The legal profession is time-consuming and requires mindfulness and focus. The income might not always meet all your needs, but there are side hustles for lawyers you can explore to earn more.
By pursuing a side hustle, you’ll create supplemental income streams to cover your law school debt and other interests. Since most lawyers have tight schedules, our list contains flexible and remote-friendly options.
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1. Freelance Legal Work
Freelance legal work allows you to handle contractual projects as an individual lawyer. Hence, it puts the spotlight on your hard-earned skills.
Job search platforms and online marketplaces make it easy to find freelance opportunities. If you’re ready to begin, try using UpCounsel to connect with clients who need legal help.
There is no specific role for you to play as a freelance lawyer. You can work for other attorneys and clients on a contractual basis. The kind of jobs you can take on as a freelance lawyer include:
- Creating drafts of legal documents
- Offering legal advice to clients
- Mediation services
- Embarking on legal research
- Delegated responsibilities to other lawyers
Due to the nature of these roles, you can make money online using your existing legal expertise and knowledge. The best part is that you won’t have to work full-time, so you’ll have free time for other jobs.
A major benefit of freelance legal work is its flexibility. You can choose what offers to accept and work at times that suit you. Freelancing provides free time for other functions, responsibilities, and professional obligations.
But before you begin, ensure no conflict of interest with your primary employment. Also, set clear boundaries with clients and act professionally.
2. Educational Instruction
As a lawyer who loves teaching, you can pursue educational side hustles. Consider tutoring next-generation lawyers. You can take private or group lessons. Another option is to teach bar exam candidates.
You can also sign up as a part-time lecturer for legal courses at a college or university. Alternatively, sell online courses on Thinkific or similar platforms for easy passive income.
Educational instruction allows you to showcase your expertise and mentor upcoming legal professionals. Creating educational courses also has enormous long-term financial benefits.
Ideas for a Successful Educational Side Hustle
Here’s how to make money online, but also offline, as a lawyer in education:
- Create and market a bar exam preparatory course.
- Organize paid online tutorial sessions for law students.
- Sell guides and educational resources to law school students.
You can generate significant income and establish yourself as an expert.
3. Legal Writing and Research
Research and writing are two of the most lucrative side jobs for lawyers. With keen observational and analytical skills, you’ll find this option easy.
You can access various legal writing and research opportunities, such as:
- Writing legal articles for publication
- Conducting legal research for government institutions
- Creating informative posts for company blogs
- Handling research for law firms or individual clients
To venture into this legal field, you must be an excellent writer with analytical skills. It’s also essential to be attentive to details, as this can help you avoid misinformation. Finally, you must be capable of synthesizing information into clear and concise terms.
You can get legal research and writing gigs in freelance marketplaces like Upwork. Such platforms provide a convenient way to find well-paying jobs and manage projects.
4. Legal Transcription
Any skilled listener with perfect usage of grammar can try transcribing. While transcribing diverse audio works, you can stick to legal transcription. Performing this task involves converting recorded legal proceedings to writing. This task requires grammatical accuracy and attention to detail.
Legal transcribers need a diverse range of new skills, including:
- Excellent listening
- Typing proficiency
- Familiarity with legal terminology and procedures
- Grammatical accuracy
All these will ensure the production of accurate transcriptions.
Some companies provide legal transcription services and hire freelance transcribers. Examples of such companies are SpeakWrite and Cambridge Transcriptions.
5. Writing an Ebook
If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a writer, here’s your chance. You can publish a book and join one of the most lucrative side hustle law schemes.
Ebook writing is among the rewarding side hustles for lawyers who want to share their knowledge with a wider audience. Ebook writing demonstrates competence and is a source of passive income after publishing.
Tips for Writing and Publishing an Ebook
There are tips you must observe to succeed in ebook writing. They include:
- Writing on a topic that you understand and can explain
- Hiring a professional editor and proofreader
- Using self-publishing platforms to upload and market your ebook, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a good example of such a platform
- Seeking intellectual property rights to protect your ebook
Following these tips will help you publish high-quality products for your audience.
After publishing your ebook, you must begin strategic marketing for it to sell. Engage in paid advertising, email marketing, and social media marketing, among other promotional strategies. Your marketing efforts will ensure your book reaches its target audience.
6. Other Side Hustles
We’ve explored lawyer side hustles. Now, it’s time to think outside the box.
Non-Legal Side Hustles
There are several side hustles unrelated to the law that lawyers can pursue. If you want a break from the legal environment, this is your chance to pursue something else. You can explore lots of opportunities while making extra money and having fun.
