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Month: October 2020

Lawyers Rarely Miss A Beat With Virtual Office Support

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As COVID-19 quickly spread across the U.S. earlier this year, lawyers in large and small firms began embarking on an unprecedented shift: remote work from anywhere through virtual offices. According to a recent Bloomberg Law survey, 84% of firms polled said at least three-quarters of their attorneys have been working remotely since March.

But for Amata Law Office Suites, made of a community of more than 700 attorneys in the Chicagoland area, the concept of virtual officing is nothing new. Now with seven Loop locations, virtual services for lawyers, including phone systems, live receptionists and legal support, have been Amata’s foundation since 2012.

David Kirsh, who has specialized in family law for roughly 40 years and whose work has been repeatedly recognized by his peers, joined the Amata community in September after leaving his former firm, Berger Schatz. A solo lawyer establishing a new client base, sometimes through Amata’s community of lawyers, he recognized that attorneys meet clients more infrequently in person.

“I didn’t see a need for a traditional office,” Kirsh said. After researching, he determined that Amata’s virtual office options, which provide him with a mailing address and conference room when needed, were a perfect fit. Plus, he already knew several Amata lawyers.

Working in this way creates more flexibility in Kirsh’s schedule, an aspect he finds especially important now. Amata’s legal support team, including paralegals with 110 years of combined at-work experience, allows him to focus on practicing law. He can simply send a document, ask for it to be reviewed, filed in court, or notarized, and they will do so without requiring his in-person supervision.

“The fact that Amata offers paralegals and other staff when I need them is a huge advantage,” he said.

While virtual offices might be new for some, many believe they are here to stay. The Bloomberg Law survey also cites that 86% of people polled expect law firms to continue offering work-from-home options once the pandemic ends. 

Kirsh believes COVID-19 has “forever” changed the practice of law and thinks other firms will soon be turning to Amata as a concept worth modeling. He said Amata is “perfectly attuned” to remote adjustments that attorneys are now making in their practices.

Call us or visit our website and take an online or in-person tour of one of our seven downtown spaces to learn how our virtual offices can help you successfully grow your law practice.

Discover our virtual offices in Chicago.

Richard Gurak: Building a Powerful Law Firm (Paper-Free) and Out-of-the-Box Thinking | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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How do you build a powerful law firm? Take Advitam IP as an example – a firm that started with a blank page, then thought so divergently they decided to just throw paper away entirely. Now, eight years running, embracing the pivot and always keeping cost in mind has made their firm thrive.

Key moments:

  • Why you should begin with a blank page (5:07)
  • How firms can meet client billing rate expectations (13:14)
  • Choosing a branded name versus a last name for your firm (24:35)
  • The importance of change in a successful firm (28:20)
  • What Richard Gurak wants to see changed in law (32:53)

Follow “The 1958 Lawyer” on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Frankly, from the AM Law 100 firm that we were leaving, we gave up nothing. In fact, I’ve joked with Michele that I actually think that our tech capabilities are better.”

“It never fades, the happiness I feel when I get referrals, because I always tell myself okay you must be doing something right.”

“It takes time to change. It takes money, sometimes, to change. But in order to stay on top of your game – not only in the legal business but in any business – you have to adapt.”

While Lavish Law Office Space is Nice, Talent Tops List of Client Priorities

CONNECT WITH RICHARD GURAK

Richard Gurak is a Founding Partner of Intellectual Property firm Advitam IP, LLC (2012) where he represents individuals and companies of all sizes across five continents. Mr. Gurak has authored articles on legal issues relating to trademark and domain name, appearing in numerous publications, and lectures regularly on intellectual property matters.

An active networker and philanthropist, he participates in and/or is a member of the International Trademark Association, The Union League Club Chicago, and a Lifetime Member of the Natural Register of Who’s Who.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardgurak/

Advitam IP: https://advitamip.com/

KEEP EXPLORING

Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at [email protected]

“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.

If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.

This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week they’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. They’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.

Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

Discover our networking events for Chicago lawyers.

Judge Erika Orr: Women in Law, Parenthood, and Asking for What You Want | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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It’s our first episode and the Honorable Erika Orr helped us launch with a bang. Determining what you want and then asking for it is a key driver of personal success and greater social change. Erika’s insights as woman on a journey to becoming a judge – owning her own law firm, working in corporate, and tackling motherhood – prove this over and over.

Key moments:

  • Hanging up her own shingle after the 2008 recession (8:40)
  • Conflicts for women developing career and family in America (10:13)
  • Asking for what you want (15:05)
  • What Erika Orr wants to see changed in law (19:06)

Follow “The 1958 Lawyer” on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“Part of [bridging the pay gap] is making sure women know they can make the ask, don’t be afraid to make the ask…. Even as a child I was empowered to speak my piece.”

“At some point [we’re going to have to] assess what our value system is around the working family…. There’s a cost factor to it but cost really is associated with whatever your value system is. It’s not an expensive proposition if certain things are important to you. We as a country are going to have to make a determination about what it is we want.”

“We need more people to dive deep and not be afraid to ask the questions of themselves.”

ERIKA ORR

CONNECT WITH ERIKA ORR

Erika Orr is currently a full circuit Cook County judge where she is seated in the Domestic Violence Division.  Prior to that, Erika was a solo practitioner and owner of the Orr Law Group, Ltd. in Chicago, where she specialized in domestic relations law.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erika.orr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-orr-4a55971a/

Cook County Court, Judges Pages: http://www.cookcountycourt.org/Judges-Pages/Orr-Erika

FURTHER READING

Have comments, questions, or concerns? Contact us at [email protected]

“The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” still defines the business of law…
It’s time for a change.

If you’re a lawyer, you’re familiar with the ABA article “The 1958 Lawyer and his 1938 Dollar” which gives our podcast its title, and its inspiration. That article was the start of the billable hour for law firms…And the last major change to the business of law, 70+ years ago now. Well, it’s past time for another change.

This podcast is all about bucking the status quo of the business of law. Your hosts Ron Bockstahler and Kirsten Mayfield run Amata Law Office Suites, providing law firms an alternative to the traditional fixed-cost business model that places unwanted stress on attorneys to work long hours that often-times lead to burn out, broken relationships and in many cases substance abuse. Each week they’ll discuss alternatives to the 12 hours days, endless rotation of clerks and paralegals, and the expensive offices leased to impress clients who rarely show up in person anymore. They’ll interview successful lawyers who are doing law differently, and finding a work-life balance while still running a successful firm.

Do you want to find a better way to run your law firm? It’s time for the next big change in the business of law, and you’ll get it here on The 1958 Lawyer.

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

Discover our networking events for Chicago lawyers.