As a part-time lawyer, your job is to help advance a legal case. In this role, you may defend a client in a lawsuit, help prosecute criminals, research existing case law, provide counsel, process paperwork, or answer questions from clients. Many part-time lawyers specialize in specific areas and help a larger firm meet its staffing needs. For example, an attorney could work a few hours a week to help people with tax and estate planning, or they could serve as a staff attorney who helps draft contracts, negotiates with outside counsel, or researches proposed and existing laws to determine how they may affect legal compliance and business needs.