Where to Find a Permanent Part-Time Law Firm Job

Question:

I would like to cut to a part-time schedule but my law firm doesn’t allow for these types of arrangements. Can I use a recruiter to help me find a permanent law firm position that is part time?

 

Answer:

Not a whole lot, in all likelihood. Here’s why.

A permanent part time position is a rare thing indeed in a law firm. When I was a practicing associate in large firms, I looked with envy upon the associates who worked reduced-hours schedules. Some had an overall lower yearly billable requirement, and could fill it however they liked. Some worked a specific three or four days per week schedule and were not reachable on other days. Who were these mythical creatures who clearly had all kinds of magical powers that I did not possess?

The answer is, they are valuable and valued associates who put in a lot of time at their firms making themselves valued and valuable before cutting their hours to part time. One woman had a special relationship with a particular client who preferred to work only with her. Another associate had a very specialized skill set that the firm valued enough to keep him part time rather than train someone else to cover that specialty. A third was simply highly regarded enough that the firm preferred to give her what she asked for rather than watch her walk out the door forever. But in every case, they were associates who had made their firm love them. Simply put: it is a privilege, and they earned it.

Law firms do not generally advertise part-time attorney positions because they don’t like part-time attorney positions. Part-time attorneys are less available for clients. They bill less hours, make less money and generally do not do marketing for the firm. They are less likely to put out fires in an emergency.

If a firm truly only needs a part time attorney for a particular project, they may seek a temp attorney through an agency, or even directly. However, these positions are rarely permanent positions. They usually do not offer benefits, are usually contractor positions rather than employee positions, and the relationship these attorneys build with the firm is a different one than the firm will have with a full time employee who the firm knows it can depend upon. Part time attorneys in these types of arrangements are almost always the first to be let go when a firm needs to cut expenses.

In sum, these positions are rare, and when they do exist, they exist according to a special arrangement. This privilege is not going to be handed to a stranger, and certainly is not going to be advertised. For these reasons, a recruiter will almost certainly not be able to help you find a part time position at a new firm.

Read Law Firms and Part-Time Attorneys-They Really Can Go Hand in Hand for more information.