The Life of a Contract Attorney

With the increase of document review and e-discovery, the contract/project attorney is much more than a “temporary” attorney. Many attorneys choose to make a career of project-based work. Others decide that, for now, this is what works. Here we share insights gleaned from a few of the contract attorneys who have chosen this career path.

What is the best part of being a project attorney?

Most of our attorneys thought the best part of project work was variety, with project work enabling them to work on cases of varying topics, and with people who have diverse backgrounds and expertise. Each new project brings new things to learn and new people to meet.

What is the most challenging part of being a project attorney?

Most respondents listed uncertainty as the most challenging aspect of contract legal work. It can be tough not knowing where or when your next project will be, or what income to expect. In some markets, document review work is abundant; in other areas, you may go three months or longer without a project.

What are you able to do that you wouldn’t be doing if you were an attorney in a law firm or corporate legal department?

One attorney responded, “I set a schedule for my life, and am able to adhere to it. I started out as a litigator with a big law firm, and I cancelled or rescheduled every vacation that I planned for the first five years of my career. I love the law, but my life is not a dress rehearsal, so I no longer live to work, I work to live. No job was worth that toll on a lifelong basis.”

What resources do you use to keep yourself employed?

As one respondent stated, “Contract work begins and ends with a strong recruiter.” This seemed to be the primary theme among the attorneys with whom we spoke. All suggested that candidates interested in maintaining project work keep in touch with their recruiters and be as flexible as possible.

What do you think the role of attorneys will look like in 10 years? More contractors?

The uniform answer here was “Yes!” One attorney wrote “There will absolutely be more contractors. For law firms that want to stay in business, the changing nature of the law demands that attorneys provide high-quality service both economically and timely; in essence, no more long, drawn-out or open-ended fee bills. The hours required of an attorney in private practice have always been and always will be ultimately out of his or her control. The goal of private practice is to provide the best possible service, which means that regardless of staff resources, the workload must be met. Salaries for these attorneys rarely compensate adequately for a life lived in the pressure-cooker and, as a result, many tremendously talented attorneys suffer burn-out. Contract placement of attorneys can, and will, serve this ever increasing need for extra help at important times.”

What advice would you give to people who have never done project work?

“Give it a chance—it has been more enjoyable than I ever imagined “Jump In! It’s fun, challenging, you’ll meet wonderful people and be exposed to an exciting new world.”

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while doing project work?

“During one project, a co-worker broke out in song, performing the entire rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’.”

How would you describe the personality of a career contract attorney—strengths and weaknesses?

Most respondents agreed that contract attorneys must be able to adapt to change. They should also work well with others, and enjoy working as a team. Additionally, contract attorneys should feel a sense of ownership for each project, as the work they are doing is very important.

As far as weaknesses go—no one could think of any! One attorney said, “Doing what you love and getting paid for it? Sounds like a healthy person to me!”

That sums it up!