Working for a Virtual Family Law Firm: Pros, Cons & Tips

A virtual law firm is an attractive option for new lawyers and seasoned lawyers who want a better work-life balance.

Virtual law has existed in some form for decades, but in the past, lawyers were limited to phone consultations and other simple procedures. With advancements in technology, now it's possible to handle most, if not all, parts of your work remotely.

The keys to building a successful law firm are similar for physical and virtual firms. If you're planning to join a virtual firm, consider the following.

Pros and cons of working for a virtual family law firm

Pro: You can work from anywhere

A virtual legal office affords you the flexibility of working remotely. Though you can only handle cases within jurisdictions where you're licensed to practice, you won't have to be in the office to get things done. You may be able to work from a vacation rental or a cafe (but beware shared Wi-Fi networks and discussing confidential information in public). Depending on your firm's rules, you could even work from abroad for a while.

Con: You could have trouble building a strong network

Building rapport with other legal professionals is a central part of success in family law. Missing out on daily in-person interaction with partners and peers at your firm can hurt your career's progress, so you'll need to put extra effort into relationship building.

If you work far from where you practice, you'll also miss most opportunities to mingle (e.g., conferences). Take advantage of online events, and make the trip for key ones.

Pro: It may be easier to get clients

You may attract tech-savvy clients, especially relatively young ones who are used to doing everything online. And you'll appeal to clients who can't travel to an office because of work schedules, disability, etc. You'll also be able to take cases from outside your city or metro area, as long as your hearings will be virtual or you don't mind traveling for them.

Con: It may be harder to get clients

If you want to focus on older or high-asset clients, going 100% virtual may not be the path for you. Some clients may want a swanky office to meet their lawyers in. Others may not want to divulge case information over the internet or may just feel uncomfortable navigating technology like a virtual meeting room.

Also, consider that businesses without physical locations don't get foot traffic and aren't on Google Maps, which many potential clients use to find lawyers.

Pro: You'll likely have a more flexible schedule

Working from home (or a cafe or coworking space, etc.) tends to be more flexible than working from an office. You won't have a commute eating into your time, and, hopefully, you'll be able to step away for a few moments to turn the laundry over. But tracking your billable hours will remain as important as ever.

Many virtual law firms are also more lenient about when you start and end your workday. Since you won't be showing up to an office, it won't be nearly as uncomfortable to start at 6 a.m., when it may still be dark out, or at 10 a.m., when your colleagues may have been working for hours already.

Con: Technology can be a challenge

Unstable internet connections and server crashes can halt your business for a day or more. This can be incredibly stressful if you're about to log onto a client meeting or, even worse, a hearing.

Prepare by backing up all your important files and having multiple ways to connect to the internet (e.g. a Wi-Fi router and a mobile hotspot). If the internet service in your area is particularly bad, you can even sign up with multiple providers.

Pro: If you're starting your own firm, there will be fewer operating costs

Rent and utilities contribute to the high cost of running a physical law firm. You'll save on these, plus you may be able to go without a receptionist. You can allocate your savings to other areas, like branding your law firm.

Fewer expenses also means you could also set your fees lower, especially at the start, to entice potential clients.

Con: If you're starting your own firm, you'll need extra security measures

With your clients' data and other sensitive information stored online, you'll be vulnerable to hacking. Look into solutions like a virtual private network (VPN), a password manager and an intrusion detection system. These can be expensive but important.

Becoming a virtual family lawyer

If you're thinking of becoming a virtual lawyer, consider the following.

Office space

You'll need a reliable internet connection to handle your workload. Your firm will probably supply you with a computer, and they may provide other equipment, such as a video conferencing light or an ergonomic mouse.

You'll also need a quiet space. Think about how you can cut down on distracting sounds, like ones caused by pets and traffic. External microphones can help, as can heavy curtains.

When working outside of your home, be wary of public Wi-Fi networks; you could unintentionally expose sensitive client and firm information. Using a Wi-Fi hotspot or a VPN could help protect your data when working in a public space.

Technology

Virtual family lawyers don't need to be tech savants but should know how to use:

• Case management systems, like Clio
• Document management systems, like Dropbox
• Internal communication tools, like Slack
• Legal research databases, like Westlaw
• Family law software tools, like Custody X Change

The exact software you'll use depends on what your firm chooses.

Virtual court processes

If your courts don't use electronic filing systems and virtual courtrooms, the amount of work you'll be able to do online will be limited. Be prepared to drive to the court regularly if that's what your position requires.

If your courts do use online processes, you'll need to know these well. Be comfortable with their video conferencing software and prepare your clients to use it.

Some processes, like depositions, may need to happen in person. The opposing counsel may let you interview witnesses at their office. If not, find private rooms in coworking spaces or conference room rentals in your area.

Tips for working for a virtual family law firm

• Virtual law positions can be hard to get, so prepare for these law firm interviews especially thoroughly.
• Get a dedicated phone line so you can differentiate work from personal calls. You can have a separate phone, one phone that houses multiple SIM cards or a VoIP line (e.g., Google Voice).
• Consider getting a P.O. box so you don't have to put your home address on business cards and can easily collect documents sent to you.
• Focus on how to stay organized, and don't assume old methods will work in a virtual environment

Managing child custody clients virtually

Child custody cases can get complicated. There are so many moving parts, from parenting time schedules to proving who's the child's primary caretaker.

Custody X Change helps you manage all of your custody clients virtually.

• Create parenting plan proposals tailored to individual clients.
• See how much parenting time your client actually gets.
• Read messages exchanged between your client and their co-parent.
• And much more

With Custody X Change, managing child custody cases virtually has never been easier.