Help When You Need It. Work When You Want It.

Hiring in law firms hasn’t gotten easier.

You need help to keep up with demand—but the talent pipeline isn’t flowing. According to Smokeball’s 2025 State of Law Report, 51% of firms said hiring more staff was a top priority, yet 42% cited a lack of experienced candidates and 36% pointed to a simple shortage of applicants.

Worse still, 65% of firms say it takes more than two months to hire—creating workflow bottlenecks and burnout for existing staff.

At the same time, solo attorneys are looking for ways to stay flexible, grow their income, and take control of their schedule. It’s no surprise that 15% of solos now work fewer than 8 hours a day, compared to just 4% of their larger-firm peers. The gap is growing—not just in headcount, but in work style.

That’s why Smokeball partnered with LAWCLERK—to meet both sides of the legal market exactly where they are.

For firms: Don’t let hiring slow you down

For law firms on Smokeball's Prosper or Grow plans, you can now tap into on-demand legal assistance directly through the platform. With LAWCLERK, you can post an opportunity and get matched with a qualified freelance attorney—often within hours.

No job ads. No interviews. No admin.

Why it matters:

• 33% of firms expect revenue to grow by 10%+ this year—but growth means nothing if you can’t keep up.
• Larger firms (10–50 employees) report recruitment struggles at up to 4x the rate of smaller firms. ‍
• Only 24% of firms hired remotely last year, down from the year prior, despite widespread tech access.

In other words? Traditional hiring isn’t getting any easier—but technology can help.

For solo attorneys: Find legal work that fits your goals

Using Smokeball Boost? LAWCLERK helps you find paid legal work from law firms around the country—right from your dashboard.

Apply for projects that suit your skills, interests, and schedule. Whether you’re between clients or looking to specialize in a new area of law, LAWCLERK gives you the freedom to grow without committing to a 9–5.

Why this matters:

• 85% of lawyers work 8+ hours a day—but 1 in 3 say they’d spend more time with family if they could.
• 50% of respondents say they’d prioritize better work-life balance if they had more time.
• Many solos are seeking flexibility over expansion—and platforms like LAWCLERK make that choice possible.

LAWCLERK in Smokeball: One platform. Two powerful outcomes.

Whether you're a firm needing help, or a solo attorney looking for work, LAWCLERK inside Smokeball is your shortcut to smarter resourcing.

If you’re hiring:

• Instantly find legal contractors
• Handle overflow without hiring delays
• Collaborate inside Smokeball

If you’re freelancing:

• Access freelance projects that match your strengths
• Take control of your time and income
• Build your experience and your network

One platform. Two practical solutions.

Whether you’re scaling your team or reshaping your workday, LAWCLERK inside Smokeball offers a smarter, more flexible way to move your practice forward. In an industry where 51% of firms are planning to hire, yet 42% say candidates lack experience, it’s clear the traditional hiring model isn’t keeping up. At the same time, solos are seeking more control over when and how they work. This isn’t just a shift—it’s a rebalancing.

Because sometimes, solving the hiring puzzle or finding meaningful work doesn’t take a major overhaul. It just takes the right connection.

About LAWCLERK

LAWCLERK is a legal talent platform that connects law firms with freelance attorneys, providing a flexible and efficient way to scale legal practices. With options for hourly work, subscription remote associates, project-based work, and specialized expertise, LAWCLERK helps firms manage overflow work, improve efficiency, and meet client demands without the challenges of traditional hiring. Also, with competitive attorney rates, you can turn your billable hours into a profit.

Through its exclusive integration with Smokeball, law firms can seamlessly find, hire, and collaborate with contract lawyers, all within the Smokeball platform.