Employee Costs vs Freelancer Costs: How Hiring a Freelance Law Clerk Saves Your Business Money

Today, I want to talk about a critical financial consideration that many businesses and law firms overlook when building their teams: the cost difference between hiring an employee versus engaging a freelance law clerk.

Understanding this distinction can help you make smarter decisions that directly impact your bottom line.

Salaries? They are not the only Cost of Hiring Employees

When you hire a full-time employee, the expenses go far beyond just their salary. Consider all the costs, including salary, that come with an employee:

• Salary and Benefits: This includes not only their base compensation, it also includes health benefits, which can include insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and sometimes bonuses or commissions.

• Vacation and Sick Days: Employees are entitled to paid time off, which means you are paying them even when they are not working.

• Downtime and Underutilization: Sometimes, there simply is not enough work to keep a full-time employee busy. Yet, you are still paying their salary during slow periods.

• Office Perks: Small things like daily coffee and tea, snacks, office lunches, team-building events, and holiday parties add up, often quietly impacting your set budget.

• Breaks: Breaks, any reason for a break, happen (bathroom, cigarettes, coffee, a walk around the office to stretch legs), and are paid time.

All these factors mean the real cost of an employee is often much higher than their take-home gross and net salary.

How Freelancers Offer a More Cost-Effective Solution

By contrast, when you hire a freelance law clerk, you are only paying for the work performed, usually at an hourly rate or agreed project budget.

• No need to pay for benefits or vacation time

• No cost for office perks or downtime

• You can scale hours up or down based on workload and the freelancer's offered skills

• Freelancers typically provide their own equipment and workspace, saving you overhead

• You get specialized skills on demand without long-term commitment

  
  

Why Freelance Law Clerks Are a Smart Choice for Legal Work

Legal work can be project-based (specific phases of the file, like a motion, affidavit of documents, need for an expert, need for court or government feedback) or fluctuate seasonally (summer and Christmas vacation). Freelancers fit naturally into this model because you pay exactly for, and only for, what you need. Practiced and Senior Freelance law clerks (like me) bring years of expertise and a "I just know how to do that". If that freelancer is me, you are also getting generalist support, litigation support, document review, client communication, and case management — all without the costs and obligations of a full-time employee.

Real Savings You Can See

Many of my clients are surprised by how much they save when switching some (and all) of their work to freelance support. The savings come not only from lower payroll costs but also from the flexibility to adapt quickly without sacrificing quality.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between an employee and a freelancer is not just about salary — it is about understanding the full financial picture and operational flexibility.

If you want a cost-efficient solution without compromising on legal expertise, hiring a freelance law clerk, like me, could be the best decision you make for your business.

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If you’re looking for reliable, experienced legal support that can seamlessly integrate into your workflow, let’s talk. Reach out now to schedule a free 30-minute consultation and discover how Clearly Legal can help your practice thrive.

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