Yesterday Martindale Hubbell’s Connected kicked off an event centered around virtual law firms with a two-hour Twitter conversation hosted by Larry Bodine. You can read through all of the tweets by running a search for #MHVT on your Twitter account. There was a lot of great discussion about how to define a VLO, what they are used for — for the benefit of the attorneys or the clients or both, what types of online work generate the most revenue on a VLO, what some security concerns are with delivering legal services online, and how to market a VLO. Below are my contributions to the discussion.
Some forms of online marketing take more time and consistency than money. Create a VLO brand, an online personality w/useful content. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
Traditional marketing not so useful b/c online clients are searching online for legal services, not yellow pages. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
Avoiding UPL is key to marketing a VLO. Check w/state bar rules for website design/URL registration, etc. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
Online marketing, having an eduational blog/website w/resources are great for a VLO. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
@eilerslawgroup Than again, the online clients tend to come seeking out a VLO in the first place & are already online. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to eilerslawgroup
When using piecemeal apps to take portions of firm virtual, must understand security risks w/confidential law office data #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
@jeffrey_brandt On my VLO, for ex., each online client has their own secure homepage w/case files, & many diff features to communicate #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to jeffrey_brandt
@JamesDunningGeo Depends on the tech-savvy of the client and the attorney and the legal matter. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JamesDunningGeo
@JamesDunningGeo There are so many different ways to meet with a client online without being in the same room. #MHVT about 21 hours ago via TweetDeck
@JamesDunningGeo Agreed. Not every legal matter may be unbundled and handled online. To avoid malpractice, must understand range. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JamesDunningGeo
@LawBill I was not aware that BigLaw delivered legal services online to clients regularly. I believe will increase at client request #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LawBill
@LawBill Not talking about a regular firm website. Talking about secure client portal & online backend law office for the attorney. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@JamesDunningGeo They will go online regardless. Legal profession needs to step up to the plate to help them do it safely & securely #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JamesDunningGeo
@JamesDunningGeo Again, consumers bank, shop, handle business online. They expect legal professionals to provide same. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to JamesDunningGeo
@ValoremLamb It means meeting a need that the public has for secure online legal services & providing a safe alternative #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to ValoremLamb
Some good examples of successful VLOs: http://bit.ly/cTTe5G http://bit.ly/OuRhc http://bit.ly/hspx7 http://bit.ly/b70His #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
Some good examples of successful VLOs: http://bit.ly/cTTe5G http://bit.ly/OuRhc http://bit.ly/hspx7 http://bit.ly/b70His about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@LarryBodine I was the 2009 recipient of the Keane Award at Techshow for my VLO. Going on year 4! #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
Development of virtual law practice is consumer driven. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
Many state bars also have advisory opinions on VLOs or unbundling of legal services which is what a VLO does for online clients. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@LawBill Yes. The ABA supports the unbundling of legal services and the deliver of legal services using technology. http://bit.ly/w75Ox about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LawBill
Draft Minimum Requirements for Delivering Legal Services Online from ABA Elawyering Task Force http://bit.ly/a87Uug #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
ABA Elawyering Task Force has resources for delivering legal services online: http://bit.ly/ccW5U4 #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
Solos and small firm attorneys w/VLOs providing online estate planning, business law, family law, IP, to name a few practice areas. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@eilerslawgroup A-ha. That stat explains my 30-60 year old online client base. Interesting. #mhvt about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to eilerslawgroup
@mhtweets I am in a small town and have online clients from larger metro areas in my state as well as from remote locations. #mhvt about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to mhtweets
@LawBill Not true at all. My online client base is not 20 somethings. It is 30-60 year olds seeking online legal services. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@jeffrey_brandt @LawBill The Tech facilitates the collaboration and sharing. Some clients & attys even share more comfortably online. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to jeffrey_brandt
@jeffrey_brandt @kevinchern As Facebook generation grows, the culture of firms will too & both legal pros & clients will expect VLOs. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to jeffrey_brandt
Corporate clients also using their online access to their case files for status updates, doc review, management legal fees, etc. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@jeffrey_brandt But the process and culture are different depending on what the technology allows. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to jeffrey_brandt
