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Quick Facts — Freelance Contract Lawyers

What is a Freelance Contract Attorney?

Small business owners and start-up companies know that every decision they make has to be about their bottom line. Whenever possible, they need to outsource tasks and work with freelancers. But what about when it comes to legal matters? Are freelance contract lawyers a thing?

Understanding What a Freelancer Is

Pretty much any profession can be done on a freelance basis. In essence, freelancers are independent contractors who either work from home or a remote location. They might call themselves consultants, virtual employees, and virtual professionals, just to name a few. The key is that they are not tied to a single employer and have significant flexibility in their work.

How Freelancing Works for Contract Lawyers

When someone is a freelance contract lawyer, they generally work remotely, though some might offer to come to a job site on an as-needed basis. They can connect with clients through their own websites or through online marketplaces, such as ContractsCounsel.com. With this setup, contract lawyers can work with clients throughout their state, across the country, or even around the globe, depending on their licensing and areas of specialty.

How Freelance Contract Lawyers Differ From Those at a Law Firm

When a law firm hires a contract lawyer, they expect them to be available full time and strictly to their clients. When working with a firm, these lawyers charge higher rates because they only keep a percentage and must build the firm’s cut into their rate.

Freelance contract lawyers might work with law firms, but as independent contractors. This gives them greater flexibility in their time, what clients they work with, and what they charge. However, many do not partner with firms, choosing to work from home with individual clients instead.

When to Hire a Freelance Contract Lawyer

The great thing about working with a freelance contract lawyer is you only have to turn to them when you have an active need. You do not pay to retain their services, and it is fine to go months without working with them. Whenever you need a new contract drafted, an old one reviewed, or assistance with enforcing one, seek out a freelance contract lawyer.

Know the Pros and Cons of Selecting a Freelance Contract Lawyer

The biggest benefits of opting for freelance contract lawyers over those with a law firm are the savings to you. Not only do they charger lower rates, but they don’t require regular payments or retainers to keep their time available to you.

When you opt to go freelance, you also have a lot of flexibility. You can work with a lawyer and if they don’t seem to be a good fit, move on to another. It is perfectly acceptable to switch counsel when it is the right decision for you.

The primary disadvantage of going freelance is that learning the quirks of your business and needs can take time, and when a lawyer is with you on a freelance basis, they may never get the chance to know your company intimately as an in-house lawyer would. However, you can select those with experience in your industry to ensure they are well positioned for easy onboarding.

Secure Your Business With a Vetted Freelance Contract Lawyer Near You

Iron-clad contracts protect your business and profits, and you can get these without breaking the bank by working with a freelance contract lawyer. Contracts Counsel is a boutique marketplace that only features vetted attorneys. Find contract lawyers who understand your industry through ContractsCounsel.com.


ContractsCounsel is not a law firm, and this post should not be considered and does not contain legal advice. To ensure the information and advice in this post are correct, sufficient, and appropriate for your situation, please consult a licensed attorney. Also, using or accessing ContractsCounsel's site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and ContractsCounsel.


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Paul S. on ContractsCounsel
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5.0 (18)
Member Since:
August 4, 2020

Paul S.

CEO
Free Consultation
Cincinnati, OH
40 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CA, OH
Boston University

I focus my practice on startups and small to mid-size businesses, because they have unique needs that mid-size and large law firms aren't well-equipped to service. In addition to practicing law, I have started and run other businesses, and have an MBA in marketing from Indiana University. I combine my business experience with my legal expertise, to provide practical advice to my clients. I am licensed in Ohio and California, and I leverage the latest in technology to provide top quality legal services to a nationwide client-base. This enables me to serve my clients in a cost-effective manner that doesn't skimp on personal service.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Was my great pleasure working with Paul. He is very knowledgeable about startups/companies, professional, wise, and supportive. I would highly recommend him."

Charlotte L. on ContractsCounsel
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4.6 (2)
Member Since:
February 25, 2021

Charlotte L.

