Do you love the law but find yourself questioning traditional practice models? Freelance lawyering offers a completely different path for lawyers who love the legal work but struggle with traditional practice models. For those who find themselves questioning whether the partnership track, billable hours, or client management aspects of law practice align with their values and lifestyle, there’s another way to use your legal skills while maintaining control over your career.
In this episode, I sit down with Erin Cowling, founder of Flex Legal and author of “The Modern Freelance Lawyer.” Erin shares her journey from Bay Street lawyer to freelance legal entrepreneur, revealing how she discovered a way to practice law that eliminated the parts she struggled with while keeping the intellectual challenges she loved. We explore what freelance lawyering actually looks like day-to-day, who it’s right for, and the practical considerations of making this transition.
Through our conversation, you’ll gain insights into building a sustainable freelance practice, finding lawyer clients, and navigating the mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur. Whether you’re considering freelance lawyering yourself or looking to hire freelance support for your practice, this episode provides a comprehensive look at this growing alternative to traditional legal careers.
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What You’ll Learn from this Episode:
- Why loving law but hating conflict doesn’t mean you have to leave the profession.
- The key personality traits and skills that indicate freelance lawyering might be right for you.
- How to transition from an employee mindset to running your own legal business.
- Practical strategies for finding lawyer clients without traditional networking.
- The main benefits of freelance lawyering: flexibility, control, and intellectual variety.
- What challenges to expect when starting out and how to navigate them.
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How freelance lawyers support other lawyers while building fulfilling careers.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Featured on the Show:
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- Ep #51: Innovation, Leadership and Redefining Your Practice with Founder of Flex Legal, Erin Cowling
- The Modern Freelance Lawyer by Erin Cowling
- Erin Cowling: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
- Flex Legal: Website | Instagram
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