionals spend much of their time resolving daily support requests, leaving little opportunity for long-term planning or cybersecurity improvements.

Option 2: Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)

A Managed Service Provider delivers technology support through a team of specialists rather than a single individual.

Instead of hiring one IT employee, your firm gains access to experts in:

• Help desk support
• Cybersecurity
• Microsoft 365
• Networking
• Cloud services
• Backup & disaster recovery
• Compliance
• Strategic IT consulting (vCIO)

For many law firms, this broader expertise delivers greater value than relying on one generalist.

Advantages of Managed IT

Access to an Entire Team

Rather than depending on one employee, you benefit from specialists across multiple disciplines.

This means faster problem resolution and deeper technical expertise.

Predictable Monthly Costs

Most managed IT agreements are billed per user, typically ranging from $125–$300 per user per month.

This predictable investment simplifies budgeting and eliminates surprise repair invoices.

Cybersecurity-First Approach

 Modern MSPs continuously manage:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
• Email security
• Microsoft 365 security
• Security awareness training
• Vulnerability management
• Backup monitoring

Cybersecurity becomes part of everyday IT operations not an afterthought.

24/7 Monitoring

Unlike a single employee working standard business hours, managed IT providers often monitor systems around the clock.

Potential issues can frequently be identified and addressed before users notice them.

Strategic Technology Planning

Many MSPs include Virtual CIO (vCIO) services that help firms:

• Budget for future technology investments
• Plan hardware replacement cycles
• Improve cybersecurity
• Support business growth
• Evaluate new technologies
• Align IT with business goals

Technology planning becomes proactive instead of reactive.

Side-by-Side Comparison

For most firms with 10–25 employees, managed IT provides greater depth, flexibility, and resilience.

When Hiring Internal IT Makes Sense

Hiring an internal IT employee may be the right choice if your firm:

• Has more than 75-100 employees
• Operates multiple offices with extensive on-site technology
• Requires dedicated internal application support
• Has complex infrastructure requiring full-time administration
• Already maintains an internal technology department

Larger firms often combine internal IT with external specialists.

When Managed IT Is the Better Choice

Managed IT is often the better fit when your firm:

• Has 10–25 employees
• Wants predictable technology costs
• Needs stronger cybersecurity
• Relies on Microsoft 365
• Supports remote or hybrid work
• Requires strategic technology planning
• Wants access to specialized expertise
• Prefers one technology partner rather than multiple vendors

This approach allows leadership to focus on practicing law instead of managing technology.

Can You Combine Both?

Absolutely.

Many growing law firms use a co-managed IT model.

In this arrangement:

• Internal IT handles day-to-day user support.
• The Managed Service Provider manages cybersecurity, infrastructure, Microsoft 365, backups, strategic planning, and after-hours monitoring.

Co-managed IT combines internal familiarity with external expertise and is often the best solution for firms preparing for future growth.

Why Law Firms Choose A M Exclusive

For nearly 40 years, A M Exclusive has helped New York law firms build reliable, secure, and scalable technology environments.

Our services include:

• Proactive Managed IT
• Cybersecurity-first protection
• Microsoft 365 management
• Backup & disaster recovery
• Compliance-focused IT
• VoIP solutions
• Managed Print Services
• Strategic vCIO consulting
• Local NYC & Long Island support
• Woman-Owned & Led leadership
• Priority Service Guarantee 
  

 Which IT Model Is Right for Your Law Firm?

Choosing between an internal IT employee and a Managed Service Provider isn’t simply a staffing decision it’s a business strategy decision.

For most 10–25 employee law firms, partnering with an experienced MSP provides broader expertise, stronger cybersecurity, predictable budgeting, and strategic guidance that would be difficult for a single individual to deliver alone.

If you’re evaluating your options, A M Exclusive offers a Complimentary IT Strategy Assessment. We’ll review your current technology environment, discuss your firm’s growth plans, compare the costs and capabilities of each approach, and help you determine which model best supports your business.

The right IT strategy should do more than solve technical problems; it should help your law firm operate more efficiently, protect client data, and confidently prepare for the future.      Schedule A Discovery call with us today!