Practicing Law Without The Errands

June 18, 2025January 31, 2024 by Amata Law Offices

It’s 3:30 pm and you are in the middle of a client meeting. You know City Hall closes at 4:30 p.m., yet you still need to obtain certified copies for an important hearing tomorrow at 8 a.m. What are you going to do?

Running a solo or small law firm can be stressful. There are so many tasks that need to be done, and they need to be done well. The American Bar Association called missing any filing deadline ‘a lawyer’s worst nightmare’. So the question arises:

Should you delegate those small but important errands? And who can you trust to handle things like obtaining Apostille, filing police reports, and paying court fees?

That is one of the questions that prompted us to create our attorney support services packages. We recognized solo practitioners and small law firms needed administrative tasks to be done correctly and efficiently, because mistakes or delays could have serious legal consequences. So we built a team of professionals specialized in ensuring documents, filings, and other legal tasks.

Can You Afford To Delegate Your Daily Legal Errands?

While attorneys need their daily legal errands to be executed on time and with precision, they also face cash flow constraints. This means most of them are not in a position yet to hire a full-time paralegal who can offload their work and allow them to focus on their billable hours.

Will a new hire be worth the money lost to the firm? Will there be enough work to keep them occupied eight hours a day?

This is where Amata’s on-demand, specialized legal support can be your solution. Our paralegals bill hourly, so you can use them only during periods of intense workloads or on a more consistent basis. They provide you the flexibility and savings you’ve been looking for, so you can get more done and focus on your firm’s growth plus providing an exceptional service to clients.

By using paralegals on an as-needed basis, you can reduce your fixed payroll costs and only pay for services that can generally be billed back to your clients.

4 Benefits of Delegating for Lawyers

Most of our clients come to us for our office space-as-a-service plans. This flexible and scalable model allows you to add or drop office space in the middle of a lease, without penalties.

But once they start to also use on-demand legal support, they never look back.

The reason is simple: even if there is an investment, there is nothing like knowing your tedious tasks are being done for you, while you can focus on more fulfilling and productive activities.

You probably have mixed feelings about delegating daily runs to courts, clerk’s offices, and sheriff’s offices, so here are 4 benefits that will help you make a decision:

1. 1. 1. Enhanced Focus on Core Legal Work: Delegating daily errands allows you to dedicate more time and attention to your core legal work, such as client consultations, legal research, document preparation, case strategy, and court appearances.
    2. Opportunity Cost: Time spent on administrative tasks could be better used for tasks that directly generate revenue or serve their client’s legal needs. By delegating your daily runs, you can focus on higher ROI activities and in turn grow your law firm.
    3. Reduced Stress and Burnout: The legal profession can be demanding and stressful, and many lawyers face burnout due to the constant pressure and long hours. Delegating daily errands can alleviate some of this stress, reduce the risk of burnout, and contribute to a healthier work-life balance by allowing you and your team to reclaim personal time.
    4. Increased Client Satisfaction: By delegating daily errands and administrative tasks, you will have more time and energy to provide better service to your clients. Happy clients refer and are more likely to return for future legal needs.

To sum up, delegating your daily runs to a trusted provider allows you to focus on your core billable work, provide better service to clients, and free up space to grow your practice — all while reducing stress and administrative headaches.

What Kind of Errands Can You Delegate?

Amata’s paralegal team makes daily runs to the Daley Center, Recorder’s Office, Secretary of State Office, and the Dirksen Federal Building. With an extended line of credit provided to all Amata clients, we can pay associated costs for your documents and filings, pick up certificates, search the court docket, and much more.

Here is a list of what you can delegate using our Daily Runs to Courts, Clerk’s and Sheriff’s Offices services:

Service of Process
Research of local court rules/procedures; pro hac vice admissions, foreign judgments, out-of-state subpoenas
Court docket searches and retrieval of documents – state, federal and administrative
Obtain certified copies
Obtain state corporate records on companies
File applications, amendments, annual reports, deeds, obtain Apostille, etc.
Police reports
FOIA requests
Pay fees
Birth and death certificates
Delivery courtesy copies
Record deeds
Water certificates
Estimates of Redemption
Obtain duplicate tax bill
Pay code violation orders

So the next time that you are pressed for time and wonder if there’s a team you can confidently delegate your legal errands to, give us a call. We will pick up certificates, search the court docket, deliver courtesy copies, and do any other tedious but important task for you.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

3 Steps to Growing Your Law Firm

June 11, 2025January 24, 2024 by Amata Law Offices

Growing a remarkable company is not an easy task. Building something that lasts requires time, work, resilience, and the ability to constantly pivot.

After working with over 600 law firms in Chicago of all sizes, we have seen a few things that separate those who build a thriving firm from those who stay stuck. In this article, we’ll explore what those key characteristics are, and how you can start implementing them today.

Step #1. Set a SMART Goal

We cannot define progress without first having something to strive towards. That is why the first step is setting a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goal. This is known as a SMART goal, and without it we have no way of measuring progress and will be more prone to stay reactive to whatever life throws our way. We want to be proactive.

Where would you like your law firm to be within 3 years? Define your target revenue, profit margins, team composition, client profile, and hours that you work. Only by being clear and specific about what we want, can we start aligning all our daily actions with our goals.

Try to also go deeper into the reasons WHY you desire those things. The only way to stick with your goals when things get busy and difficult (which they will), is by setting up goals that you genuinely care about and see the importance of. In other words, your goals should be musts and not only wants for you to truly commit to them.

Step #2. Protect Your Schedule

Now that we have a goal, the next step is to invest resources to achieve it. Those resources come in the form of work, money, attention, focus, and time.

Let’s say you want to double your firm’s revenue within the next 18 months. You would need to reverse engineer that target by asking yourself, “What would need to happen for me to double my firm’s revenue?”

This will give you a strategic set of actions that need to get done — either one time or recurrently — in order to achieve that goal.

Where most business owners get stuck is by thinking they will achieve their goals without some sacrifices. As Jim Rohn said, “What got you here won’t get you there”. There need to be real changes in your schedule, your activities, and your relationships for this new goal to materialize.

Dan Sullivan advises business owners to set an inspiring 10X goal. He says “Seemingly impossible goals spotlight a few pathways and enable you to clearly identify the 20 percent of things and people in your life that are producing most of your results, and the 80 percent of things and people in your life that are holding you back.”

