Why Become A Freelance Lawyer?

Remote Legal Works
🕒 4 min read.

Why Did You Decide to Go Freelance?

The freelance market is massive, generating millions of dollars each year. There are no limits to the opportunities available in the freelance market. Therefore, when the whole world is moving toward a digital setup, the legal system is also evolving.

Because of the flexibility and freedom of working hours, there is an increase in freelance lawyers worldwide. More and more lawyers are opting to make their careers as freelance lawyers by working flexible hours and availing of remote opportunities. To supplement their income or weather rough economic times, freelance lawyer puts their expertise and law degree to work. In this article, we’ll go over the essentials of what a freelance lawyer is and why they are needed. Moreover, we will also discuss what freelancing means for a lawyer and its pros and cons.

What Is a Freelance Lawyer, and Why Are They Needed?

A lawyer who doesn’t want to work conventionally chooses a freelancing platform and becomes a freelance lawyer. As a freelance lawyer, you do not work directly for a law firm or a legal department; instead, you work independently as a licenced attorney with various clients.
On the other hand, a freelance lawyer can also be hired directly or indirectly by a lawyer or a legal firm to share the burden. A freelance lawyer can assist other attorneys or legal firms with specific responsibilities such as research, document preparation, and client handling, making things easier for people or the firm.

What Does the Freelance Lawyer’s Career Path Look Like?

Many lawyers are turning to the freelance market for a variety of reasons.You can set your conditions based on how much time you want to invest and your charges.
Some freelance lawyers love working for a separate attorney or a group of lawyers for a handful of hours per month. In contrast, some are more inclined toward working on a variety of projects.
As a freelance lawyer, you can also start a solo law practice to help individuals with legal issues within your area of expertise.

The ultimate thing that attracts a large pool of people to the freelancing market is the freedom of time and work.

Significance of Finding a Niche and Specialty as a Freelance Lawyer:

The legal profession is becoming more specialized. Clients no longer consider hiring a single attorney to handle all of their legal matters. They hire an attorney who has experience and qualifications in a particular field. That is why it’s critical to find your speciality.
So, focus on the practice areas where you thrive, enhance these areas, and your freelance professional career will flourish.


You can begin charging a higher rate for your time and generate more revenue as you establish a good name as an expert in a particular field of law.
While this is self-evident, it bears repeating. You will find more pleasure in your freelance career if you do work that you appreciate and are great at.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Freelance Lawyer:

Before embarking on a career, it is prudent to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of freelance work. Freelancing is not meant to be for everyone, so you can have a good look at what it offers before changing your path.

Pro #1: Job Flexibility

The power to manage your routine is the most significant advantage of a freelance career. Many people prefer spending time with family and friends to working full-time. It all boils down to personal preferences. This is for you if long shifts bother you and you want more freedom to express yourself.

Pro #2: You can work from anywhere.

Freelance lawyers have the best advantage over here. Suppose you are someone who wants to balance their work with other adventures in life. Freelance lawyers have the perk of working from anywhere and earning a decent amount of money.

Pro#3: You can choose your own client.

One of the most significant benefits of freelancing is the ability to work only on projects that interest you. As a freelance lawyer, you no longer have to accept whatever work your firm’s partner assigns you or whatever client walks through the door. You have an ethical responsibility for your expertise, but aside from that, you have complete control over what you work on.

The absence of a mentor is the first disadvantage.

Some people need mentors for learning and diving deep into the legal market. But if you choose to work independently, then the absence of a mentor will impact your career growth.

Second, there is less predictability.

The flip side is that you have no guarantee about how much work you will get in the next few days or how many clients will stay. In freelancing, there is no predictability of work.

Con#3: Less Assistance

As a solo practitioner, you will not have the benefit of firm staff such as paralegals, assistants, and other court officials. You could recruit a virtual assistant or hire self-employed staff, but this could be challenging if your earnings are erratic.

Marketing Yourself on Platforms as a Freelance Lawyer:

If you have a lot of experience, you can approach law firms and inform them about your services. The very least you can do is establish your presence on platforms such as LinkedIn. It would be ideal if you also considered developing a website to commercialise yourself as a self-employed lawyer. A stellar profile and a thoroughly prepared portfolio will also bring in clients. You must effectively communicate with them and explain what you can do for them. On these online platforms, you can set your hourly rate and your own rules and regulations.
One important thing to keep in mind is not to start the work without signing a legal contract. You need to set things right from the beginning. You need to make sure that you both agree on the points discussed in the contract.

Note: Verify your compliance with your state’s attorney marketing laws to ensure that you do not get into any trouble later.

Final Thoughts:

Freelance legal work is plentiful and expanding. It is undeniable that the delivery of legal assistance is changing and evolving quickly. Presently, freelancers can virtually run their businesses from their digital setups and climb the ladder to success. Freelance lawyers can flourish in today’s modern legal global market with adequate preparation, planning, and compliance with federal laws.