ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS

​"How To Guide: Billing Out and Marking-Up Flex Freelance Lawyers' Fees to Clients"
This paper is based on our research and analysis of both Canadian and American sources on how to bill out our freelance lawyers' time to your clients and how you can mark-up their fees to make a profit. 

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​The Difference Between a Freelance Lawyer and a Sole Practitioner: 3 Points to Help Clear Up Some Misconceptions

While freelance lawyering is becoming more popular across the globe and in Canada, confusion still exists over what exactly a freelance lawyer is and does. At Flex, the most common misconception we see is people equating freelance lawyers with “cheaper versions” of sole practitioners. Read more....

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Double Booked for Court? How Freelance Lawyers Can Help
​​Many lawyers are aware that freelance lawyers can assist other lawyers and law firms with legal research, drafting, due diligence and other “behind the scenes” legal work. However, that is not all we do. Freelance lawyers can also assist with in-person court appearances, discoveries, cross-examinations, mediations, etc. Read more....

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​​A Day in the Life of a Freelance Lawyer by Amy Grubb
​Ever wonder what it is like to be a freelance lawyer (a lawyer who assists other lawyers, law firms, and in-house legal departments with their overflow legal work)? Our Flex lawyer Amy Grubb has written this informative blog post to give you a glimpse into a day in the life of a freelance lawyer. Read more....

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​Ontario Lawyers - Are You Aware of Your New EDI CPD Requirements?
In September 2017 the Law Society of Ontario introduced changes to the continuing professional development requirements for lawyers. The LSO now requires the completion, between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020, of at least 3 Professionalism Hours that focus on advancing equality and inclusion in the legal profession. Read more...

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​What We Learned at the "LSO Solo & Small Firm Conference: Top Tips for the 21st Century Lawyer"
We’ve attended this conference every year for the last four years and each year we are impressed with the topics and programs.  If you missed it this year, this article summarizes what we learned. Read more...

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​The Law Society of Ontario Releases Results of Articling Survey
The Professional Development and Competence Committee of the Law Society of Ontario commissioned a survey to research the experiences of articling students as part of its licensing process review. The survey was aimed at lawyers who had completed their articles between 2014 and 2017. Read more...

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​"The Ethics of Freelance Lawyering" Series Part One: Confidentiality

The series will focus on the common questions we receive from lawyers or law firms looking to outsource their legal work. This post looks at maintaining confidentiality when freelancing. Read more...
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"The Ethics of Freelance Lawyering" Series Part Two: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest.

This article focuses on best practices to avoid the potential for conflicts of interest to arise when freelancing or hiring a freelance lawyer to assist your law practice. Read more.....

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"The Ethics of Freelance Lawyering" Series Part Three:  Marking-Up Fees"

This articles answers the question: Is it ethical for the hiring lawyer to mark-up the freelance lawyer’s legal fees before passing them on to the client?
​Read more....

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Other Resources & Articles by Flex Lawyers:

How To Advance Your Career During a Pandemic by Erin Cowling, published in PrecedentJD online magazine.

What Should You Do if You Experience Sexual Harassment at Work (as a Lawyer) by Erin Cowling, published in Precedent Magazine

Ending the Gender Pay Gap in Law by Erin Cowling, published in ABA Law Practice Today

The Lawyer's Guide to Working from Home by Erin Cowling, published in Precedent Magazine

Networking Coffees from Hell by Erin Cowling, published in Precedent Magazine

Indigenous Residential School Records can be Destroyed, Supreme Court Rules. . . .But Should They Be? by Caitlin Beresford

Flex's Blogging Guide for Lawyers: How to Leverage Your Blog for Business Development

When Client Demands Outstrip Firm Resources by Erin Cowling (and Samantha Biglou), published in JUST. Magazine

Responsibility Reminders for the 'Social' Lawyer by Erin Cowling, published in the TLA Mirror

Navigating the World of Networking: Five Quick Tips for Women by Erin Cowling (& Ashley Lattal of Shearer Lattal LLP), published by the OBA Women Lawyers Forum
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Should I Stay or Should I Go? Making a Career Transition by Erin Cowling, published by the OBA Women Lawyers Forum

Would You Report another Lawyer for Professional Misconduct? You May not Have a Choice by Erin Cowling, published in the TLA Mirror

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Retroactive versus Prospective Application of the 2013 Defence of the Person and Property Amendments by Heather Cross, presented at the Montebello Criminal Law Conference