How to Create a Virtual Law Practice

The Virtual Law Firm: How to Build Your

Practice in an Online World

The Center for The Center for Law Practice TechnologyLaw Practice Technology

Faculty

Marc Lauritsen, President, Capstone Practice Systems, Co-Chair, eLawyering Task Force, LPM/ABA. Moderator

Stephanie L. Kimbro, JD, Kimbro Legal Services, Wilmington, NC., Founder, Virtual Law Office Technology.

Richard S. Granat, Partner, Granat Legal, Washington, D.C., Co-Chair, eLawyering Task Force, LPM/ABA, CEO, DirectLaw, Inc.

William Hornsby, Counsel, ABA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services22

http://www.capstonepractice.com/

http://www.elawyering.org/

http://www.kimbrolaw.com/

http://www.vlotech.com/

http://www.dcdivorceonline.com/

http://www.directlaw.com/

I. Introduction: The Basics

What is a “virtual law firm”?What is “eLawyering”?What a “virtual law firm” isn’tExamples of On-Line Legal Services.What is driving the interest in this

concept?

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What is a Virtual Law Office?

a “virtual law firm” is characterized by access by the firm’s clients to a password protected and secure web space where both the attorney and client may interact and legal services consumed by the client.

More specifically it can be defined as having a secure client portal that is accessible from the law firm’s web site.

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What a “virtual law firm” is not!

A law firm without a physical office, sometimes called a “virtual law firm.”

A law firm that uses web-based back-office practice management tools and applications is not a “virtual law firm.”

By our definition, virtual lawyering and elawyering are one and the same and they always involve the actual delivery of legal services over the Web.

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What is eLawyering? Marc Lauritsen, co-chair of the eLawyering Task Force of the Law

Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association has succinctly defined eLawyering as:

“[E- Lawyering is] all the ways in which lawyers can do their work using the Web and associated technologies. These include new ways to communicate and collaborate with clients, prospective clients and other lawyers, produce documents, settle disputes and manage legal knowledge. Think of a lawyering verb—interview, investigate, counsel, draft, advocate, analyze, negotiate, manage and so forth—and there are corresponding electronic tools and techniques.”

eLawyering or virtual lawyering requires that a client be able to log in to a secure web space with a user name and password where they can access the firm’s legal services. 66

On-Line Legal ServicesOn-Line Legal Services

A “virtual law firm” enables clients to:A “virtual law firm” enables clients to:Assemble legal documents over the web;Assemble legal documents over the web;Purchase legal advice online by telephone or Purchase legal advice online by telephone or

email;email;Store their legal documents online;Store their legal documents online;Collaborate with their attorneys online through Collaborate with their attorneys online through

threaded discussions which are archived.threaded discussions which are archived.Access legal information, web advisors, and Access legal information, web advisors, and

intelligent calculators.intelligent calculators.

Benefits of a Virtual Law Firm

Capture new clients who are part of the “latent market for legal services” who don’t use lawyers;

Deliver “limited legal services” on-line.Capture web-savvy clients who are

members of the “connected generation” who expect to relate to their lawyers “on-line.”

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More Benefits

Increase law firm productivity and profitability.

Enhance to client experience. Reduce telephone-tag.Enable a more integrated lawyer/client

relationship.

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II. On-Line Legal Services: Examples

Solos and Small Law FirmsLarge Law FirmsCorporate Law

DepartmentsThe Non-Profit Sector

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On-Line Legal Service Applications

Web-enabled document automationWeb Advisors – e..g. Chapter 13

Calculator.Legal Advice On-LineLegal Document ReviewCourt Coaching for Pro Se ClientsCollaboration and CommunicationSearchable and linkable legal library for

clients. 1111

Example of a Client Portal


https://www.clientspace.org/members.asp?firm=C21C8051

https://www.clientspace.org/logout.asp?firm=C21C8051

https://www.clientspace.org/support.asp?firm=C21C8051

https://www.clientspace.org/members.asp?firm=C21C8051&laction=0








https://www.clientspace.org/file.asp?m=1&id=11



https://www.clientspace.org/members.asp?firm=C21C8051

https://www.clientspace.org/logout.asp?firm=C21C8051

https://www.clientspace.org/support.asp?firm=C21C8051












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Complete?Complete?Next questionNext questionNext questionNext questionNext questionNext question

Documents that Assemble Themselves Ready for Lawyer Review

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do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Last Will & Testament








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culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.




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You don't just ‘fill out’ an automated document – you create it.

The answers you enter create a custom legal document, built from a library of state-specific and relevant legal text, that is tailored to client’s specific facts.

Start Finish

Practice Management Applications

Case CalendarConflicts of Interest CheckingJurisdiction check to avoid UPLDocument ArchivingBilling and Invoices ManagementOn-Line Bill Payment by Credit CardContact Management

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III. Ethical Issues Client Development Issues

Multi-state compliance Pitfalls – trade names, stock art, filing/screening obligations

Creating the lawyer-client relationship Duties to prospective clients Click-wrap as a manifestation of consent

UPL Conflicts Competent representation – verifying the client’s identity Limited scope of representation Confidentiality Payment for services

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IV. Practicalities

How do you make it happen?How much does it cost?Cloud Computing and SaaSNeeds Analysis.

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Costs of a Virtual Law Office

Front End Web Site- Hosting and DesignClient Portal

Vendor pricing ranges from $49.00 to $299.00 a month depending on complexity.

Web-Based Practice Management Solutions.Approximately $49.00 per attorney per month.

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Typical Virtual Law Firm SaaS Offering- What to look for?

No Up-Front Capital Investment or small set-up fee.

No software or Hardware to InstallEast to ImplementEthically CompliantTotally SecureSubscription-basedPlugs Into Your Existing Web Site.

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Vendor Selection

Do It Your Self- meaning programming a virtual law office is cost prohibitive.

The Software as a Service Solution (SaaS) – Benefits.

What to look for in a SaaS Vendor generally.

Needs Analysis.

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V. Marketing Legal Services Online

New Market OpportunitiesDefining a NicheClient-centric web siteHow to make your web site findable!!Role of Social Media in Brand BuildingBuilding an On-Line Brand

2020

Latent Market for Legal Services

50% of middle income households in the US have at least one legal problem per year

Only 20% seek legal assistance from attorneys.

26% do nothing at all.

Increasing percentage of consumers seek alternatives to lawyers such as self-help.E.g., Nolo and LegalZoom

Potentially huge market waiting to be tapped in the US for personal consumer legal services.

How do you reach web-savvy How do you reach web-savvy clients?clients?

You have to learn how to deliver legal services over the You have to learn how to deliver legal services over the Internet and create an “online” brand.Internet and create an “online” brand.

Requires an interactive web site which support the Requires an interactive web site which support the “virtual practice of law.”“virtual practice of law.”

More than a passive web site.More than a passive web site. The web site as the “front-door” of your law practice.The web site as the “front-door” of your law practice. The web site as a way for your firm to create an “online The web site as a way for your firm to create an “online

brand.”brand.” If you are not getting clients off the Internet, you are If you are not getting clients off the Internet, you are

missing part of the market in your territory. missing part of the market in your territory.

• Differentiation• Remarkable• Client experience

BUILDING A

STRONG BRANDONLINE