The legal industry is undergoing a significant transformation, reshaping the traditional concept of a successful legal career. Many experienced attorneys are now exploring opportunities beyond the conventional law firm model, and this shift is fueling the rise of Freelance Lawyers. Embracing a freelance career path allows you to capitalize on your legal expertise and qualifications. Whether as a supplementary income stream or a full-time career pivot, freelancing offers lawyers appealing benefits such as flexible schedules, remote work possibilities, and greater control over their caseload. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of becoming a freelance lawyer, exploring the roles, the opportune timing for this career move, and a step-by-step approach to launching your freelance legal practice.
What Does a Freelance Lawyer Do?
Freelance lawyer interviewing a client remotely, showcasing the flexibility of freelance legal work.
For those familiar with the dynamics of law firms, fluctuating workloads are a common occurrence. When firms face surges in legal work that exceed their in-house capacity, freelance lawyers step in to bridge the gap without adding to permanent overhead costs.
Defining the Freelance Lawyer
A freelance lawyer is an independent legal professional engaged by another lawyer or law firm, either directly or through an online platform, to execute specific legal tasks. Compensation is typically structured on an hourly basis or a fixed fee per project.
The Growing Trend of Legal Freelancing
The adaptable nature of freelance legal work, allowing lawyers to control their work volume, is a primary driver behind its increasing popularity. This flexibility resonates with many attorneys seeking a better work-life balance and more autonomy in their careers.
Kristin Tyler, Co-founder of LAWCLERK, highlights the diverse motivations of highly qualified attorneys entering freelance law. Factors such as geographic flexibility, career stage, and personal circumstances play a significant role.
“Freelance lawyers come from incredibly varied backgrounds,” Tyler explains. “We see law professors, burnt-out former BigLaw attorneys with highly specialized expertise seeking to escape the traditional firm race, lawyers balancing work with family care responsibilities, and seasoned, semi-retired attorneys with extensive experience.”
Scope of Work for Freelance Lawyers
Freelance attorneys contribute across numerous legal domains, undertaking projects such as:
- Court Appearance Work: Serving as appearance counsel to represent another attorney in court proceedings like hearings. This requires the freelance lawyer to be licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
- Substantive Legal Writing: Engaging in research, document review, discovery processes, and drafting legal documents, including motions, briefs, contracts, and even law firm marketing content.
Why Now is an Ideal Time to Become a Freelance Attorney
The appeal of freelance lawyering is undeniable, driven by personal factors like family commitments and professional desires for greater work control. Simultaneously, the legal industry is increasingly receptive to freelance legal professionals, with more firms actively outsourcing legal work to enhance efficiency and manage costs. A 2019 Altman Weil Survey revealed that nearly half (48%) of law firms utilize contract lawyers. The global legal process outsourcing market is experiencing rapid expansion. Projections indicate the market reaching $30 billion by 2027, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of 22% from 2021 to 2027. This data underscores the growing acceptance and future potential of freelance lawyers within law firms.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic, while challenging for many sectors, has presented unexpected opportunities for freelance lawyers. As Kristin Tyler noted in a Daily Matters podcast episode, the pandemic prompted firms to streamline operations and embrace outsourcing more readily.
“Firms are leveraging this period to implement systems and processes that facilitate effective delegation to freelancers,” she stated.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Freelance Lawyering
Before transitioning to freelance attorney work, it’s crucial to assess both the advantages and disadvantages. Freelancing offers notable benefits, including:
- Enhanced Flexibility: You dictate your own schedule and workload capacity. Remote freelancing (within your licensed jurisdiction) allows you to work from any location, offering geographic freedom.
- Diverse Work Experiences: Engage in a variety of projects across different clients, keeping your work stimulating and preventing monotony.
- Freedom from Office Politics: Freelancing allows you to sidestep firm hierarchies and office dynamics if you prefer to avoid them.
