How to Work As a Contract Attorney
Contact law firms directly., Work with a professional placement agency., Network with other attorneys., Look for contract attorney jobs in the newspaper and online., Use your contract work as a networking tool for other work., Watch out for...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Contact law firms directly.
Small and medium law firms are increasingly looking for individual attorneys to hire on a temporary contract basis.
This sort of outsourcing allows them to streamline their firm’s activities while offering their clients a fuller range of services., Many firms prefer to work through placement agencies, rather than hire a contract attorney on their own.
Working through the agency allows the firm to save the time of reviewing resumes and application letters, and focus on getting the project completed.
In some cases, the agency will become your employer and provide payment and even benefits., Friends and colleagues, who either run their own practices or who work for established law firms, may be able to help you get “in” with a firm that needs to hire out for contract work.
Keep in touch, and let these people know that you are always available to pick up jobs. , Search the help wanted ads in your local newspaper, in professional legal publications, and on job boards online.
People will often post ads for open positions or if they are looking for assistance. , When you are working on one job for a firm, you may find yourself in contact with attorneys from other firms.
Take these opportunities to let them know that you are available and that you have expertise in your field.
Don’t be bashful about asking if they may have vacancies in their firm., It is crucial to a working contract attorney that you keep accurate records of clients and involved parties so that you avoid conflicts of interest.
When you receive an offer for work, you need to inquire first about the parties in the matter, and check that list against a list of parties from previous work.It may help to keep a spreadsheet of clients represented and their opponents, so that you can quickly search for names to rule out conflicts. , Staffing agencies who hire attorneys for contract work often look for specialists.
As a specialist, you make yourself more desirable to individual law firms as well, who may be looking for someone to support their needs for a particular project.Obviously, you need to be honest.
But if, for example, you have worked on several bankruptcy cases, you may choose to present yourself as having some expertise in that field. , Before you can work as a contract attorney, you obviously need a degree from a reputable law school.
But beyond that, you can make yourself more marketable if you become a member of the bar in one or more jurisdictions.
Becoming a member of the bar of a state does not always mean that you have to take the bar exam again.
Many states have reciprocity agreements with each other, so that membership in one can lead to easier membership in another., Even if temporary contract work is not your dream job, you need to treat it as such.
Be professional in your interactions with other attorneys and clients.
If you are working in the firm’s office, present yourself professionally.
Be timely in completing your work, and be professional in the way you bill for it.
The positive appearance that you give to one firm may pay off in additional offers with that or other firms., Because working as a contract attorney is less regular than working as an associate or partner for a single firm, you will need to keep good records of your various employers.
When tax time comes, you will probably have an assortment of 1099 tax forms.
Some placement agencies may hire you as their own employee and will submit W-2 forms.You may not receive a 1099 form for all work that you perform.
Firms are required to report payments of over $600.
If you do a job for less than that, you are not likely to receive a
1099.
You are still required to report and pay taxes on all income that you earn.
You will need to keep your own records for smaller amounts. , If you are able to find adequate contract work to fill your time and keep a steady income, that’s terrific.
But if you find that you have down time between jobs, understand that many contract attorneys are able to keep a small practice of their own while also doing contract work.
Keep networking in your local area and let your friends and colleagues know that you are available for private legal work., You may find that joining forces with one or more other attorneys in a similar position can help with a steady income.
If you choose to form a partnership, you could share the income so that you all have a relatively reliable cash flow. , This may change from project to project.
When you get hired on a job, you should ask the firm or employment agency that is hiring you whether the firm’s malpractice insurance will cover you or if you need your own.
You may find that you are more marketable (and you may sleep better) if you keep your own insurance., Whether you are working as a contract attorney by choice or because you have been unable to land a full-time position, take advantage of the contract work to gain experience.
You can generally select the projects that you take, so you can decide if you want to specialize in something or become more of a generalist., Many law school educations are solid on legal theory but not so dedicated to practical experience.
Spending some time as a contract attorney can give you practice in a wide range of legal fields.For example, you may be able to take projects drafting pleadings, conducting depositions, reviewing contracts or even attending meetings with clients.
If you were a junior associate in a large firm, you would most likely get pigeon-holed into one area. , Many of the elements of contract work are the same as working in your own practice.
You set your hours, select a variety of projects, manage your billing, and keep records of your work.
After you gain sufficient experience, you may find yourself ready to seek out clients of your own., Some people may be able to find steady work as a contract attorney, but many people find that they have substantial down time between projects.
You may need to find some other part-time work to supplement your income at times., Even if you perform your work well and build positive relationships with the attorneys in the firms you work for, you are unlikely to advance.
There are no associate/junior partner/partner ladders for you to climb as a contract attorney.
Even the best, most experienced contract attorney remains a contract attorney. -
Step 2: Work with a professional placement agency.
-
Step 3: Network with other attorneys.
-
Step 4: Look for contract attorney jobs in the newspaper and online.
-
Step 5: Use your contract work as a networking tool for other work.
-
Step 6: Watch out for conflicts of interest.
-
Step 7: Present yourself as a specialist.
-
Step 8: Build up your bar membership credentials.
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Step 9: Build a positive reputation as a good worker.
