I tried to look through this forum to get this information, however, I can't really seem to find a post that illustrates what a VA for attorneys would mostly be doing. Working with attorneys is a niche I am considering, but that being said, I don't really have the best idea of what that would entail. Can anyone help shed some light on this?

Since I also want to work for Attorneys and I have been asking around. I was advised, to visit Attorney blogs and start conversation with them.
Another piece of advise I received was to Google "How to build a trial notebook" I guess this could be a niche in itself.

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Mak's VA Services
Magdaline Makris

It depends on if you have legal experience or not. I would check the paralegal section or legal secretary descriptions on the web. I also want to work with attorneys and would be offering admin work which would include marketing(website, social media, community envolvement), document preparation, answering emails, scheduling, responding or checking voicemails. Also if you have bookkeeping skills you could offer that as well. You can offer back office assistance that has nothing to do with law but all to do with the business side ( running it and upkeep).

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Alisa A. Beatty ~Assistance You Can Count On~ www.virtual-jane.com

Originally Posted by righthandwoman

I tried to look through this forum to get this information, however, I can't really seem to find a post that illustrates what a VA for attorneys would mostly be doing. Working with attorneys is a niche I am considering, but that being said, I don't really have the best idea of what that would entail. Can anyone help shed some light on this?

I think it depends on the attorney. I've been a litigation legal secretary for 11 years so I've helped my attorneys with court documents like pleadings, motions, discovery, etc, and put them together for filing and then mailed (served) it on the other parties. There are of course non litigation attorneys like real estate, tax attorneys, etc, where you wouldn't do that and would in the alternative probably draw up contracts and similar documents.

Working for litigation attorneys though, it's important to understand the rules of the state you live in and how to file papers. You wouldn't have that issue with non-litigation attorneys.

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Paulette R.
Romero Communications

Originally Posted by righthandwoman

I tried to look through this forum to get this information, however, I can't really seem to find a post that illustrates what a VA for attorneys would mostly be doing. Working with attorneys is a niche I am considering, but that being said, I don't really have the best idea of what that would entail. Can anyone help shed some light on this?

I do everything at home working for two attorneys that a secretary would do in the office... draft pleadings, draft correspondence, send emails, client contact, phone calls, E-file documents and the list goes on and on...

I've been working in the legal field as a legal assistant for over 25 years... the last 9 have been "virtual".... it can be very demanding because the law isn't from 9-5 so to speak LOL

There are rules in different states that have to be complied with (i.e. filing of documents, etc.) for all of the different areas of law a lawyer would practice (criminal, litigation, real estate, med-mal, etc.)

As Paulette and Alisa point out, it really depends on the attorney and your experience. Even though I have paralegal experience, the services I provide to my attorney clients are not paralegal in nature but rather online technology based. Some attorneys prefer to have a paralegal/legal assistant who can also help with the technology aspect, others are more than happy to separate them in order to get an expert in both.

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~T.Marie Hilton- Clerical Advantage
author of the No Bull$#*% Guide to Virtual Assistants for Businesses

I provide bookkeeping services to some attorneys. This means knowing their software (many attorneys use legal-specific bookkeeping software such as Tussman) and knowing the rules/regs for retainer accounts, etc. Yes, it IS challenging, but I find the work interesting.

I have too begun looking into the niche or should I say expanding on it. I am putting together a blog section specific to working with attorneys and I would like to have any assistance in putting great tips and information on this niche. I am testing out my marketing to them over the next two weeks.

Lily, thanks for the tip on the software!

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Patricia Loehn : Owner / VA
American Virtual Associates

I agree with ChiVa and Paulette. To be a really good virtual legal assistant you do need prior legal secretarial experience and preferably at partner level or have legal word processing experience. Lawyers are very picky people and can be difficult to work with. Having billing experience is great as this is generally done once a month and causes mayhem in the office as tight deadlines loom.

I have been working virtually for an attorney for about 4 years and prior to that in the law firm for about 14 years. I am looking to expand and find more attorneys to work for. I love the work and am looking into getting my paralegal certification to help me further expand my skills. I currently do his digital dictation which includes correspondence, pleadings, internet research, emailing clients and entering his billable time into Quickbooks and mailing out statements to clients. I love the work and find it very interesting indeed. Best of luck to you!