Hiring on LAWCLERK, answered

A marketplace where busy firms hire talented, experienced freelance attorneys across all 50 states, for flexible hourly, project-based, or full-time work, with no overhead beyond paying for completed work.

Create a job posting, review applicant profiles, interview via chat or video, and hire. The platform tracks time, handles billing and payments, and issues IRS Form 1099s to associates each January, so you have no reporting obligations.

The co-founders, practicing attorneys, wanted the benefits of a boutique firm (fewer conflicts, flexible fees, low overhead) at scale, using technology and modern staffing.

Every attorney clears government-ID identity verification through Persona, and LAWCLERK staff confirm each bar license directly with the issuing jurisdiction. Attorneys never self-approve, and only verified profiles appear on the marketplace.

The platform began with written work: research, drafting, document review, and discovery. It has grown well beyond that, but the core mission is still helping firms delegate work that does not need a partner's hands.

No. There are no registration or platform fees; you pay only for completed and approved work.

You get a dashboard to manage jobs and engagements, and the option to schedule an onboarding call with a Dedicated LAWCLERK Advisor to build a strategy for your firm.

You set the gross rate. As a guide: entry-level around $90/hour, five-plus years $120 to $140/hour, ten-plus years $160 and up. Flat-fee projects are typically estimated as hourly rate times anticipated hours. Profiles also show each attorney's rate range.

Enter potential conflicts when you create a posting; selected associates review them and accept or decline the engagement. For ongoing relationships, revisit conflicts during interviews.

LAWCLERK issues IRS Form 1099s to qualifying associates by January 31. You have no reporting obligations.

The focus is experienced attorneys, but paralegal arrangements have been facilitated. Post a job describing the need and rate accordingly.

A flexible, ongoing arrangement: you select an associate, fund an evergreen retainer, and pay only for hours logged. No minimum commitment, and no charge in weeks with no work.

The retainer equals the greater of $1,000 or your hourly rate times the maximum weekly hours, and it replenishes weekly as hours are logged.

Weekly timecards are emailed Monday; you have until Friday 12 p.m. Pacific to review or dispute. Undisputed amounts pay the associate the following Monday and the retainer replenishes.

30% of the gross hourly rate you post, already included in the rate applicants see. There are no other platform fees.

Yes, anytime, though rates can only be increased. Applicants applied based on the stated rate; lowering it would mislead them. Post a new job if you need a lower rate.

Associates need your written approval to exceed the weekly maximum; only approved overtime is paid.

Yes, unlimited engagements. Many firms keep several associates across experience levels or practice areas.

Legacy subscription engagements continue to be supported for existing customers, but new work runs through Hourly, Project-Based, or full-time hiring.

Disputes cover hours logged or missed deadlines only, not work quality. Email disputes@lawclerk.legal with the details; LAWCLERK resolves within five business days. Consensual resolutions between the parties are always allowed.

Email vabilling@lawclerk.legal (copying the associate) with a stop date and whether to refund or credit the remaining retainer. You keep access to documents and chat history.

A one-time assignment with a fixed total fee: motions, briefs, contracts, research memos, and similar deliverables, typically on a one-to-two-week deadline that you set.

Your card is charged when you assign the associate (processed by Stripe; LAWCLERK never stores card data). The fee sits in escrow and releases only when you accept the final draft.

Estimate the hours and multiply by an hourly equivalent (entry-level around $100/hour, partner-level $175+), or price at roughly 40% of the estimated client billable value. Applicants can also propose alternate rates and you choose.

The associate uploads the final draft to the platform, and an Accept & Complete button appears. Accepting releases payment and closes the project; you also receive the associate's timecard for client billing.

Yes. Edit the posting to increase the price (the associate confirms the scope change) or adjust the deadline, and communicate the change so they confirm availability.

Start with direct feedback; most issues resolve with a revision. If not, submit a dispute through the platform before accepting: disputes address incomplete scope, not quality judgments, and are decided on the posting's clarity and industry standards.

Verified, U.S.-licensed attorneys across all 50 states, more than 12,000 on the platform, working as 1099 independent contractors.

Each engagement gets an encrypted chat hub with video and audio calls built in. Associate contact information is also on their profile, but platform tools keep everything confidential and in one place.

Court appearances and client representation are possible with the right insurance coverage and authorization in place. Talk to us about the engagement before you post it.

Yes, your policy must cover remote associates on your account, even when the associate carries independent coverage.

No. Associates provide their own equipment and technology.

Yes, through a buyout executed with LAWCLERK: $15,000 for direct hires, projects, and engagements up to 6 months; $10,000 after 7 to 12 months; $7,500 after a year, with 50% credited back to your account. Working together off-platform without a buyout violates the terms and risks removal.

A searchable database of associates who opted into public profiles. It is a useful browse, but posting a job reaches the full talent pool, most attorneys are not in the directory.

LAWCLERK's team proactively matches your posted needs to suitable associates, on top of applications and directory outreach.

Secure, encrypted chat with any associate before or after hiring, with in-app and email notifications.

Saved groups of associates you trust. Invite a whole team to a new job at once and skip re-recruiting; organize teams by practice area, office, or experience level.

Yes. Invite firm members to specific jobs or engagements with role-based permissions, from view-only to full management, and adjust them anytime.

Engagement communications and documents are encrypted at rest (AES-256 on AWS), payment data is handled entirely by Stripe, and matter content is segregated to your firm.

Yes, engagements are structured around bar rules for independent contractors: supervision, conflicts, and insurance. The UPL Ethics Whitepaper covers the full framework.

Violations such as off-platform hiring without a buyout can lead to probation or removal from the platform.