Non-legal side hustles cut across all fields. It includes jewelry sales, online advertising, food delivery, and real estate. You can even create a new business and set up an online store.
But before selecting a venture, consider your availability, interest, and skills. Additionally, you must be sure of your goals, expectations, and what you hope to achieve. This information will guide your choice of a side hustle idea to make extra income.
7. Public Speaking
Advertise yourself as a public speaker and take on tasks to address events.
Lawyers are skilled communicators with a flair for public speaking. So, addressing crowds and audiences is a natural fit. You can try it out by volunteering to give talks at workshops.
Monetize this skill by speaking on legal matters at conferences or community events. Alternatively, you can avoid legal aspects and address other topics.
Public speaking builds your reputation and professional network. It’s also a well-paying field, especially for popular speakers.
Tips for Successful Public Speaking
Practicing audience control and delivery makes you a successful public speaker. But you must also prepare for every speech and ensure your content suits your audience.
It’s also important to speak confidently and articulate properly. These actions will engage and capture your listeners’ attention.
8. Business or Life Coaching
Life coaching is for those who want to positively impact others. As a life coach, you can help others set and achieve goals, make plans, and remain accountable.
Lawyers have several essential skills for the coaching industry. As a lawyer, you’ll likely be a good communicator and an active listener. Thus, earning clients’ trust and making them open up to you will be easy.
Understanding allows you to address your client’s needs and offer guidance and support, enabling you to help people achieve personal growth.
You might wonder about the areas in which you can coach people. Some are:
- Career coaching for aspiring lawyers or those transitioning from one career to another
- Life coaching to aid the achievement of personal or professional goals
- Relationship coaching
- Wellness coaching
A successful coaching practice doesn’t begin overnight. You must study and work hard to become a certified coach. With a certification, people will trust your expertise.
Hence, marketing becomes easier, and you can attract clients from online platforms. Satisfied clients will also refer others to you.
9. Grant Writing
Organizations qualify for grants, but find it difficult to write applications. You can seize this opportunity to make money as a lawyer.
Grant writing involves careful research and fact-checking to write detailed funding proposals. You can either write on behalf of organizations or individuals.
But you must first study and understand grant writing guidelines. It is important to follow them while explaining the need for funding.
Skills Needed for Grant Writing
Successful grant writers are excellent researchers. They also have good comprehension skills. Being a great communicator is an added plus, as it will help you write combined proposals.
Finally, you must be skilled at customization, as this will enable you to tailor each proposal to the grantor’s preferences.
Nonprofits seek grants to fund their activities, so they’re the go-to for grant writers. Network with non-profits or research grant databases to find a grant writing vacancy.
10. Legal Blogging
Starting a blog about the legal industry is a great idea. You can create informative content about legal practices and post regular updates. Sponsored ads and affiliate marketing can help monetize your blog.
Starting a legal blog promotes your influence in the legal profession. Through blogging, you can also create a community for your readers. This creative outlet allows you to promote your primary job as a lawyer.
There are also many income channels, including product sales and offering subscription-based content.
There are several content ideas to discuss in a legal blog. You can alternate between or focus on legal considerations, concepts, and news. You can even analyze issues and offer legal tips for people and businesses.
To earn more income outside your full-time career, you must attract a stable audience and promote your blog effectively.
Sharing links to your blog posts on social media is effective. You can also try search engine optimization (SEO). Guest blogging on other legal websites is another efficient option.
11. Virtual Assistant for Law Firms
This role is suitable for you if you can multitask. But when you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s among the simple side hustles for lawyers.
While virtual assistants perform many tasks, they revolve around administrative functions. Playing this role, you can help law firms with scheduling, bookkeeping, and organization.
Other functions include tasks that enhance your employer’s efficiency, such as data entry.
It offers many perks, including flexible work hours. You can also work from home and learn the operational activities of law firms. This information will be useful when you’re setting up a current firm.
Virtual assistant positions are available on online job boards. You can also market yourself as a virtual assistant when networking with lawyers. Another option is to visit law firms and ask for vacancies.
12. Starting a Niche Business
A side hustle can be an interest you want to pursue. Identify the niche and go for it.
With a niche-centered business, you can focus on other passions besides law. Your decision on a business should relate to your hobby, skill, or passion. Ultimately, choose a niche you understand.
Niche businesses range from freelance writing to interface design. Identifying a market need and offering a solution is the best way to find a niche. This way, customers will seek you.
While running a niche business, you must set aside adequate time for your full-time job. Proper time management helps you prioritize both your business and job.
13. Tutoring Students
Teaching is a sought-after skill, so you can take it up if you’re good at it.
