Three Common Objections To Outsourcing Paralegal Work

I am privileged to work with very talented and forward-thinking attorneys.  I realize working with a virtual or freelance paralegal is a little off the beaten path.  One of the challenges I encounter is convincing firms to break out of the mold and try something new.  Attorneys are change resistant, but those willing to move forward with outsourcing will reap the benefits.

I would like to address some of the common concerns I hear from attorneys who have not tried outsourcing work to a freelance paralegal.

1.  I don’t have the time to find a freelance paralegal.

Finding a freelance paralegal has never been easier.  You need to first decide what you are looking for.  Here are some questions to get you started… Can all of the work be done virtually or do I want someone to come into my office on occasion?  Is there a special skill set I would like the paralegal to have?  Am I going to retain a certain number of hours per month or do I only need a freelance paralegal during busy times?  Once you know what you are looking for, begin your search on Google.  You should find most of the information you are looking for on the freelance paralegal’s website.  You can send a short email for more information or make a quick phone call.  If the paralegal has a blog you can learn a lot about the person from reading a few posts.  It is really a quick and easy process.  You just have to take that first step.

2.  I can’t afford a freelance paralegal.

Working with a freelance paralegal will not only save you money, it will make money for your firm.  You already know that you will save money by outsourcing over hiring an employee.  You also know that you will bill the paralegal’s time at almost double what you pay for it.  But have you thought about the other ways outsourcing will bring in a profit?  If you are  busy micro-managing every case, you will find that you no longer have time to bring in new clients.  A freelance paralegal can do some of the tedious and time-consuming legal work to free you up for rain making.  If you don’t spend time feeding the pipeline your practice will dry up.

3. I don’t trust anyone else to work on my cases.

It can be very hard to delegate work.  You want to do your very best for your clients and keep them happy.  One of the great things about working with a freelance paralegal is that she is a business owner like you who wants to do her best for her clients and protect her reputation  in the legal community. Most freelance paralegals will treat your work with the same effort and dedication you would – their business depends on it.  Solo attorneys in particular have to learn to delegate to have a thriving practice (see above) this involves trust.   I frequently have attorneys test the waters with me on small tasks.  They give me increasingly more substantive legal work as their trust in me grows.

So what about you, are you willing to try something new?  You may be pleasantly surprised with the ease and affordability of working with a freelance paralegal.  I am very easy to get in touch with and I would be more than happy to talk with you about how outsourcing can help your practice run more efficiently.  Contact me today for a consultation.  Note: I work only with attorneys in good standing with their state bar association.