Apply to work through Lawmee

FAQs for lawyers, paralegals and company secretaries

• Who can see my profile?
  We understand that confidentiality is important to you. Your full profile and details/CV will only be visible by you and the Lawmee team. If you decide to express interest and apply for a role, then only that client will also be able to view your name and CV. You’re in control.
• Type and length of assignments. Can I complete other work and work part-time?

  How long are the typical placements and assignments?

  Each placement and assignment depends on the client's requirements and your ideal work situation. Opportunities can be anything from one day through to longer fixed term contract roles like parental leave covers or project roles. You can always choose the opportunities that suit your life/career plans.

  Does Lawmee guarantee hours and work?

  Lawmee exists to connect you with law firms and companies who require the services of a lawyer or paralegal. We can’t guarantee work and the type/length of work can be varied and unpredictable. We work hard to ensure there are lots of great opportunities for you to choose from to help you achieve work/life balance and achieve your career goals.

  Can I work through Lawmee alongside my other work commitments?

  You sure can! Lots of our lawyers use Lawmee to work around and supplement their existing work schedule. If you join Lawmee, this doesn't mean you have to work with us exclusively.

  Can I sign up to work part-time?

  Absolutely! We receive lots of requests from part-time lawyers and paralegals. Many of our clients are seeking people who can work full-time, however some of our clients engage people on a part-time basis. Being flexible with your availability will increase the number of opportunities that may be suitable for you.

• Employment status, daily/hourly rates and pay cycles

  What is my employment status?

  Lawyers and paralegals are generally employed as casual employees and are paid through payroll with PAYG and superannuation. Some lawyers choose to work through their own legal entities and cover their own superannuation and insurances etc. If we employ you as a casual employee, we are responsible for your PAYG, superannuation and legal professional indemnity insurance. You are paid by the hour or by the day at rates we have agreed with you and that are generally higher than an equivalent rate for a FTE salary. We take into account the assignment based and non-permanent, non-guaranteed nature of the work to help you set your daily/hourly rates.

  How do I get paid?

  Lawmee pays our lawyers and paralegals in line with our standard payroll cycle, as either a casual employee or through your own entity. We take care of all the payments from your host law firm or company, so you can relax and get on with the more important things in life.

  How does my daily/hourly rate work?

  Our team of lawyers and consultants are some of Australia’s leading legal recruitment experts. We work with you to set daily/hourly rates that are competitive and add our insurance/admin costs and recruitment fee to create the total price for the client. We will help you to set rates that will give you the best opportunity to secure the opportunities you are looking for.

• Working hours, holidays and permanent roles

  What are my standard working hours?

  Our daily rates are based on 7.5 hour days unless you agree other working hours with the relevant client Generally, you will be paid for any additional work you complete over and above the agreed working hours, as long as the overtime has been agreed and approved by the client beforehand.

  How do I plan my career through Lawmee and how often do new roles come in?

  We receive a wide variety of opportunities from a diverse range of companies and law firms. Sometimes clients request someone who can commence within a few business days and sometimes there will be 1-2 months’ notice. If you are in a permanent role and looking to transition to a more flexible way of working through Lawmee, you might consider talking to your employer to see whether they may agree to a reduced notice period so you are ready to go.

  How do holidays work?

  If you are engaged as a casual employee, we will take care of your payroll and superannuation payments. We factor holiday pay into your daily/hourly rate, based on the statutory minimum requirement of holidays plus public holidays. If you have your own entity, you will need to make sure that you factor in some time for a break.

  Can I accept a permanent employment offer during my assignment and can you help me with permanent employment opportunities?

  Many of our lawyers and paralegals accept permanent employment opportunities during or after their assignments with Lawmee. We love it when this happens because it means it’s an awesome fit. Please contact us and we’ll help you through the process in transferring to our clients on a permanent basis. If you’d like some general advice on your permanent employment options, our good friends at KBE Legal Talent can help. Please feel free to contact Chris Bates or Siemone Neutgens.

• References from Lawmee, confidentiality and conflict checks

  Can I have a reference from Lawmee?

  Yes, we can provide summary references for lawyers and paralegals who work through Lawmee. Our references will state where you worked, your title in that role and how long you worked for any particular client, noting we will not be able to comment on your work or your character. Please note: Lawmee's clients are not able to provide references for you.