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Step 10: Keep good records for tax purposes.
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Step 11: Consider filling up your time with your own clients.
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Step 12: Affiliate yourself with other contract attorneys.
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Step 13: Decide if you need your own malpractice insurance.
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Step 14: Use the opportunity to broaden your experience.
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Step 15: Treat the contract work as on-the-job training.
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Step 16: Consider contract work as a stepping stone to opening your private practice.
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Step 17: Be aware of the limited job security and unsteady income.
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Step 18: Don't expect any career advancement.
Detailed Guide
Small and medium law firms are increasingly looking for individual attorneys to hire on a temporary contract basis.
This sort of outsourcing allows them to streamline their firm’s activities while offering their clients a fuller range of services., Many firms prefer to work through placement agencies, rather than hire a contract attorney on their own.
Working through the agency allows the firm to save the time of reviewing resumes and application letters, and focus on getting the project completed.
In some cases, the agency will become your employer and provide payment and even benefits., Friends and colleagues, who either run their own practices or who work for established law firms, may be able to help you get “in” with a firm that needs to hire out for contract work.
Keep in touch, and let these people know that you are always available to pick up jobs. , Search the help wanted ads in your local newspaper, in professional legal publications, and on job boards online.
People will often post ads for open positions or if they are looking for assistance. , When you are working on one job for a firm, you may find yourself in contact with attorneys from other firms.
Take these opportunities to let them know that you are available and that you have expertise in your field.
Don’t be bashful about asking if they may have vacancies in their firm., It is crucial to a working contract attorney that you keep accurate records of clients and involved parties so that you avoid conflicts of interest.
When you receive an offer for work, you need to inquire first about the parties in the matter, and check that list against a list of parties from previous work.It may help to keep a spreadsheet of clients represented and their opponents, so that you can quickly search for names to rule out conflicts. , Staffing agencies who hire attorneys for contract work often look for specialists.
As a specialist, you make yourself more desirable to individual law firms as well, who may be looking for someone to support their needs for a particular project.Obviously, you need to be honest.
But if, for example, you have worked on several bankruptcy cases, you may choose to present yourself as having some expertise in that field. , Before you can work as a contract attorney, you obviously need a degree from a reputable law school.
But beyond that, you can make yourself more marketable if you become a member of the bar in one or more jurisdictions.
Becoming a member of the bar of a state does not always mean that you have to take the bar exam again.
Many states have reciprocity agreements with each other, so that membership in one can lead to easier membership in another., Even if temporary contract work is not your dream job, you need to treat it as such.
Be professional in your interactions with other attorneys and clients.
If you are working in the firm’s office, present yourself professionally.
Be timely in completing your work, and be professional in the way you bill for it.
The positive appearance that you give to one firm may pay off in additional offers with that or other firms., Because working as a contract attorney is less regular than working as an associate or partner for a single firm, you will need to keep good records of your various employers.
When tax time comes, you will probably have an assortment of 1099 tax forms.
Some placement agencies may hire you as their own employee and will submit W-2 forms.You may not receive a 1099 form for all work that you perform.
Firms are required to report payments of over $600.
If you do a job for less than that, you are not likely to receive a
1099.
You are still required to report and pay taxes on all income that you earn.
You will need to keep your own records for smaller amounts. , If you are able to find adequate contract work to fill your time and keep a steady income, that’s terrific.
But if you find that you have down time between jobs, understand that many contract attorneys are able to keep a small practice of their own while also doing contract work.
Keep networking in your local area and let your friends and colleagues know that you are available for private legal work., You may find that joining forces with one or more other attorneys in a similar position can help with a steady income.
If you choose to form a partnership, you could share the income so that you all have a relatively reliable cash flow. , This may change from project to project.
When you get hired on a job, you should ask the firm or employment agency that is hiring you whether the firm’s malpractice insurance will cover you or if you need your own.
You may find that you are more marketable (and you may sleep better) if you keep your own insurance., Whether you are working as a contract attorney by choice or because you have been unable to land a full-time position, take advantage of the contract work to gain experience.
You can generally select the projects that you take, so you can decide if you want to specialize in something or become more of a generalist., Many law school educations are solid on legal theory but not so dedicated to practical experience.
Spending some time as a contract attorney can give you practice in a wide range of legal fields.For example, you may be able to take projects drafting pleadings, conducting depositions, reviewing contracts or even attending meetings with clients.
If you were a junior associate in a large firm, you would most likely get pigeon-holed into one area. , Many of the elements of contract work are the same as working in your own practice.
You set your hours, select a variety of projects, manage your billing, and keep records of your work.
After you gain sufficient experience, you may find yourself ready to seek out clients of your own., Some people may be able to find steady work as a contract attorney, but many people find that they have substantial down time between projects.
You may need to find some other part-time work to supplement your income at times., Even if you perform your work well and build positive relationships with the attorneys in the firms you work for, you are unlikely to advance.
There are no associate/junior partner/partner ladders for you to climb as a contract attorney.
Even the best, most experienced contract attorney remains a contract attorney.
About the Author
Sara Rivera
Specializes in breaking down complex hobbies topics into simple steps.
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