“Going for smaller goals (2X growth) means you can keep 80 percent of your existing clients, roles, behaviors, and mindsets. Only minor tweaks are needed.”

“Going for inspiring goals (10X growth) requires a different kind of effort, often less in quantity but higher in quality. You’ve elevated your vision and focus and must eliminate 80 percent of your current reality. 10X requires a full-scale transformation of yourself as well as everyone and everything around you.”

This reinforces the point that, in order to achieve a higher level, many things that are keeping you stuck need to be eliminated or delegated. That is when the next step comes in.

Step #3. Focus On What Matters

Now you have a goal and know that strategic plan to reach it. The next step is to open up space in your calendar. This will give you the time and the mental bandwidth to take your law firm to the next level.

A tool like the Eisenhower Matrix can be highly useful in this case.

The thing is to filter any task you need to do with this set of criteria. If it’s not important and not urgent, you delete it. If it’s not important but urgent, you delegate it. If it’s important but not urgent, you schedule it. If it’s important and urgent, you do it.

In that way, you are only left with tasks that move the needle, while your team takes care of tasks that maintain your current level but don’t contribute strategically to your goals.

What If You Cannot Afford a Big Team Yet?

The reality for solo practitioners and small law firm owners is that, even by having goals, a strategic plan, and protecting their calendar, they do not have the team in place to delegate their work. That means that they need to keep serving clients, growing their firms, and trying to enjoy life all at the same time.

That is why at Amata we created a suite of support services, that allow lawyers to delegate admin work without the overhead costs of full-time hires. With these services, small law firms can focus on growing their firms while protecting their profitability.

Just imagine how much further you would go if you could reduce your workload by 10-30 hours a week with a part-time assistant. At Amata we find and train these assistants for you, and bill hourly for only the work that you require.

Our support services for attorneys include paralegals, law clerks, live receptionists, and virtual assistants who act as an extension of your law firm. Here is a list of some of the on-demand services we provide:

Appointments and Calendar Management
Mail opening/scanning
Court Runs (Including the assembly, print, and preparation of courtesy copies.)
Notary/Witness Service
Scan/Fax/Deliver documents
Review court fillings
Editing appellate briefs per your notes
Draft simple complaints and motions
Handle the back-and-forth aspects of discovery
Video conferencing set-up
New client intake
Hand Deliveries/Pick-Ups
E-Filing
Preparation of Notice of Filing, Notice of Motion, Certificate of Service, and forms.
Review of local rules, court’s standing orders, & any temporary procedural orders in place.
Spindle or piggyback motion hearing dates, and any communications with the court clerk.
Confirm acceptance of filing by the court clerk.
Document Translation and Proofreading
Formatting appellate briefs
Skip Tracing
Social media posting
Asset Search (bank accounts)
E-Recording
And much, much more!

By having these support services without the need to hire, train, and retain employees, solo and small firms can practice law on their terms. You can focus on billable hours, defining your vision, and being a strategic leader, all while enjoying the work/life balance you started your business for.

Contact us today and see how our on-demand, flexible legal support services can help you grow your law firm and free up your time while protecting your profitability.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

How to Stay Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Market

June 18, 2025January 17, 2024 by Amata Law Offices

According to CB Insights, 35% of businesses fail because there is no market need. All the growth potential of your business lies in its ability to pivot and meet the dynamic needs of a rapidly changing world.

How can you do this in practical terms? It all comes down to a commitment to innovation and service, which is exactly what this article will showcase through Amata’s case study.

The Genesis of a Disruptive Business

Plato said that the mother of invention is a necessity, and this couldn’t be truer in Amata’s case. Amata began when our founder, Ron Bockstahler, was working 10 to 12 hours each day while managing the backend operations of law firms.

For decades he didn’t take two days off in a row and was a self-declared workaholic. One day, he decided to go on an RV adventure with his wife across all 50 states in America and 9 Canadian provinces. This quest for a better work/life balance expanded across 8 years, hundreds of memories, Ironman races, and eventually having 6 children.

What Ron realized is that he could continue growing his business while living life to the fullest. And that’s how our innovative “office-as-a-service” model was born.

Listening to Clients: The Key to Continuous Innovation

Our innovative ‘office-as-a-service’ model started as a response to the ever-changing landscape of technology, economic cycles, and team dynamics that affect law firms and professional service firms.

When the pandemic hit and lawyers had to stay home, Amata quickly rallied clerks to make daily visits to the Recorder’s Office, City Hall, Sheriff’s Office, Clerk’s Office and Assessor’s Office for our clients.

Despite starting as a traditional co-working space, we quickly expanded to include crucial services our clients needed to grow. This includes paralegals to assist you with court cases, either on a part-time, full-time, or hourly basis. It also includes administrative assistants, law clerks, and receptionists.

When a client is coming to the office to sign documents and you need Notary and witness services, Amata has you covered. When you are too busy to pick up your phone, our receptionists got you.

It takes a village to build a thriving business. It is normal to get so caught up in serving clients that you stop focusing on the operations of running a business. We make this easier for you.

It has now been more than 21 years since we committed to staying at the forefront of innovation and creating a turnkey solution that allows you to keep expanding your firm while protecting your profitability, client experience, and work/life balance.

Our secret? Putting our clients first, listening to their needs, and doing whatever it takes to create an environment where they can thrive both professionally and personally.

Maximum Value With Greater Flexibility

Understanding our client’s needs has become the backbone of our innovation. We regularly ask clients for feedback and survey them, so we can meet their needs as they evolve.

Our comprehensive support combines four separate industries into one, offering flexible options for greater total value:

1 – Office space

We offer agreements that allow you to drop or add offices during the term of the contract, without penalty, resulting in true office flexibility.

Whether you just started your law firm, have a team of 10-20, or are ready to expand your big law firm with the flexibility to scale up or down, we have prestigious locations to suit your needs. No more letting long-term leases keep you from attracting top-tier clientele, enhancing your team’s productivity, and having a professional office that reflects your professionalism.

