How AWKO Scaled Without Losing Culture: The Power of Nearshore Talent
For AWKO, the solution wasn’t traditional outsourcing. It was a partnership with Neostella, bringing on nearshore talent that felt like an extension of their own team.
When a law firm grows as quickly as Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz (AWKO), the pressure is constant… more clients, more cases, more need for coverage. But scaling at speed comes with a risk many firms know all too well, losing the culture that makes your people want to stay.
For AWKO, the solution wasn’t traditional outsourcing. It was a partnership with Neostella, bringing on nearshore talent that felt like an extension of their own team.
Culture First, Always
Sherilyn, AWKO’s Human Resources Coordinator, summed it up best:
Our employees are the main point of what we do. Our wheels wouldn’t spin without them.Sherilyn, AWKO’s Human Resources Coordinator
That mindset shaped how AWKO approached nearshore talent. Neostella team members weren’t treated like contractors or outsiders. They were invited into AWKO’s culture right away, joining wellness challenges, sitting in on lunch-and-learns, even getting involved in the book club.
The goal wasn’t just to plug in extra bodies. It was about making sure they felt like part of the firm, bought into the mission, and represented AWKO as proudly as the people in Pensacola.
The Challenges They Faced
Like many law firms, AWKO had tried outsourcing before. The results weren’t ideal.
- Poor consistency
- Lack of buy-in
- A separation that made outsourced staff feel like vendors, not teammates
Donna, AWKO’s Firm Administrator, explained it simply:
Instead of just hiring bodies to fulfill roles, we are looking for more quality. Neostella has definitely brought that quality so that we can have more staff, more clients, and more litigation.Donna, AWKO’s Firm Administrator
Why Neostella Was Different
From the start, Neostella focused on fit, culture, and quality. AWKO leaders even flew to Colombia to meet their new team members in person, investing the time to train, connect, and align.
The results were immediate:
- Spanish-speaking support that opened growth in Florida markets.
- Weekend and holiday coverage that boosted client communication.
- Highly qualified paralegals, including in complex areas like cryptocurrency litigation, who hit the ground running.
- Faster scaling without the endless “growing pains” AWKO had felt for years.
Crystal, who oversees Communications, felt and saw the impact firsthand:
My staff love them. They love working with them. And it’s really been so beneficial to my department.Crystal, AKWO’s Communications
Lessons for Other Firms
The AWKO team had plenty of advice for other firms considering nearshore staffing:
- Invest in immersive onboarding.
- Integrate your nearshore staff into your culture, not just your workflows.
- Maintain consistent communication as you normally would with your in-house team. Video calls, check-ins, shared celebrations.
- Treat nearshore talent like they’re sitting at the desk right beside you.
Or, as Kara, AWKO’s Quality Control Manager, put it:
Just do it. You don’t know what you’re stepping into until you do, and Neostella staffed us appropriately, with people who flourish in the right roles.Kara, AWKO’s Quality Control Manager
Hear It Directly From AWKO
The Conclusion…
AWKO proved that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of culture. With Neostella, they scaled faster, supported their clients better, and strengthened their internal culture along the way.
As Sherilyn put it:
They are employees of AWKO, not just vendors, and we need their buy-in too.Sherilyn, AKWO
Ready to Grow Without Losing Your Culture?
Neostella helps law firms scale confidently with nearshore talent that feels like part of your team.