Here’s What You Need to Know About Being a Freelance Lawyer

It’s an ideal time to launch a career as a freelance lawyer, but is it right for you?
The post Here’s What You Need to Know About Being a Freelance Lawyer appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers.

Thanks to modern technology and the freedom to work remotely, the freelance legal market is booming, making it an ideal time to launch a career as a freelance lawyer. But is freelancing right for you? Here are the pros and cons to keep in mind.

The Rise of the Freelance Lawyer

The legal profession has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. One of the most notable developments, alongside the shift to remote work during the pandemic, is the growing number of attorneys who are opting for a more flexible and autonomous career as a freelance lawyer.

A number of factors have led to the rise of the freelance lawyer:

• Low start-up costs, facilitated by technology and remote work capabilities, have made self-employment more accessible.
• The increasing reliance on contract and freelance lawyers and the popularity of outsourcing among law firms and legal departments of all sizes has made freelancing sustainable.
• The emergence of freelance legal marketplace platforms like LawClerk, UpCounsel, LawTrades, Priori Legal, and Legal.io has simplified the process of finding work.

But the brave new world of freelance legal work is largely driven by its appeal. Lawyers are drawn to freelance legal work because it allows them to control their workload and specialize, and because it offers the hope of achieving a better work-life balance.

Although data on freelance lawyers is still limited, a recent Upwork study revealed that a record 64 million Americans engaged in freelance work in 2023, accounting for 38% of the entire U.S. workforce. The stigma has pretty much disappeared, and a career as a freelance lawyer has emerged as an attractive long-term option, especially attractive to Gen Z.

For lawyers seeking remote work opportunities, the future looks promising.

Given the growing demand for flexible legal services, a steady supply of freelance legal projects is expected in the years to come. For example, according to a recent report by Grand View Research, legal process outsourcing in the U.S. is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 30% between 2022 and 2030. Similarly, a wide range of legal entities, from top-tier firms to solo practitioners, are actively seeking skilled freelance lawyers. Recent research shows the majority of law firms anticipate a permanent shift towards the use of more contract lawyers, with more than 75% of large law firms now engaging contract attorneys.

But what exactly is a freelance lawyer? And what does being your own boss entail?

What Is a Freelance Lawyer?

In some ways, there is nothing fundamentally new about the job of a freelance lawyer. Contract lawyers of various stripes have been around for centuries. Farming out onerous document review tasks to legions of independent attorneys, for example, has become common in the age of eDiscovery.

Contract attorneys are hired by law firms or legal departments on a contractual basis to complete specific legal tasks. They are often hired through a legal staffing service or alternative legal services provider (ALSP). Contract attorneys usually work full-time for a fixed period, such as several months or a year, and are often compensated with a salary or fixed rate. Contractors typically work on-site at the law firm or company and are integrated into their teams.

In contrast, freelance attorneys are always independent contractors who work on a flexible, project-by-project basis, often remotely. The definition of a freelancer for legal and tax purposes is a self-employed person who works independently for multiple clients and is not hired by any one company on a permanent basis. Freelance contractors are not W-9 employees; contractors receive 1099s to file with their taxes at the end of the year.

As self-managed professionals, freelance lawyers handle their own workload and schedule, potentially working with multiple clients simultaneously. Unlike traditional full-time associates, freelance lawyers are often hired to complete substantive legal projects such as document review, research and writing. They typically work on an hourly or flat-fee basis. This arrangement not only benefits the freelancer, but it also gives law firms access to talent without the commitment and overhead of a full-time hire.

Note that a sole practitioner — even a “solo” solo — is not a freelance attorney, even though a sole practitioner may take on freelance or contract work from other lawyers or firms.

Still, becoming a freelance lawyer means you are running a solo business.

The Allure of a Freelance Attorney Career: Reality Check

Freelance legal work attracts attorneys from diverse backgrounds and career stages. For example:

• Former big law associates seeking less stressful work and more autonomy
• Caregivers for young children or elderly parents
• Retired or semi-retired lawyers who remain passionate about the law
• Lawyers who’ve been layed off, deferred, or fired due to economics or politics

Being a freelance lawyer can be great. You have the opportunity to work with a variety of law firms, attorneys and clients, providing your expertise on a range of legal projects. You can enjoy the autonomy of managing your own schedule while still engaging in substantive legal work. And if you get bored with the work or find the client isn’t a good fit, you aren’t stuck (as long as you meet your ethical duties and contractual obligations).

