After a few years of practising law, many solicitors find that they have lost the passion and enthusiasm they felt at the start of your career. While initially working for a large legal firm seemed ideal for career progression, after a few years this may no longer be the case.
In some cases, you may feel that the corporate legal environments are taking their toll and may feel that work is too time-consuming to the point of taking over virtually every aspect of your life. Under such circumstances, it is not far fetched to look for a fresh start.
Checking all your options before starting a new career path
However, and before you consider switching careers or making any drastic changes, you may want to think about the following: sometimes, the problem is not the legal sector itself, but rather the way legal work or the firm you work for are structured.
Until very recently, the only option was to set up a private office, but an alternative has emerged with the advent of new technologies and the rise of remote work. Virtual law firms could be exactly what you need to find a better work-life balance and to regain your passion and enthusiasm for a career in the legal sector.
If this sounds appealing, you will want to keep reading to find out four reasons why a career in law can be more flexible with a virtual law firm.
The benefits of working with a virtua l law firm
1. Freedom and flexibility
For many solicitors, the main reason to start working with a virtual law firm is to enjoy a greater level of freedom and flexibility. Virtual firms usually allow you to set your own targets, both in terms of client work and of income.
In traditional legal firms, the focus on billable hours puts pressure and constraints on the lawyer/client relationship and leaves little room for maneavering on the solicitor’s side. By contrast, in virtual firms, the focus is on the client and lawyers have the freedom to choose how to reach their goals.
2. Better work-life balance
Virtual law firms are a sound choice if you are thinking of starting a family or already have one and want to be able to spend more quality time with them. Because they mainly follow agile working practices, you won’t be burdened by bureaucracy or politics and will be able to focus on doing the work you are qualified to do without unnecessary hindrances so that you can end the working day with a sense of achievement.
3. Career progression
Virtual law firms are forward-thinking entities themselves since they emerged due to their ability to navigate the changes affecting the legal industry. This means they are ideally positioned to offer excellent opportunities for career advancement, as this is built into their ethos. In short, they are the perfect fit for ambitious and motivated legal professionals.
4. Benefits and support
Admittedly, some lawyers may be reluctant to take on a freelance or consultancy role at a virtual firm thinking they may face a lack of support and resources. However, virtual law firms like passionforlaw.com offer the best of both worlds: on the one hand, you will be able to work on a freelance basis, with all the freedom that entails.
On the other hand, and unlike normal freelancers, you will still get all the benefits of working in a traditional in-house firm. These may range from a state-of-the-art intranet that facilitates collaboration and streamlines communications to tax advice, and including PI cover, access to branded offices in multiple locations, networking events, referral schemes, and admin, clerical, paralegal, and IT support.
To sum it up, it seems clear that virtual law firms offer many potential benefits to legal professionals willing to explore alternative work arrangements. By choosing to work with a virtual firm, you will enjoy all the perks of a large firm while having more freedom and control over your career and your personal life.