Don't Let the Holidays Halt Your Practice: Why Solo Lawyers Should Hire a Freelance Paralegal
Can attorneys hire a freelance paralegal for holiday coverage? Yes. Discover the benefits, ethical rules, and how virtual paralegals save solo lawyer’s time.
The end-of-year rush is coming. Court deadlines don't pause for the holidays, clients still have urgent needs, and opposing counsel won't wait. For a solo attorney, this period guarantees stress, long nights, and missed family time. But what if you could maintain productivity, meet every deadline, and still enjoy a much-needed break?
You can. Hiring a temporary freelance paralegal is the modern solo practitioner's solution to the holiday crunch. It's an agile, ethical, and cost-effective strategy that keeps your practice running smoothly while you're out of the office.
What is a Freelance or Virtual Paralegal?
A freelance or virtual paralegal is an experienced legal support professional who works as an independent contractor. Unlike a full-time employee, you hire them on a project-by-project or hourly basis.
They handle the substantive legal work you need done—from drafting motions to managing discovery—all from their own remote office. This model gives you access to top-tier talent without the overhead, long-term commitment, or administrative burdens of hiring a W-2 employee.
Can Attorneys Ethically Hire a Freelance Paralegal?
Yes, absolutely. The American Bar Association (ABA) and state bars permit lawyers to hire freelance paralegals, provided the attorney follows the same ethical duties required for in-house staff.
The core ethical responsibilities remain firmly with you, the attorney:
1. Direct Supervision: You must supervise all work. This is non-negotiable. You are ultimately responsible for the paralegal's work product and conduct.
2. Avoiding UPL: You must ensure the paralegal does not engage in the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL). This means they cannot give legal advice, set fees, or represent clients in court.
3. Client Confidentiality: The paralegal must be bound by the same rules of confidentiality as you are. A strong independent contractor agreement should explicitly state this.
4. Conflict Checks: You must run a conflict check for the freelance paralegal, just as you would for any new hire, to protect your clients.
How Does a Temporary Paralegal Save Solo Lawyers Money?
Hiring a temporary virtual paralegal is a strategic financial decision, not just a convenience. The cost savings are immediate and substantial.
• Pay Only for Work Performed: You aren't paying for downtime, coffee breaks, or slow periods. You pay only for the billable, productive hours you need.
• Eliminate Overhead Costs: Forget about payroll taxes, health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and workers' compensation.
• No Equipment or Office Space: Virtual paralegals use their own computers, software subscriptions (like Westlaw/Lexis), and office equipment.
• Billable Hours: Under ABA rules, you can bill the paralegal's time to your client at a reasonable market rate, turning a necessary expense into a potential profit center.
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What are the Benefits of Holiday Coverage?
Hiring a freelance paralegal specifically for the holidays provides a critical lifeline for your practice.
• Maintain Momentum: While your competition slows down, your cases move forward. Deadlines are met, discovery responses are drafted, and client communication continues.
• Prevent Burnout: As a solo attorney, you are your firm's most important asset. Using a temporary paralegal allows you to take a real vacation, recharge, and prevent the burnout that plagues the profession.
• Impress Your Clients: Clients are impressed by a practice that doesn't shut down. Providing continuous service and prompt communication, even during the holidays, builds loyalty and referrals.
• Ultimate Flexibility: You get exactly the help you need, when you need it. Need 15 hours one week to draft a motion and only 5 the next for file management? The virtual model accommodates that perfectly.
Scale Your Solo Practice This Holiday Season
Don't let your solo practice manage you. Take control of the holiday season and give yourself the gift of support. A temporary freelance paralegal is the key to managing your workload, impressing your clients, and finally taking that well-deserved break.
Take a break from the overwhelming feeling of drowning in all the year-end deadlines. Best Virtual Paralegal offers expert, on-demand legal support specifically designed for solo lawyers. Our experienced team seamlessly integrates into your practice, managing everything from complex legal research and motion drafting to management of discovery and client communications.
Whether you need a flawless motion, detailed medical record summaries, expert help with family law, personal injury, or probate pleadings, or deposition summaries we are ready to help.
Contact us by form or book a consultation to learn how to keep your practice running smoothly this holiday season and beyond.
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With over two decades in legal writing, research, and business development, Holly A. Sheriff, is a seasoned paralegal, author, coach, and speaker. As founder of Best Virtual Paralegal LLC, she has been a trailblazer in the virtual paralegal and career-coaching industries. Holly collaborates with attorneys and law firms nationwide, delivering high-level litigation support services, virtual coaching, and business consulting. Her mission is to provide professional excellence, strategic insight, and career-elevating support for legal professionals.
