In order to become a freelance lawyer, there are a number of tasks that one must undertake. There are a number of elements to understand, each of which plays a significant role in helping you to make informed career decisions. Whether you want to provide domestic abuse help or you’d like to specialize in corporate law, there are various routes you can go down. From building a professional portfolio to deciding on your rate of pay, there are several steps to be taken to become a successful freelance lawyer, each of which is detailed below.
Build a Professional Portfolio
Firstly, you’re going to need a professional portfolio that details your previous cases. This way, you have clear documentation that states what law firms and clients, in general, can expect from you. When detailing these previous cases, you should include the specialist skills you employed, the nature of the case, and the outcome, too. In order to select the right cases, you should pay close attention to the cases in which you were the most successful. This is because you’ll paint yourself as a capable professional, crafting a positive image for potential clients. When it comes to discussing cases, you should always work to anonymize personal information, as this helps guarantee that data protection laws are followed while maintaining client confidentiality.
Get Insurance
In order to ensure financial protection from future legal cases, insurance is a must for freelance lawyers. Specifically, legal malpractice insurance is essential. This is because it can protect you from any mistakes that you may make regarding your legal work. It’s not overly uncommon for clients to take their legal representatives to court, so you need to make sure that you cover your back for all scenarios. With the correct insurance policies, you’re not as likely to be taken to court over mistakes that may have been made in previous cases. As a result, time and money can be saved, allowing you to maximize your productivity at all times.
Establish a Network
As a freelance lawyer, a strong network is an undeniably powerful asset. This is because a strong network will present you with connections in various companies. These companies will consist of experts in various fields. Unfortunately, you’re not going to be an expert in everything, so it’s important to surround yourself with professionals with multiple specialisms. This way, you’ll be provided with the necessary assistance and support, allowing you to build a client base more effectively.
Use Administrative Platforms
Typically speaking, legal work predominantly focuses on administrative tasks. There are various types of documentation required, including forms, evidence of agreements, and more. Keeping a clear record of these details allows for simpler legal work management; however, this will, naturally, take more time. Therefore, an administrative platform can make a world of difference. This is because it will reduce the need for manual administrative practices, meaning your office can be more productive, and paperwork can be filed more effectively.
Decide on a Rate of Pay
Last but not least, you’re going to need to decide on a rate of pay. Naturally, you don’t want to offer a rate that’s too low. Not only will this mean you’re not able to make a comfortable living, but it will also mean your services will seem a little too good to be true, making it difficult to earn the trust of your clients. On the other side of the coin, you don’t want to make your services so expensive that your clients are able to pay significantly less elsewhere; no one is going to want to pay more for virtually the same service.