Want to grow your firm? Historically, you could charge more per hour or hire an associate. But what if there was a third way? Technology facilitates access to high-quality legal expertise at a surprisingly reasonable cost. Using freelance and contract legal help, you can do more work, grow your firm, and help more clients.

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Everything You Wanted To Know About Outsourcing
To Freelance Lawyers
Featuring Kristin Tyler & Dan Lear

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About Our Presentors
Dan Lear @rightbrainlaw Kristin Tyler @kristintyler

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About L A W C L E R K

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“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”

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Why outsource?
• Grow your firm
• Minimize stress
• Make money
• Access expensive expertise
• … and plenty more reasons

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Is outsourcing ethical?

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YES!
Is outsourcing ethical?

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Next Question…

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Just kidding!

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Client Consent
• MR 1.6 – Confidentiality
• ABA Ethics Opinions 88-356 &
08-451
Is outsourcing ethical? (1/3)

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UPL
• Model Rule 5.5
Is outsourcing ethical? (2/3)

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Duty of supervision
• MR 5.1 – Supervising other lawyers
• MR 5.3 – Nonlawyer assistance
Is outsourcing ethical? (3/3)

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🤷♀️
What to outsource?
• Start Small
• Time consuming
• Competence?
-MR 1.1

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MR 1.1
Competence (again 🤷)
What shouldn’t I outsource?

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• Personal network
• Agencies
• Ads
• Internet
To whom to outsource?

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What should I pay an outsourced resource?
Dan’s Formula Kristin’s Formula

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Dan’s Formula
• Set a reasonable hourly rate for
the freelance work
• Pay hourly
• Estimate hours and set a flat fee

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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

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Can I make money outsourcing?
• Also, YES!
• MR 1.5 – reasonableness
• ABA Opinion 00-420
• Remember: firms make money
on associates

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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

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Five quick tips
1. Plan ahead
2. Find a talented freelancer
3. Limit the freelancer’s role
4. Set clear expectations
5. Let go

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#1 Plan ahead

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#2: Find a talented freelancer

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#3 Limit the freelancer’s role

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#4: Set clear expectations

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#5: Let go

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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!

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If you want all of this and more, check out our
whitepaper on outsourcing
outsource.lawclerk.legal

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Thank you!
🙏
Give LAWCLERK a try: MyCase100

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Thank you! 🙏
Dan:
• dan@rightbrainlaw.co
• rightbrainlaw.co
• @rightbrainlaw
Kristin:
• ktyler@lawclerk.legal
• lawclerk.legal
• @kristintyler
White Paper: outsource.lawclerk.legal
Code: MyCase100

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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