Post on 14-Jun-2015
Freelance attorneys
work on projects
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used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Why do attorneys choose to freelance?
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Ask questions before hiring
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Confirm insurance coverage
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Preserve attorney-client privilege
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Treat freelance attorneys as
independent contractors
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Tell your client and get consent
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Is it fee-splitting?
It may be fee splitting
if client pays freelance attorney directly
Images ©Karin Ciano
It may be fee-splitting
if payment depends on case outcome
Images ©Karin Ciano
It may be fee splitting
if payment depends on
whether client pays
Images ©Karin Ciano
If freelancer is paid like a vendor,
it’s not fee-splitting
Images ©Karin Ciano
Freelance attorney costs can be
passed along to your client
Freelance attorney costs
can be billed as fees or expenses
Images ©Karin Ciano
Bill as attorney fees with markup
for supervision
Images ©Karin Ciano
Bill as expenses with no markup
Images ©Karin Ciano
Put it in writing
Certain images and/or photos on this page are the copyrighted property of 123RF Limited, its Contributors or Licensed Partners and are being
used with permission under license. These images and/or photos may not be copied or downloaded without permission from 123RF Limited.
Other resources
ABA Formal Opinions 88-356, 00-420, 08-451
ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20
The Freelance Lawyering ManualThe Independence Track
Minnesota Freelance Attorney Network
Freelance-attorneys.com