Matthew Celestin is an investigations and compliance lawyer originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Howard University School of Law and thereafter spent eight years practicing at an Am Law 200 law firm in Washington, DC, where he represented clients in corporate investigations and criminal and civil litigation in the US and abroad. After a brief hiatus, Matthew joined Epiq Counsel, where he completed an 18-month engagement managing global regulatory and compliance investigations for a Fortune 100 company.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters, staying active, and woodworking.

How has Epiq Counsel enabled you to apply your legal expertise?

Epiq matched me with a position that was a great fit for my legal expertise and background. As my first in-house role (coming from a law firm background), the Epiq team and engagement manager ensured a smooth transition and successful engagement. The client specifically requested my investigations experience to support a surge in workflow, which made the opportunity both timely and meaningful.

What motivates you to choose a flexible legal career path with Epiq Counsel?

A career path with Epiq provides me the opportunity to transition to a high-calibre in-house role while affording me the flexibility to be present for my family and young children. Furthermore, I had previously worked with Epiq during my law firm practice and was impressed by their professionalism and quality of work.

What has been your favourite part about working with Epiq Counsel?

In addition to the flexibility that Epiq provides, my favorite part has been having the support of a dedicated engagement manager who does a great job keeping lines of communication open and liaising with the client to ensure that I have what I need for a successful engagement.

How has the flexibility of Epiq Counsel allowed you to deepen or broaden your legal expertise?

During the 18-month engagement, I gained exposure to diverse areas of law and the legal technology industry, which I previously had limited exposure to. I also gained a deeper perspective on the legal challenges faced by in-house counsel within a global organisation.

What advice would you give to legal professionals considering a transition to a flexible legal career?

I would advise such legal professionals to be prepared for the challenges that come along with meeting the demands of an in-house lawyer, while, as a temporary contractor, not necessarily being fully integrated into the organisation you are representing in terms of access to internal information and tools. In my experience, this aspect posed some challenges that required some creative networking to obtain relevant information and access.

In what ways do you see the legal industry evolving to accommodate flexible, on-demand legal talent?

With the increased use of technology, adoption of more flexible hybrid and remote work arrangements, and an uncertain regulatory landscape, I believe that more organisations will leverage on-demand legal professionals to accommodate fluctuating workloads.

Epiq Counsel is currently available in the UK, US, and Canada.