So, you’re interested in a career as a legal consultant? I can’t say I blame you. After all, I’ve been working in this capacity since I made the decision to let go of my California Bar license in order to become a full-time writer (after nearly two decades of practice).
Indeed, while I wait for my Great American Novel to reach the bestseller lists (fingers crossed), legal consulting has been a great way for me to supplement my income.
What’s the difference between being a lawyer and being a legal consultant, you may ask? What are the benefits and drawbacks? What can’t you do as a legal consultant? How do you get work? We’ll talk about all that and more.
What is a legal consultant?
The definition of “legal consultant” is a bit amorphous (isn’t that true of all consultants)? Generally speaking, a legal consultant is someone who holds a JD, has practiced law for a while, and now wishes to perform legal work without the pressures and demands of traditional practice. (As an aside, I believe it is a mistake to become a legal consultant if you’ve never practiced law. Having a JD and having actual experience in the practice of law are two very different things.)
We tend to work on a contract or project-specific basis, rather than being full-time employees of a law firm or legal department.
This gives great flexibility to our schedules and also makes us available for time-intensive projects with a short turnaround time (as opposed to a law firm associate, who may be working on several different matters at once).
Most of us (like me) have let go of our bar licenses … but don’t assume there’s some nefarious reasoning behind this.
Again, most of us (like me) just moved out of state, didn’t care to take another bar exam, and wanted a more relaxed way of life than our lawyer colleagues. As such, we quickly lose interest in continuing to pay bar fees for a license we don’t plan to use in the traditional way.
Once you take the plunge into becoming a legal consultant, however, there are some legal functions you can no longer perform.
We’ll talk more about that later, but for now, just know that if you choose this path, you won’t be able to represent clients in court, and you’ll no longer be able to produce legal work product or provide legal advice without your work being overseen by a licensed attorney.
What work will you do as a legal consultant?
Honestly, only you can answer this question. What kind of work did you do as an attorney?
As a consultant, you can draft legal documents (pleadings, motions, contracts, etc.), advise on strategy, conduct legal research, assist with discovery, work on compliance issues, and just about anything else you used to do as an attorney.
Importantly, as a legal consultant, you can also ask yourself “what type of work did I love to do as an attorney?” In your consultant role, there’s no pressure from partners for you to take on work you don’t enjoy.
In my case, for example, I loved writing motions but dreaded going to court. No problem; legal consultants can’t go to court anyway. So, I seek out work where I get to write on substantive legal issues.
Another word of caution here – and I can’t say this enough – once you let go of your bar license, absolutely everything you do must be overseen by a licensed attorney and they must have final say over your work product.
If you aren’t careful about this, you risk being accused of the unauthorized practice of law (“UPL”). What’s more, the attorneys you’re consulting for have their own ethical obligation to oversee your work. So, whatever you do, do not skip this step.
The benefits of becoming a legal consultant
There’s a reason so many attorneys consider transitioning to legal consulting – it offers a level of flexibility and autonomy that traditional law practice simply doesn’t. If you’re tired of billable hour requirements, or law firm politics, legal consulting might be a perfect fit. Here are some of the key benefits:
Work on your own terms
One of the biggest perks of being a legal consultant is control over your workload. You decide which projects to take on, when to work, and – perhaps most importantly – when not to work. Unlike law firm associates who must juggle multiple cases or clients, consultants have the freedom to focus on one matter at a time (or none at all, if you need a break).
No court appearances, no firm politics
If you love legal work but hate the grind of the practice, consulting is a dream come true. You won’t be running to court, arguing motions, or dealing with opposing counsel. And since you’re not an employee at a law firm, you don’t have to worry about billable hour quotas, internal power struggles, or partnership tracks.
Specialize in what you love
As noted above, as a consultant, you get to choose your niche. If you enjoyed contract drafting as a lawyer but hated depositions, you can build your consulting practice around contracts (and you can’t take depositions anyway). Prefer legal research over client interactions? Great – firms and businesses need research support, too. Unlike law firms that assign work based on firm needs, consultants tailor their workload to their strengths and interests.
No bar dues or malpractice insurance
Once you let go of your law license, you’re no longer paying bar fees, maintaining continuing legal education (CLE) credits, or carrying malpractice insurance. That’s a significant financial and administrative burden lifted from your shoulders.
Location independence
Legal consulting is an excellent option for lawyers who want to relocate but don’t want to take another bar exam. Since consultants provide expertise rather than legal representation, they generally aren’t restricted by state licensing laws the way practicing attorneys are (except for UPL concerns; see above). This makes consulting a great career choice for attorneys who want to move out of state, travel, or work remotely.
Of course, consulting isn’t all rainbows and unicorns – there are drawbacks, too. Let’s talk about those.
The drawbacks of legal consulting
While legal consulting is awesome, it’s not without its challenges. Here are some of the key drawbacks to consider:
No guaranteed income
Unlike law firm associates with a steady paycheck, consultants must find their own work. Some months may be lucrative, while others are slow. If you’re not comfortable with financial uncertainty, consulting may be a tough adjustment.
No legal authority
As a consultant, you cannot practice law – no representing clients, no signing pleadings, and no offering legal opinions. Again, everything you produce must be reviewed and approved by a licensed attorney. If you’re used to being the final decision-maker, this can feel limiting.
Client acquisition is on you
You have to have marketing skills. Unlike law firms that bring in business for associates, consultants must actively network, pitch their services, and maintain relationships with attorneys. If you don’t enjoy self-promotion, this aspect can be a struggle.
No firm benefits or infrastructure
Health insurance? Retirement plans? Office support? Nope. As a consultant, you’re on your own. You’ll need to manage business expenses, taxes, and retirement planning yourself.
How to market yourself as a legal consultant
To me, this is the hardest part of consulting – you can’t just hang a virtual shingle and expect attorneys to show up. Here’s how to build a steady stream of work:
1. Identify your niche
What did you excel at as a lawyer? Consultants who specialize – whether in litigation support, contracts, compliance, or eDiscovery – tend to attract higher-paying clients. Position yourself as someone with expertise in a specific area rather than a generalist.
2. Build an online presence
At a minimum, you need a professional website that showcases your expertise. Add a LinkedIn profile (or optimize your existing one), and consider writing articles or blog posts to demonstrate thought leadership in your field.
3. Leverage your network
Most consultants find work through referrals. Let former colleagues and law school classmates know you’re available. Consider giving talks at association groups, legal conferences, and industry meetups to stay connected and build your brand.
4. Consider freelance platforms and direct outreach
Some legal consultants find clients on Upwork, LinkedIn ProFinder, or other freelance marketplaces, while others reach out directly to law firms that may need extra support.
Marketing takes more time than you’ll like, but once you establish yourself, referrals and repeat clients can keep your pipeline as full as you want it.
Conclusion
Legal consulting offers flexibility, autonomy, and the chance to specialize in work you enjoy – but it also requires self-discipline, marketing savvy, and comfort with financial uncertainty.
If you’re ready to step away from traditional practice, take the time to define your niche, build your network, and establish a strong professional presence. The right clients will follow. Good luck!
