My guest post for the Lawyerist, Adding a Virtual Law Office to your Practice, went up today. From the post:
Delivering legal services online is a growing method of law practice management as both attorneys and clients find ways to benefit from the use of the technology. However, a virtual law office (VLO) is not only for attorneys wanting to operate a completely web-based practice; it can integrated into a traditional, brick-and-mortar law practice, too.
Read the rest of the post.
Attorney Sergei Lemberg, who specializes in lemon law, is sitting in the guest blogger’s chair today. Lemberg is the head of Lemberg & Associates, LLC, a team of attorneys located in several states across the country who specialize in lemon law and other warranty laws.
I’ve discussed on this blog that there are different forms of virtual law practice, from a completely web-based system or VLO to using piecemeal technologies to create a virtual law practice that benefits your clients and your business. In his guest post today, Lemberg describes how he uses technology to work with clients and grow his law practice.
After I graduated from law school, I went the typical route and spent five years working for a series of major law firms. Eventually, though, I realized that I wanted to run my own shop, be my own boss, and handle my own cases. After deciding that lemon law would be my niche, I went about the process of building my practice, a process that was helped tremendously by technology and online tools.
Although I started by subleasing an office from another lawyer, my practice is largely “virtual.” I have clients from all over the country and rarely see them in person. I use VOIP for my office phone system for onsite and off-site staff, which gives the impression of everyone being under the same roof. I also take advantage of the Web-based Google Docs application for online collaboration, and share practice management software using Citrix.
But one of the most useful tools for building my practice is the Internet itself. I’m a Google AdWords advertiser, and run my AdWords ads in multiple jurisdictions to obtain a highly targeted but diverse clientele. I’ve also used that cornerstone of Web 2.0, blogging (and guest blogging!), to extend the reach of my practice. I’ve extensively optimized my website to make it more search engine friendly, and have expanded it to include genuinely useful content. As a result, I’ve seen my search engine rankings climb.
In today’s increasingly connected world, it’s easier than ever to succeed in a solo practice. By using online marketing methods and technology, office walls become much less relevant and the practice of law becomes virtually boundless.