The gig economy is riding a bullish wave, currently at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14% and making headway toward a market size of $918 billion by 2028. It would appear that the traditionally conservative legal industry is finally succumbing to the "freelance revolution" as the number of solo practitioners continues to rise.
This is fueled by the advancement of legal tech and the surging popularity of remote work among legal practitioners. Law firms and corporate organizations are increasingly hiring attorneys on freelance projects to cope with fluctuating workloads, access specialized expertise, and reduce overhead costs.
But what does this mean for you as a legal professional? Are there any challenges to expect? And how can you position yourself to tap into the opportunities of this new reality?
We'll discuss everything here.
Who is a freelance lawyer?
Also known as a contract lawyer, a freelance lawyer is an independent attorney who contracts legal services to clients on a project-by-project basis.
A freelance lawyer may work with law firms, corporate organizations, and other attorneys in various capacities, depending on the client's needs. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- Legal research
- Contract review
- Document drafting
- Mediation and arbitration
- Complex litigation support and
- Compliance advice
Also read: Alternative Legal Careers for Lawyers: 20 Realistic Ideas
Current statistics and trends for freelance lawyers
- 16% of America's freelancers are in the legal field.
- Almost half of medium-sized law firms (46%) use freelance attorneys regularly.
- 40% of General Counsel (GCs) plan to outsource more legal work to contract lawyers in the next 12 months.
- The global legal outsourcing market is projected to hit $117 billion by 2030.
- Intellectual property management (69%), document review (57%), and e-discovery (55%) were the most outsourced legal processes from 2020 to 2023.
- By 2027, 50% of America's workforce (including lawyers) will be freelancing.
Why are freelance lawyers on the rise?
Freelance lawyering is a relatively new concept in the legal field. However, law firms and corporate legal departments are increasingly making it a part of their growth strategy.
There are many reasons for this. On one hand, businesses are looking to benefit from lower costs and increased flexibility. On the other hand, we see technological advancements and the expansion of gig work across industries playing a significant role.
#1 Benefits for businesses
Hiring a freelance lawyer eliminates the need for overhead expenses, from office spaces and equipment to salaries and benefits. This is particularly beneficial when there's a need for specialized expertise. Organizations get to work with freelance attorneys in numerous practice areas on a project-by-project basis while paying only for the services they need.
The global nature of freelancing also allows organizations to leverage talented freelance lawyers from regions with lower labor costs.
Furthermore, hiring freelance attorneys helps legal departments enjoy the flexibility of scaling their workforce during substantive legal projects. This flexibility allows them to adjust their legal team size based on workload fluctuations, avoiding underutilization or overburdening of in-house lawyers.
#2 Lawyers are prioritizing work-life balance
In a study by Thomas Reuters, 77% of lawyers want to implement career changes to reflect a healthier work-life balance. Another survey by Major, Lindsey & Africa revealed that roughly half of millennial attorneys are willing to accept pay cuts in exchange for better flexibility.
The need for better work-life balance is, indeed, a strong reason for the rise in freelance attorneys.
In an industry characterized by long hours and mental exhaustion, freelancing presents an attractive opportunity. It allows you to set your own schedule, work with greater autonomy, and choose clients that align with your values and interests.
#3 Legal tech is advancing
Legal technology is progressing at a rapid pace, with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and cloud computing redefining how legal work is done.
This has created new opportunities for legal freelancing.
As more organizations adopt AI and other automation technologies for routine legal work, the industry has seen a growing demand for legal professionals with specialized expertise in niche areas. Owing to their unique knowledge and skills in specific areas of law, the demand for freelancers (or solo practitioners) has increased.
Also read: Future Trends in Legal Tech Every In-house Counsel Must Know
#4 Remote work is getting more popular
According to ABA's Practice Forward report, 87% of surveyed lawyers say their organizations allow them to work remotely. This shows that more firms are recognizing that productivity does not necessarily correlate with physical presence in an office.
