The Best Offices for Growing Law Firms

Running a law firm is all about flexible office leasing, balance, managing costs, keeping your team happy, and giving clients the best possible impression.

But as your firm grows, figuring out how to make your office space work for you can feel like solving a puzzle. That’s where flexible office leasing comes in, changing the game for firms that want to grow without unnecessary headaches.

 

Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Traditional leases can be a nightmare. Long-term commitments, high overhead, and paying for space you’re not using is a heavy load for law firms.

That’s why flexible office spaces let you scale up or down depending on what’s happening in your firm.

If you have a big case coming up and need space for extra staff, you can easily tap into office space. If you’re experiencing a slower season, you can reduce your office space, without penalties.

In this way, you’re not stuck paying for empty desks. You can stay lean while still maintaining a professional impression with your clients.

 

 

Finding the right office space can be difficult as you’re expanding. With flexible office leasing,  you can start small, and expand as your team grows.

Imagine transitioning into a larger suite seamlessly, without the hassle of renegotiating leases or uprooting your team. This is what flexible office solutions do.

 

Make the Right Impression

Clients notice your office. Flexible office leasing gives you access to premium, professional environments that reflect the kind of firm you’re running—or the kind of firm you’re aspiring to be.

From elegant conference rooms to reception areas and amenities for clients, you can give the impression of a big law firm office without the big price tag.

 

 

flexible office leasing in shared co working spaces

 

The Smarter Choice for Law Firms

Flexible office spaces aren’t just about cutting costs—they’re about working smarter. They let you manage expenses, grow your firm at your own pace, and still impress your clients.

At Amata, we’ve designed flexible office solutions with law firms in mind. Whether you need a desk or an entire floor, we’ve got options for any stage of growth.


Contact our team to schedule a visit to our offices in downtown Chicago.

Amata’s Chesterton Office Grand Opening: A Celebration of Community and Legal Partnerships

On October 23, Amata welcomed legal professionals and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of our new office in Chesterton, Indiana. The event was a great success, filled with networking, exciting opportunities, and a shared vision of growth for local law firms.

 

Amata’s Chesterton Office Grand Opening: A Celebration of Community and Legal Partnerships

 

The highlight of the afternoon was the ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce. Known for their dedication to business growth and community building, the Chamber’s involvement underscored just how impactful this office will be for professionals in the area. It was a moment of pride for everyone involved, as the office is set to become a key resource for law firms looking to establish a presence in Northwest Indiana.

 

One of the most exciting announcements at the event came from our partner, Ken Allen Law Group. As part of a unique partnership, Ken Allen, one of Indiana’s most renowned personal injury attorneys, is offering a lead-sharing agreement to Amata clients working out of the new Chesterton office. This gives small firms a golden opportunity—receiving client referrals directly from a nationally recognized law firm. This collaboration is designed to help small and growing firms expand their client base while working in a fully supported office environment tailored to their needs.

 

Ken Allen Law’s involvement doesn’t stop there. Ken Allen played an integral role in designing and building this office with the specific needs of law firms in mind. From the layout to the available services, the space reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful legal practice.

 

The grand opening was more than just an introduction to the new office—it was a reminder of how powerful collaboration can be in helping law firms grow. With partners like Ken Allen Law and the support of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, this new space is set to become a vital hub for legal professionals in the region. The energy and enthusiasm from attendees at the event made it clear: the Chesterton office is ready to play a key role in the success of the firms that call it home.

 

With its welcoming office environment, strong partnerships, and key resources, Amata’s Chesterton office is set to become a home base for local law firms—a place where they can truly grow and thrive in the community.

 

Want to See More?

Explore everything Amata’s Chesterton office has to offer! Visit our Brand New Office Space for Professionals | 501 Allen Ct. page to view photos, see all the available amenities, and reserve your spot in this welcoming new space for legal professionals. Join us in building a hub for growth, collaboration, and success.

 

How Amata Handles Your Shipping

“You can always get more money, but you can never get more time. So you need to ensure the things you spend your time on make the biggest impact,” Allan Dib, author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan

 

There is a little-known secret for growing your law firm, and it is buying back your time. As the author Dan Martell defines it:

 

“The little-known secret to reaching the next stage of your business is spending your time on only the tasks that: (a) you excel at, (b) you truly enjoy, and (c) add the highest value (usually in the form of revenue to your business). Likely, two or three tasks fit that description. Every other task you’re handling is allowing your growth and sucking the life from you, and you should clear it from your calendar. Yes, someone else should be handling about 95 percent of your current work so you can get back to what matters.

