The document provides guidance on outsourcing legal work to freelance lawyers, highlighting its benefits like reducing stress and accessing expertise. It addresses ethical considerations, what tasks to outsource, and how to compensate freelancers, with examples showing potential profitability. Key tips include planning ahead, setting clear expectations, and finding skilled freelancers.

1. 1 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Outsourcing
To Freelance Lawyers
Featuring Kristin Tyler & Dan Lear

2. 2 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.

3. 3 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
About Our Presentors
Dan Lear @rightbrainlaw Kristin Tyler @kristintyler

4. 4 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
About L A W C L E R K

5. 5 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
“It’s the biggest change in the
American workforce in over a
century, and it’s happening at
lightening speed.”
Robert Reich, Former US Secretary
The “Gig Economy”

6. 6 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Why outsource?
• Grow your firm
• Minimize stress
• Make money
• Access expensive expertise
• … and plenty more reasons

7. 7 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Is outsourcing ethical?

8. 8 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
YES!
Is outsourcing ethical?

9. 9 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Next Question…

10. 10 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Just kidding!

11. 11 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Client Consent
• MR 1.6 – Confidentiality
• ABA Ethics Opinions 88-356 &
08-451
Is outsourcing ethical? (1/3)

12. 12 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
UPL
• Model Rule 5.5
Is outsourcing ethical? (2/3)

13. 13 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Duty of supervision
• MR 5.1 – Supervising other lawyers
• MR 5.3 – Nonlawyer assistance
Is outsourcing ethical? (3/3)

14. 14 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
🤷♀️
What to outsource?
• Start Small
• Time consuming
• Competence?
-MR 1.1

15. 15 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
MR 1.1
Competence (again 🤷)
What shouldn’t I outsource?

16. 16 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
• Personal network
• Agencies
• Ads
• Internet
To whom to outsource?

17. 17 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
What should I pay an outsourced resource?
Dan’s Formula Kristin’s Formula

18. 18 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Dan’s Formula
• Set a reasonable hourly rate for
the freelance work
• Pay hourly
• Estimate hours and set a flat fee

19. 19 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Kristin’s Formula
Estimate billable value of the
work
-EX: 4 hours x $250/hr =
$1,000 billable time
Pay 35% - 40% of the value as
a flat fee
-EX: $350-$400

20. 20 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Can I make money outsourcing?
• Also, YES!
• MR 1.5 – reasonableness
• ABA Opinion 00-420
• Remember: firms make money
on associates

21. 21 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Can I make money outsourcing? (part 2)
Flat fee to freelancer: $1000
Hours worked: 8.5
Reasonable market rate: $200/hr
8.5*$200 = $1700
Total fee to client: $1700
Profit: $700

22. 22 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Five quick tips
1. Plan ahead
2. Find a talented freelancer
3. Limit the freelancer’s role
4. Set clear expectations
5. Let go

23. 23 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
#1 Plan ahead

24. 24 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
#2: Find a talented freelancer

25. 25 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
#3 Limit the freelancer’s role

26. 26 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
#4: Set clear expectations

27. 27 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
#5: Let go

28. 28 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
In review
1. Is outsourcing ethical? Yes
2. What should I outsource? Small, tedious & repetitive,
remember competence
3. What shouldn’t I outsource? Competence, again
4. How to find a freelancer? Network, ads, online
5. What to pay? Hourly or value
6. Can I make money? Yes!

29. 29 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
If you want all of this and more, check out our
whitepaper on outsourcing
outsource.lawclerk.legal

30. 30 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Thank you!
🙏
Give LAWCLERK a try: MyCase100

31. 31 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Thank you! 🙏
Dan:
• dan@rightbrainlaw.co
• rightbrainlaw.co
• @rightbrainlaw
Kristin:
• ktyler@lawclerk.legal
• lawclerk.legal
• @kristintyler
White Paper: outsource.lawclerk.legal
Code: MyCase100

32. 32 2018 © AppFolio, Inc. Confidential.
Sources
• Robert Reich quote:
http://robertreich.org/post/127426324745
• Gig economy data:
 https://www.gigeconomydata.org/basics/how-many-gig-
workers-are-there
 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/business/economy/w
ork-gig-economy.html