2 – Reception

Virtual assistants are remote professionals who specialize in all those essential but routine tasks like scheduling, document management, and phone answering. Amata’s Live Virtual Assistants are trained in the legal industry, so they know how to manage urgent inquiries on your behalf and recognize when to filter a call.

With Amata’s live virtual receptionist, law firms receive customized phone answering services with receptionists that act as an extension of their law firm. This means you do not need to hire a full-time receptionist to enjoy the benefits of enhanced productivity, such as never missing a caller.

3 – Administrative assistants

A virtual assistant can be an invaluable gatekeeper for your law firm, saving you time and reducing the anxiety and stress of running a law practice. Our pre-vetted professionals can help manage all office operations, so you don’t have to and can focus on billable hours.

Some of the tasks administrative assistants can take off your plate are phone and email management, scheduling meetings, confirming appointments, making travel arrangements, managing contact lists, updating CRM software, preparing reports as needed, filing and organizing important documents and files, creating presentations, and more!

4 – Legal support

Amata has created the back-office operations of an AM100 law firm, for solo and small law firms. Paralegals, paralegal assistants, law clerks, and virtual assistants all act as an extension of your law firm, without needing to become full-time hires.

Leveraging Amata’s experienced resources allows you to manage your law firm around your bottom line. When you aren’t paying for under-utilized staff on your payroll, your profits increase, along with your capacity to produce more work and gain new clients, without creating constraints on your time.

With the combination of scalable office plans and flexible support & staffing services, we create a new environment for law firms and professionals. One in which they can do their very best work, increase their profitability, and have the resources to enjoy life on their own terms.

Contact us today if you’d like to experience the Amata difference. And remember, in order to create a thriving business yourself, the key is placing your client’s success at the forefront of everything you do.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Litigation Support — What Solo and Small Law Firms Need to Know

June 11, 2025January 10, 2024 by Amata Law Offices

The economy might be slowing down, but the demand for litigation is definitely not. A 2023 study by Thomson Reuters Corporation showed that the demand for counter-cyclical practices is accelerating — particularly litigation. BTI Consulting Group found that there is ‘more litigation than ever’, and Crowell & Moring stated in their Litigation Forecast 2023 that class actions will ‘continue to be a significant part of the litigation landscape.’

With no shortage of work to be done, but with potentially fewer funds due to the economic climate, how can solo and small law firms effectively manage their caseloads while protecting their budgets?

Litigation Support Services You Can Afford

Litigation support services assist lawyers and legal teams during high-volume, complicated trials. Anything that doesn’t require the expertise of a lawyer can be delegated to experienced paralegals, taking admin work off the attorney’s plate so they can focus on billable hours.

Amata’s senior paralegals have more than 20 years of experience and have reached a high level of competence and understanding in several areas of law. Many of them joined Amata after spending several years accumulating experience at law firms. And they can be such a cost-effective solution for solo and small business owners because they bill hourly.

Our pre-vetted paralegals work only on the tasks that you require, for the hours that you need. Most small and midsize law firms are not handling case assessments, depositions and discovery on a daily basis, which can lead to over-paying for full-time employees. With Amata, you can rely on our team of professional paralegals and legal administrators only during periods of high workload, so you can take on more cases while protecting your profitability.

Case Assessment Support Services

Case assessment requires a cautious analysis of all available facts, potential legal strategies, and a deep understanding of the client’s needs. This usually happens under time constraints and with high stakes, as even a small oversight can have significant consequences in the case.

That is why we provide professional Case Assessment services covering a wide spectrum, including:

Fact investigation – Assisting with discovery by conducting basic research into the details of the case.
Client interviews – Conducting initial interviews with potential clients and filling out intake forms.
Case files organization and maintenance – Sorting and filing key physical documents and using a case management system to store electronic documents.
Act as liaison with local counsel – Communicating regularly with counsel and staying informed and updated on case progression.
Discovery requests and responses drafting. Obtaining documents for you
- Under attorney supervision, preparing discovery requests and responses using Microsoft Word and mailing/emailing.
- Helping clients to gather pertinent documents that they have saved either electronically or physically.
Prepare document productions – Reviewing and following ESI order regarding production format, ensuring documents are unitized, redacting confidential, PII, privileged information, Bates number, adding Confidential designations, and creating/maintaining document indices (i.e. pleadings index, production log with documents received or produced).
Prepare documents/exhibits for mediations, arbitrations, depositions, trials, and motions for summary judgment – Organize and display evidence/exhibits per attorney request and instruction.

Managing a court case can be a full-time job, which is why more than 600 attorneys rely on Amata. Our case assessment support services allow them to focus on billable hours, client relationships, and a healthier work/life balance.

Depositions & Discovery Support Services

Depositions are a pivotal point leading to the outcome of civil and criminal charges. They usually advance to an out-of-court settlement but, for cases that do end up in court, Amata’s discovery and deposition management teams are here to ensure a smooth deposition process.

Our deposition experts manage all phases of the deposition, including:

Conference room set-up
Helping deponents prepare
Reviewing document productions and discovery disclosures
Developing comprehensive witness handbooks
Processing supporting written questions
Implementing any special considerations required for a deponent.

Depositions may be represented as a written transcript, videotape, or both. After the session ends, Amata’s team manages all follow-up requirements, including distributing the transcript and supporting documentation to attorneys for review.

We also provide virtual remote deposition technology. It is estimated more than fifty percent of all proceedings will be online this year with the trend continuing to increase. In addition to saving time, deponents are more relaxed when testifying from a preferred location, increasing their willingness to share information. Amata offers state-of-the-art virtual deposition software for deponents unable to attend in person. This technology automates the discovery process and teams benefit from powerful data analytics tools and a proven interface to collaborate from anywhere. It also includes artificial intelligence capabilities for increasing accuracy and capturing details such as emotion and movement.

Our team has more than 21 years of experience, and we understand that every deposition is unique. We are committed to managing and following up through each step of the process, so you can focus on the intimate details of the case.