 

This realization is what led Amata to create a wide array of services that help lawyers and professional service providers do that: Buy back their time and focus on what matters. In that way, they get to increase profitability, enjoy a better work-life balance, and feel energized by the work that they do.

 

Today we’re going to talk about a clear example of this: Shipping services.

 

How many times have you spent 2-3 hours sending or receiving a package? While it doesn’t happen every day, shipping can be very time-consuming and take on hours that could be allocated for billable work, high-level strategy, or just relaxing with your loved ones. And that’s when our virtual offices and virtual assistants come in.

 

Once you join Amata, we can hand-deliver and pick up packages for you. Our assistants will manage your shipping needs with the level of urgency that you require, with the fastest option being a delivery within the hour after receipt of documents inside the Chicago Loop area.

 

 

Instead of wasting time going to the post office, our administrative support services include the preparation and delivery of Fed-Ex packages, postage services, and an on-demand messenger. Since most lawyers have to deal with sensitive documents, we ensure that your package reaches the right hands promptly and keep a record of it that you can eventually use as proof.

 

Access Shipping Services, Even Working From Home

For remote and hybrid companies, our virtual offices can provide the comfort and professional experience of a luxury office, without the high costs. With our virtual office program, you get access to a business address in a prominent area in Chicago, so clients associate your organization with a Class A location and experience.

 

This also entitles you to receive correspondence at the location and enjoy mail processing and forwarding. The on-site staff will inform you when important correspondence arrives, and we can also receive, scan, and forward any documents for you. Everything is handled with extreme professionality and discretion, as each of our team members goes through a four-person interview process — We want to make sure they care about your success, becoming a reliable extension of your team.

 

“Amata has helped my business grow from a virtual mailbox to two permanent office spaces… [and] has allowed me to present my business in the most professional manner possible.”

Robert Buchanan, THE LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT BUCHANAN

 

 

The next time you are on a tight deadline to deliver a document or under pressure from your clients to review a document they just sent you, count on us. Amata’s support professionals will take care of all your shipping needs, ensuring you can focus on that 5% of work that truly moves the needle — for your client’s success, your company’s profitability, and your personal fulfillment.

 

Contact us today to inquire about our virtual office programs and support services.

Fractional Legal Staff: A Real-World Checklist of Things They Can Do For You

Running a small law firm is demanding. You wear many hats, juggling cases, managing clients, and overseeing every detail. Hiring additional staff can be tempting, but the prospect of onboarding a full-time employee—the cost, the commitment—can be daunting.

At Amata, we understand your hesitation. That’s why our fractional staffing solutions are designed specifically for small firms like yours, offering the benefits of dedicated support without the burden of full-time overhead.

 

Are You Worried About Your Fractional Staff’s Onboarding?

Perhaps you’re worried about:

  • Integration and Training

    Will a fractional paralegal or admin seamlessly integrate into your existing workflow? Yes. At Amata, we take the time to understand your firm’s unique needs and ensure your fractional staff is fully trained on your preferred tools and procedures. Think of it as a seamless extension of your team, not a disruptive addition. 
  • Accountability and Quality

    Can you trust someone working part-time to deliver high-quality work and meet deadlines? Absolutely. Our staff is comprised of pre-vetted, experienced legal professionals. We prioritize clear communication through daily logs and regular reviews, keeping you informed and ensuring your standards are met. 
  • Cost-Effectiveness

    Will fractional staffing actually save you money? Most definitely! You only pay for the support you need, eliminating the expense of salaries, benefits, and office space for a full-time employee. This allows you to scale your team up or down as your caseload dictates, maximizing your return on investment.

From the moment you engage Amata, our team prioritizes a smooth transition. Our proven onboarding process ensures your fractional staff is quickly brought up to speed on your firm’s processes.

 

Here’s an example of a real-world onboarding schedule we use when working with clients:

 

  • Day 1: Initial Meeting and Setup: We schedule the initial meeting to understand your specific needs and establish clear communication channels. We outline daily and weekly tasks and request access to necessary tools and platforms.