Self-Employed Legal Consultant
Free Consultation
Arlington, VA
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in DC, VA
University of Virginia School of Law

I hold a B.S. in Accounting and a B.A. in Philosophy from Virginia Tech (2009). I received my J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2012. I am an associate member of the Virginia Bar and an active member of the DC bar. Currently, I am working as a self-employed legal consultant and attorney. Primarily my clients are start-up companies for which I perform various types of legal work, including negotiating and drafting settlement, preparing operating agreements and partnership agreements, assisting in moving companies to incorporate in new states and setting up companies to become registered in a state, assisting with employment matters, drafting non-disclosure agreements, assisting with private placement offerings, and researching issues on intellectual property, local regulations, privacy laws, corporate governance, and many other facets of the law, as the need arises. I have previously practiced as an attorney at a small DC securities law firm and worked at Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLC. My work experience is dynamic and includes many short-term and long term experience that span across areas such as maintaining my own blog, freelance writing, and dog walking. My diverse background has provided me with a stong skill set that can be easily adapted for new areas of work and indicates my ability to quickly learn for a wide array of clients.

Harry N. on ContractsCounsel
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5.0 (8)
Member Since:
November 21, 2025

Harry N.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Anoka, MN
20 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL, MN
University of Minnesota

Experienced business advisor and in-house counsel with extensive litigation experience, representing parties in a variety of complex commercial disputes, including securities, financial fraud, contract, and antitrust litigation.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Harry has been sharp, responsive, and straight with me. He reviewed my waivers and then flagged several issues in my other agreements that were bigger than what I hired him for, instead of just doing the narrow job and moving on. He explained the risks clearly, told me what to hold on and why, and structured a fixed-fee scope that worked with my cash flow rather than pushing me into a monthly plan I wasn't ready for. He also brought in outside specialist counsel where it made sense instead of stretching past his own expertise. Easy to recommend."

Jason H. on ContractsCounsel
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4.9 (21)
Member Since:
March 5, 2023

Jason H.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Dallas, Texas
25 Yrs Experience
Licensed in TX, VA
Regent University, School of Law

Jason has been providing legal insight and business expertise since 2001. He is admitted to both the Virginia Bar and the Texas State Bar, and also proud of his membership to the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches. Having served many people, companies and organizations with legal and business needs, his peers and clients know him to be a high-performing and skilled attorney who genuinely cares about his clients. In addition to being a trusted legal advisor, he is a keen business advisor for executive leadership and senior leadership teams on corporate legal and regulatory matters. His personal mission is to take a genuine interest in his clients, and serve as a primary resource to them.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Wonderful attorney! He was extremely professional, answered all of my questions and was patient with my complicated legal situation. Don’t hesitate to hire him."

Brett S. on ContractsCounsel
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
September 15, 2023

Brett S.

Litigation and Contract Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, Illinois
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Illinois

I attended the University of Illinois- College of Law on a full merit scholarship. While in law school, I was a 711 Attorney at the Lake County State's Attorney's Office, specializing in traffic and misdemeanor cases. After graduation, I served as in-house counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the world, managing thousands of cases from initial intake to trial. Upon leaving this position, I accepted a role as Legal Counsel to the Illinois Senate Minority Leader. There, I advised Senators on legislative matters, labor and employment law, and complex constitutional questions. After leaving public service, I accepted a role at a mid-size Chicago-based law firm, where I practice insurance defense and litigation. In addition to this, I also serve as outside general counsel to a food brokerage business, where I handle all of their labor and employment matters.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
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"Prompt and delivered project on time even with short notice."

Zachary D. on ContractsCounsel
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
July 26, 2023

Zachary D.

Business Lawyer
Free Consultation
Holladay, UT
17 Yrs Experience
Licensed in CT, ID, MT, OK, WY
The George Washington University Law School

Helping small business owners meet their legal needs.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Zachary was great to work with. Highly recommend for estate planning. Thanks so much!"

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