The acceptance of remote work in law practice has contributed significantly to the growth of legal freelancing. Organizations and law firms can now access legal assistance from lawyers in various parts of the world.
On the other hand, legal professionals now have the opportunity to connect with an extensive network of clients, allowing them to work on their own terms and achieve better work-life balance.
Also read: Navigating Remote Work as a Legal Counsel
Building a successful freelance law career
Life as a freelance lawyer comes with completely different expectations, opportunities, and challenges. Yet, many freelance attorneys have made a successful career out of this endeavor.
Here, we will discuss some actionable tips you must consider to thrive in this career path.
#1 Get professional liability insurance
As a freelance lawyer, you're essentially a one-person law firm. Thus, you're directly responsible for any disputes that may arise in the course of serving your clients. If, at any point, a client alleges that your actions or inactions resulted in damages, you might incur financial losses capable of derailing your career.
Professional liability insurance (PLI) (also known as malpractice insurance) protects you from this situation by covering the costs of legal proceedings and potential settlements associated with such claims.
Apart from financial protection and peace of mind, having a PLI improves your credibility as a professional, demonstrating your commitment to ethical practice and client well-being. This can increase client trust and ultimately contribute to a more stable career.
#2 Build a solid professional network
“It's all about the strength of your network and your ability to attract new business. If you don't feel confident in generating a solid, dependable pipeline of work, then you should consider joining an established group of consultants or a firm.”
~Stephanie Dominy, Consultant GC, and Startup Advisor
The Future of Legal Leadership: Why Fractional GCs Are On the Rise
Your professional network is mission-critical to your success as a solo practitioner. A strong relationship with clients and colleagues ensures you seldom run out of freelance opportunities. Participate in industry events, contribute to forums, seek mentorship from more experienced colleagues, and reconnect with former law school classmates.
Ensure you consistently provide value to your network. That way, you'll not only build a symbiotic relationship with colleagues but also strengthen your reputation and credibility.
#3 Develop a strategy for marketing your service
As a freelance attorney, you'll no longer rely on a law firm for a constant supply of work. Finding and retaining clients has become your responsibility. To never run out of work, you must have a solid marketing strategy.
The first step is to build a strong online presence. This encompasses having an optimized profile on professional social networks like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), building a compliant professional website, and leveraging content marketing to share your expertise.
Also, you can leverage your network as already described. Ensure everybody around you knows you're now a freelance attorney and encourage them to offer referrals whenever they can.
#4 Get familiar with digital tools
Achieving success as a contract lawyer hinges on your ability to scale. But you're only one individual, and there's a limit to how many clients you can offer legal assistance. This is worse if you rely on manual processes. Scaling becomes difficult, and you risk burning out.
Digital tools can significantly cut down on these limitations by automating routine manual processes. For instance, with SpotDraft, you can automate processes like contract generation, review, approval, storage, and more. This saves you several hours of mundane work, allowing you more free time to scale.
Mastering how to use digital tools relevant to you makes your freelance work less chaotic and ultimately helps you become a successful lawyer.
#5 Develop a culture of upskilling
“If you think that you're doing everything perfectly, you're not going to grow. There's always an opportunity for self-improvement.”
~ Doug Luftman, ex-DGC, DocuSign
The Key to Success as an In-House Legal Counsel & Leader
The industry is always evolving, with new challenges and opportunities showing up from time to time. If you fail to develop skills that match the changing times, your existing competencies will eventually become outdated.
As freelance lawyering continues to grow in popularity, the competition will only get tougher. The only way to thrive here is to keep refining and upskilling.
Podcast: What You Wish You Had Known at the Start of Your Career
Essential tools and resources for freelance lawyers
To succeed as a freelance lawyer, you need a healthy collection of tools and resources. Having access to these ensures you maintain high productivity and offer top-quality services to your clients.
Here are some important examples:
#1 Legal research
Legal research tools help you find information about anything in the legal domain. These tools connect to a vast database of legal materials, including cases, scholarly publications, and jurisdictional regulations.
