It’s time to talk about the benefits of remote and part-time legal jobs. There are quite a few. For many attorneys, the traditional 9-5 (or longer) work day is a thing of the past. With the advent of the internet conferencing services like Zoom and the rise of part-time and remote legal jobs, more and more attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants are finding that they can work part-time from anywhere – and still make a good living providing legal advice.
There are several benefits to this shift for both staff attorneys and their clients.
First, it allows for greater flexibility in work hours. Senior attorneys can easily schedule calls and meetings outside of traditional business hours, which can be convenient for clients who may have difficulty taking time off work.
Second, it cuts down on commute time and travel expenses. This can be a significant savings for attorneys to provide legal support to their clients.
Is it Possible to Juggle Work and Private Life With a Family?
For many years, the legal profession has been known for its long hours and demanding work schedules. This often meant that attorneys had to choose between their careers and their personal lives, and many attorneys felt like they were forced to sacrifice time with their families in order to succeed professionally. Especially those overseeing the work being completed by team members in growing legal departments.
Fortunately, times have changed and the legal field is changing with it.
Thanks to advances in technology, it is now possible for attorneys to work remotely as much or as little as they like. Using remote attorney networks like LAWCLERK, lawyers can work from home, which means that they can keep up with their work without sacrificing time with their loved ones.
In addition, remote attorney networks enable lawyers to choose the work they take on – giving them more flexibility and control over their careers. As a result, many law offices are choosing to take advantage of these networks in order to better balance their work and professional lives of a firm’s legal counsel.
Part-Time vs. Remote Attorney Jobs
The legal field is changing, and with that, the way attorneys work is changing too. In the past, most attorneys worked full-time in an office setting. However, these days there are a growing number of part-time and remote attorney jobs available. So, what’s the difference between the two? And which one is right for you?
Part-time attorney jobs can be found in both traditional law firms and online. Often, part-time jobs are for those who are looking to semi-retire or who have valuable experience to offer general counsel, but only want to work a few hours a week. If you’re looking for a more traditional arrangement, you might consider working part-time at a local firm. This way you get the best of both worlds: a flexible work schedule, plus the ability to work in a traditional office environment.
Remote attorney jobs, on the other hand, are those where the attorney works from home or from another location outside of the office. Remote attorney jobs have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they have been instrumental at implementing flexible work schedules and can come with fewer hours required. Naturally, remote work can be part-time or full-time. Remote work has provided new jobs throughout the field of legal services for big firms in New York and LLPs in Washington DC, to smaller boutique shops in Wyoming.
When choosing between a part-time and remote attorney job, it is important to consider your individual needs and preferences. If you value flexibility and freedom (or the ability to work from home), then a remote job may be right for you. If you prefer a more traditional work schedule and time in the office, then a part-time office job may be a better option. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what will make you happiest and most successful.
What are the Benefits of Remote Law Jobs?
There are many benefits to working in a remote law job. One of the most obvious benefits is that remote work offers a high degree of flexibility and freedom. This can be especially beneficial for litigation attorneys with years of experience who also have young children or other family commitments.
In addition, remote law jobs may offer higher pay. Because law firms save on overhead by working with remote attorneys, they can offer remote counsel an increased hourly rate. And, because remote lawyers are not limited by geographical location, they may even find the ability to work on more interesting cases.
Finally, working remotely can help to reduce stress levels and improve work-life balance because lawyers can pick and choose the types of work and cases they assist with.
What are the Benefits of Working Part-time?
Working part-time offers many of the same benefits as working remotely. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of working part-time law jobs is the flexibility and work/life balance it provides. Many lawyers who work part-time do so because they want to avoid the inflexible hours and stringent workplace demands of full-time practice.
Part-time lawyers often have greater control over their work/life balance, which can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling career. In addition, working part-time can allow lawyers better case management as they take on more interesting and varied cases, as they are not beholden to extensively preparing legal documents and the billable hour requirement. This can lead to greater job satisfaction and a sense of autonomy. It can also provide an opportunity to try out different areas of law before committing to a particular specialty.
