how to become a freelance attorney

How to become a freelance lawyer

• 1. Complete the education requirements Becoming a lawyer requires you to earn a bachelor's degree and attend law school. ...
• 2. Earn your law license ...
• 3. Work as a lawyer ...
• 4. Get a malpractice insurance policy ...
• 5. Create a freelance profile ...
• 6. Set your rate ...
• 7. Look for clients ...
• 8. Create contracts or agreements ...

Full Answer

Should you become a freelance lawyer?

It can be challenging to cultivate your legal skills and career when you decide to launch an independent path as a freelance lawyer right out of law school after you pass the bar exam. When you work for a law firm, the firm will give you assignments, feedback and will hopefully direct your professional development via mentorship.

How do freelance lawyers find clients in New York State?

In New York, for example, the New York State Bar only recently offered guidance for freelance lawyers on how to set up websites to meet state professional ethics rules. Platforms that connect freelance and hiring attorneys make it easier to find clients—cutting down the administrative hassle and guesswork.

What degree do you need to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer requires you to earn a bachelor's degree and attend law school. When completing your undergraduate program, consider choosing a major like pre-law, political science, philosophy, criminal justice, economics or English. Take advantage of opportunities to enroll in courses related to the area of law you want to practice.

What kind of insurance do I need as a freelance attorney?

Make sure that you’re covered with malpractice insurance for your work as a freelance attorney.

What is a freelance lawyer called?

Your freelance gig as a lawyer may also be called contract lawyering.

How do solo lawyers make money?

Here are eight ways to start doing that.Stop wasting time with the wrong clients. ... Spend time getting better clients. ... Work smarter, not longer. ... Spend less money. ... Improve your client intake process. ... Accept credit card payments to get paid faster. ... Hire staff or use cost-effective services. ... Use technology to streamline your day.

Is a lawyer freelance?

A freelance lawyer is a lawyer who is hired by another lawyer—either directly or through a platform—to complete substantive legal projects by the hour or via a flat fee.

How do I become a freelance advocate?

If you're looking for a change in your law career that provides more freedom and flexibility, becoming a freelance lawyer could be it....Step 01: Decide Your Legal Services. ... Step 02: Register Your Services. ... Step 03: Administrative Tasks. ... Step 04: Network. ... Step 05: Get a Website. ... Step 06: Start a Blog.More items...

How can a lawyer make 7 figures?

4 Keys to Achieving a 7-Figure IncomeRun your law firm like a business. You studied the law as a noble profession, but to break the seven-figure barrier, you must run your law firm like a business. ... Focus on a niche. ... Identify your ideal target market. ... Pay attention to your firm's finances.

What type of lawyers make the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.

What can lawyers do to make extra money?

To help guide you, we've rounded up six types of side hustles for lawyers.Additional legal work. ... Educational instruction. ... Legal writing and research. ... Transcription. ... Writing an eBook. ... Low barrier of entry side hustles.

How do law firms make money?

Lawyers generate income for the firm by billing clients a fixed hourly rate for their work. Partners increase their profits by hiring more associates to generate more billable hours.

How to start freelance legal work?

Networking remains a key to success. If no one knows who you are and what you do, your freelance legal career may be a brief one. Begin where you live and work. Share your new venture with your colleagues , attend local bar association meetings , and send announcements to your law school classmates. Your target demographic is attorneys, so focus your efforts accordingly.

What does the career path of a freelance lawyer look like?

This is because attorneys are developing freelance practices for a variety of reasons with unique objectives. Some attorneys are seeking an improved work-life balance with a cap of hours. Some are seeking to supplement their income with project work while they build their solo practice. Many attorneys love to write, but don’t want to deal with clients and court and the freelance career allows them to enjoy the intellectual practice of law without the stress of client management. Others are caring for children or aging parents and are looking to work a few hours on nights and weekends. Still others are retired and want to work in the winter and golf in the summer. The wisest of us have discovered that they can have a freelance career from a tropical beach.

What is a lawclerk?

Designed specifically to serve solo attorneys and small law firms, LAWCLERK is the only freelance legal marketplace that was designed to allow freelance lawyers to ethically work in all fifty states. Hiring attorneys simply post a project, freelancers apply, and the hiring attorney selects the best candidate. Work on the marketplace is typically done on a project-by-project basis. However, LAWCLERK’s Virtual Associate Subscription Plan allows hiring attorneys to work with a preferred freelancer on a recurring basis for a set number of hours each month.

What does it mean to be a freelancer?

Freelancing means no office chatter. Freelancing means being on your own, and that means the adventure of a lifetime. It is just you, the open road, and a cool breeze in your hair. And deadlines. And excitement! But there can also be loneliness. You will tackle amazing, engrossing projects and meet fascinating attorneys along the way. Opportunities you might never have otherwise seen come in abundance as a freelancer. However, it is also lots of lonely lawyering. If you prefer a traditional office environment, or at least remote meetings with several people, freelancing may be a bit of a surprise. If you are a people person, be prepared to seek out that interaction elsewhere.

Why do attorneys set higher fees?

More seasoned attorneys can set higher rates than new freelancers since, in general, they will be more efficient and have a stronger command of applicable law.

What are the benefits of freelancing?

Do the work you want to do. One of the greatest benefits of freelancing is doing only the work you want. As a freelance lawyer, you no longer have to take whatever work the partner at your firm gives you or whatever client walks in the door.

What is the punchline of a lawyer?

The punchline is that as a freelance attorney, you get to decide exactly how much you want to work and whether you prefer reoccurring work or to work on a project basis.

How to become a freelance attorney?

If you have a law degree and are licensed to practice, there are absolutely opportunities for you as a freelance attorney. But if you want to be successful, you need to strategize and prepare before you jump in. Here’s how to get started. 1. Get malpractice insurance.

How to get freelance work as a lawyer?

If you have a lot of experience, consider your network. Start by talking to the lawyers you already know, and use your old-school networking skills. Something as simple as letting other lawyers know that you’re available for freelance work can be a winning strategy.

What is a lawclerk?

LAWCLERK. LAWCLERK (which is free to join) is an online marketplace for law firms to outsource work to freelance attorneys. LAWCLERK makes freelancing easier for lawyers by vetting hiring attorneys and handling tax reporting and payment.

Why do lawyers become freelance lawyers?

These might include where they live, where they are in their career, and what their current life circumstances are.

Why is technology important for lawyers?

Technology makes it easier for firms and freelance attorneys to work together, remotely.

Why do lawyers work freelance?

Because freelance lawyers work on an as-needed basis, they can work as much or as little as they want. This flexibility is central to why so many attorneys are starting to look for freelance opportunities.

Why do lawyers need a LinkedIn profile?

At a minimum, have a LinkedIn profile so that hiring lawyers can find you online (and take the time to ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished and professional).

Description

Attorneys seeking career flexibility, the elusive “career/life balance,” or a variety of income sources often consider handling freelance legal projects for other law firms. This program will address starting a freelance legal practice, including setting rates, practical tips, pitfalls to avoid, and ethics issues.

Speaker

Erin practiced for eight years before she co-founded Montage Legal Group in 2009. Montage is a network of freelance attorneys who opted out of the traditional law firm model in favor of career flexibility.