A 2–10 lawyer firm usually waits until the week is on fire, then hires a paralegal at $45k–$60k plus benefits, software, and a desk. That is $4,000–$6,000 a month before you know if the volume holds.

The work that actually clogs the week is not courtroom work. It is intake, document formatting, exhibit indexes, calendar holds, client chasing, and research memos a junior can draft for your review.

That layer does not need to sit in your office. It needs English, overlap with US/UK hours, and a lawyer who will actually supervise the output.

I run that desk from South Africa. US morning is my afternoon. UK morning is my morning. Starter is $750/month for up to 20 hours per month of remote administration support — enough to prove the work, not enough to pretend I replaced a full hire.

The constraint is unauthorized practice of law. No advice. No appearing. No signing. Your name on the work. If you cannot live with that line, do not hire remote support.

If you can, send one live matter and we will see if the desk holds.