Ultimately, working part-time offers many lawyers the chance to create a career that is both stimulating and rewarding without being overwhelming.
Case Study: Balancing Preferred Work with Family
Until 2019, Jordan, an attorney, was juggling a busy law practice as well as multiple volunteer and board positions. She was doing everything possible to make a name for herself and become a thought leader in her field. But the myriad responsibilities took a toll. Jordan was working more than 70 hours a week and was never home to spend time with her husband and young son. And, to make ends meet, she was taking on legal work that she didn’t like.
She found herself wishing there was a way to focus on legal research and writing (her favorite type of work) while still making enough money to provide for her family. She also wanted to reduce her hours so she could spend more time with her son – but the possibilities looked bleak. She applied and interviewed at several firms, all of which were focused on maximum billable hours. To many of those firms, work/life balance seemed to be a dirty word.
So Jordan changed her job search strategy. She stopped scanning just for job titles and started focusing on job type and reading more about work/life balance in the legal profession and discovered she wasn’t alone in her desire to achieve a more balanced professional life. Then, she found LAWCLERK in the heap of job postings and job alerts she created for herself.
As a LAWCLERK remote associate, Jordan is able to work from home as a legal content writer and legal copy editor. And there’s plenty of work available so she doesn’t have to worry about making ends meet. In fact, she’s been able to fully replace her previous income while working flexible hours that fit her (and her family’s) schedule. She also gets to spend time with her son and watch him grow.
In the end, part-time, remote legal work has been a game changer for Jordan and her family.
How Can You Make the Most of Your Experience as a Work from Home Attorney?
One of the great things about working from home as an attorney is that you have a lot of control over your schedule. You can take breaks when you need them, and you can work around other commitments. However, there are a few things you can do to make the most of your experience as a work-from-home attorney.
First, it’s important to create a dedicated workspace. This will help you stay focused and avoid distractions.
Second, it’s helpful to set regular office hours and stick to them as much as possible. This will give you structure and help you to stay on top of deadlines.
Finally, it’s important to stay connected with other attorneys. Attend bar events and meetups, and join online communities. This will help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the legal field and make valuable connections.
The Future of Part-time and Remote Legal Jobs
It’s no secret that the legal profession has been slow to adapt to technology and other initiatives that could evolve the business of law into the 21st century. For years, lawyers have been reluctant to embrace new technologies and working models, preferring to stick with the tried-and-true methods of the past.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced many lawyers to reevaluate their approach to work. With courts closed and in-person meetings discouraged, many firms turned to remote work arrangements in order to keep business afloat. And while some of these arrangements were simply a matter of necessity, there’s reason to believe that they will become a permanent fixture in the legal landscape. One Legal Industry Report found that 53% of respondents indicated that their firm would allow lawyers to work remotely full-time and 70% would allow attorneys to work remotely part-time, even after things have reopened.
There are several advantages to remote work arrangements for clients, lawyers, and firms alike. For starters, they offer a greater degree of flexibility than traditional work models. Lawyers who telecommute can often structure their day in a way that works best for them and their clients. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for lawyers with young children or other caregiving responsibilities. In addition, part-time and remote work arrangements tend to be more cost-effective for employers, as they can eliminate the need for expensive office space. Finally, the increase in part-time and remote work has made it easier for firms to attract and retain talented lawyers.
As a result, the future of the legal profession looks brighter than ever before.
LAWCLERK Offers Part-time and Remote Work for Attorneys
At LAWCLERK, we connect hiring attorneys and firms with freelance, remote attorneys.
Even if you’re an experienced associate attorney looking to improve your work/life balance by working part-time from home, we can help you find work.
Our legal marketplace enables you to find and apply to one-off projects like pleadings, or regulatory work as little or as often as you’d like. And our Subscription Associate Program enables you to apply to firms for regular, ongoing work.
You also have the freedom to choose the types of projects and work you want to perform, enabling you to build your skills in your practice area of choice. Additionally, you won’t be limited by your geographical location, as you can work with firms all over the United States from the comfort of your own home. Apply now!