However, certain drawbacks might be significant depending on your individual circumstances:
- Income Predictability: While work flexibility is a plus, income stability can be uncertain. Work flow can fluctuate, leading to periods of high and low income.
- Limited Mentorship Opportunities: Freelancing typically reduces direct access to mentorship from senior lawyers and the daily camaraderie of office colleagues, unless proactively sought out independently.
- Reduced Support Staff: Freelance lawyers generally lack readily available support from paralegals and administrative staff typically found in firms. While virtual assistants or freelance support can be hired, it adds complexity, especially with fluctuating income.
A careful evaluation of these pros and cons is essential to determine if freelance lawyering aligns with your career goals and personal needs.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become a Freelance Lawyer
If you possess a law degree and are duly licensed, the freelance legal market offers substantial opportunities. Success, however, requires strategic planning and preparation. Here’s a guide to get you started:
Secure Malpractice Insurance
Prioritize obtaining malpractice insurance coverage for your freelance legal practice. While the hiring firm’s insurance may extend to your work for them (verification is essential!), your own policy provides vital personal protection. Consult your malpractice insurance provider to ensure you have appropriate coverage.
The American Bar Association offers helpful insights on malpractice insurance for freelance and contract lawyers in this FAQ resource.
Explore Further Reading
Client Acquisition Strategies for Freelance Lawyers
Having decided to pursue freelance lawyering, the next step is finding clients – attorneys and firms seeking freelance legal support. You have several avenues: direct client outreach, utilizing freelance platforms, or a combination of both.
Kristin Tyler from LAWCLERK suggests a blended approach is often most effective. “While some freelancers sustain themselves solely through LAWCLERK, many successfully combine platform work with direct client engagements.”
Direct Marketing and Networking
Leverage your existing professional network, especially if you have substantial experience. Inform lawyers in your network about your availability for freelance projects using traditional networking techniques. Simply making your freelance availability known can be surprisingly effective.
Your online presence is also a critical marketing tool. At minimum, maintain a professional LinkedIn profile to enhance your visibility to potential clients. Optimize your LinkedIn profile to showcase your expertise.
Consider developing a website to market your freelance legal services. However, ensure compliance with your state’s attorney advertising regulations. For instance, the New York State Bar recently provided guidance for freelance lawyers on website compliance with ethical rules.
Leverage Freelance Platforms
Freelance lawyer working on a Macbook, highlighting the remote work possibilities in freelance law.
Platforms designed to connect freelance and hiring attorneys simplify client acquisition, reducing administrative burdens and uncertainty. While platform searches should be limited to your licensed jurisdictions, they offer access to a broad network of vetted legal professionals. Consider these reputable platforms:
LAWCLERK
LAWCLERK, free for lawyers to join, is an online marketplace facilitating legal outsourcing to freelance attorneys. LAWCLERK streamlines freelancing by vetting hiring attorneys and managing payments and tax reporting. LAWCLERK integrates seamlessly with Clio, enabling efficient workflow management for Clio users.
Hire an Esquire
Hire an Esquire connects legal professionals with the gig economy, using algorithms for optimal matching. The platform simplifies freelance lawyer engagement, handling payments (weekly direct deposits) and tax documentation. Hire an Esquire also provides insurance options and career support.
Crafting a Compelling Freelance Profile
When utilizing freelance platforms, a strong profile is crucial for attracting desirable clients – those offering suitable work, clear communication, and competitive compensation. Here are key profile optimization tips:
- Showcase Your Strengths: Clearly articulate your qualifications, experience, legal specializations, and types of legal work you undertake. If including a resume, ensure it is updated and optimized.
- Professional Profile Photo: Maintain a professional yet approachable online presence. Use a professional headshot with appropriate attire and a simple background.
- Writing Sample Portfolio: Demonstrate your legal writing proficiency with relevant samples. For litigation, publicly filed documents can serve as examples. For transactional work, anonymize samples to protect client confidentiality, replacing client names with placeholders like “Jane Doe” and removing identifying details.
