Is paralegal work limited?

[MTaggart]

I am a paralegal/legal assistant and have worked in law offices/commonwealth attorney's offices for the last 12 years. Now I am in the process of shifting over to VA work since I am a military wife and mother of two. I am concerned that paralegal work is too limited or not utilized enough "outside" the office. Has anyone found that to be true? Should I broaden my spectrum of services beyond the legal field to ensure success? Thanks for any input.

[virtual writing]

Hi, I'm just going to plunge in here because no one else has, but actually don't have an answer to your question. However, I'd like to know, too! Attorneys are a fairly conservative bunch, and possibly they still need the security blanket of people in the office with them. But there's a lot that can be done virtually for a law office. I'd suggest starting with some female lawyers - and be ready to show how you'll save them money ....

Anyone else pitch in here?

[Kerans VA]

Hi MTaggart,

Great question! I actually am a paralegal by profession and while I initially wanted to target lawyers exclusively, the first clients I signed on weren't lawyers. While I am located in an area that is very web-savvy due to the oil and gas industry, a lot of law practitioners here just aren't quite up to speed on the benefits of a legal VA. That being said, I wouldn't give up just yet.

The best response I have found from the legal industry was some very specific marketing. I found a website that narrowed down firms to 3 or 4 lawyers who practiced a specialization that I shared. I believe I actually sent out 7 emails targeted to those specific firms introducing them to the concept of a VA and suggesting they look at my website for further information. While I didn't net any clients out of it, I did get a response from 3 of them, which was more than I expected.

I have also responded to help wanted ads looking for paralegals or legal assistants and suggested they look at VAs and how that might be of benefit.

Lastly, the only suggestion I can also make is target younger lawyers. They tend to be more open to the VA concept and familiar enough with technology that they can immediately see the benefits. Additionally, target smaller firms as they usually are the ones with limited resources that really do need a VA.

Hope that helps!

[Kerans VA]

Another suggestion is to target rural practitioners. Due to their sometimes remote locations, many lawyers in smaller towns find it hard to hire experienced legal assistants/paralegals and for that reason alone may be more open to the VA concept.

Good luck!

[LoriLee]

Kate (or anyone else)
Have you looked at or purchased Victoria Rings VBA training? I wanted to see what your impression was and if you felt becoming "certified" as a VBA is beneficial or if lawyers have no clue as to what this is and doesn't make any difference.

I started out as a VA with offering admin services but am wanting to carve my niche as a VBA. I haven't found a lot of information and/or VA's who are VBA's and if there is a market/need for this type of VA.

Any advice and/or input you'd like to offer I would greatly appreciate.

Thanks.

[Kerans VA]

LoriLee,

To answer your question, I did look into Victoria's training some time ago and then put it aside as I wanted to further my education in a different direction. Everything I have heard about Victoria indicates positive feedback, but I can't answer your question more specifically than that. What I can do is put you in touch with another VA who has taken her course and would definitely know more. Let me know, good luck!

[MTaggart]

Thank you so much for the help. I am trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before diving in. I am so grateful to have found people that I can ask questions and bounce ideas off of!

[LoriLee]

Kate,
I would like to talk with the other VA you know that took/bought Victoria's program. One thing that disappointed me about purchasing her program was that it stated this was all you needed to become a certified VBA. On one hand this is and all info I read states you can start your "VBA Business" with only $100. As a business owner I know that there is no business that you can really start for that amount. Since I have computers, paper, and all necessary office supplies since I am currently admin services I figured I would be covered. Wrong! Apparently there is a software program you need to purchase in order to do the petitions and process the bankruptcy paperwork from your home office--the attorney's don't provide you with this and it is not an ethical thing to ask them to supply, etc. This software is anywhere from $600 to over $1500. When I looked at the certification test it said that this was a "free" download to use for the actual certification exam but from all the info I read I never saw that then this would cost then cost approx. $1,000 in order to actually do the work...ughhh.

To say the least I was very disappointed since I don't have $1,000+ just laying around nor can I justify purchasing this if attorney's are not open to utilizing a VA and/or they don't consider Victoria's trainging or certirfication as a value or even a real certification.

Sorry to have made this so long and didn't want to sound like I was venting I was just very disappointed when I found this out the other day. I am ready to make that move and market to lawyers but need and want to talk with others to confirm this additional investment is worth it.

Thanks for your help and I'll look fwd to having you hook me up with the other VA who purchased this program.

[Kerans VA]

Hi LoriLee,

I have sent you a PM, take care!

[dawndmd]

I also am a virtual paralegal. There is a definite niche here if you hop on board right away. Target your local attorneys, both solo and firms, and also target real estate companies, wireless telecommunications companies and oil and gas companies, if you have this type of experience. I started in May with my virtual paralegal business and in that short of time. I have emailed local attorneys, not all yet, and yielded a contract with one, I have a client attorney in Virginia, Michigan and Indiana all from my web site, and just today, I was contracted by a well known oil and gas company in my home town, indefinitely to do 90% of my work from home. The legal profession is a tough one to tackle as we paralegals know that attorneys are not real big on change. However, tapping into the attorneys who already have blogs and are in the younger generation tend to yield better to the idea of using a virtual paralegal. Start sending resumes and a brief letter of introduction about your virtual paralegal capabilities to local and state attorneys and make sure you add in your letter of introduction the benefits of the law firm utilizing your services on either a temporary or permanent basis. Peace, Dawn