Most Requested Services for Legal VA's?

[Clerical Advantage]

My entire client base is made up of attorneys, however none of the work I do for them is what I would consider 'paralegal' in nature. For those of you out there that are specifically legal VA's, what are the most requested paralegal services that attorney's seem to be looking for?

[Kathy Altman]

A good portion of my clients are attorneys and mediators. I draft divorce paperwork (for both mediators and attorneys), draft estate planning documents, draft litigation answers, responses, etc. I am thinking about marketing for drafting bankruptcy petitioners, as I worked for a bankruptcy trustee for many years. I do have over 26 years in the legal field with a the majority of that experience being a paralegal in many different areas of law.

Kathy Altman
Off-Site Office Solutions

[Clerical Advantage]

Kathy,
Thanks so much for your input on this. I'm trying to get a 'feel' for just what an attorney considering hiring a VA might be looking for. 'My' attorneys have me doing invoicing and follow up as well as a large amount of website, blog, social media and support for classes they teach.
In fact, the reason I'm researching this is because one of my clients has asked me to provide a 'lesson' on solo firms using virtual assistance. I'll be sure to reference your information by providing a mention of you and your business in my 'lesson'. Any other legal VA's out there that find attorneys asking for particular services?

[dawndmd]

All of my clients are also attorneys. I have 13 years experience in vast areas of the law. I draft pleadings, send them to the court, legal research, and more. I would have to say that about 90% of what I do virtually as a paralegal, I did as a paralegal in a physical law office.

[ParadiseLegal]

Do any of you prepare deposition summaries as part of your service?

[jerryvn01]

All of my clients are also attorneys. I have 13 years experience in vast areas of the law. I draft pleadings, send them to the court, legal research, and more. I would have to say that about 90% of what I do virtually as a paralegal, I did as a paralegal in a physical law office.

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

[katekindred]

For me, the most requested service from attys is bankruptcy, probably because it is all I offer! I also prepare family law cases for mediators.

[debw241]

I have a problem in that the attorneys I have worked for want me to actually work IN their offices. How do I get started COLD on being more virtual with attorneys or subcontracting?

[katekindred]

Debw241, most attorneys will want someone in their office. Being a legal virtual assistant is very much a niche offering. The key for me has been to find other attorneys that want, and are looking for, someone virtual. It is difficult to change minds, for me it's not worth it, I move on.

[debw241]

Thanks Kate... == yes I find attorney base to be hard to enter from a VA stand point. I want to expand person to person and hopefully get referrals for VA once they are familiar with my work. I am starting a new campaign soon.. but it won't really be virtual (just hoping perhaps for contacts and then to turn into VA).. I plan to walk into office and let them know about my court filing service/courier -- of course can only make available to local attorneys

[Time Balancers]

I have one attorney that wants me in his office just 2 hours every other week. Otherwise everything else is done virtually. My law firm of 5 attorneys who work in San Diego, Los Angeles, SF Bay area and Sacramento, we work totally virtually. The only thing I can't do is physical filing. All else is done in the ether.

[Masterspieces]

FWIW, when I get my business started I'll probably want to start marketing to solo practitioners because many of them don't have room for an assistant on-site. I'm already building my initial list. Because of my strong litigation background, I'm going to make a point of including that I can do/have done deposition summarization and listing discovery deficiencies as well as drafting discovery requests. There is no reason any of those functions would need to be done onsite, especially if using LogMeIn or something similar to keep the work on their servers. I may also contact some of the title companies because I have experience reviewing and curing titles.

[debw241]

Masterpieces - I think that is an excellent idea! Those are specialties WITHIN the niche and I definitely agree there is no reason cannot be done VA.

[Time Balancers]

I do some research in civil litigation actions and in probate. Much of my work is writing letters, doing pleading, proofs of service, and maintaining the calendar. Does that help?

[Time Balancers]

I so agree with that. Also, keeping track of the trial calendar and when discovery needs to be completed, annotating depositions for trial, putting together the trial binders, etc.