How to present my business to attorneys?

[joywilder]

I haven't had a client yet - so this question is preparing me for possible questions from lawyers.

How do you handle paperwork from attorneys? The actual paperwork?

If the lawyer doesn't have everything scanned into the computer, how do you get the paperwork? Do you go to the office? Is it mailed?

Has the lawyer ever asked how your office is set up? For privacy concerns? Have they asked about your computer?

In other words...how do you set up your legal VA practice at home?

[Office Goddess]

The attorneys that I have worked with (many who are NOT especially computer literate) have ALL had secretaries that WERE computer literate! Usually, you can get the secretary to scan/email you the docs. Otherwise, a good fax service is a must (although they COULD mail them, I convince them that it is too time consuming when a fax machine is quicker and more secure).

My office is set up the same for bookkeeping as it is for legal transcription, etc. I have password protection on my computer, my 'confidential files' are also protected through a free program called TrueCrypt (free open-source software), which encrypts a separate drive on my computer and all of the files therein, and I keep my files on a removable hard-drive and back it up weekly (keeping the backup in the bank's safety deposit box). I also have locking file cabinets for papers and a good diamond-cut shredder.

No-one has ever asked me about my security measures; this is for my OWN peace of mind and protection.

[katekindred]

Hi Joy, Most lawyers in this modern age will be able to scan/email files to you. I have a secure email link from Ciphersend.com that I use to send files back and forth. All files I store are encrypted and saved to a secure online folder through my web host. Different lawyers have various preferences, but to me picking up a file either hard copy or disc from a law firm and transporting it is riskier than transferring the file electronically (what if my bag was stolen and it fell into the wrong hands, etc.)

[doddy939]

Thanks for the input ladies, as always on this site valuable information gained.

[Action Jackson VA]

How do you handle paperwork from attorneys? The actual paperwork?

Like most have said, I usually receive paperwork via fax, very rarely by mail. Local clients, I just go get the paperwork and then drop it off.

If the lawyer doesn't have everything scanned into the computer, how do you get the paperwork? Do you go to the office? Is it mailed? Fax or go get it.

Has the lawyer ever asked how your office is set up?

I was just asked this the other day by a potential client. She wanted to know, what kind of equipment I had, if I had a window in my office (LOL) and if I had a lock on my home office as well as security alarm for my home.

Yes, Yes and Yes. The setup part was a little difficult to describe so I emailed her some photos lol.

We will see if she calls back...

For privacy concerns? Have they asked about your computer?

Yes, and you do need to have some sort of security on your computer. Like Lily, I have my computer password protected and I backup everyday.

In other words...how do you set up your legal VA practice at home?

You want to have an office that you can close the doors to. You want all of the equipment needed to work with your niche market.
You want to have the ability to be in the office at the times you quote to your clients.
A little sunshine from a great window always helps

[joywilder]

Thank you very much for all of the responses. I am trying to prepare myself for that first call

[vballiances]

This is great information as I would like to include attorneys in my target market. Thanks!

[Wordpro Wizard]

In my experience over many years I've found that attorneys in Ontario (or lawyers as they're called here in Canada) are a totally closed shop, living back in the dark ages when they had to have Miss Secretary sitting right there under their noses and are not open to the VA concept.

The few that are (and I have worked with a few) are in such a terrible mess that has grown to enormous proportions that it would take a shut down of at least a month and a bomb hit to ever begin to get them running professionally and successfully.

From what I read attorneys in the USA and other countries are far more open to the concept.

Lynne

[joywilder]

Lynne,
The attorneys I used to work for are just as you described! Maybe I should send them some Ontario tourist information? I'm just sayin...

[Wordpro Wizard]

Joy Lol. I'm sure they just have no idea how we can help them. I found an article today on a law Association website which may help us bring them up to date (it won't load here - if you'd like it I can send it to you).

I guess what I had in mind when I originally posted was a sole practitioner I worked for as a VA some years ago in Toronto doing his Wills and reports. He had a large space, 2 offices, sec space and a huge store room. His office was something you had to pole vault around, the second office you couldn't open the door more than 6" to get in for files and boxes thrown in 2' and 3' deep.

The storage area was full of boxes, files on the floor, 2' or 3' deep along with a number of old photocopiers, fax machines and undeterminable large obselete objects.

He'd been going under for years, not from lack of knowedge or disinterest ... he was a brilliant and published man ... but from insurmountable chaos (the likes of which I'd not seen in 30 years) but he couldn't get into letting me "slash & burn" to make it all right.

I tried and tried and tried, but bottom line, you can't help someone who can't see the wood for the trees.

Lynne

[katekindred]

Ugh, I shudder on behalf of this lawyers clients. Info that is likely to be confidential all over the floor?? I experienced the same thing when I worked for a major credit bureau back in the 1980s: the storage room was knee deep in credit files. How that could ever be seen as acceptable I never understood.

[jgh1105]

What great information. I'm really glad that I saw this posting. I have been trying to figure out some of these questions as well.

[ABBusinessSolutions]

My first and only current client right now is a law firm. This was actually the place that I was working at before I went full-time with my VA business. It is kinda hard to work with them. Like it has been said before, they would do better in Canada. They are so old school and can't grasp the whole "VA" thing. They have at least 5 warehouses full of boxes of confidential information and that is not counting the office space. It is taking a while for them not to see me as an employee, but rather a company doing business with them. They have a courier who delivers everything to me and they don't want anything emailed and sometimes they don't want anything faxed for security reasons. Basically, I find myself still feeling like an employee. It gets frustrating at times.

[e-IndyOffice]

WordPro, I recently worked for an attorney with a hugh mess also. He hadn't billed a client in 18 months. His so-called bookkeeper wasn't keeping up with inputting his time slips either. In addition, his job was in a mess since the office had been moved to another location and there were stacks of boxes everywhere. He wasn't open to the idea of a "virtual assistant" either so I went to his office several days a week. It was a interesting experience and I learned a lot but was glad when it was over!!

Janet
ebusinessonelinsupport

[Denyse Giguere]

Just wanted to offer my two cents. I'm still currently working at my full time job as a real estate paralegal, but have been marketing my business towards other law firms in and around Calgary. Luckily, thanks to my husband, I met with a lawyer recently who just opened up her own practice and is quite interested in a virtual assistant (lucky for me!). This has also led to another possible client, who I meet tonight (another lawyer in Calgary). It is amazing what marketing can do.

The way I have presented myself to them is by my business brochure and an outline of my experience as a legal assistant. It has seemed to work so far!