- Highlight Your Track Record: Since hiring attorneys are unfamiliar with you, references are essential. While traditional references are valuable, platform rating systems, like LAWCLERK’s two-way rating system, can effectively showcase past performance.
For more in-depth guidance on building a successful freelance attorney profile, this webinar with Kristin Tyler offers valuable insights.
Determining Your Freelance Lawyer Hourly Rate
Freelance lawyer considering hourly rates and financial aspects of freelance legal practice.
The latest Legal Trends Report indicates an average lawyer hourly rate of $341. However, setting freelance rates involves several factors:
- Experience Level: Entry-level freelancers may need to set more competitive rates, while experienced attorneys can command higher fees based on their expertise.
- Geographic Location: Rates should reflect the cost of living and market rates in your operating location. Metropolitan areas typically support higher freelance rates than rural regions.
- Practice Area: Specialized areas like corporate law or complex litigation often justify higher rates.
- Project Urgency: Rush projects or assignments with tight deadlines typically warrant premium rates.
- Tax Considerations: Freelance lawyers are classified as contractors, impacting tax obligations (e.g., self-employment tax). Understand these implications and factor them into your rate calculations.
Offering flat fees for specific projects is also a viable and transparent pricing model. Flat fees provide cost certainty for both the freelancer and the client. Learn more about determining flat fee pricing for legal services.
Always Secure a Written Contract or Agreement
It is imperative to have a formal written agreement with the hiring attorney or firm before commencing any freelance work. While platforms may offer built-in agreements, reviewing and understanding the terms is your responsibility.
Your agreement should clearly define the project scope, compensation structure, and address ethical and legal considerations. Conduct thorough conflict checks at the outset of each engagement.
Sample Freelance Attorney Agreement
For a sample freelance work agreement, refer to Kimberly Alderman’s The Freelance Lawyering Manual, available on the Minnesota Freelance Attorney Network website here.
Utilize Collaboration Tools
Technology enabling collaboration between freelance lawyers and law firms, improving efficiency in legal projects.
Technology significantly enhances remote collaboration between firms and freelance lawyers.
If working with a law firm, inquire about access to their practice management or communication tools to streamline workflow. Limited access to firm systems can improve efficiency.
Platform users should explore available built-in communication features, such as LAWCLERK’s chat function.
Consider investing in collaboration tools to enhance your freelance practice. Calendly offers free scheduling software (or Clio Scheduler within the Clio Suite). Clio Manage’s case management software facilitates seamless communication with co-counsel and freelance clients.
Invest in Client Relationship Building
Cultivating strong client and colleague relationships is fundamental to a successful legal career, and even more critical in freelance lawyering. Repeat clients minimize the need for constant gig searching and ensure consistent income.
Kristin Tyler emphasizes, “The most successful freelancers typically cultivate two to four direct, recurring clients – attorneys or firms they work with regularly, in addition to platform-based projects.”
Focus on these principles to foster lasting client relationships:
- Consistently Deliver Excellence: Each project is an opportunity to showcase your skills and expertise. Always meet or exceed client expectations.
- Adhere to Deadlines: Especially when starting, avoid overcommitting. Pace yourself to ensure timely project completion and maintain client trust.
- Prioritize Client Experience: In today’s experience-driven environment, prioritize client satisfaction in every interaction. For freelance lawyers, your clients are fellow attorneys, making client-centric service readily applicable.
Final Thoughts on Embracing Freelance Lawyering
The legal industry, like the broader world, is in constant flux. If your career trajectory is shifting, recognize the viable options available. Whether seeking supplemental income or considering a career transition, leveraging your legal skills as a freelance attorney is a powerful option. With informed strategies for client acquisition and retention, freelance lawyering empowers you to augment your earnings and take command of your legal career.
Note: This article provides information applicable to US legal practices only and is intended for informational purposes, not legal, business, or accounting advice.
Originally Published: July 2020. Last Updated: .
Categorized in: Business
