My completely virtual law office went live about two and half years ago.
To briefly describe my practice, the technology is a web-based, software as a service (SaaS) application powered by Virtual Law Office Technology, LLC (VLOTech). I access my virtual law office anywhere I have a secure Internet connection.
My clients register online and create their own homepage where they communicate with me, upload and download documents, pay invoices online and use other features. This form of online communication with clients is more secure than using email which is
usually not encrypted. The backend of my virtual law office contains all of my client files, data and other management and administrative tools.
A typical virtual work session for me starts by logging onto my virtual office website, usually from my home office, and checking my case queue. The case queue prioritizes the new and existing client matters that I have. I have a policy of responding to online clients within 24 hours so I will first take care of any new requests for legal services or notes from existing clients.
The actual work is not very different from a traditional law office except that it is all done online through the website. For example, I might upload a client’s completed legal documents to their homepage and post a note with an invoice for them to pay me online.
Another client might pay me online and I would process the payment which releases or unlocks the purchased legal work. I might provide a new client with a price quote for requested services and define the scope of our relationship. The web-based technology allows for all these law office
functions and others to be handled online.
Aside from providing a more flexible work/life balance (I am a work-at-home mom as well), the Virtual Law Office Technology expands my client base to the entire state where I practice law. This gives me, as a solo, a chance to compete on a small level with larger chain firms, such as those that have built branch offices here in the small town where I live.
My clients are located throughout the state and I am able to work as much as a full time attorney, just during flexible hours that work best for my family at this particular time in our lives.
The public response to a completely virtual law office has been very positive. Most clients rely on online banking and handle major purchases over the Internet. Accordingly, they are confident in and ready to seek out unbundled legal services online and work with legal professionals in a secure online environment.
On the near horizon, VLOTech is working
with a group of attorneys nationwide who will be going live with their own virtual law offices. Some will be operating solo VLOs and others will be integrating the technology into an existing, traditional law office. For many solo and small firm attorneys the Virtual Law Office Technology will be a great option for tapping into the online market and creating a unique and flexible law practice.
Stephanie Kimbro is the owner of Kimbro Legal Services, LLC a completely virtual law office located at www.kimbrolaw.com and powered by VLOTech (www.vlotech.com). She provides unbundled legal services to clients across the State of North Carolina. She blogs about her practice on The Virtual Practice.
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SaaS, Stephanie Kimbro, virtual law practice
Thanks for the info and congratulations on 2 & 1/2 years of running a virtual office.
Yesterday I posted an article about using technology to run your law firm while traveling at http://www.bizlift.com/blog.
Thank you for the heads-up on VLOTech. I’ll definitely keep an eye on them as their services sounds perfect for some of my clients.
Fabulous post, Sterling! Thanks for the link. I’m going to plug this in its own post tomorrow so everyone will see it. Thanks for stopping by — and congrats to Rebecca for her solo launch! We’re big on solos here, you might have noticed.