A
"freelance attorney" is a legal professional who works independently, typically on a project-by-project basis, instead of being employed by a specific law firm or company. They offer their services to various clients as needed, providing legal advice and representation.
Full definition
Look for groups
of freelance attorneys that provide support and educate the greater legal community on the availability of freelance help.
With freelance work being a relatively new practice area, the availability and coverage of malpractice insurance
for freelance attorneys varies.
When overwhelmed with work, some firms
hire freelance attorneys to fill the gap between client demand and firm capacity.
And
because freelance attorneys are independent contractors hired by other attorneys to handle legal work on a contract project basis, setting up a freelance practice is fairly straightforward.
Most freelance attorneys focus on a niche practice area and offer their expertise to other attorneys who need help with a related case, transaction, or project.
Seeking out
other freelance attorneys can be a great way to support a freelance practice, both for moral support and advice gathering.
Here, we will be answering questions about freelance practice and addressing the variety of ways in
which freelance attorneys can assist the legal community.
For
freelance attorneys who desire flexibility and work - life balance while still remaining in the legal industry, LegalBee provides the opportunity for these attorneys to create their own schedule and pick which projects they work on, all while engaging in substantive legal work.
LegalBee
provides freelance attorneys with contractual opportunities to create their own schedule and pick which projects they work on, all while engaging in substantive legal work.
LegalBee's «hive» of
experienced freelance attorneys are available on - demand to handle temporary workload increases, scheduling conflicts and staffing gaps due to leaves of absence or vacations.
To learn more about how outsourcing can help your firm, check out our blog post on 6 Benefits of
Using Freelance Attorneys Instead of Hiring Associates or read about how LAWCLERK ™ works.
We'll deliver the same great content you've come to love in our blog, plus an expanded range of articles on substantive legal developments and practice management tips from the growing community of Minnesota's
independent freelance attorneys.
A more established service that
connects freelance attorneys to lawyers and law firms needing temporary help is Custom Counsel, which has been operating since January 2012.
What impact will the ABA Ethics 20/20 Commission's initial draft proposal concerning changes to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct have
on freelance attorneys and the lawyers who hire them?
Especially for
freelance attorneys practicing part - time while devoting the rest of their time to other professional or personal pursuits, a smartphone gives the appearance of availability at all times.
As independent contractors,
freelance attorneys build their own freelance law practices and are responsible for setting their own hours, finding their own clients, and bringing in their own income.Freelance attorneys come from every corner of the legal profession, including big law firms, in - house counsel, government positions, public sector, and solo practice.
Freelance attorneys set their rates based on several factors, including years of experience, geographic location, and type of freelance work done.
Custom Counsel, which was acquired by CuroLegal in 2015, offers lawyers easy access to the entire range of legal support,
including freelance attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants.
Offer one of the following products or services: legal technology, marketing, or productivity software, marketing consulting services, malpractice insurance carriers, outsourced contractor services (
e.g. freelance attorneys, paralegals, assistants, receptionists, etc.), and / or technology consultants who legitimately serve the solo / small firm attorney market.
Step 2: LegalBee will match you with an
available freelance attorney that has experience handling the type of project for which you need assistance.
Outsourcing legal work to
skilled freelance attorneys can help firms be more competitive by providing an avenue to get work done, without increasing overhead, so you can spend more time on business development.
Custom Counsel's
freelance attorneys come from some of the best law firms in the country and have between 5 and 25 years of legal experience.
LegalBee provides
freelance attorneys with the opportunity to create their own schedule and pick which projects they work on, all while engaging in substantive legal work.
If a Matched Freelance Lawyer
provides Freelance Attorney Services to you, the Matched Freelance Lawyer will invoice you through the NCN Billing Platform under the terms set forth in your contract with the Matched Freelance Lawyer.
Because
LegalBee freelance attorneys are independent contractors, they are able to offer years of experience without incurring associated overhead costs.
Whether it's hiring from our «hive»
of freelance attorneys for temporary assistance with court appearances, depositions, overflow work or a permanent associate or partner to grow their practice, LegalBee is a «one - stop shop» for all of a firm's attorney staffing needs.
It's essential
for freelance attorneys to build their own brand which can be done through content, social media, and networks that online legal marketplaces provide.
Finally,
a freelance attorney will need online access to legal research.
Also, the type of legal entity should be specified for
the freelance attorney (sole proprietorship or business entity) along with reference to a social security or tax ID number.
The relationship is symbiotic and premised on flexibility — the hiring attorney provides the occasional work and pay while
the freelance attorney provides the support and end product as needed.
The freelance attorney has no control over the direct client's billing and payment, including no power to effectuate a collection if the direct client does not pay.
Second,
a freelance attorney should have a written agreement.
When hiring
a freelance attorney, you need a written agreement defining the scope of the project, and it needs to include both ethical and legal considerations.
In contrast,
a freelance attorney is an experienced attorney who is hired directly by another attorney to work on a specific component of a case or transaction.
Whether or not
the freelance attorney will be held liable is separate issue, but handling the cost of defending against the malpractice claim is not something any freelance attorney should risk.
A freelance attorney can operate as an independent contractor and sole proprietorship, providing hiring attorneys with a social security number for payment and a year - end 1099 form.
«A blog about Montage Legal Group's network of
freelance attorneys, who chose flexibility and balance over firm life.»
In hiring
a freelance attorney to work on a component of a case or transaction, the hiring attorney is paying for the freelance attorney's time and work product.
The agreement should clearly define the project terms for everyone involved, including ethical and legal considerations, and protect the interests of both
the freelance attorney and the hiring attorney.