Some legal research tools have incorporated AI to make the research process more seamless for users.
Popular examples include:
- Westlaw
- LexisNexis
- Arguminer
- CaseText
- Justia
Also read: Choosing the Right Legal Research AI Tool for Your Team
#2 Contract management
“I suggest GCs involve stakeholders early and make a solid business case to implement a CLM tool in the system. Once you get the approval from the management, take some time to find the right CLM tool for your company.”
~ Igor Poroger, Director of Legal, EMEA, Vectra AI
How CLMs Empower Legal Teams in B2B SaaS Companies
Contract management tools offer a variety of functionalities that automate and streamline various contracting processes, including contract drafting, review, approval, storage, and tracking.
This helps you skip routine processes so you can focus on providing value and scaling as a freelancer.
There are many tools available for this purpose, but we strongly recommend SpotDraft, not just because it is our flagship product but also because we've seen how powerful it is.
SpotDraft is an AI-powered platform built to help you streamline and manage every aspect of your contract lifecycle. With SpotDraft, you can:
- Create contracts in minutes
- Securely store contract documents
- Automate contract workflows
- Analyze and report on performance
- Collaborate with others, and much more.
#3 Communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration tools enable you to work with clients remotely. Using these tools, you can share information, transfer documents, and develop strategies.
Examples include:
- Slack
- Google Workspace
- Zoom
- Asana
- Microsoft Teams
#4 Time tracking and billing
Time tracking and billing tools enable you to accurately account for the time you spent on different tasks and generate invoices. They provide a clear overview of your workload, help you manage your time effectively, and ensure you're compensated fairly for your services.
Popular examples include:
- FreshBooks
- TimeCamp
- LawPay
- Toggl
- Harvest
#5 E-signature
E-signature tools allow you to digitally sign documents, eliminating the need for physical signatures. This can speed up your contract signing process and minimize paperwork.
Examples include:
- SpotDraft eSignature
- HelloSign
- SignNow
- AdobeSign
- SignEasy
Also read: From Wet Ink to eSignatures: The Future of Signing Documents
Finding freelance work and clients
According to Zipper, freelancers in the legal industry spend more time looking for work than freelancers in other industries. 40% of freelance attorneys spend between three to six hours a week, while 33% spend more than seven hours a week.
If you want to spend significantly less time hunting for contracts as a freelancer, the tips below will be of great help.
#1 Capitalize on freelance platforms and marketplaces
Set up accounts on freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Guru. These platforms have a fairly steady inflow of projects you can always bid on.
You should also create accounts on dedicated legal marketplaces like LawClerk and LegalZoom, where you can get connected with clients who need legal assistance.
Furthermore, you should list your services on legal directories like FindLaw, Justia, and Lawyers.com using relevant keywords so clients can find you when they search for specific terms on these platforms.
#2 Leverage your professional network
“I really consider networking an essential professional skill, and if done properly, with the right intentions in mind, it can be very, very beneficial.”
~ Adam Glick, ex-Head of Legal, Intercom
Cultivating Meaningful Connections for In-House Legal Success
A reliable professional network can be incredibly valuable for you as a freelance legal professional. You should always reach out to the members of your local and online legal associations, mentors, and even past clients for opportunities, referrals, and collaborations.
#3 Build a brand
A strong personal brand positions you as an expert and increases trust with potential clients. They'll be more likely to choose you if they see you as a knowledgeable lawyer.
Start by launching a website or online portfolio that showcases your expertise, past work, and client reviews. You can include a blog post section to share helpful information and rank higher in search engines.
Also, I want to get active on social media platforms like LinkedIn and X, share helpful content, contribute to legal discussions, and connect with prospects.
Furthermore, you can offer to speak in workshops and industry events, positioning yourself as a thought leader in your domain.
"Leverage your network. Get your profile out there. Put some thoughtful posts on LinkedIn and other social media platforms that you think would be helpful. Meet people for coffee, go out for lunch, and don't be bashful about having conversations with people to help you.”
