The subpoena surge: What rising SOP volume means for corporate legal departments

Legal departments in corporations throughout the U.S. continue to face litigation challenges in a landscape characterized by increasing complexity and heightened risks.

Analysis reveals that disputes over insurance coverage, aggressive practices by surplus line insurers, and new privacy compliance rules are contributing to the rising number of subpoenas.

These trends indicate a shift towards a more adversarial and enforcement-driven information environment, where being prepared, rather than merely efficient, becomes the key differentiator.

Subpoenas are outpacing overall SOP growth

The data analysis reveals that the volume of subpoena-related service of process (SOP) increased by 52% from 2019 to 2025, while non-subpoena SOPs grew by only 21% during the same period. This disparity indicates that the demand for records is increasingly driven by legal compulsion rather than voluntary information exchange.

The growth in subpoenas post-COVID appears to be structural rather than cyclical. Although subpoena volumes dipped slightly in 2020 (by 3%), they rebounded sharply, rising 13% in 2023 and remaining elevated through 2025.

This acceleration suggests that subpoena activity is not influenced by economic cycles or operational disruptions. Overall, these findings indicate that subpoena risk has become a fundamental aspect of operations, rather than a temporary or crisis-driven issue.

What this means for legal teams

With the increasing volume of subpoenas, effective management requires dedicated processes, not just reactive approaches.

For organizations operating in multiple states, the challenge is complex: not only are subpoena volumes increasing, but the rules for responding to these subpoenas differ by jurisdiction.

The growing complexity of SOP, driven by new and differing state regulations, is heightening compliance risks for legal teams across various jurisdictions.

Certain industries, such as insurance, healthcare, and pharmacy, may face even greater exposure due to higher subpoena volumes.

With the growing volume of subpoenas, effective coordination across departments has become essential. This collaboration frequently involves not just the legal team, but also IT, records management, and various business units, ensuring a streamlined response and reducing potential risks.

What legal teams can do

Effective management of subpoenas is crucial for legal teams. Here are key strategies that can enhance the process and ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency:

• Speed of handling: A registered agent serves as the primary contact for handling subpoenas. The agent must act swiftly to ensure that the document is logged, routed, and escalated so that no deadline is missed.
• Establish clear, repeatable processes: Develop clear and repeatable processes for the intake, routing, and response to subpoenas to effectively manage increasing volumes.
• Coordinate across departments: Foster collaboration among legal, IT, and data governance teams to streamline the process and avoid delays. Implement well-defined handoffs between departments to minimize chances of missed deadlines.
• Automate where possible: Reduce manual steps in the process to decrease errors and allow legal teams to focus on higher-judgment tasks.
• Ensure secure document handling: Prioritize secure document handling, auditable procedures, and integrated technology handling and storage of documents to maintain confidentiality and integrity.
• Use integrated tools to manage legal notices at scale: Secure document handling, auditable procedures, and integrated technology are increasingly essential for managing time-sensitive legal notices accurately and at scale.

Learn more

CT Corporation’s Registered Agent Services and Service of Process Solutions help legal and compliance teams to handle vital legal communications and manage time-sensitive subpoenas with speed, accuracy, and confidence—streamlining workflows, reducing risk and ensuring timely responses.