Here is a list of services we provide for case discovery:

Advanced document productions – Delivering or making available for review documents in response to a request for production and a subpoena. This may include producing hard copies of documents or locating electronically stored information.
Document review projects, coding, case management.
Assisting in the analyzing and sorting of produced documents to determine which items are within the scope of the case.
Collecting email in the proper format.
Creating Bates stamps for documents.
Utilizing docketing software to track deadlines pertinent to a case.
Drafting privilege logs.
E-Discovery consultation (tools for litigation hold/preservation, document review platforms, document production planning, etc.) – Aid in facilitating the manner in which documents will be shared with parties in the discovery process. This includes various document-sharing platforms.
Collection of basic ESI (custodian interviews, emails, text messages, video, documents) – The extraction and organization of electronically stored information into separate files for the legal team to use.
Coordination of expert collection of ESI (forensic, social networking sites, video, audio, email, text messages, etc.) – Communication with third-party data forensics providers to collect electronically stored information.

Learn more about how Amata can assist with Depositions & Discovery Here

Litigation Support to Win More Cases While Protecting Your Profitability

Whether you need to draft simple motions, coordinate with the Sheriff, appear for clerk’s hearings, or schedule court hearings, we can assist you. Our hourly paralegals work as if they were on your staff, with senior paralegals drafting subpoenas under your supervision, and paralegal assistants going to City Hall, the Recorder’s Office, and delivering courtesy copies to judges for you.

This support, on-demand services allow small and mid-size law firms to clean their schedule with errands and get back to growing their business. You aren’t paying for under-utilized staff, and suddenly your profits increase along with your capacity to serve and attract more clients — without creating new constraints on your time.

Contact our team and see how we can assist your cases. We will match you with the perfect fit paralegals and legal assistants, getting you the best quality work at the lowest possible cost. They can support your firm during case assessment, depositions, and discovery year-round, without creating the financial burden of full-time employees.

Discover our paralegal services in Chicago.

Will Office Space Become Obsolete?

June 11, 2025November 30, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

With remote work on the rise, will office space become obsolete?

According to a study done by Boston Consulting Group, ‘1.5 billion square feet of office space could become obsolete’, with low utilization, high vacancy levels, and financial viability slipping away for many.

Here at Amata we provide office spaces for law firms and professional services companies in Chicago, so this is a trend that could deeply affect us. But the reason why we’re not worried (and actually feel hopeful for the future), is because we have lived this already through the pandemic and found that Office Space will not become obsolete, it just needs to twist to effectively serve the new demands of the market.

Enter The New Era of Office Space

During the pandemic one of our natural worries was, “Will people stop needing an office?”. And contrary to our fears, Amata grew and today we serve more than 800 clients all over Chicago.

There are a few reasons for this:

While companies had to go fully remote for some years, many have realized that this is not a sustainable work arrangement for them. Their associates desire human connection, a dedicated space where they can be productive, and the prestige that comes from an office in downtown Chicago.
This means that most solo and small law firms today are either working on-site or with hybrid arrangements.
Hybrid companies are giving their team members the option to choose between remote work or on-site work.

The 2022 Practice Forward Report by The American Bar Association found that 44% of lawyers practicing 10 years or less were more likely to leave their current job for one that offers a greater ability to work remotely. At the other end of the age spectrum, only 13% of those practicing over 40 years would leave their place of employment for the greater ability to work remotely.

This means that there is a clear generational divide, where more established lawyers desire to work at the office while younger generations work more flexible options. This is why hybrid companies choose to retain talent by giving their employees options.

But how can they keep an office space without spending excessively or being locked by a 5-year lease?

At Amata, we help them with our flexible plans which allow them to add or drop office space during the term of the contract, without penalty, so they can scale up and down as their company grows. This means that they can add new team members or create a leaner team without being worried about unutilized office space or relocating.

We also provide Hybrid companies solutions that match their desired flexibility, such as conference rooms for the day, support staff on-demand (only pay what you need), mail handling, and networking events.

Even fully remote companies can benefit from some physicality. For example, listing your home as your official business address can hurt credibility in the eyes of clients, and also not be the best idea for safety reasons.

That is why at Amata we provide remote companies a virtual business address, so that clients associate your organization with Class A, prominent office buildings in the Chicago area. A virtual business address also entitles you to receive correspondence at the location and enjoy mail processing and forwarding from the on-site staff.

What we have found is that office space will not become obsolete, it just needs to be reimagined. Lawyers and professionals want a healthier work/life balance, and they want office spaces that provide it.

That is why our unique model at Amata offers:

Flexibility – Programs that allow you to cancel offices during a contract term.
Hourly paralegals that work as if they are on your staff.
Administrative assistants that work with you virtually and in person, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Quarterly office socials to make new acquaintances and build relationships with others working in the center.
Monthly attorney socials with over 800 attorneys involved to expand your network and business opportunities.
Paralegal assistants that go to city hall, the Recorders Office and deliver courtesy copies to judges for you.
Live receptionists that can screen your calls, handle new client in-take and greet your guests.
Easy access to decision-makers and owners of Amata.
Notary/witness service program at all locations; plus a remote notary/witness service program that includes video recording.
Conference room usage is not rounded up to the nearest hour. You only pay for time you use in 15-minute increments

All so you can:

- - - Maintain profitability: When your revenue goes down, as a business owner you need to reduce expenses to maintain profit. Amata provides flexibility in order to achieve this in your office space costs (which are a large chunk of expenses).
    - Access office space on your own terms: Amata provides 12-month lease terms with a 30-day notice to adjust office space. This provides a key ability to reduce costs and maintain profitability when needed.
    - Be fully supported as you grow: Whether you’re doing a virtual or physical office, Amata provides on-demand (hourly) support services in the form of admin assistants, paralegals, receptionists, and business phone / phone app services that you get tasks off your to-do lists and back to growing your business.

So if you are a small law firm considering not renewing your office lease, try Amata. Our model is designed with you in mind: To give you modern offices that boost your team’s productivity and your firm’s prestige, while protecting your bottom line and giving you a support team that grows as your firm grows.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

How Hybrid Law Firms Are Changing The Industry

June 11, 2025November 27, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

More than three years after the COVID-19 pandemic started, the way lawyers work is changing forever.

While many law firms continue to work remotely, many of them saw the need for physical interaction with clients and teammates and decided to go back to the office. But the generational divide is clear:

What this means is that there is not one generalized consensus about how remote work affects lawyers’ productivity and satisfaction. While some studies find that working from home increases productivity, other studies find that having no boundaries between work and life actually reduces productivity. While some studies find that workers feel more motivated working from home, other studies find that people’s mental health suffers when they stop those daily and spontaneous interactions with teammates and clients.