Depending on your preference, you can teach any level of students. The subject could be law-related or any other that you’re good. Consider teaching civic education, government, or social studies.
As a tutor, you’ll enjoy flexible work hours. Moreover, you may not have to work daily. If you love kids, this presents an opportunity to interact with them. Also, it’s a fulfilling experience helping others gain knowledge.
Finding clients will be easy if there are local schools nearby. If not, opt for community centers or get customers from online teaching platforms. Parents often use such platforms to find irons for their kids.
14. Real Estate Investing
Consider purchasing and managing landed properties as a form of investment.
Real estate investing is one of the most profitable side hustles for lawyers. You can earn passively by renting out properties or buying and selling them. Interestingly, the benefit is long-term as the property’s value appreciates.
There are many real estate investments, each with its risks and benefits. Before deciding which to partake in, conduct research. Here are some common types of real estate investment:
- Real estate crowdfunding through online platforms
- Buying and holding rental properties
- Purchasing, fixing, and flipping houses
- Industrial investment
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Resources for Real Estate Investors
Various available resources serve as guides to first-time investors. You can study investment books or enroll in important courses. Useful materials are available on real estate websites. But whatever you do, always consult a realtor for guidance and advice.
15. Adjunct Law Professor
You can get a part-time college instructor job. Though contractual, the workload is smaller, and the pay is nice.
You need a Juris Doctor (JD) law degree to become an adjunct professor. It’s a must-have. The other requirement, which is teaching experience, isn’t always necessary.
Though there are many side jobs for lawyers, a professorship increases your qualifications. It also provides an avenue to remain connected to academia by training pupils.
You’ll gain fresh knowledge of case laws and legal trends through a professorship. Thus, this side gig offers benefits beyond additional income.
Adjunct professors often teach specialized courses in institutions. So, contact nearby law schools to inquire about adjunct professor vacancies. You can also use online job boards to apply for vacancies.
16. Test Preparation Instructor
As a lawyer, experience has taught you the best way to answer questions in professional exams. Why not use this insight to coach those preparing for tests and exams? Consider training candidates for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or bar exam.
In this job, your professional responsibilities involve:
- Creating online courses
- Delivering in-person courses
- Hosting one-on-one tutorials
- Developing study materials
There is a high demand for knowledgeable instructors. Therefore, if you’re wondering how to make money as a lawyer, this is it. You can set your LSAT tutoring rates as you help students attain academic success.
As an instructor, you can create and sell study materials in PDF format. These materials could be study guides, practice exams, and online courses. These will help you reach a wider audience and earn additional income.
17. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Instructor
You can teach courses designed for professional license maintenance.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses enhance legal knowledge and skills. These courses help legal practitioners stay up-to-date on legal developments and trends. CLE courses on legal topics are the prerequisites for maintaining a legal license.
Teaching CLE courses allows you to contribute to professional development. It also enhances your reputation and builds your network within the legal community.
You can access CLE teaching opportunities through providers or bar associations. Depending on your specialization, you can also propose a CLE course.
Why Do You Need a Website for Side Hustles?
In today’s digital age, creating a professional website is a game-changer for lawyers exploring side hustles. It acts as a 24/7 marketing tool, showcasing your skills and services to potential clients without the need for constant networking.
For lawyers, a website also ensures ethical compliance by clearly separating your primary legal practice from your side hustle. It’s a platform to highlight specialized skills that may appeal to a different client base than your main work.
Plus, with the best web hosting, your site remains secure and reliable, which is essential when handling sensitive information or building a professional reputation.
note type = “tip”] Whether you’re building a career in law or branching into another field, learn how to create a portfolio website that attracts clients and helps them trust you better. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, displaying your past works and reviews can instantly make you more attractive to new prospects. [/note]
Conclusion
Side hustles for lawyers are easy to come by, thanks to their diverse skill sets. You only need to assess yourself, identify your proficiency, and start monetizing it. It could be teaching, writing, or running a business.
Whatever you end up choosing, ensure it doesn’t distract you from your primary career goal. Also, you may consider other profitable side hustles you can perform from your phone. Have fun being a lawyer while engaging in side hustles that align with your aspirations.
Next Steps: What Now?
Before beginning a side hustle, here are things to note:
- Discover your passion and interest.
- Learn the operational processes of your side hustle.
- Identify your target market.
- Advertise your products or services.
Further Reading & Useful Resources
Here are more ways to make extra cash as a lawyer from your office or home.
- Use this guide to start a personal blog.
- Learn how to earn from affiliate marketing.
- Follow this guide to monetize your social media presence.
