Best Side Hustles for Lawyers

Lawyers or attorneys as they’re called in USA rank among the highest paid professionals. They either work for law companies or independently. Hence, most attorneys in the US wouldn’t really be looking for a side hustle.

However, if you’re a fresher in the law field or a student of law or residing in a place where higher incomes aren’t possible, continue reading. In this article, I will write about some of the best side hustles for lawyers in the US.

Let’s start by understanding the pay scales of attorneys in the US.

Income of Attorneys in the US

The below figures, gleaned from the most reliable online sources, will clearly indicate why most attorneys wouldn’t really require a side hustle. However, if you’re among those wanting to boost income, a retired lawyer or law student, you could try the side hustles I will be listing later.

Here are some of the pay scales of attorneys in the US:

• Average: The national average salary for lawyers is around $107,466 per year.
• Range: Entry-level lawyers might start around $85,000, while very experienced lawyers can make up to $166,323.
• Top Earners: The highest-paid 10 per cent of lawyers earn over $208,000 according to some sources.

These figures clearly indicate that most lawyers, including the fresher, have excellent income. Lawyers generally earn from the law firm where they work. Additionally, some also have independent clients or those who need their advice. Legal consultation in the US is a big business.

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Best Side Hustles for Lawyers

If you’re still interested in side hustles for attorneys, continue reading. I am now providing a comprehensive and curated list of the best side hustles that lawyers in the US can take. However, these side hustles require a lot of time, as you will find when you read my list.

Here’s my list of the best side hustles for lawyers.

1. Legal Consulting

As a legal consultant, you'd use your legal expertise to advise businesses or individuals on specific legal matters, but on a project basis rather than full-time representation. This allows you more flexibility in scheduling and lets you focus on areas of law you enjoy most.

2. Freelance Writing

Your legal knowledge and strong writing skills are valuable assets for freelance writing. You could write legal content for blogs, websites, publications, or even create informative content for legal service providers.

3. Mediation

Lawyers can leverage their ability to remain neutral and facilitate communication to act as mediators in disputes. Mediators help individuals or businesses resolve disagreements outside of court, and this field offers a growing income potential.

4. Contract Drafting and Review

Many businesses and individuals need help with crafting or reviewing contracts to ensure they are legally sound and protect their interests. Your expertise in contract law can be valuable in providing this service.

5. Real Estate Consulting

Your knowledge of property law can be a huge asset for real estate investors, agents, or developers. Real estate consulting involves offering advice on the legal aspects of real estate transactions.

6. Teaching or Tutoring

Share your legal knowledge by teaching law courses at a local college or university, or by tutoring law students. This is a great way to give back to the legal community and potentially earn extra income.

7. Public Speaking

If you enjoy public speaking, you can leverage your expertise by giving talks or presentations on legal topics to businesses, organizations, or community groups. This is a way to establish yourself as an authority and potentially generate new clients for your main practice.

8. Expert Witness Services

Lawyers with specialized knowledge can serve as expert witnesses in court cases, providing their professional opinion on relevant legal matters. This can be a lucrative side hustle, but requires specific qualifications and experience in a particular legal field.

9. Legal Research Services

Conduct legal research and analysis for lawyers or law firms on a contract basis. This is a good option if you enjoy digging into legal issues and have strong research skills.

10. Intellectual Property Consulting

If you specialize in intellectual property law, you can consult with businesses on protecting their valuable assets like trademarks, copyrights, and patents.

11. Online Course Creation

Create and sell online courses on legal topics you're passionate about. This can be a great way to share your knowledge and generate passive income while you sleep.

12. Legal Translation Services

If you are fluent in another language and have legal expertise, you can offer legal translation services to lawyers, businesses, or individuals who need legal documents translated accurately.

13. LegalTech Development

The legal industry is increasingly reliant on technology. If you have an interest in technology, you can contribute to the legal tech field by helping develop innovative legal products or services.

14. Corporate Training

Provide training to businesses on legal compliance issues or other relevant legal topics. This allows you to leverage your legal expertise and communication skills to help businesses stay on the right side of the law.

15. Notary Services

Many lawyers are also licensed notaries. You can provide notary services as a side hustle, assisting businesses and individuals with tasks like witnessing signatures and verifying documents.

Wrap Up

The above examples of best side hustles for lawyers makes amply clear that you can leverage all your professional skills to earn some extra money. At the same time, I will caution that these side hustles require time and effort.

Hence, engaging in a side hustle might not be always possible. Check if your employer allows you to take side hustles. These side hustles are excellent for retired attorneys or those who aren’t working anymore but continue holding a bar license.