So what’s the truth? And what can law firms do to maximize their productivity and team retention, while saving costs on office space?

Enter the Hybrid Work Model

Instead of making people choose between remote work or on-site work, The 2022 Practice Forward Survey found that lawyers want the flexibility to decide for themselves when they work in the office and when they work at home. There is a strong desire to create flexible schedules and hybrid work arrangements, that will allow each person to control their day and tailor it to the way they know they can maximize productivity.

In other words, lawyers value optionality more than anything.

The Hybrid Work Model combines both in-person and remote work, offering lawyers and staff greater flexibility while maintaining the core functions of a traditional law firm.

This model allows firms to attract and retain top talent by offering a more attractive work-life balance, reduces overhead costs associated with maintaining large office spaces, and fosters agility and resilience in our age of disruptions.

However, there are 7 important factors to consider in order to implement the hybrid model effectively:

Clear Policies and Guidelines: Clear policies and guidelines should outline the rules that will govern the hybrid work arrangement. Include expectations regarding work hours, communication, data security, client interactions, and performance metrics. Ensure that all employees understand and adhere to these guidelines.
Technology Infrastructure: Invest in robust technology infrastructure to support remote work. This includes secure remote access to case management systems, cloud-based document storage, video conferencing tools, and cybersecurity measures. Ensure that employees have the necessary hardware and software to work effectively from various locations.
Communication Tools: New communication tools and practices are required to maintain seamless collaboration among team members. Utilize video conferencing, instant messaging, project management software, and virtual meeting platforms to facilitate communication and document sharing.
Performance Metrics: Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess employee performance and productivity in a hybrid work environment. These metrics can include billable hours, case progress, client satisfaction, and project completion rates. Review and adjust these metrics regularly as needed.
Training and Support: Offer training and support for employees so all of them can navigate the hybrid work model successfully. Provide guidance on using remote work tools, maintaining data security, and managing time effectively. Encourage ongoing skill development to adapt to evolving work practices.
Client Interaction Strategy: Develop a strategy for maintaining strong client relationships in a hybrid work environment. Consider offering both in-person and virtual client meetings, ensuring that clients can access legal services conveniently. Communicate the firm’s commitment to maintaining high-quality client service.
Employee Well-being: Prioritize employee well-being and mental health. Recognize the challenges that come with remote work and provide resources to support physical and emotional health. Encourage regular breaks, flexibility in work schedules, and initiatives that promote work-life balance.

The hybrid work model can represent a significant shift in how lawyers practice, so most team members will require support. By setting clear expectations and controls, but also trusting people will continue doing their jobs, law firms can successfully transition to this new model while maintaining high standards of service.

How Hybrid Law Firms Can Access Office Spaces — On Their Own Terms

At Amata, we saw long before the pandemic how the legal industry was shifting. Technological disruptions and changing attitudes towards work meant that people craved more freedom and meaning, while still prioritizing law firm profitability and growth.

This is why our office-as-a-service model is the perfect complement to hybrid law firms. It allows lawyers to work remotely and protect their bottom line, while still enjoying the benefits of a traditional office space.

Our shared office spaces allow lawyers and professional service companies to have a prestigious business address in Chicago, access a private office or a conference room for the day, and get support from paralegals and virtual receptionists only when they need it. This flexible office space plus support staff on-demand model is why more than 800 law firms choose us.

And there’s more. With Amata, you can access:

Scalable office plans where you can add or drop office spaces during the term of the contract, without penalty, so that you can stay agile without the hassle of relocating.
Flexible legal support staff (both in-person and virtual) that act as an extension of your work, without the costs and risks of hiring full-time employees.
On-demand paralegals, administrative assistants, and virtual receptionists. All pre-vetted for you.
A business address in a prestigious area in Chicago, so you can impress clients and keep their trust.
Mail handling, scanning, and forwarding.
Conference rooms & private offices for the day.
Professional live receptionists to meet and greet your clients.
Networking events, so you can keep building relationships and growing your business even if you are fully remote.
And much, much more!

If you’d like to adopt a hybrid work model for your law firm, but do not want to lose the support services and productive environment a traditional office provides, Amata is for you. Our flexible plans and scalable solutions ensure you protect your profitability, while having access to modern offices that meet your exact needs.

Contact us today to schedule a tour of our locations. Discover how can we support your growth, whether you choose to work remotely, on-site, or opt for a hybrid model.

Discover our virtual offices in Chicago.

How Remote Law Firms Can Expand Their Reach In Chicago, Without Needing a High-Priced Office

June 18, 2025November 20, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

Having a remote law firm has many benefits, but it also has its costs. On the bright side, lawyers can reduce commute times, achieve a healthier work-life balance, and sometimes even increase their productivity, while lowering their real estate costs and workplace liabilities.

But almost with the same degree of possibility, lawyers can end up working all day, feel isolated and burnt out, and see a massive drop in productivity. In fact, the 2022 Practice Forward Report by The American Bar Association found that only 13% of lawyers practicing 10 years or more would leave their place of employment for the greater ability to work remotely.

The reality is that established lawyers thrive on relationships and human connection, and remote work can make this significantly harder. That is why a new option is rising today, which is hybrid work.

The Benefits of Hybrid Work

There are 9 things that law firms risk losing when going fully remote, and that can be mitigated by choosing a hybrid work environment:

Limited Access to Resources: Lawyers often rely on law libraries, legal databases, and physical documents. Remote work may limit access to these essential resources, making legal research more challenging.
Client Confidentiality: Remote work environments may not always provide the same level of security as a traditional office, increasing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Collaboration Challenges: Remote work can hinder spontaneous interactions and face-to-face collaboration, potentially affecting teamwork and communication.
Client Meetings: Building rapport with clients can be more challenging through remote interactions, as it lacks the personal touch and trust-building opportunities that come with in-person meetings.
Technical Issues: Remote work relies heavily on technology. Technical glitches, internet outages, or software problems can disrupt work, delay deadlines, and lead to frustrations.
Isolation and Burnout: Lawyers working remotely may experience feelings of isolation due to the absence of regular social interactions with colleagues. This isolation can contribute to burnout and negatively impact mental health.
Ergonomic Challenges: Lawyers often spend long hours reviewing documents or writing briefs, which can lead to chronic pains and postural issues when working from home without a proper office setup.
Lack of Supervision: Junior lawyers or interns may miss out on valuable mentorship and supervision when working remotely, which can affect their professional development.
Client Perception: Many top-tier clients prefer their lawyers to work from a traditional office setting, viewing it as a sign of professionalism and commitment.

