What is virtual law practice?
A virtual law office is a professional law practice that is located online through a secure portal and is accessible to both the client and the attorney anywhere the parties may access the Internet.
Other terminology: elawyering, virtual lawyering, VLO, virtual law firm, web-based or web-enabled law practice, online law practice, delivering legal services online.
What virtual law practice is not
Virtual law practice is not : Online legal services without attorney
review, such as LegalZoom a law firm website with an email
“contact us” form communication by email a rented physical office that may be
shared with other professionals along with a receptionist service
How Attorneys Use Virtual Law Offices
Completely Web-based Unbundled or limited legal services
Integrated into a traditional law office Unbundled and full-service
As a transition method to allow them to continue to practice law while meeting other personal and professional needs: To raise families To care for ill spouses or aging parents To ease into retirement After layoffs, to start a solo practice or work while
searching for another legal job
Web-based
Traditional Firm w/Virtual Law Office
Unbundled Legal Services
Multijurisdictional Virtual Law Firm
Why is Virtual Law Practice Important?
For the Public Greater access to justice Court systems and non-profit legal aid organizations already rely on
cloud computing methods to deliver legal services online Affordable and accessible legal services for lower and moderate
income individuals Pro-se litigants Pro bono opportunities
For the Legal Profession Tech streamlines and automates the workflow allowing the attorney to
focus on practicing law Prevent malpractice through automated checks and processes Lower overhead, less office waste, eco-friendly Expanded client base, competitive advantage Better quality of life through work/life balance and flexibility
Cloud Computing
SaaS is one form of cloud computing. Practicing law “in the cloud.” Most traditional firms already use some form of SaaS
Lexis/Westlaw research, email, search engines, Google apps, Skype, etc.
The technology used to create and maintain the virtual law practice is handled through a secure, third-party hosted system.
Ethics Issues
UPL Authentication of client identity Data return and retention policies Backups Server locations and geo-redundancy Third-party hosting Response time/customer service Confidentiality of law office data▪ Who has access?▪ Government and civil search and seizure actions▪ Breach of confidentiality – unlimited liability for data
breaches? Transferring Data/Compatibility Issues
Why Cloud Computing?
The only effective way to distribute this technology to the legal profession and for attorneys to employ these methods in their practices is through the use of the Internet
Cloud computing allows the cost of developing these apps to be spread out over a wide number of users.
Future Delivery of Legal Services Online
The growth of online legal services is largely consumer-driven.
Trends in outsourcing and the globalization of law firms will also influence this.
The legal profession should step up to meet this need or the public will continue to use methods that are not safe or in their best interest to acquire online legal services.
In order to stay competitive and to address the
needs of clients, most firms will need some form of virtual component in the next five to ten years.