Do y’all have any recommendations on how to open a virtual law firm? I would like to start online and move to brick and mortar when the price is right, especially given our current circumstances.

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Message me. I set one up in February and can walk you through the steps.

likeupliftingsmart

Thank you! How do I contact you? That’s a very generous offer.

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Make sure you have a receptionist service. Look for the type of tools you need for your practice. Are you doing hourly or flat rate? Do you have a quiet space where you can hold client Calls/video chats with your PCs? It's really not all that hard once you figure out the services your going to offer.

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For a basic forwarding and office hours, Google Voice with auto attendant works great. Let’s you handle texting with eDiscovery features starting at $20.99. So far it’s been good for my needs. Ruby may be a bit more comprehensive though if you’re looking for more but expect $260-500+ monthly depending on use.

Microsoft Teams is great but I feel it’s very poorly put together (basically Slack sitting on top of Sharepoint. Oof.) Try to stick with 1 ecosystem as you can. I plan to use a Google Ads so I stuck with Google’s ecosystem. It’s not as clean on the front end but it’s a lot more intuitive.

For fees look for state studies. My state bar has 2 published attorneys fees studies, very in depth. Talked to other attorneys in my area to compare. You can always discount your fees for a while if you feel competitive rates overvalue your services so your services at least reflect full value and your early clients feel good about a sizeable discount.

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The ABA has a lot of resources for doing this if you're a member.

likesmart

Love this question. Really interested in comments.

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What practice area?

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Tax Law, estate planning, business law, veterans representation and patent prosecution. I’m prior military, working full time, and getting my LL.M through NYU. I’m getting a late start on things but am trying to devise a business model that allows me to transition from security of full time job into a solo practice. Supporting a family in the process. Soooo....that’s the top priority. I’m licensed in Mississippi and am about to sit for Florida Bar too.

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I want to do this too

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If you’re brand new, I would suggest going out into the market and first working at any mid sized law firm to understand the best practices.

This will enable you to understand how things work from ground up, the infrastructure required, client handling and billing structures.

Furthermore, being employed gives you the benefit of having a fixed income to meet familial obligations and having some cash in the bank always helps when trying to step out by yourself.

Lastly, thank you for your service and all the best.

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Use a virtual office service. Just google virtual office in your area. I pay $40 per month for an address and if a client wants to meet in an office, I pay $35 per hour to rent the room. Cost of doing business. I have a secure room at home for my office and file storage. Most clients contact me via Zoom, Legaler, or over the phone. I operate off of a cell phone but my virtual office offers receptionist services and will assist in booking clients as well if I get a walk-in. Check your online presence. Make sure you have your SEO up to date. Keep an eye on your lead generation sites for proper ROI. If you have a paralegal or assistant, make sure you keep an eye on their work.

You should check out this book, “Starting & Growing a Law Practice without Breaking the Bank.”

https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Growing-Practice-Without-Breaking/dp/1099523303

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