As a result of the changing market for legal services, law firms are not always looking for the same type of candidate when hiring new attorneys as in the past. Because demand from clients can be uneven, particularly for litigation matters, some firms may be reluctant to commit to full-time attorneys in fear that the work won’t be there permanently to justify the cost. For that reason, law firms are turning more and more to contract attorneys, who can help alleviate the workload during busy times without the same long-term commitment.

While contract attorneys can be a great resource for law firms when used properly, there are also associated risks that law firms may not always consider. Below are some tips to help law firms use contract attorneys effectively and avoid the pitfalls.