A completely web-based VLO operates on Software as a Service (SaaS) and is in the cloud. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@samglover The tech streamlines a lot of those administrative processes to make it easy for the VA or yourself to make those decisions. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to samglover
@samglover The same permissions-based tech and monitoring of legal assistants takes place on a VLO. Confidentiality agreements too. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to samglover
Had online clients tell me this. RT @eilerslawgroup: @LawBill How many Joe Sixpacks won’t go to a Big Firm because they hate lawyers? #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
And how many in gen. public realize this? RT @LawBill: @ktbattlelaw LegalZoom is NOT a lawfirm. It is a document generating business. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
VLOs are a safer alternative to the public going to Legalzoom, etc. w/o atty review of docs, or cutting & pasting from google. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
VLOs are a safer alternative to the public going to Legalzoom, etc. w/o atty review of docs, or cutting & pasting from google. #mhv about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
Consider a VLO as an ADDITION to the existing firm structure. Amenity for existing clients, ability to obtain new online clients. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
RT @eilerslawgroup: Same application of ethics & UPL issues that exist in bricknmortar. Not some magical place void of rules. #MHVT. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck
@Peter_Blair Public is seeking online legal services for benefits. They are more than aware of cost savings, convenience, security, etc. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to Peter_Blair
@dougisenberg Talking about actual “consumers” – our clients – wanting to obtain legal services online. Large #s of these. #MHVT about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to dougisenberg
@LawBill #MHVT I’ve run a successful VLO for the past 4 years. Lots of online clients. See billions of $ LegalZoom & others pulling in. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LawBill
@LawBill Similar to a Biglaw firm with multiple branches in different states. Not that different structurally. about 22 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LawBill
RT @eilerslawgroup: Remember VLO are online services are not separate from “real life”. Clients & their attys are real people. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Virtual law practice is delivery of legal services over internet from start of atty/client relationship to payment for legal services #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Many clients need legal services delivered securely online (access to affordable justice) in addition to their attorneys being online.#MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@Peter_Blair Agreed. It’s a flexible definition but clients & attorneys should benefit from using the tech for convenience, security. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@lancegodard I wouldn’t say it is “better”. It provides a different and needed service to deliver unbundled legal services online.#MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@lexisnexis No specific technology is necessary, but SECURITY in delivering legal services online is the critical factor. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@LawBill The state bar where the attorney(s) operating the VLO is licensed to practice law. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@relawrant It is not that different from a traditional law office in terms of structuring, just located online. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Consumers shop, bank, conduct business, and pay their credit cards and taxes online. Why not obtain legal services? #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@relawrant It is not that different from a traditional law office in terms of structuring, just located online. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to relawrant
RT @ShatterboxVox: The issue for client is not VLF vs. trad firm, it is how do I get the results looking for w/ the resources I have. #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@LawBill The state bar where the attorney(s) operating the VLO is licensed to practice law. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LawBill
@lexisnexis No specific technology is necessary, but SECURITY in delivering legal services online is the critical factor. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LexisNexis
@lancegodard I wouldn’t say it is “better”. It provides a different and needed service to deliver unbundled legal services online. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to lancegodard
@Peter_Blair Agreed. It’s a flexible definition, but the clients and attorneys should benefit from using the tech for convenience, security. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to Peter_Blair
Many clients need legal services delivered securely online (access to affordable justice) in addition to their attorneys being online. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
RT @bradleybclark: A network of VLOs is the key to success. #MHVT Agreed! Referrals to VLOs in other jurisdictions useful to avoiding UPL. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
@LarryBodine What about the difference b/w serving clients online vs collaborating with other attorneys online to form a “virtual” firm. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to LarryBodine
Virtual law practice is delivery of legal services over the internet from start of atty/client relationship to payment for legal services about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Virtual law offices minimize the need for office supplies and streamline the administrative processes of running a law practice. about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Virtual law firms allow smaller firms and solos to compete with larger firms by providing unbundled legal services #MHVT about 23 hours ago via TweetDeck
Excellent! Thank you.