Freelance Paralegals: How to Hire One (for Law Firms and Solo Attorneys)
BestParalegals is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information here is general and may not apply to your situation or state. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney.
What a freelance paralegal is
A freelance (contract) paralegal is an independent paralegal who works for law firms and attorneys on a per-project or hourly basis rather than as an employee. The supervising attorney remains responsible for the work product, which keeps the arrangement within the rules on unauthorized practice of law.
Common tasks to outsource
- Drafting pleadings, discovery requests and responses for attorney review
- Legal research and cite-checking
- Medical record and document review and summaries
- E-filing, calendaring and docket management
- Preparing transactional documents, entity filings, and estate planning drafts
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How to vet a candidate
- Ask about practice-area experience and software (case management, e-discovery, your state's e-filing system).
- Ask whether they hold a voluntary credential, such as NALA's Certified Paralegal or NFPA's PACE-based credentials, and verify it with the issuing organization.
- Request a work sample with confidential details removed.
- Run a conflict check before sharing any client details.
Structuring the engagement
Put scope, rate, deadlines, confidentiality, data handling and conflict-check procedures in a written agreement. Decide how files are shared securely and who owns the work product. Review your state's ethics opinions on outsourcing and on billing clients for contract paralegal time.
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