Whether you’re thinking of changing careers, searching for a job at a law firm or corporate legal department, or seeking better work-life balance, don’t overlook working as a contract lawyer. It can be a viable option in the short or long term, and many attorneys have discovered distinct benefits of project-based or interim employment.
Legal employers are seeing advantages in this arrangement, too. In a recent Robert Half survey, 61% of law firm and legal department leaders said it's harder to find skilled professionals than it was a year ago, and 71% plan to increase hiring of contract or temporary talent in the first half of 2026. This signals strong demand for experienced contract attorneys.
Clearly, the opportunities to work as an interim lawyer are out there. But is this kind of work right for you? Here are three reasons to consider it:
3 Benefits of contract lawyer work in 2006
1. The variety of work will enhance your skills
For many, working as a contract lawyer provides income while keeping legal skills and knowledge fresh. Contract work can also be a way for attorneys planning to start their own practice to earn steady income while building their business. These assignments can also lead to a full-time position with a law firm or in-house legal team.
Firms and employers hiring contract attorneys need help with a wide range of work, including litigation, eDiscovery, contract management, compliance, estate planning, and mergers and acquisitions. You might draft pleadings, analyze documents for eDiscovery, prepare witnesses for depositions and more. This variety exposes you to different practice areas and clients, building experience that makes you more marketable.
Legal teams are also under pressure to adopt new technology. Proficiency in legal technology represents the biggest skills gap right now, with nearly 4 in 10 (38%) legal leaders identifying it as an area where their teams fall short. If you have experience with legal tech tools or AI-driven solutions, that's a selling point. And as more teams adopt AI, soft skills have become just as important to help guide and implement AI use. 73% of legal leaders said critical thinking and problem solving are the top ones needed to complement AI, and the variety that contract legal work provides can help you strengthen those skills.
2. You have flexibility as a contract lawyer
You can select assignments that fit your professional goals. However, contract lawyer work is not just a potential path to a permanent role. Some attorneys choose to work in project-based roles for several years, largely for the flexibility it provides. One assignment might entail more than 60 hours a week for 3 weeks, while another might require 35 hours a week for 6 months. It depends on the nature of each opportunity.
While such unpredictability can be unsettling for some, many interim attorneys come to value this flexibility and the opportunity to choose their next projects and employers. And depending on the nature of the project and employer policies, there may also be the possibility of working remotely, which can contribute to improved work-life balance.
3. You’ll make valuable connections
Being a contract attorney provides you with an opportunity to work with a diverse array of employers in the legal community. The connections you make working with numerous attorneys and legal professionals at different firms can prove invaluable when you're looking for contract legal roles.
Each assignment is a chance to show what you can do. When you deliver strong work for different employers, you build a reputation that travels with you. Past clients may reach out when new projects come up, and word-of-mouth referrals from attorneys who’ve worked with you can open doors you didn’t know existed.
How to find work as a contract lawyer
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You can find a contract attorney position by working with a talent solutions firm specializing in legal positions. The best ones have extensive networks to help match you with opportunities targeted to your career priorities and work location preferences. And they can help simplify your search by doing much of the legwork for you.
At Robert Half, our legal recruiting specialists bring decades of experience helping job seekers find great career opportunities. Let us help you find the right job for you.