  How do confidentiality and conflict checks work?

  Lawyers, paralegals and clients agree to a confidentiality clause when they sign up to work through Lawmee. Clients may choose to ask the lawyer or paralegal to sign an NDA before starting their placement. Clients should complete any required conflict checks prior to engaging lawyers/paralegals for a project.

• Insurance

  Does Lawmee provide me with insurance?

  Where lawyers are engaged as casual employees, we provide them with professional indemnity insurance and workers comp insurance. Lawyers who have completed the relevant Legal Practice Management Course may choose to work through their own law firm entity generally and are then covered by their own professional indemnity insurance and workers comp insurance.

  Is Lawmee a law firm?

  Lawmee is a platform that connects lawyers/paralegals with law firms and companies. We are set up as an incorporated legal practice for the purposes of providing professional indemnity insurance to lawyers/paralegals in the relevant circumstances, noting that all work completed by a Lawmee lawyer/paralegal is under the direct supervision of our clients. Whichever way we structure your engagement, you only take on the work you want and on terms you can accept.

• Applying, screening and onboarding

  How do I apply for roles?

  Once you complete your application, a Lawmee lawyer or consultant will contact you to discuss your experience. We will help approved lawyers and paralegals upload their profiles to the platform. You can then browse all available opportunities, apply and interview for roles. You'll receive email notifications as well as online progress notifications within your Lawmee profile.

  Can all lawyers or paralegals apply to have a profile created on Lawmee?

  All lawyers and paralegals who are legally able to work in Australia can apply to join our network.

  What happens after I'm accepted onto the Lawmee platform, following my screening/onboarding?

  Once you have submitted your application, a Lawmee lawyer or consultant will contact you to discuss your experience. Once approved, your profile will be live. You will then be matched to suitable opportunities, can begin applying for positions, be invited to interviews and complete your timesheets online.

  What if I haven't heard from you for a little while after my screening interview?

  Please reach out to us any time. We always enjoy hearing from the people in our networks.

• Can international lawyers sign up?

  If I'm an international lawyer/student, can I still work with Lawmee?

  Absolutely, provided your visa allows you to work Australia and depending on the client's requirements. We have many foreign qualified lawyers on our platform, who work for any client as a paralegal or "lawyer not admitted in Australia". We have a lot of lawyers and paralegals on visas which allow them to work 20 hours per week or for 6 months with one employer. Unfortunately, we cannot provide sponsor visas at this stage.

  Does Lawmee sponsor lawyers and paralegals from other countries?

  If you have working rights in Australia, then we’d love to help you to secure great roles with our clients. At this stage, Lawmee isn't able to sponsor lawyers and paralegals directly. The Legal Practice Board is always available to answer your questions and we know some great migration agents and lawyers. If you’d like a referral, we’ll do our best to help you out.

• Can law students sign up?

  Do we employ students as paralegals?

  Yes. Students should either be in the second half of your LLB undergraduate or doing the JD. Our clients often require strong academics, however may also consider students provided you can show quality/relevant experience to support your application.

  Do I need prior experience to secure a role through Lawmee?

  You can only secure roles when you have the right experience. Some clients have specific requirements for their roles. Others are more flexible in what they are seeking. We want to help people get an opportunity in law and do our best to help.

  How many years of PAE do I need?

  It’s case-by-case. We have clients who engage paralegals all the way through to senior lawyers with 30+ years of experience. There isn't really a "right" level of PAE and our platform suits people who enjoy working more flexibly and want more time for their families and personal lives.

  Do we offer law students graduate positions?

  We are really pleased when we have paralegals offered graduate roles with our clients after working with us. Paralegals who gain valuable experience with Lawmee's clients may be more likely to secure graduate positions, however law firms and companies often have their own graduate hiring processes in place (many follow the relevant Law Society or other guidelines).

  Can I sign up to work part-time or while I'm studying?

  Absolutely! We do receive requests from part-time lawyers and paralegals. Many of our clients are seeking people who can work full-time, however some of our clients engage people on a part-time basis. Being flexible with your availability will increase the number of opportunities that may be suitable for you.