“Virtual Paralegal" a Work Option, But Needs More Media Exposure

As a former attorney, I can attest that a virtual paralegal would have made my job much easier, particularly on weekends, when many paralegals, understandably, were reluctant to make the trek into the firm. Virtual paralegals have been around for several years, but the option struggles with a lack of media exposure. A recent article at Law.com -- “Virtual Paralegals Manage Cases at a Distance” -- was a pleasant surprise.

Laurie Mapp, a Canadian virtual paralegal quoted in the article, says her workflow includes pleadings and motions, doing research, proofing briefs, and similar assignments. Paywise, according to the article, “virtual paralegals generally charge [US]$15 to $20 an hour for basic data input, and more complex matters start in the neighborhood of $30 an hour.”

The legal profession is not known for workforce innovation (an understatement), but small firms and solo practitioners -- being more entrepreneurial than the larger firms -- are probably the best bet for virtual support.

For more, see the article at http://tinyurl.com/5wshd7. For an in-depth look at virtual work arrangements in the legal profession, see US attorney Grant Griffiths’ “Home Office Warrior” blog and the links there, at http://gdgrifflaw.typepad.com/home_office_lawyer/. (Griffiths, whom we interviewed in the Rat Race Rebellion Telework Bulletin in our Sept. 27, 2007, issue, himself uses a virtual paralegal.)

Comments

[Laurie/HaloSecretarial]

Thanks for the mention! I definitely think that if lawyers could just realize the benefits a virtual paralegal can provide - and they are many - virtual legal assistance would start to become a much more commonly used form of assistance. Take care!

[April Jones]

Of all of the various professions I've connected with online, lawyers seem to be the most reluctant to trust the virtual assistant industry. So I definitely agree that it's an "understatement" to say that law firms are not known for innovation in the workplace.

Of the attorneys I have spoken to, its definitely the solos that are more open to it, particularly new attorneys. Maybe its because, as a solo, their space and finances are limited or maybe its because they're younger and have grown up with computers so they're more comfortable with it. Who knows.

Thanks for bringing attention to the virtual paralegal industry.

April Jones
Advantage Virtual Assistant
Founder, NAVLA
www.navla.org