As COVID-19 has propelled record U.S. unemployment, the legal profession has not gone unscathed. Large law firms across the country have implemented layoffs and compensation cuts and freezes. Corporations are placing in-house lawyers on the chopping block as well.

But despite the influx of layoffs, not all lawyers are clamoring to become freelance attorneys, said some online lawyer marketplace companies. But that doesn't mean freelance legal work isn't being sought after.

Avvo hasn't seen an increase or decrease in lawyers claiming a profile on the online lawyer marketplace's platform, said Martindale-Avvo president Diana Schulz. As profile claims plateaued, consumer engagement also dipped, but only temporarily.

"As COVID hit we saw a drop in traffic [in] not only people reading articles but [also] contacting attorneys. But we've been monitoring that over time and we have seen steady increases in both elements," she said.  

Along with steadying engagement, profile advertisements, which are purchased by lawyers, are currently the highest in two years, Schulz noted. Although Avvo hasn't seen an uptick in profile claims, Schulz argued online marketplaces will likely be leveraged by more lawyers.

"In this environment being able to reach consumers in their home with digital offerings is powerful," she said. To foster that engagement and adhere to social distancing guidelines, Avvo has developed digital tools to service clients remotely and accelerate communication between attorneys and their clients, she added.

Lawclerk co-founder Kristin Tyler also said she hasn't seen an uptick in lawyers joining her platform as firms lay off attorneys. However she noted the contagious coronavirus may have stirred not only economic uncertainty but professional reassessment.

"I think the current situation is inadvertently getting lawyers to reevaluate their career path. Do they want to continue 120 hours a week running a rat race?" she said. "I think it's a unique opportunity for lawyers to step back because we're kind of paused … this is a unique opportunity for lawyers to reevaluate what they want in their legal career."

Still, some online legal marketplaces are experiencing an uptick in enrollment. For example, Hire an Esquire Inc. CEO and founder Julia Shapiro said sign-ups were up 16% during March 1 to May 7 compared to the same period last year.

"Attorneys, like everyone else, go where the jobs are and freelance is where the job growth is," she said. She argued corporate legal department and law firm hiring behaviors have shifted to a contract focus, and COVID-19 won't deter that path.

"We're seeing COVID and recession-friendly practice areas that are experiencing growth, grow through contract versus permanent hiring, and it seems other practice areas plan to do the same when they rebound."