So could there be a way to work how you want, from where you want, without missing out on the benefits of having a well-equipped, professional office?

How Flexible Office Arrangements Work

Amata pioneered an innovative ‘office-as-a-service’ model in Chicago, which allows lawyers to work remotely while enjoying the benefits of a traditional office space. Law firms can take care of business from virtually anywhere, and still access:

A Business Address in a Prestigious Chicago Area

Your clients need to trust who they’re working with. Amata provides the hospitality and the professional and personal touch your clients deserve. Amata provides a virtual business address, so clients associate your organization with Class A, prominent office buildings in the Chicago area.

Mail Handling, Scanning and Forwarding

A virtual business address also entitles you to receive correspondence at the location and enjoy mail processing and forwarding from the on-site staff.

Conference Rooms & Private Offices for the Day

With Amata, you can keep protecting your firm’s bottom line by having a physical office available as needed. Our flexible options allow you to access luxurious conference rooms and fully-staffed offices on demand, and your clients will never know that you aren’t renting the entire space because we customize everything for you.

Our shared office spaces also allow you to pay for only the space that you need. No need to pay for a lavish 200-meter library that you won’t use. And as your firm grows, our scalable plans provide the perfect solution for expansion. These plans allow you to add or drop office spaces during the term of the contract, without penalty, so that you can stay agile without the hassle of relocating.

Flexible Legal Support Staff, Including Paralegals and Administrative Assistants

With Amata, you can access corporate-level law firms without the costs of hiring full-time employees. We provide a wide variety of support services to attorneys including paralegals, legal assistants, administrative assistants, and receptionists (both in-person or virtual).

This allows you to focus on billable hours and growing your firm with a healthier work/life balance, while all the important but tedious tasks are taken care of professionally for you.

Our paralegals research cases on your behalf and draft documents while a virtual legal assistant manages your calendar, returns client phone calls, and plans events. They are all vetted and managed by Amata, ensuring you only pay for the services you require without the increased costs of full-time employees.

Live Receptionists to Meet and Greet Your Clients

Not all firms are created equal, and your office space should reflect that. Our Live receptionists will project an image of reliability and stability to your clients, meeting them as they arrive at your office and handling any urgent task on your behalf.

Live receptionists protect your time and handle important office-related tasks like phone answering, call forwarding, message taking, appointment scheduling, calendar management, CRM updating, and much, much more.

Networking Events

Having served more than 800 law firms for over 21 years, we have noticed that successful lawyers are in the business of building relationships. Amata’s unique model allows you to continue working remotely, but to attend networking events with like-minded professionals you can connect with to expand your partnerships, referrals, and connections.

A Better Way to Practice Law

The concept of a traditional, fixed brick-and-mortar office is evolving. Law firms are increasingly opting for hybrid office spaces that provide flexible solutions to meet their specific needs.

With Amata, remote law firms can continue working how they want and from where they want, while having professional offices and support services on-demand. This provides the perfect arrangement to expand your reach in Chicago while protecting your profitability and the work/life balance you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Contact us today and learn how our virtual office solutions allow you to increase profits while practicing law on your terms.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

The Oldest, Most Effective Form of Business Development

June 18, 2025November 15, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

Growing a business is hard work. Tech, automations, SEO, and so much more. But there is one timeless and often forgotten way to drive new business and attract better clients: Networking.

You probably have networked your way to success for years, but did you know that most attorneys get 60-80% of their work from other professionals?

This means that meeting other professional service providers and creating mutually beneficial relationships with them can account for a big part of your growth. That is why in today’s article we’re going to talk about 3 tips for maximizing your networking efforts, and how you can do it effectively starting today.

Networking That Actually Works Tip #1: Start With Clarity

If you have done a lot of networking in the past and it hasn’t led to fruitful relationships, this may be the reason why. Whenever you are speaking with another professional the number one question (after breaking the ice with some small talk) will usually be:

“So, tell me about yourself. What do you do?”

The way you answer this question matters way more than you may currently realize. A vague answer will not be memorable and get lost among the dozens of conversations the other person will have that day. That is why the key is being clear about who you serve and how you serve them.

For example, stating that you serve corporate clients with their legal needs is very ample and easy to forget. But if you say “We are a small boutique firm specializing in compliance for pharmaceutical companies”, the specificity will help the other person remember what you do. This lasting impression significantly increases the chances of that other person referring you to the exact clients you aim to attract.

And while you may want to serve a diverse client base, framing what you do depending on the context may be a great idea. If you are meeting professionals with connections in the financial world, and that is one of the industries that you serve, you may want to emphasize your expertise in this area when talking with them by saying:

“We serve clients in a wide variety of sectors, but one of our specialties is helping financial services companies stay compliant and manage their legal needs.”

In this way, you are keeping your options open while presenting yourself as an expert.

Networking That Actually Works Tip #2: Give First

The best relationships don’t come out of a mindset of extraction, but of service. If you try to help others first, the natural human tendency will be to retribute back. So if you want referrals, refer first; if you want some counsel, provide your expertise first.

A generous attitude can solidify your reputation as a valuable and reliable professional. It also attracts more genuine connections with long-term partners who can significantly impact your business.

Just think about how have you met your best clients. Probably they came from a referral by a person who had a strong relationship with you, or by helping them first with a particular problem which then expanded into a wider working relationship. Networking goes beyond the exchange of business cards: it is about cultivating authenticity, mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals.

Business Coach Dan Sullivan talks about the concept of “Referability Habits”. These are a set of often invisible behaviors that make all the difference when meeting another person. Some of them include showing up on time, doing what you say, finishing what you start, and saying please & thank you. By paying more attention to these basic courtesies, you can become more ‘referrable’ and build your reputation.

Networking That Actually Works Tip #3: Don’t See Others as Competition

While it is undeniable that some businesses might be in direct competition with you, the reality is that you can create mutually beneficial relationships with most professionals.

