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Telecommuting for Legal Work

published September 22, 2008

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

( 404 votes, average: 4.7 out of 5)

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But has technology brought us to the point where even attorneys can telecommute? Below is a discussion of how the prospects are shaping up and what the future might hold for future lawyers and law staff who hate the idea of being tied to an office.

Is telecommuting being done in law offices right now?
 
Telecommuting for Legal Work

The answer is yes. Although there is no hard data on how many firms are already offering this option to their attorneys, anecdotal evidence on the Internet suggests that the practice is widespread and growing. Of course, there are also many lawyers in private practice and in a freelance capacity who have been telecommuting for some time now.

The reality is that with the technology already available and becoming even more available in the coming years, telecommuting will be an option most attorneys may have a chance to consider at some point in their careers.

What kind of legal work can you do?

Most of the legal work done by attorneys can be done outside of a law office. For example, if you need to do research on precedents for a case, one of the best ways to do such research is through the Internet. In fact, many attorneys have always taken their work home with them. The only difference is now is that they don't have to spend part of the day trapped in the office.

Any writing that needs to be done can also be done using a laptop. It can then be transmitted via email or fax just as easily and quickly as if it were prepared in the office.

Even meetings can be held via telecommunication thanks to technology. A number of programs exist that can connect people all around the globe via a single portal. All of the participants can join a teleconference and participate while the presenter shares information via the Internet through visuals and over the phone. Unlike an in-person meeting, everyone can be comfortable and is more likely to pay attention because the presentation is more interactive.

Meeting clients is also not a problem. Although some clients may feel more comfortable meeting you at an office, others may be just as comfortable with having their attorney come by their home, meet them at a coffee shop, or stop by their place of business. A telecommuting attorney may even have more time to spend with clients because he or she is going to be on the road and traveling more than ever before.

Is telecommuting only for paralegals?

The answer: absolutely not. Attorneys are the ones who are most likely to be given the option to telecommute in most firms, especially if they have proven themselves in the past to be reliable and self-motivated. Paralegals are sometimes required to stick closer to the office so that they can be more accessible to the attorneys when they are needed.

Attorneys who telecommute are typically going to be those who have more experience, however. Most firms recognize that working in a law firm is part of an attorney's continuing education and is not something that can be understood fully by working from a laptop at home. Accordingly, some firms do have experience requirements before allowing attorneys to telecommute.

Will a telecommuting attorney be one who is less committed to the job?

Again, the answer is no. The misconception about attorneys (and any business professional) who prefer telecommuting is that they have less motivation, less drive, and less commitment to their work. However, that's not the case.

Working in the office is not what determines the character and passion of an attorney. He or she demonstrates that through interactions with clients, attention to detail, and overall professionalism. Even attorneys who work in law firms sometimes fail on all of these counts.

Generally, attorneys who telecommute are simply looking for a little more freedom and a better way to balance the strain of their career with the pleasures of their personal life.

What about the pay?

When you work for a law firm that offers this option, you won't have to worry about a difference in pay. You'll generally earn the same as you normally would. In some cases, however, newly hired legal staff may be paid less because of the benefits offered by the telecommuting option.

What types of legal work are best for the online law firm?

Almost any kind of legal work can be done using this method. Generally, if you're going to be working with clients who are more traditional in their view of how attorneys should operate, you'll have and want fewer telecommuting opportunities. Otherwise, almost any field is open to this type of option.

Some fields are more lucrative for freelance attorneys who telecommute. Patient law, for example, is something companies may need representation for on occasion but would not need to keep a full-time professional on staff for.

What about Axiom?

Axiom could best described as an online law firm. They do not have a traditional office environment for their attorneys. Instead, they work via laptops which are connected to an extranet connection in Manhattan. However, the attorneys do work directly and in-person with their corporate clients. Although they may still do much of their work and communication via the Internet, email, Blackberry, and mobile phone, Axiom attorneys typically bridge the two worlds between traditional and non-traditional legal professionals.

One of the benefits for online law firms is that they don't have to rent a large office space for staff. Instead, those funds can be used to recruit the best and the brightest legal minds while also offering greater flexibility to attorneys.

Find Axiom Law Job Openings on LawCrossing.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
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