~ Adam Glick, ex-Head of Legal, Intercom
Cultivating Meaningful Connections for In-House Legal Success
#4 Master cold outreach
Cold outreach refers to proactively contacting potential clients who haven't necessarily expressed a need for your services. Cold outreach can be sensitive and filled with mixed reactions since you're pitching your services to people who have not requested them yet.
To succeed with this approach, you must:
- Be respectful. Keep your messages concise and to the point.
- Always offer value upfront to make it worth their time.
- Personalize your messages. Avoid templatizing everything.
- Follow-up consistently.
Podcast: Mapping Your Career in Law: Akshay Verma’s Blueprint for Success
Common challenges of being a freelance attorney
While being a freelancer in the legal industry has its perks, it also comes with challenges that require careful consideration.
Here, we will discuss some of the most common challenges and what you can do to overcome them.
#1 Finding consistent work
Freelancers generally deal with seasons of harvest and famine. This is because of its on-demand nature, where clients come when they need you and move on immediately after the project is done.
To ensure a steady stream of clients:
- Actively engage in communities and never stop building your network offline and online
- Maintain a consistent marketing strategy
- Expand your service offerings to accommodate a wider variety of clients
#2 Isolation and lack of support
Unlike traditional office settings where colleagues provide social interaction and a sense of community, freelancers often find themselves working alone. This can be difficult for you if you thrive on social interaction or are used to the camaraderie of a team environment.
Working in isolation results in limited access to support or advice from peers. This can have detrimental impacts on productivity and mental well-being.
Here's how to manage the situation:
- Sign up for a coworking space.
- Join an active community of solo practitioners online.
- Attend events whenever you can and build relationships with similar individuals.
- Create a schedule for social activities outside work, such as meeting friends for coffee or joining local clubs.
#3 Stress and burnout
“Our profession is plagued with mental illness, stress, and even substance abuse. A way to mitigate those circumstances is knowing yourself, your values, what you care about, what's not going to mesh with you, understanding the business landscape, and figuring out a way to marry all these elements.”
~ Akshay Verma, COO, SpotDraft
Shaping a Purpose-Driven Career in Law
For many freelance attorneys, being a freelancer means running the entire business infrastructure on their own. This is true, especially when you're just starting. You have to handle marketing and client acquisition, file taxes, execute every contract work before the deadline, communicate with clients, and more.
This is incredibly daunting and can expose you to mental exhaustion.
Here's how you can overcome this:
- Set boundaries for when you should and shouldn't work.
- Make self-care a priority.
- Hire a virtual assistant (VA) to help with non-legal areas of your profession, like scheduling meetings, organizing documents, managing social media content, data entry, and more. You can find affordable VAs on Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr.
#4 High running costs
As a freelance legal worker, you are responsible for the running costs of your entire business, from purchasing digital tools and renting your office space to funding marketing campaigns and paying VAs.
The running costs can be high and difficult to sustain, especially during periods with low revenue.
Here's how to navigate this challenge:
- Opt for a shared working space instead of a private office.
- Reaccess your hourly rates to ensure they align with your experience, current market conditions, and running costs. Renegotiate if needed.
- Always track your income and expenses to identify opportunities for cost savings.
The future of freelance lawyering
Indeed, freelancing is in its early years in the legal industry. However, considering that 16% of America's freelance population works in the legal industry, and 2 in 5 GCs plan to outsource more work in the next 12 months, the future already looks promising.
This is possible thanks to the advancement of technology, the increasing globalization of legal services, the pressing need for cost-effectiveness and flexibility among clients, and the increasing focus on work-life balance among legal professionals.
As a lawyer, if greater autonomy, flexibility, and control are a priority for you, going freelance might be a step in the right direction.
Conclusion
Freelancing is becoming increasingly appealing, especially among young lawyers. However, to thrive in this endeavor, it is important to develop the right skills, master the use of technology, and build a strong network.
Want to learn more about how SpotDraft works? Click here for a personalized demo.
