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Law firms are navigating a new frontier – the rise of freelance lawyers. UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥' latest report, "Law firms' hush-hush relationship with freelancers," unveils this emerging trend, shedding light on the extent to which firms rely on freelancers, the types of work they outsource, and the factors driving more lawyers to embrace the freelance path.

1. Over a third of law firm leaders rely on short-term contract or freelance lawyers for client work. The survey found that 34% of law firm leaders employ freelancers, with medium-sized firms being the most likely to do so (46%). While most firms (64%) use freelancers for one-fifth or less of their client work, a notable 15% outsource more than half, and 7% rely on freelancers for 90-100% of their work.

2. Freelance lawyers offer firms access to specialised expertise and workforce flexibility. Firms can tap into niche expertise without long-term commitments by hiring freelancers for specific tasks, and scale their workforce up or down as needed. "If a client wants an expert in something quite niche, say submarine cable laying law, you can hire an expert on a short-term contract basis for that specific task," says John Joyce, Former Managing Partner at Addleshaw Goddard.

3. The pandemic has driven more lawyers to seek greater work-life balance and autonomy. This has fueled the rise of freelance legal work. Fee-sharing firms like Keystone Law and gunnercooke have attracted solicitors from various career stages by offering substantial profit-sharing and flexibility. "We take away all the things that people don't like about big law and give them total freedom," says Darryl Cooke, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of gunnercooke.

4. Firms must adapt to meet the changing demands of their workforce by embracing alternative service models and freelance arrangements. Offering freelance or contract-based opportunities can help firms attract and retain top talent seeking flexibility and work-life balance. However, firms should be cautious about outsourcing too much client work to freelancers, as it could impact growth and the ability to establish a collaborative, team-oriented culture.

Get more insights into the freelance market

The UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ report "Law firms' hush-hush relationship with freelancers" provides valuable insights into the evolving relationship between law firms and freelance lawyers. As firms navigate the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent, embracing the freelance frontier may offer a strategic advantage in meeting client demands and fostering a more agile and specialised workforce.

Law firms' hush-hush relationship with freelancers