Eight Years Later: Have Freelance Attorneys Changed?

By Erin Giglia

The New Year is often a time of reflection, and I can’t help thinking about Montage in 2009, when Laurie and I were juggling depositions and baby diapers while explaining our unique new business to potential law firm clients.

Fast-forward to January 2017, and we’ve seen growth not only in our children who are now in elementary school, but in Montage’s network and in the entire freelance legal industry.  Dozens of applicants turned into thousands of applicants, a handful of law firm clients in Irvine turned into hundreds of clients nationwide, and our small, 2-person network has grown to include over 100 freelance attorneys admitted in dozens of states, with a wide variety of practice areas.

Many of our original network from 2009 – who were mostly mothers with babies and toddlers wanting to keep a hand in the workforce – are still happily working with Montage.  But we are just as happy to support the freelance attorneys who have left Montage to return to traditional legal practice, including BigLaw, boutique firms, and in-house legal departments.  Two even became judges! Our demographics have shifted from 100% mothers to both men and women, and to attorneys with and without children.  These new freelance attorneys – authors, entrepreneurs, professors, doctors, and actors – still have the same things in common as our original freelancers: excellent credentials, training in prestigious law firms, and the desire to help busy lawyers succeed using an alternative practice model.

Although we added over 40 new freelance attorneys to the Montage network in 2016, we would like to introduce you to a few of Montage’s new freelance lawyers.

Meet a Few of Montage’s New Freelance Lawyers

Ernest graduated from Columbia University Law in 2005.  He previously practiced corporate and securities law at Alston & Bird.  He has experience in compliance, hedge fund formation, mergers & acquisitions, derivatives, and microfinance.  He also practiced public finance law at Hawkins Delafield & Wood.  Ernest is currently taking a break from law firm life to write a novel.

Jillian graduated from Harvard Law School in 2005, and previously practiced at O’Melveny & Meyers. She is a business litigator with experience handling matters involving unfair competition and other business torts, trademark, professional liability, fraud, and insurance issues.  Jillian is a mother to three young children, and is a contributing author to online publications.

Suzanne is an MD, ESQ, CPHRM, FACP and has extensive experience as a physician and a health care attorney. She graduated from UCLA and received her MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.  She completed internship and residency at UC Davis, and graduated from Chapman Law with honors while practicing as a physician.

Kerry graduated from Boston University School of Law in 2006, and previously practiced at Bryan Cave.  Kerry focuses her practice on bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, and has experience representing financial institutions in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 cases, adversary proceedings, and bankruptcy appeals. Kerry also handles business litigation matters across diverse industries.

Laura graduated from Berkeley Law in 2011, and previously practiced intellectual property law at Knobbe Martens. She has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Rice University, is admitted before the USPTO, and has experience with patent prosecution and litigation.  Prior to law school, Laura worked as a process engineer in the oil industry.

Looking Forward

Our personal and professional lives are much busier now than they were 7 years ago, but we would not change a thing.  Well, I think we could both do without the elementary school homework, and we would certainly love to go back to the baby phase for a few extra hugs!

Thank you so much to all of our friends and colleagues for making 2016 a fantastic year.  Special thanks to our husbands Kyle and Bryan for all of their support.  We are looking forward to a terrific 2017 for you and for Montage Legal Group!

If you have questions about Montage’s freelancers or want more information about our freelance network, please email me and Laurie at [email protected].