For some lawyers, freelancing offers a better work-life balance by allowing them to limit their hours. Others use freelancing to supplement their income as a “side gig” while building a solo practice, or while easing into retirement. The benefits of becoming a freelance attorney are numerous and varied, depending on individual circumstances.

The Best Thing About Being a Freelance Lawyer

The most often-cited perks of freelancing are, naturally, work-life balance and flexibility.

• Work-life balance: Freelancing offers the ultimate control over your schedule, allowing you to prioritize personal and professional commitments as you see fit.
• Flexible arrangements: Bid farewell to RTO mandates and office politics. Typically, you have the freedom to choose your hours and your space. You can work from anywhere, whether that’s your home, a coffee shop, a beach in Hawaii, or, in a pinch, the middle school parking lot.
• Choosing your work: One of the greatest benefits of freelancing is the ability to choose your projects. You’re no longer bound by firm assignments or partners’ demands. You are free to select work that aligns with your interests and expertise and turn down work that does not.
• Demanding your price. While market realities apply, as a freelance lawyer, you get to negotiate how much to charge and decide whether or not to accept the work.

The Worst Part About Being a Freelance Attorney

We’ve covered some of the perks of being a freelance attorney, but there are plenty of drawbacks as well. Some of the biggest challenges include:

• Even worse work-life balance: Freelancing offers flexibility, which should create more space for balancing your work and personal life. The truth is, it is difficult to maintain boundaries when you work for yourself, and that can lead to burnout if not managed properly.
• Unpredictable income: Work can be uncertain, and the type and amount of work offered may vary. It can be feast or famine at times.
• Boring, tedious work: Projects most suited to freelance work are not always the most engaging or interesting. And, let’s be honest: Outsourced tasks are often the ones nobody at the firm wants to do. If freelancing is more than a side hustle or short-term endeavor, focus on providing specialized or niche services in an area that will interest you for the long haul.
• Too much math: Freelancers are responsible for handling their own finances and taxes, including health insurance, licenses, continuing education costs, retirement savings, and quarterly state and federal tax payments. Consider hiring a bookkeeper.
• Limited administrative support: Most freelancers handle administrative tasks themselves, which, depending on your prior job, can come as a shock. Depending on the project, you may want to hire a virtual assistant or freelance paralegals.
• Isolation and loneliness: Working independently can be lonely, especially if it is fully remote. Freelancing lacks the built-in social connections afforded to full-time employees, and firms you work with may not remember to include you in emails or team meetings, much less social events.

Is Freelance Lawyering Right for You?

Motivated freelancers can certainly succeed in today’s legal marketplace. However, a freelance career is not for everyone. Before deciding to pursue a freelance career, it is important to be honest with yourself about your motivations and abilities. First, you must evaluate your desire. What are your reasons for choosing freelance work? If they include such things as desperation or the path of least resistance, just go ahead and cross freelancing off your list.

Six Characteristics of Successful Freelance Attorneys

Being a lawyer requires hard work and determination, but working solo demands extra. A freelance career is best suited to people with the following attributes:

1. A love of independence. Some people just don’t make good employees. They want to feel in control of their own lives, define their tasks and agendas, work where and when they choose in environments that are comfortable to them, and escape office politics. If this is you, then you’re off to a good start.
2. High tolerance for uncertainty. Anyone who is self-employed needs to be comfortable with the fact that work comes and goes. There’s no steady paycheck, no paid vacation or benefits. Being able to succeed under those conditions, however, is very fulfilling for some people.
3. Self-motivation. Although the hiring attorney will give you deadlines, you are the only person making sure you get the work done. You can’t count on a supervising attorney or colleague to push you to finish on time. You must have the discipline to stay on schedule.
4. Enterprising nature. While job platforms make getting work easier, building a viable freelance business requires ambition and initiative. The work does not come to you without effort. Are you good at spotting and taking advantage of opportunities for business development? Are you resourceful in new situations and with new people?
5. Strong communication skills: As a freelance attorney, you must communicate clearly with clients about deadlines, timelines, and professional boundaries. You’ll have to find the balance between too many “check-ins” and too few. Some clients will pile on work beyond your agreement or miscalculate how many hours it will take to complete a task. Are you comfortable asserting yourself?
6. Business management know-how. Freelancing is a business. Do you know or want to learn how to run one? Are you good at managing your time and money? Organized and efficient when juggling several projects at once? Adept at setting up software and apps and learning new technology?

Working where and when you choose can be a very seductive proposition. But it takes motivation and discipline to succeed as a freelance lawyer. Whether or not these characteristics come easily to you will make the difference between frustration and success.

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