LOD launches Airbnb style online market for lawyers

LOD (Lawyers On Demand), the first flexible legal service provider, has announced the launch of an Airbnb online marketplace for lawyers.

Called Spoke, the new platform is the first of its kind from a New Law provider and, with a growing number of lawyers interested in flexible working, this new channel looks set to expand on LOD's existing models of on-site secondments and team management.

The Spoke site has been live for UK lawyer registrations since 27 April. Those that have already signed up include barristers from leading commercial chambers, specialist sole practitioners, and freelance lawyers.

At least 500 lawyers are expected to be signed up by the time Spoke launches to clients in July. In-house legal teams and law firms are already able to register their interest with full access to search and hire by July.

McKinsey, a leading management consultancy, estimates that online capacity platforms like Spoke could add US$2.7tn to global GDP by 2025.

'Spoke takes the flexible lawyer landscape that LOD pioneered and adds another new way of working,' explained Simon Harper, co-Founder of LOD and creator of Spoke.

'The so-called "gig economy" has allowed lawyers and legal teams to have flexibility and control over how they work and Spoke signals another stage in the New Law evolution,' he added.

'The big law firm was one way for lawyers to work that grew out of the 20th century. Spoke is about harnessing what the twenty-first century has to offer.'

Spoke will offer a variety of experience and expertise across different practice areas, ranging from core commercial contracts to niche specialisations. Lawyers on the platform will be available to work with legal teams on a remote flexible basis just when clients need them.

Tom Hartley, CEO of the LOD group, said Spoke was about 'giving more control to a wider group of lawyers over how they work and providing greater choice for clients in the way they resource their needs'.