Ethics Series Part 4: To Bill or Not to Bill: 3 Ways Law Firms Can Manage Costs of Hiring a Freelance Attorney
Posted by Susan Wiens on Dec 20, 2013 in Featured Posts, Freelance Basics, Freelancing and Ethics | 0 comments
Law firms have several options for managing freelance attorney costs. First, the law firm may simply absorb the cost of the freelance attorney, perhaps in a contingency fee arrangement. Second, the law firm may treat the costs as a direct expense to the client where no markup is taken. Or third, recognizing...
Ethics Series Part 3: Understanding Malpractice Insurance for Freelance Attorneys
Posted by Susan Wiens on Oct 24, 2013 in Featured Posts, Freelance Basics, Freelancing and Ethics | 2 comments
Understanding legal malpractice insurance coverage is critical, especially for freelance attorneys who may rely upon a hiring law firm for coverage. Although malpractice insurance is not ethically required, the practical reality is that freelance attorneys are only protected from malpractice claims if they...
Ethics Series Part 2: Informing Clients When Hiring Freelance Attorneys
Posted by Susan Wiens on Sep 11, 2013 in Featured Posts, Freelance Basics, Freelancing and Ethics | 5 comments
As part of MFAN’s continuing discussion on potential ethical issues involved in the hiring of freelance attorneys, we next turn to the question of when must a law firm inform the client that a freelance attorney is assisting on its legal matters. At first glance, this seems like an easy question. After all,...
Ethics Series Part 1: Managing Current and Future Conflicts of Interest When Hiring Freelance Attorneys
Posted by Susan Wiens on Aug 28, 2013 in Featured Posts, Freelance Basics, Freelancing and Ethics | 2 comments
In this economic climate, law firms are paring down the number of new hires each year and managing their caseload with a very lean workforce. When cases heat up unexpectedly or when a law firm accepts a complicated new case, the firm may seek immediate outside assistance. Emerging trends in hiring show that...