While some lawyers only see practicing law as a profession, in reality, law firms are businesses, lawyers are business owners, and businesses need to be profitable. Large law firms have whole departments to assist with keeping law firms profitable (marketing departments, accounting departments, HR, etc.). And, while solo and small firm lawyers may lack these resources, there are still simple steps lawyers can take to measure, track, and ensure continued profitability for their firm or practice.
Are you looking to update your law firm's website to attract new clients and improve user experience? Before you dive into a complete overhaul, there may be some simple content adjustments you can make to improve your website and convert more visitors into clients.
Whether you have a DIY website or outsourced it to a web developer, here are 6 simple things you and your team can do to update your law firm's website. Perhaps you run a busy law practice and a talented freelance lawyer has agreed to help with your overflow legal work and you are eager to get started.
Or, you are a freelance lawyer and you found your first lawyer client who has some interesting work for you. In either situation, before any work begins, it is important to outline the details of your working relationship in a freelance lawyer agreement. Not sure where to start? We provide some guidance on drafting this type of agreement: Flexible hours, supplemental income, remote opportunities, and family are just some of the reasons experienced lawyers are deliberately choosing freelancing as a path forward (1).
Freelancing, propelled by new technologies and a growth in remote work arrangements, is on the rise across all industries, and the legal field is no exception. Data from the US shows that 51% of law firms are using freelance lawyers, also known as contract lawyers, as an alternative staffing strategy (2). Filling this need, more and more lawyers are turning to freelancing, as a deliberate choice, seeking the benefits freelancing has to offer. So, why are experienced lawyers giving up the security and comfort of a traditional job for freelancing? Hint, not because they can’t find a ‘real’ job! There are many benefits to working with a freelance lawyer to scale your law practice or assist with your overflow legal work on a temporary basis, either through one-off projects (e.g., drafting a factum or reviewing a contract) or through ongoing occasional help (e.g., a few hours a week or month). By hiring freelance help, you avoid long-term commitments and costly overhead, and you get the help you need, only when you need it.
There are also many benefits to working as a freelance lawyer. You have greater flexibility over your work, including what work you take on, when you do the work and where you do the work. Both hiring lawyers and freelance lawyers find it to be a mutually beneficial working experience. However, having been in the freelance lawyer industry for almost 10 years, we have noticed that sometimes this type of working relationship is not as successful as it can be. Below are some lessons we’ve learned to ensure a successful relationship from the very beginning: Are you thinking about leaving the traditional practice of law behind to become a freelance lawyer? Not sure where to start?
We’ve set out some considerations and important steps to start your freelance journey below: |
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