The reason is that, even if you both serve the exact same industry, your dream client might be their nightmare client, and vice-versa. Ask yourself, who is your dream referral? and who is your nightmare client? By answering those questions, you can network with other professionals and attract the actual clientele that you want.

The Business That You Want Is Only One Relationship Away

Consider this scenario: You operate a small law firm with 6 employees. At a cocktail party, you meet the CEO of an accounting firm that serves 50 clients. If you cultivated a solid relationship with this person, and successfully created a referral partnership, what would be the chances that your firm thrives?

They would be immense. Whether you are looking for more or better clients, amazing team members, or even raising capital to expand, you are one single relationship away from the business that you want.

This does not mean to treat every relationship as a business opportunity. In fact, many of our most fruitful partnerships have come from spontaneous conversations around the coffee station. It is in those unplanned moments when we can connect with others and come up with our brightest ideas.

Cultivate the Relationships that Will Build Your Business at Amata

While networking can take your business to the next level, the reality is that most of us are busy. That is why at Amata we create an environment where collaboration naturally happens, so you can build your business just by going into the office.

Our workstations are strategically placed to foster collaboration with peers. Our offices are centrally located, with cozy cafés around for meetings. Our signature cognac room allows you to relax and end the day by sharing stories with other attorneys.

At Amata, you’ll also get to meet professionals from other industries, from accountants to financial advisors, marketing professionals, and HR firms. This can lead to new clients, referrals, joint ventures, and even friendships. We also organize monthly meetings with over 600 attorneys, where you can expand your network and business opportunities.

Contact our team here to see how Amata’s networking opportunities can help take your business and relationships to the next level!

Discover our networking events for Chicago lawyers.

The New Office Model for Attorneys

June 18, 2025November 9, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

The “office-as-a-service” model, often referred to as OaaS, is a flexible approach to providing office space and related services to professionals, including attorneys. This model saves costs and provides law firms with all the support they need to thrive, with the flexibility to stay competitive in today’s changing marketplace.

In this article we’ll explain eight benefits of the office-as-a-service model (OaaS) for attorneys, and why it is perfect for solo and small law firms.

Benefit 1: Flexible Workspace

Most lawyers start their own law firms seeking freedom – the freedom to have more control over how they work and to generate higher revenue from the book of business they’ve built.

Freedom and profitability. The problem is that large offices with long-term contracts give you none.

With Amata, attorneys can rent office space on a flexible basis, whether they need it for a few hours, days, or months. This flexibility allows you to adapt your office space to your specific needs, such as client meetings, research, or collaborative work with colleagues.

For example, our conference rooms can be used in 15-minute increments, and you only pay for the time you use (they are not rounded up to the nearest hour).

Most lawyers do not need to come into the office on a regular basis. You can free key resources by having a flexible workspace that adapts to your exact needs.

Benefit 2: Cost Savings

Instead of committing to a long-term lease and incurring the associated costs of maintaining a traditional office, attorneys can save money by paying only for the space and services they use.

In today’s economic environment, the ability to adapt by adding or removing office spaces without penalties is crucial. That’s why our plans offer 12-month lease terms with a 30-day notice period for adjusting office space, allowing you to reduce costs and maintain profitability when needed.

Benefit 3: Access to Prime Locations

You probably don’t need a 240-square-foot office with a lavish library. What you need is a space that conveys professionalism and is strategically located near courthouses, government offices, and transportation routes for your team.

Our offices are located in professional and prestigious addresses in Chicago. All locations are within walking distance from major public transportation, and some are even steps away from the courthouse.

This enhances your law firm’s professional image and accessibility to clients. We have 3 locations to choose from and meet your exact needs.

Benefit 4: Fully Equipped Offices

You don’t need to be an AM250 firm yet to access top-tier support. Amata’s offices come fully equipped with essential office amenities, including furniture, high-speed internet, phone lines, printing and scanning facilities, and conference rooms. This minimizes your need to invest in office infrastructure.

Benefit 5: Support Services

One of the downsides when transitioning from a big corporation to running your own solo or small law firm is giving up the numerous support mechanisms that make life easier.

That is why Amata provides on-demand (hourly) support services in the form of admin assistants, paralegals, receptionists, and business phone/phone app services that free your time to focus on billable hours and enjoy your life.

Imagine having:

Hourly paralegals that work as if they are on your staff.
Administrative assistants that work with you virtually and in person, depending on your needs and circumstances.
Paralegal assistants that go to city hall, the Recorders Office and deliver courtesy copies to judges for you.
Live receptionists who can screen your calls, handle new clients in-take, and greet your guests.
Notary/witness service program at all locations; plus a remote notary/witness service program that includes video recording.

These are all examples of what our law firms get with our Attorney Support Services.

Benefit 6: Networking Opportunities

Growing a solo firm can be, as the name implies, pretty lonely. But with Amata’s model it doesn’t have to be this way.

You’ll get to meet professionals from other industries, which can lead to new clients, referrals, or joint ventures. We also organize monthly meetings with over 600 other attorneys, where you can expand your network and business opportunities.

Benefit 7: Scalability

When your revenue goes down, as a business owner you need to reduce expenses to maintain profit. Amata allows you to drop or add offices during the term of the contract without penalty, resulting in true office flexibility.

Whether your law firm grows or downsizes, you can easily adjust your office space needs without the complications of breaking leases or finding new locations. This scalability in your office space costs (which typically represent a significant portion of expenses) can be invaluable during fluctuations in client demand.

Benefit 8: Virtual Office Services

Working from home can be phenomenal, but there’s one problem: you can’t use your home address for client services!

That is why we provide a virtual business address, so clients associate your organization with Class A, prominent office buildings in the Chicago area. A virtual business address also entitles you to receive correspondence at the location, receive phone calls, and enjoy mail processing and forwarding from the on-site staff.

The New Office Model, Perfect for Solo and Small Law Firms.

The Office-as-a-Service (OaaS) model was born to provide attorneys and law firms with flexible office terms and help them reduce costs while improving operational efficiency.

This enables legal professionals to focus on billable hours, serve their clientele, and enjoy life on their terms. You can access fully equipped offices in prime locations, along with a suite of AM250-level support services, all tailored to your unique needs.

