Temporary legal jobs in Switzerland: roles, models and pay

Short answer: Lawyers can take temporary legal jobs in Switzerland in two ways: employed through staff leasing (Personalverleih, the Swiss form of temporary agency work) or self-employed as freelancers. Typical assignments cover vacancies, maternity cover, peak workloads and projects, lasting from a few weeks to several months or longer. Alpinum Solutions fills these assignments under both models, part-time or full-time, at a workload of 20 to 100 %.

This guide is for lawyers who want to work on temporary assignments in Switzerland, from early career to senior roles. It covers the roles on offer, what the two models mean for you, what drives pay and how an assignment with Alpinum works.

Which temporary legal jobs are available

Temporary legal jobs in Switzerland arise mainly in the legal departments of companies, financial institutions and consultancies, and also in law firms. The reason for the assignment shapes the role and its length.

Source: Alpinum Solutions, as of November 2026.

Demand covers every level from junior through experienced to senior. Based on Alpinum’s experience, experienced is the most common level for interim assignments. If you want to work in compliance, KYC or AML, the counterpart to this guide is compliance careers with temporary assignments.

Staff leasing or freelancing: what it means for you

Under staff leasing you are employed by the staffing provider; as a freelancer you are self-employed. Both models are common in Switzerland and differ in contract, social security and who directs the work.

• Staff leasing (Personalverleih): the staffing provider is your employer and signs a written employment contract with you that sets out, among other things, the work, place, duration or notice period, working hours and pay (Art. 12 and 19 of the Recruitment Act, AVG). You work under the client’s professional instructions and are integrated into its team.
• Freelancing: you work independently within the agreed mandate and invoice for your services. Whether you count as self-employed is decided case by case by the AHV compensation office, based on the economic reality (AHV/IV information sheet 2.02).
• The dividing line: staff leasing always requires an employment contract. Anyone who works under instructions and is integrated into the client’s organisation is usually classed as employed.

Alpinum Solutions AG holds the cantonal licence for staff leasing and is your employer under that model. To decide which model suits you, read staff leasing from the professional’s perspective and freelancing or employment via staff leasing.

Requirements and typical length of assignments

For temporary roles, your practice area, experience and availability matter more than a seamless CV. Companies look for professionals who get up to speed quickly with their processes and systems.

• Practice area: contract law, corporate and M&A, data protection, employment law or regulatory. The clearer your focus, the better targeted the proposals.
• Availability: many assignments start at short notice. State your start date, workload and possible duration.
• Admission to the bar: lawyers entered in the cantonal bar register may only be employed by persons who are themselves registered (Art. 8(1)(d) of the Lawyers Act, BGFA). In in-house legal teams you therefore usually work as a lawyer without acting as an attorney externally.
• Duration: assignments last from a few weeks to several months or longer. Under staff leasing, the employment contract sets out the duration or notice period (Art. 19 AVG).

Pay: what drives it

Your pay depends on the model, your level, your practice area and your workload. Under staff leasing you receive a salary with social security contributions, agreed for each assignment. As a freelancer you charge a day rate that has to cover social security, pension, insurance, holidays and time between mandates.

As a guide, the table shows what companies in Switzerland pay per day for assignments through Alpinum. This is the price for the company, not your salary.

Source: Alpinum Solutions, ranges excluding VAT, as of 18 October 2026.

If the client is covered by a collective labour agreement declared generally binding, its pay and working-time rules also apply to leased staff (Art. 20 AVG). How tasks and pay add up in a legal counsel role is explained in interim legal counsel: tasks, requirements and pay.

How working with Alpinum works

An assignment through Alpinum starts with your profile and does not necessarily end on your last day.

1. Create your profile: add your CV, focus areas, availability, workload and preferred model.
2. Interview: a professional conversation covers your experience, goals and suitable assignments.
3. Proposal: if an assignment fits, Alpinum presents your profile to the company.
4. Contract: under staff leasing you sign an employment contract with Alpinum Solutions AG; as a freelancer, a mandate.
5. Assignment: the company directs your work. A review follows after two to four weeks.

Alpinum Solutions usually presents two to four profiles per search; a clear profile improves your chances of being among them. A move into the client’s team (temp-to-perm) is possible; the terms are agreed in advance.

Frequently asked questions on temporary legal jobs in Switzerland

Do I need to be admitted to the bar for temporary roles?

No, not for most roles. Legal departments look for lawyers with experience in the relevant practice area. Bar admission may be welcome for certain roles. However, lawyers entered in the bar register may only be employed by registered persons (Art. 8(1)(d) BGFA), so in companies they usually work without a register entry.

Can I work part-time on temporary assignments?

Yes. Assignments are available part-time and full-time, at a workload between 20 and 100 %. The workload depends on the company’s needs and your preferences. Part-time work suits, for example, further studies, a return after a family break or a combination with your own freelance mandates.

Am I covered by social security under staff leasing?

Yes. Under staff leasing, the staffing provider is your employer and handles social security contributions. The basis is a written employment contract under Art. 19 AVG. As a freelancer, you arrange and pay your own social security; the AHV compensation office decides case by case whether you count as self-employed.

Can the client hire me permanently after the assignment?

Yes, that is possible. A move into the client’s team (temp-to-perm) is possible; the terms are agreed in advance. Raise the topic openly if you would like to stay with a company in the long term. Even without a permanent offer, a temporary assignment is a good way to gain experience in a new sector.

Next step

Alpinum Solutions is the leading provider of interim legal & compliance in Switzerland and handles 120+ assignments a year through staff leasing and freelancing; an assignment means temporary support for a company by one or more professionals. Create your profile and state your practice area, workload and availability.

• Careers: legal and compliance jobs as a project lawyer
• Compliance careers with temporary assignments in KYC, AML and regulatory
• Staff leasing from the professional’s perspective: employment, pay and social security
• For candidates: all career guides

Last updated: 11 November 2026.