    This initial day is dedicated to getting you familiarized with your fractional team, and understanding your preferred software and procedures. 
  • Day 2: Detailed Instructions and Supervised Execution: We schedule a follow-up meeting to ensure a clear understanding of expectations. This session is recorded for future reference, allowing your fractional staff to revisit the information as needed. Under your supervision, they begin executing the assigned tasks. 
  • Day 3: Independent Task Execution: Gradually your fractional staff starts tackling tasks independently. They can refer back to the recorded instructions for any clarification, freeing you from constant supervision while maintaining accuracy. 
  • Day 4: Tasks Repetition and Output Delivery: The team repeats the tasks to ensure proficiency and consistent quality output. Completed tasks are delivered to you for review, keeping you in complete control of the process.

 

Ongoing Daily and Weekly Review

Amata fosters a culture of transparency and accountability. This commitment is reflected in our ongoing communication practices:

 

  • Daily Logs: Your fractional staff meticulously maintains a daily log detailing completed tasks and progress made. This log provides you with real-time insight into their work and allows for immediate course correction if needed. 
  • Weekly Reviews: Collaboration is key. We schedule regular weekly reviews where you and your fractional staff can discuss all tasks, ensure alignment with your goals, and address any concerns promptly. 
  • Proactive Adaptation: The legal landscape is dynamic, and your needs may evolve. Amata recognizes this. We hold regular meetings to discuss new tasks or changing requirements, ensuring your fractional staff is equipped to handle them efficiently.

Amata: Your Partner in Success

Amata’s fractional staffing solutions are designed to empower small law firms like yours. We offer:

 

  • Flexibility: Tailor your support to your specific needs. Need help with legal research for a few hours a week? Done. Want a paralegal to assist with all pre-trial tasks for a specific case? We’ve got you covered.
  • Focus on Your Core Business: Free yourself from administrative burdens and focus on what you do best – practicing great law.
  • Peace of Mind: Know that your critical tasks are being handled by qualified professionals, allowing you to serve your clients with confidence.

Don’t let concerns about traditional staffing hold you back. Contact Amata today and discover how our fractional legal staffing solutions can streamline your workflow and save you time while providing an accountable team all along the way.

Is Your Admin Staff Leaving You? It Might Be Because You Don’t Need Them Full-time

People quit their jobs for many reasons. And besides the obvious ones (relocation, burnout, low pay), there is one reason that most leaders haven’t considered: Feeling underutilized.

High performers want to grow in their careers, make a tangible impact, and do challenging work. Many assistants and administrative staff also have a serving heart: They want to truly contribute and feel valued. If they feel that the work they do is meaningful, they will want to move on.

This article presents a solution for this — One that works for both the employee and those law firms looking to retain good people while protecting their margins.

 

Why Admin Staff Leave Their Employees

The right administrative staff can cut your workload, handle repetitive day-to-day tasks, streamline operations, and allow your lawyers to focus on their core responsibilities.

However, a concerning trend has emerged—qualified and capable administrative professionals are leaving their positions, often due to feeling underutilized in their roles. The Gloat Survey revealed that 34% of American workers feel underutilized at work, prompting them to quit.

This begs the question: Are law firms overlooking the potential benefits of hiring administrative staff on an hourly basis?

 

The traditional model of hiring full-time administrative staff has long been the norm for law firms. However, as work structures evolve and technology enables greater flexibility, the one-size-fits-all approach may no longer be the most effective solution. Small law firms, in particular, can benefit from reevaluating their staffing strategies to better align with the needs of both the firm and its employees.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that the cost of replacing an employee can range from 50% to 60% of their annual salary. For small law firms operating on tight budgets, the prospect of frequent turnover among administrative staff can have significant ramifications on profitability and overall firm performance.

So, what can small law firms do to address this issue? The answer lies in embracing a more flexible approach to staffing by hiring administrative professionals on an hourly basis. By doing so, firms can harness the expertise of skilled professionals without committing to the financial burden of a full-time salary.

 

Fractional Support Services

Having worked with more than 6,000 solo practitioners and small law firms, Amata has created a new program that solves this issue. It provides flexibility in hiring, so that lawyers can experience the benefits admin staff provides (reduced workload, less stress, smoother operations) without having to commit to a full-time employee.

