HOW
CONTRACT LAWYERS HELP BUSINESSES LEGAL NEEDS
A contract lawyer works on legal cases on a
contract basis. Such work is generally of a temporary nature, often with no
guaranteed employment term.
The work of contract lawyers often varies. They can be contracted to perform any type of legal activities such as document review or may be producing new documents. In such projects, contract attorneys may review tens of thousands, if not millions, of pages of documents and mark them as responsive to a particular request, or protected as lawyer work product. Large firms have learned that contract attorneys can perform this work much more cost effectively than high-priced associates.
The work of contract lawyers often varies. They can be contracted to perform any type of legal activities such as document review or may be producing new documents. In such projects, contract attorneys may review tens of thousands, if not millions, of pages of documents and mark them as responsive to a particular request, or protected as lawyer work product. Large firms have learned that contract attorneys can perform this work much more cost effectively than high-priced associates.
WHAT
CONTRACT LAWYER DOES TO HELP SMBs
A list of tasks that a contract lawyer can do for
you is mentioned in this article.
- Reviews legal documents
- Make drafts of new documents like contracts, settlements and agreements etc
- sub in for a regular associate while they are out of the office
- use specialized skills (i.e. foreign language, particular expertise in law) in reviewing legal documents
- carry out legal research on a particular issue of law
- support a team preparing for litigation
- prepare annual reports
- assist in migrating case or contract information to upgraded software
- review and suggest modifications for employee manuals
- for out-of-state attorneys, you may be engaged for your expertise on another's state's law
- assist in the Discovery and e-Discovery stage of a case
In short, if you are vying for a
contract lawyer, be ready for a range of tasks. Depending on whether at a
large firm, small firm, in-house counsel at a corporation, with the government,
or with a non-profit you stand to gain broad-ranging experience--while
hopefully not hindering marketability to your target job.
CONTRACT LAWYERS: THE PROS
One of the advantages of a contract attorney is
reduced cost for the firm. Contract attorneys only receive payment for services
when they work. Therefore, if workflow slows, the contract attorney is
dismissed, and the labor cost to the firm ceases.
The contract attorney is an independent contractor
or an employee of an agency provider, there are no payroll taxes, workers’
compensation costs, or benefit costs.
The lawyers who are available to work on contract
are often experienced lawyers. Hiring a contract lawyer gives you an
opportunity of working with an experienced person which can better work for
your business and legal matters.
CONTARCT
LAWYERS: THE CONS
The contract lawyer who is working for you on
contract might take more than usual time on work and the work hours exceeds
than the expectations. As they are paid on hourly basis, doing the work late
will cost you more.
Another matter of worry is that you cannot trust a
person who does not belongs to a recognized and well reputed firm. Handling
over the very sensitive issues of your business or property to an unknown and
entrusted person is difficult.
Contract Attorney , Contract Lawyer
