Taking control: why lawyers are embracing flexible careers

Part 3 of 4, by Peter Workman

In my first article in this series, A changing market, I described the shift towards greater flexibility across many industries and in our culture at large. The legal services market has seen manifestations of this shift both on the client side – that is, changes in how organisations obtain legal expertise – and on the lawyer side.

For lawyers, such increases in flexibility range from relaxations within traditional employment settings (such as more part-time and remote working) to the emergence and recognition of wholly new career paths (such as models involving self-employment or temporary employment arrangements).

The two principal new career paths for solicitors are the new model law firm, which is essentially private practice involving self-employed lawyers, and flexible legal support (also called flexible legal resourcing, or interim legal support), which is the in-house counterpart involving lawyers being placed temporarily within client organisations. A series of such temporary in-house placements can be used to form a flexible career tailored by the lawyer.

Both the new model law firm and flexible legal support involve greater autonomy for the lawyer, and a move away from the inflexible hierarchy and career trajectory of the traditional law firm. While the traditional route still appeals to many, in our increasingly fluid culture it is far from the only game in town. In pursuing flexible careers, lawyers are responding to the spirit of the age and taking control for themselves.

Over the past decade, flexible legal support has grown vastly in popularity among clients and lawyers. Its use in a growing range of contexts by clients has coincided with its embrace as a credible option by a growing number of high calibre lawyers (who might once have pursued big firm partnership or a senior in-house position). It is moot which of these developments has led to the other, but they are complementary parts of a single process.

What are the main attractions of a flexible career involving temporary in-house placements? Here are ten that I think count for a lot.

1. Autonomy. Flexible lawyers are in control of their career and can choose which roles to take on and how to combine these with other personal or professional projects and commitments.
2. Entrepreneurialism. Flexible lawyers generally work as sole practitioners running their own legal consulting business. This path involves the excitement and rewards of an entrepreneurial career but with low financial risk (see point 7).
3. Variety. Flexible lawyers can work in a wide variety of environments, including corporations, public bodies, law firms, nonprofits and owner-managed businesses. Over time, such exposure yields valuable insights and experience as well as a stimulating professional life.
4. Skills. By working across a range of different organisations and sectors, flexible lawyers can sharpen not only their black letter legal skills and sector expertise but also their general commerciality and adaptability. The latter are transferable “flexible lawyer” skills and are a major asset to clients.
5. Work-life balance. The law is notorious for its demanding hours, which can lead to burnout. Flexible lawyers have more control over their schedule and can strike a healthier work/life balance. Should they deliberately choose a role involving long hours, there is likely to be a corresponding financial reward and the assignment can be balanced with some time out or a less intense next role.
6. Networking, brand, and opportunities. Working in a range of settings allows flexible lawyers to build a robust network of contacts and a strong personal brand. Both can be used in service of future opportunities. Indeed, some lawyers use placements strategically to develop sector knowledge and gain useful contacts, choosing roles deliberately as a route towards a particular long term career goal.
7. Financial benefits. Flexibility does not mean sacrificing financial stability. Flexible lawyers can command competitive hourly or daily rates or project-based fees, often earning as much as or more than those of equivalent seniority in permanent roles. Furthermore, income certainty can be extremely good, for a skilled solicitor who is personable and available for new opportunities. One is rarely limited to a single platform for accessing paid work.
8. Collegiality and support. Some flexible legal support providers, notably those affiliated with law firms, can offer a collegiate professional base and support to the flexible lawyer who is working on assignments with clients. This can include access to firm resources and expertise.
9. Passion projects within roles. Flexible lawyers can choose roles that reflect their passions. That might for instance mean that they target roles in particular sectors (such as media or sport), or it might involve prioritising social entrepreneur or other ethically-based initiatives.
10. Passion projects outside them. Flexible legal support can also form the ideal accompaniment to passion projects outside legal work. These could include artistic pursuits, travel, or a start-up business. Being well-paid and flexible, flexible legal support is a great way of “putting bread on the table,” while also keeping the door open for a later return to a more traditional legal career.

These are some examples of the attractions of flexible legal support as a career path.

I referred earlier to the possibility of a flexible career of an “in-house” or a “private practice” kind. As a flexible legal support provider, Source offers the first approach. As a new model law firm, our sister business Temple Bright offers the second.

In the next article I will describe how Source and Temple Bright collaborate, using these two flexible models to create a unique service for clients.

Part 1: A changing market: the rise of the flexible lawyer

Part 2: More for less: how interim lawyers can benefit in-house legal teams

Part 4: Source and Temple Bright: the best of the traditional and the innovative