Introduction to Contract Attorney
A contract attorney is a law professional, who is hired by a law firm or corporation to work on short term projects. The job of a contract attorney is to assist other attorneys with tasks such as document review, legal research, and drafting of legal agreements. This job ensures that the contracted attorney is only hired according to the project’s requirements, and does not become a permanent employee of the hiring company.
Career Values, Traits, Skills
Before choosing a career as a contract attorney, itβs important to evaluate your values, traits, and skills to see if it aligns with the demands of this profession. A contract attorney’s experience should include a great ability to analyze and research information with attention to detail. They should have excellent communication skills, organisational skills, and feel comfortable working collaboratively, as well as independently. Contract attorneys must also possess critical thinking skills to quickly grasp new concepts and apply existing knowledge to a specific area of law.
Career Path
Once you’ve graduated, you can start searching for contract attorney positions online or through the counsel of your law school alumni association. Another way to gain experience is by taking an internship at a law firm or a legal organisation that offers contract attorney work. Moreover, if you gain experience, you can rise to junior associate in a law firm.
Salary Range
Contract attorney salaries vary depending on the demands of the project and the experience of the attorney. Because it is a short term contractual job, the salary is usually calculated based on an hourly or daily rate. As a new graduate, you can expect to be paid between US $30 – $60 per hour, depending on the company.
Tips for Success
As a new graduate starting your career as a contract attorney, here are a few tips for achieving success:
-Acknowledge legal developments and stay updated about market trends.
-Always produce high-quality work, even if the demand for it is minimal.
-Avoid job hopping, try to establish a career, even if it is part-time.
-Take every available opportunity, including pro-bono work, networking events, and workshops.
-Be proactive in developing your legal knowledge, your experience, and your network of potential clients.
References
It’s essential to keep in mind several references from experienced contract attorneys that will give you a better understanding of their career path. Several online resources, such as Above The Law, Legal Cheek or Law.com, publish informative articles, contribute to legal knowledge and observe the market trends.
As a new graduate, starting your first legal career can be daunting. However, by remaining persistent and taking advantage of these amazing tips, you can expand your knowledge, be competitive and flourish within your legal career as a contract attorney.
