Working as a Freelance Lawyer alternative career options

Working as a Freelance Lawyer alternative career options for in house lawyers

Working as a Freelance Lawyer alternative career options for in house lawyers • The law • The money (and the power) • The non-lawyers • The searching • The depression • The inspiration • The new business • The marketing • The revenue streams • The resources • The benefits and costs • The other people doing interesting things • The beginning

The law

The law A quarter of all lawyers want to get out of the law 1 1. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article

The law A quarter of all lawyers want to get out of the law 1 A third of all 6 to 10 PQE lawyers want out 2 1. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article 2. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article

The law A quarter of all lawyers want to get out of the law 1 A third of all 6 to 10 PQE lawyers want out 2 55% of lawyers are unhappy with their current job 3 1. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article 2. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article 3. SEEK, 27 October 2004 - http: //www. seek. com. au/media/about_media_centre. asp#81

The law A quarter of all lawyers want to get out of the law 1 A third of all 6 to 10 PQE lawyers want out 2 55% of lawyers are unhappy with their current job 3 $ 4 1. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article 2. The Lawyer, 2 July 2007 - http: //www. thelawyer. com/twenty-four-per-cent-of-lawyers-want-to-quit/126870. article 3. SEEK, 27 October 2004 - http: //www. seek. com. au/media/about_media_centre. asp#81 4. Times Online, 2 July 2007 - http: //business. timesonline. co. uk/tol/business/law/article 2013532. ece

The money

The money 25% of lawyers earn less than $50, 000 pa 5 5. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm

The money 25% of lawyers earn less than $50, 000 pa 5 50% of lawyers earn less than $75, 000 pa 6 5. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm 6. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm

The money 25% of lawyers earn less than $50, 000 pa 5 50% of lawyers earn less than $75, 000 pa 6 15% of lawyers earn more than $115, 000 pa 7 5. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm 6. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm 7. The Law Report, 25 March 2008 - http: //www. abc. net. au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2195243. htm

The money (and the power)

The money (and the power) 8 8. The Financial Review, 14 November 2008

The money (and the power) 8 There are 200 companies in the S&P/ASX 200 9 8. The Financial Review, 14 November 2008 9. ASX, http: //www. asx. com. au/

The money (and the power) 8 There are 200 companies in the S&P/ASX 200 9 ACLA has more than 3, 000 members 10 8. The Financial Review, 14 November 2008 9. ASX, http: //www. asx. com. au/ 10 ACLA Annual Report 2009

The non-lawyers

The non-lawyers 73% of employees are actively looking for work 11 11. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx

The non-lawyers 73% of employees are actively looking for work 11 22% are passively looking for work 12 11. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 12. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx

The non-lawyers 73% of employees are actively looking for work 11 22% are passively looking for work 12 = 95% 11. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 12. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx

The non-lawyers 73% of employees are actively looking for work 11 22% are passively looking for work 12 = 95% Average Weekly Earnings = $1, 223. 30 pw 13 11. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 12. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 13. ABS August 2009 - http: //www. abs. gov. au/AUSSTATS/abs@. nsf/mf/6302. 0

The non-lawyers 73% of employees are actively looking for work 11 22% are passively looking for work 12 = 95% Average Weekly Earnings = $1, 223. 30 pw 13 Median income of writers (from writing) = $4, 800 pa 14 11. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 12. Lawyers Weekly, 2 February 2010 - http: //www. lawyersweekly. com. au/blogs/matters_briefs/archive/2010/02/02/law-firms-brace-foremployee-quot-mass-exodus-quot. aspx 13. ABS August 2009 - http: //www. abs. gov. au/AUSSTATS/abs@. nsf/mf/6302. 0 14. http: //www. australiacouncil. gov. au/research/artists/reports_and_publications/dontgiveupyourdayjob

The searching

The depression

The depression Lawyers experience the highest levels of depressive symptoms 15 15. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855

The depression Lawyers experience the highest levels of depressive symptoms 15 (followed by patent attorneys) 16 15. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 16. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855

The depression Lawyers experience the highest levels of depressive symptoms 15 (followed by patent attorneys) 16 almost a third of lawyers reported using alcohol or other drugs 17 15. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 16. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 17. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855

The depression Lawyers experience the highest levels of depressive symptoms 15 (followed by patent attorneys) 16 almost a third of lawyers reported using alcohol or other drugs 17 to reduce or manage feelings of sadness and depression 18 15. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 16. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 17. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855 18. Beyond Blue, Winter 2007 - http: //www. beyondblue. org. au/index. aspx? link_id=59. 855

