Traveling Lawyers: Work Trips And Legal Eagles

Whether or not lawyers travel a lot for work depends on their area of practice and their employer. For example, lawyers working in-house for large corporations with offices worldwide may travel frequently. Lawyers working for the military, such as Judge Advocates in the U.S. Air Force, may also travel a lot. However, most lawyers do not travel much, especially since the pandemic, as virtual depositions and hearings have become commonplace.

Military lawyers travel a lot

The nature of the work of military lawyers means they need to be able to travel to wherever their clients are located. This could include travelling to different states or even different countries. In some cases, military lawyers may be required to travel to remote or dangerous locations to provide legal services to their clients. For instance, the founder of Tully Rinckey PLLC, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, has stepped away from his legal career multiple times to deploy to Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The work of a military lawyer can be demanding and often involves travelling to locations where there may not be many amenities or opportunities for leisure. Additionally, the work itself can be intense and leave little time for personal activities. Military lawyers may also need to be available at all hours to address the legal needs of their clients.

Military lawyers typically have a strong understanding of military law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). They may also have experience in handling court-martial cases and other adverse actions. For example, military defence lawyers Philip D. Cave and Nathan P. Freeburg have over 43 years of combined experience helping service members facing courts-martial and other adverse actions. They have represented clients assigned to bases in 46 states and many countries where American bases are located.

In conclusion, military lawyers travel frequently as part of their work, providing legal services to clients wherever they are located, often including military bases and installations worldwide. This travel can be demanding and may involve visiting remote or dangerous locations. Military lawyers typically have a strong understanding of military law and the UCMJ, enabling them to effectively represent their clients in legal proceedings.

Lawyers working for large corporations travel to negotiate contracts

Lawyers working for large corporations often travel to negotiate contracts. Negotiating contracts with big companies can be challenging, and lawyers must possess strong negotiation skills to achieve favourable terms for their clients. While technology has made remote work more feasible, there are still instances where lawyers may need to travel to meet with clients, attend court hearings, or negotiate contracts.

Contract negotiation involves discussing the terms of an agreement between two or more parties before finalizing and signing it. It is a standard business transaction that outlines the legal responsibilities of each party in the business relationship. Lawyers working for large corporations may need to travel to meet with clients, understand their goals, and negotiate contracts on their behalf. This may involve travelling to different cities or even countries, depending on the location of the client and the nature of the contract.

During the contract negotiation process, lawyers must assess their client's responsibilities, expected rewards, and potential risks associated with the contract. They should also be prepared to address any questions or concerns raised by the other parties involved. Travelling to meet with clients can help build trust and facilitate smoother negotiations.

Additionally, lawyers should be familiar with applicable laws and regulations, especially when dealing with contracts across different states or countries. They should also be aware of any potential liabilities or government regulations that could impact the contract. Travelling allows lawyers to have in-person discussions with clients and gain a deeper understanding of their needs and concerns.

Lawyers working for large corporations should also be adept at creating a balance during negotiations. They must advocate for their client's interests while also finding common ground and allowing the other party to feel they have achieved favourable terms. This collaborative approach helps create a "win-win" contract that benefits all parties involved.

In summary, lawyers working for large corporations may travel to negotiate contracts, meet with clients, and build trust. While technology has reduced the need for travel, certain situations still require in-person interactions. Effective contract negotiation involves understanding goals, addressing concerns, and finding a balance that satisfies all parties involved.

In-house lawyers travel to visit company offices

In-house Lawyers: Travelling to Company Offices

In-house lawyers, or corporate counsel, often find themselves travelling to visit their company's various offices around the world. This is especially true for lawyers working for large corporations or multinational companies with offices in multiple countries.

For example, an in-house lawyer at a major multinational company shared that their work has taken them to Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, The Hague, Lisbon, and Perth. While this may not be a typical legal job, it demonstrates the potential for extensive travel as an in-house lawyer.

Another in-house lawyer recounted their experience of travelling to different offices within the United States, including San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Seattle, among others.

However, it is important to note that travelling for work is not always glamorous. It often involves spending significant time in airports, flying, and working, with little time left for sightseeing or exploring the culture of the destination.

Additionally, the transition to an in-house role can be challenging, as lawyers may need to develop a different set of skills to manage the demands of having the client outside their door. They may also experience a sudden drop in resources and have to adjust to a more generalist role, especially in the eyes of non-lawyer colleagues.

Despite these challenges, in-house lawyers find their roles tremendously enriching, gaining a more nuanced understanding of business and the needs of various stakeholders.

Lawyers travel for conferences and networking events

There are numerous legal conferences and networking events held throughout the year, covering a range of topics and practice areas. For example, the Clio Cloud Conference, the world's biggest legal conference, offers attendees the chance to connect with thousands of like-minded professionals and learn about the latest innovations in legal technology. Other notable conferences include the ABA TECHSHOW, Legalweek, the Trial Lawyers Summit, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual Conference.

In addition to industry-wide conferences, there are also events tailored to specific practice areas, such as intellectual property law, criminal law, labour and employment law, and personal injury law. These conferences provide lawyers with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and stay abreast of the latest developments in their chosen field.

While travelling for conferences and networking events can be beneficial, it is important to note that it may not always be glamorous or exciting. As one lawyer commented, "It is less 'insta-worthy' pictures [...] and more dealing with crowds, traffic, jet lag, and getting bitched at from 10 different angles". Nevertheless, for those seeking to expand their professional network and stay informed about the latest advancements in the legal field, attending conferences and networking events can be a worthwhile investment.

Lawyers can open their own firm and travel between clients

Lawyers can definitely open their own firm and travel between clients. In fact, this is the best way to ensure maximum freedom to travel, as you are your own boss and can set your own schedule.

One real-life example of a travelling lawyer is Greg McLawsen, a Washington-based immigration attorney and the founder of Sound Immigration. He detailed how and why he created a legal practice that allows him to travel to remote locations for two months (or more) out of the year.

McLawsen's firm is decentralized, paperless, and cloud-based. Attorneys work remotely from offices throughout Washington state, while production work is outsourced to a team in Bangalore, India. This setup has allowed McLawsen and his family to travel to Bhutan, Burma, China, Hawaii, India, Laos, Thailand, and Mexico.

• Slack: This communication tool allows teams to create channels for instant communication across different time zones and archives conversations.
• Trello: Using the Agile project management method, Trello helps create a visualization of all the work in production, focusing on who should be working on a given task next.
• Zapier: This application acts as a middleman, helping to connect and integrate other apps you may use.
• Ruby Receptionists: This service ensures that someone is always available to take calls from clients, even when you're on the road.
• Clio: Using a main practice management software like Clio allows you to connect with other apps and create a central hub to run your business from anywhere.

Of course, there are challenges to running a travelling law firm. You will need to ensure that you have reliable internet access and that you can stay organized and connected with your team and clients while on the move. Additionally, travelling between clients may not always be glamorous, as it can involve long hours, jet lag, and the pressure of meeting client demands.

Nevertheless, with careful planning and the right tools, it is possible to build a successful and rewarding travelling law practice.

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