For more than 21 years we have helped attorneys like you to serve more clients without sacrificing their health, family life, or profitability in the process. Give us a call today if you’d like to explore our flexible and scalable office solutions.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

How to Access Top Legal Support Services Without Being an AM250 Yet

June 11, 2025November 6, 2023 by Amata Law Offices

According to the American Bar Association (ABA), the average American lawyer works 50 hours per week. But what if we told you only 35% of that represents billable work?

That is what the 2022 Legal Trends Report by Clio found: only 3.5 hours of most attorneys’ long work days are billable. The rest of the time is spent booking calls, mailing clients, running meetings, and doing admin work.

This runs contrary to the reason why most small firm founders started their practice. Attorneys can easily fall into high-stress, low-pay months, daydreaming about the support services AM250 firms enjoy.

But what if you could have the support system of a coveted AM250 firm, but with the flexibility and affordability you require now?

Enter Amata’s Lawyer Support Services

For over two decades, our mission has been clear: Support law firms in serving more clients while enjoying a healthier work/life balance.

Let’s say you started your solo practice after leaving an AM250 law firm. You went from billing $450/hour to $325/hour, but it was okay because that convinced some of your clients to come with you. You expected less overhead, higher profitability, and more control over your time.

The problem is that without assistants, senior paralegals, and accountants, you had to work longer, non-billable hours just to keep up. A 10% drop in billable hours can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars less in potential business that could be developed. That is the opportunity cost of trying to do everything by yourself.

But what if you decide to hire support and focus on billable hours? The list of support services can be long, but very worth it depending on your case:

Copy & Mail Handling: A virtual assistant can manage your office mail and make copies of essential documents when needed.
Deliveries: Office staff can assist with physical document deliveries and handling paper checks for legal fees.
Research Assistance: A virtual assistant can handle legal research and document requests through Lexis-Nexis.
Paralegal Support: A paralegal can manage caseloads, client intake, deadlines, court paperwork, and client inquiries.
Administrative Help: Office and virtual assistants can provide support with tasks like mail retrieval, email management, project management, marketing, social media, proofreading, and document scanning.

The question is, how can you afford these services without being an AM250 law firm yet?

Flexible Support Services Without the Overhead

The demand for legal services has been volatile over the last 3 years. Firms need to manage staffing and resourcing effectively to remain flexible and serve clients without the stress.

Here’s how Amata legal support services in Chicago help you do that:

1. On-Demand Paralegals

No longer do you need to worry about keeping a paralegal busy for a full eight-hour day. We vet paralegals who can act as an extension of your team and bill only the hours you require.

Our senior paralegals have 20 or more years of experience and specialized knowledge. We also can connect you with junior paralegals ready to handle:

Editing appellate briefs and other briefs per your notes
Handle the back-and-forth aspects of discovery, which can last for months
Draft simple complaints and motions
Assess and prioritize cases
Close on real estate transaction

All so you can ease your caseload while paying only for what you require.

2. Legal admin support

With the right support, lawyers are able to boost their productivity, grow their practice, and do what they do best — practice law.

Amata’s legal support services include receptionists and administrators who can help scan documents, track packages, and review court filings. We also understand you don’t have time to train, and that is okay. All our staff is experienced and vetted to understand your unique needs.

3. Virtual assistants

The traditional formula for growing a law firm is billing more hours or increasing rates, but there comes a point where that approach goes against the client’s best interest.

With virtual assistants, there is a third option. Eliminate all under-utilized time and expenses, delegate administrative work, and focus on billable hours. This increases your profitability and allows you to scale, while serving your client’s best interests.

Some of the tasks virtual assistants can handle for you are:

Document review, organization and summarization
Data entry
Calendar management
Meeting scheduling and coordination
Technological support
Invoice preparation and payment
Social media assistance
Non-legal correspondence, transmittal letters, and email
Case management system update
Internet and public database research

4. Live receptionist

Busy lawyers require professional receptionists. And with Amata, there is a better alternative to hiring, training, and retaining full-time, in-house receptionists yourself.

Our legal virtual receptionists ensure that you never miss a caller. They can screen calls, schedule appointments, reply to messages and return phone calls for you. All the information is updated in your database, so you can follow up at your own pace while clients are taken care of.

Hiring the exact receptionist support you need for only the time you need is possible. This significantly reduces the risk when hiring staff to support your operations.

5. Office options

Amata’s revolutionary concept is that office space should be consumed and paid for the same way we use and pay for software. You wouldn’t purchase 5 licenses of your practice management software when you only need 2, so why do we sign long-term leases for space with 5 offices when we only need 2?

Modern law firms require office plans that can be scaled up and down without penalty.

Imagine a place where you can enjoy the comradery of other attorneys, meet with clients in an impressive law office setting, and enjoy coming to the office. If an associate leaves or joins your firm, you can give up or add offices as needed. It’s all about only paying for what you need, not wasting money on office space you are not using in anticipation of growing into the space.

Access AM250-Quality Legal Support On Your Terms

Amata’s paralegals, paralegal assistants, law clerks, and virtual assistants act as an extension of your law firm. Here is a list of some of the services we can give you access to:

Notary/Witness Service (Amata Location or Remote, includes video recording)
Court Runs (Including the assembly, print, and preparation of courtesy copies.)
Mail opening/scanning
Assistance with certified mailings
Scanning/copying documents
Faxing documents
Preparation of FedEx
Set up assistance and coordination of services (phone, copier codes, messenger)
Bank deposit
Catering support/ordering
Faxing support
Special orders/3rd party ordering
Video conferencing set-up
Hand Deliveries/Pick-Ups
E-Filing
Preparation of Notice of Filing, Notice of Motion, Certificate of Service, and forms.</span
Review of local rules, court’s standing orders, & any temporary procedural orders in place.
Spindle or piggyback motion hearing dates, and any communications with the court clerk.
Confirm acceptance of filing by the court clerk.
Document Translation
Interpreter – Remote or On-Site
Preparation of Table of Authorities
Formatting appellate briefs
Skip Tracing
Asset Search (bank accounts)
E-Recording

Inquire today to learn how our on-demand, flexible legal support services can help your law firm increase profitability without the stress.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.