The depression

The depression “There's some method behind his madness, or is that the other way around? ” d. B Magazine, 15 March 2006

The depression “There's some method behind his madness, or is that the other way around? ” d. B Magazine, 15 March 2006 “…among the worst things I have ever seen” The Advertiser, 26 February 2004

The inspiration 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize 19 F 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize • firm to firm focus 19 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration • a ‘wholesale lawyer’ working for ‘retail lawyers’ • a freelance associate • a ‘ghostwriter’ • specialize • firm to firm focus 19 • your clients are other lawyers 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996

The inspiration 19 “…every lawyer is your friend. Every lawyer is a potential customer. Every lawyer is someone you can help. Every lawyer you deal with on a direct basis is on your side, not against you. You rarely have hostile relations with other lawyers. In fact, you rarely have hostile relations with anyone. ” 20 19. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996 20. Robinson David A, Practicing Law Without Clients, American Bar Associated, Chicago, 1996, page 78

The new business

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile Fax to Email

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile Email Fax to Email

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile Website Email Fax to Email

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile Website Email • Insurance – low fee earner Fax to Email

The new business Sole Practitioner & Sole Trader GPO Box Mobile Website Email • Insurance – low fee earner • Business plan – lawyers Fax to Email

The revenue streams

The revenue streams • locum contracts (in house)

The revenue streams • locum contracts (in house) • external lawyer (in house)

The revenue streams • locum contracts (in house) • external lawyer (in house) • legal consultant (in house)

The revenue streams • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms)

The revenue streams • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses)

The revenue streams • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses) micro locum contracts (in house)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses) micro locum contracts (in house) locum contracts (small firms)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses) micro locum contracts (in house) locum contracts (small firms) referral commissions (small firms)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses) micro locum contracts (in house) locum contracts (small firms) referral commissions (small firms) writing (Law Society Journal)

The revenue streams • • • locum contracts (in house) external lawyer (in house) legal consultant (in house) locum contracts (community legal) direct clients (friends and friends of friends) drafting (small firms) direct clients (small businesses) micro locum contracts (in house) locum contracts (small firms) referral commissions (small firms) writing (Law Society Journal) drafting precedents (via Smokeball)

The revenue streams •

The marketing

The marketing

The marketing

The resources

The resources • university • ACLA & law society • large law firms (take control of invite address) • university & law society library

The resources • university • ACLA & law society • large law firms (take control of invite address) • university & law society library • contractors – flexible, grateful and deferred payment • law grads • virtual typist • virtual assistant

The resources • university • ACLA & law society • large law firms (take control of invite address) • university & law society library • contractors – flexible, grateful and deferred payment • law grads • virtual typist • virtual assistant • national association of freelance legal professionals

The benefits and costs • risk / reward

The benefits and costs • risk / reward • tax benefits

The benefits and costs • risk / reward • tax benefits • risks are spread

The benefits and costs • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics

The benefits and costs • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources

The benefits and costs • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • risk

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • risk • disconnection

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • risk • disconnection • disrespect

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics family and friends

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics family and friends holidays

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics family and friends holidays working harder

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics family and friends holidays working harder always on the job

The benefits and costs • • • risk / reward tax benefits risks are spread self determination less lurching less office politics control resources more engaged more interested • • • risk disconnection disrespect some tricky politics family and friends holidays working harder always on the job ceiling

The other people doing interesting things

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal • Advent Legal

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal • Advent Legal • Balance Legal

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal • Advent Legal • Balance Legal • Truman Hoyle

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal • Advent Legal • Balance Legal • Truman Hoyle • Bespoke Law

The other people doing interesting things • Optim Legal • Advent Legal • Balance Legal • Truman Hoyle • Bespoke Law • Smokeball

The beginning

The beginning • a locum contract

The beginning • a locum contract • work part-time

The beginning • a locum contract • work part-time • hang a shingle

The beginning • a locum contract • work part-time • hang a shingle • take control of your contacts (email, mobile)

The beginning • a locum contract • work part-time • hang a shingle • take control of your contacts (email, mobile) • maintain a list of every lawyer you know

The beginning • a locum contract • work part-time • hang a shingle • take control of your contacts (email, mobile) • maintain a list of every lawyer you know • business plan

The end