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The legal industry has long relied on contract and temporary attorneys to meet fluctuating demand. Whether it’s large-scale document review during discovery, specialized project-based assignments, or staffing flexibility in uncertain markets, firms and in-house legal departments increasingly turn to short-term hires. For many lawyers—especially recent graduates, those between jobs, or attorneys seeking flexibility—contract roles can provide valuable opportunities. But they also carry risks and limitations that associates must carefully weigh when considering them as part of a broader career strategy.
This article explores the advantages and drawbacks of contract and temporary positions, along with practical strategies for leveraging these roles to transition into permanent employment. There are two versions of this article; this one is tailored to law students and recent law school graduates.
The Upside of Contract Work
Immediate Entry into the Legal Market: For new graduates facing a competitive hiring landscape, contract positions often provide a quicker pathway into practice than waiting for a full-time associate opening. According to the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), nearly 15% of law school graduates in 2023 reported working in temporary or short-term roles immediately after graduation. These positions can help recent grads gain momentum while avoiding extended gaps on their resumes.
Skill Development and Exposure: Contract work can allow attorneys to develop specific skills that may not be readily available in a permanent role. For example, attorneys who assist in discovery management or compliance projects gain hands-on experience with e-discovery platforms, regulatory frameworks, or client-facing workflows. These skills can be highly marketable, particularly as law firms and companies seek attorneys familiar with legal technology and efficiency-driven processes.
Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Some attorneys embrace contract roles precisely because they provide flexibility. Projects are often limited in duration, and attorneys may have greater control over their schedules compared to the rigid demands of BigLaw billable requirements. For lawyers juggling caregiving responsibilities or pursuing parallel interests, the autonomy of temporary assignments can be a significant benefit.
Networking Opportunities: Even though contract attorneys may not always be integrated into a firm’s core culture, they often work closely with partners, associates, and clients. These day-to-day interactions create opportunities to make a strong impression, build professional relationships, and gain references that can support a transition into permanent positions later on.
The Downsides and Risks
Limited Path to Partnership or Advancement: Contract roles rarely lead directly to partner-track positions. Many firms treat contract attorneys as supplemental staff, separate from their long-term strategic hires. While some exceptions exist, attorneys should realistically view these roles as stepping-stones rather than destinations.
Lower Compensation and Fewer Benefits: Although some contract positions pay competitively by the hour, most offer lower annualized earnings than permanent associate salaries. Benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave may also be absent. This financial uncertainty can make long-term reliance on contract work unsustainable.
Risk of “Getting Stuck”: Attorneys who spend extended periods in contract positions without a clear transition plan may find themselves pigeonholed as temporary staff. Recruiters and hiring partners sometimes perceive long stints of contract work as a sign that the attorney could not secure permanent placement. Without proactive career management, attorneys risk limiting their upward mobility.
Job Security and Stability Concerns: Contract positions, by definition, are temporary. Assignments can end abruptly if budgets shift, cases settle, or clients cut back. Attorneys relying on these roles for steady income must prepare for periods of unemployment and manage the financial unpredictability that comes with project-based staffing.
Strategies for Transitioning into Full-Time Roles
Treat Each Assignment as an Audition: Even if a firm is not advertising a permanent position, attorneys should approach every contract role as though it could lead to something more. Delivering high-quality work, demonstrating reliability, and integrating well with team culture can set you apart. Many attorneys have parlayed temporary roles into full-time offers simply by exceeding expectations during the project.
Highlight Transferable Skills on Your Resume: Contract work should be framed strategically. Instead of listing positions as “Document Review Attorney,” emphasize substantive contributions such as “Managed e-discovery process for complex antitrust litigation, including supervising junior reviewers and coordinating with outside vendors.” This reframing showcases skills relevant to permanent practice areas.
Network Internally and Externally: While working in a contract capacity, make time to attend firm or bar association events, participate in CLE programs, and connect with attorneys on LinkedIn. Expanding your network increases your visibility and helps counteract the perception that contract attorneys are peripheral. Strong personal connections often tip the scales in competitive hiring decisions.
Work with Specialized Recruiters: Recruiters who focus on the legal industry often have direct insight into which firms are open to transitioning contract attorneys into permanent roles. Building relationships with recruiters can open doors to opportunities that aren’t widely advertised.
Be Strategic About Timing: If a contract assignment is winding down, be proactive about your next move. Reach out to attorneys you worked with for recommendations, apply for open positions while your experience is fresh, and articulate clearly in interviews how contract work has prepared you for permanent success.
A Balanced Career Tool
Contract and temporary positions are neither a panacea nor a dead end. For attorneys navigating a shifting legal market, these roles can provide valuable skills, flexibility, and an immediate foothold in practice. But they also carry real risks—particularly the lack of security and the potential for limited upward mobility.
The key lies in intentionality. Attorneys who enter contract work with clear goals, use each assignment to build skills and networks, and actively pursue permanent opportunities are best positioned to turn short-term projects into long-term careers.
In today’s legal market, where firms balance efficiency with demand, contract attorneys will continue to play an important role. For students considering this path, understanding both the opportunities and pitfalls can make all the difference in using temporary work as a launchpad rather than a detour.
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