T H R I V E I N T H E N E W L E G A L M A R K E T P L AC E

SOLOS AND SMALL FIRMS

• Meet and exceed client expectations• Work faster and cheaper• Deliver services the way

clients want to access them, at a cost they know and can afford• Maintain superior

competence

YOUR GOALS

• Delivering more legal services at less cost• Moving original work to

standardized and systematized work• Expand types of legal

services to rival new market competitors (legal services industry)• Staying current with IT

development

YOUR CHALLENGES

1. Web 2.0 Technology• Virtual Law Office• Document Automation and Unbundling

legal services• Productivity Tools

2. Project Management System

• Contains costs• Streamlines your work processes• Creates efficiency

3. Alternative Fee Arrangements

• Price your services fairly and accurately

YOUR TOOLS

BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL LAW OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

• No in-house software installation needed• Streamlines and automates the workflow, creates efficiency

& allows the attorney to focus on practicing law• Lowers overhead, cost-effective, no upgrades or IT

assistance,• Creates less office waste, eco-friendly• Enables access to data anywhere attorney can securely

access the internet• Prevents Malpractice through automated checks and

processes• Expanded client base, competitive advantage• Better quality of life through work/life balance and flexibility• Be prepared for your future clients: the “Digital Natives”

VIRTUAL LAW OFFICE DEFINITION AND FUNCTIONALITY

Definition

• A virtual law office is a professional law practice located online through a secure portal that is accessible to both the client and attorney anywhere the parties can access the internet.

• Other terminology: VLO, virtual lawyering, virtual law firm, web-based or web-enabled law practice, online law practice, delivering legal services online

Functionality

• Office, case & client management used as productivity tool

• Clients have access to their “case file” 24/7 in a secure online space

• Document archiving, contact management, calendaring, conflict & jurisdictional checks, billing & invoicing, online payment

• Collaboration spaces such as deal rooms or workspaces

• Automating document assembly for clients online• Uses intuitive legal

forms in combination with questionnaires• Purchased directly by

client after attorney review • Can also be purchased

in conjunction with additional legal advice

DOCUMENT AUTOMATION

• Break out tasks associated with a legal matter and provide the client with only specific portions of the work• Clearly define for online

client the nature and scope of unbundled legal services – what will and will NOT be covered• Provide comparisons and

education for the client to make an informed judgment

UNBUNDLING LEGAL

SERVICES SERVICES

WEB 2.0 PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS

• Virtual Law Practice/Case Management products• Collaboration: workspaces and deal rooms• Messaging and document sharing• Document Management• Free online legal research• Online and mobile communication and research

tools• Mindmapping• Time management

• Install a project management system• Automate repetitive processes• Source tasks to maximize efficiency • Use technology wherever possible• Outsource when appropriate

STREAMLINE FOR EFFICIENCY

LEGAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Rational, cost-effective approach for planning, controlling and executing a legal matter• Break project into steps• Assign, calendar and monitor to avoid work

reproduction, oversights or mistakes• Creates accountability & transparency for client• Track the process to create a blueprint for future

similar projects• Outdistance disorderly, inefficient competitors• Changes incentives away from billable hours and

toward profitable projects and satisfied clients

STEPS TO CREATE AN LPM SYSTEM

• Devise an easy system of communication among you, the team and the client

• Specify the scope and objectives of the project with your clients – determine their desired outcomes or acceptable alternatives

• List the specific actions that will be required or that may arise • Create a timeline and schedule to track due dates and

strategic actions. • Determine how long it will take to complete each part of the

project• Decide who will be a part of the team, and assign them

specific tasks within the project• Plan meetings, follow-up or other methods to monitor each

player’s progress

PRICING YOUR SERVICES

Benefits to Client

• Client knows costs of legal matter• Focus on providing

value• Understanding of

client’s business• Focus on efficient

solutions

Benefits to Lawyer

• Greater incentive to learn more quickly

• No pressure to bill hours• Increased client contact• Learn how to deal with

client’s problems more quickly

• Internalize the need to act efficiently and map out a matter’s process

•More client interaction• Client involvement in strategic thinking• Increased feeling of partnership•Greater trust

ATTORNEY/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

• Up-front and in-depth client consultation• Internal analysis of past experiences• Internal profitability analysis• Fee proposal to client• Further discussion about client goals• Fee Agreement executed

PRICING PROCESS

FACTS CONSIDERED IN PRICING PROCESS

• Jurisdiction• Size of matter• Client’s goals

• Projected length of case• Reputation of opposing counsel

• Likelihood of settlement

• Refined scope of work

• Lean project management•Using change

orders• Comfort with risk

FIXED FEES FOR LITIGATION

MEETING YOUR GOALS

• Meet and exceed client expectations• Work faster and

cheaper• Deliver services the

way clients want to access them, at a cost they know and can afford• Maintain superior

competence

• Deliver services online• Use document

assembly technology• Unbundle your services• Use project

management principals• Use productivity tools• Create transparency• Offer alternative pricing