The Fractional Support Services Programs have five different packages, plus a pay-as-you-need-it service pricing.

This offers several advantages:

  1. For the firm, it provides the flexibility to scale staffing levels based on fluctuating workloads, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently.During periods of high demand, such as when preparing for trials or managing multiple client files simultaneously, firms can easily increase staffing levels to meet the surge in workload. Conversely, during quieter periods or lulls in activity, firms can scale back on staffing without the financial burden of maintaining full-time positions.
  2. For admin staff, fractional employment offers greater autonomy and work-life balance. Rather than being tied to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule, employees can choose to work the hours that best suit their needs, whether it be during traditional business hours or outside of them.This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction and employee retention, as individuals feel empowered to manage their work in a manner that aligns with their personal lives.
  3. Furthermore, hiring administrative staff on an hourly basis enables firms to leverage specialized expertise as needed, without the overhead costs associated with maintaining full-time positions. Whether it’s project-based work, temporary support during peak periods, or assistance with specific tasks, firms can tailor their staffing arrangements to suit their evolving needs.

 

By avoiding the costs associated with idle employees during slower periods, such as salaries, benefits, and overhead expenses, firms can maintain financial stability and maximize profitability.

 

A New Way Of Work

Fractional Support Services allows law firms to scale staffing levels based on fluctuating workloads. This empowers you to operate more efficiently, respond effectively to changing demands, and remain competitive in today’s competitive marketplace.

The traditional model of hiring full-time administrative staff is no longer the most effective solution for small law firms. By embracing a fractional approach to staffing and hiring administrative professionals on an hourly basis, you can significantly increase efficiency, profitability, work/life balance, and employee satisfaction.

Click here to learn more about our Fractional Support Packages and how they can help you scale profits without scaling your hours.

Streamline Your Law Firm With Virtual and On-Site Assistants

Did you know a virtual and on-site assistant are all you need to drastically reduce your workload and unlock new growth? Over 6,000 lawyers have experienced this with our attorney support services.

And now, for the first time, you can mix virtual and on-site assistants together, adjusting the hours that they work to your exact needs, so you can effectively benefit from the best of both worlds.

Introducing Fractional Support Services

Amata is committed to innovation. For years we have seen how many solo and small law firms NEED support on a daily basis, but they cannot afford a full-time hire yet. Either their finances cannot support it, or they do not have sufficient workload to justify a full-time hire.

Our Fractional Support Services solve that.

We have five package programs, plus a pay-as-you-need-it service pricing, to match the exact support needs of your law firm. In this article we are going to focus on one of the packages, which combines virtual and on-site assistants for the first time.

What a Virtual Assistant Can Do For You

In the book “Buy Back Your Time,” productivity and growth expert Dan Martell explains:

If you want to see your business explode, hiring an assistant is non-negotiable. It’s the first hire every entrepreneur should make. Every hour you spend on admin tasks, answering emails, managing your calendar, calling the gardener, paying bills, et cetera is an hour robbed from your business, family, and dream life.”

Why is a virtual assistant such an impactful hire for a business owner? It’s because, with proper training, they can “clone” you and take over all those essential but time-consuming tasks that are draining you.

These include:

  • Schedule meetings
  • Calendar management
  • Client follow up calls
  • Research
  • Party planning
  • Book events
  • On-line shopping
  • Social media posts
  • Online Directory management
  • Manage to-do lists
  • Email management
  • Organize events
  • Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable entries
  • Client collection calls
  • Enter attorney time/expenses
  • Pay invoices
  • Create templates/forms/charts/timelines
  • Updating case management systems
  • Prepare/edit PowerPoint presentations
  • Data entry
  • E-filing

And more!

A virtual assistant becomes a gatekeeper of your time, helping you do more without your personal involvement.

In our new Fractional Support Services packages, you can choose the number of hours of Executive Virtual Assistant support you need and whether or not you need on-site admin assistance or not. No more feeling like you don’t have enough for them to do or that you cannot afford one. Our packages suit your budget and demand as you grow.

What an On-Site Administrative Assistant Can Do For You

While virtual assistants can do a lot, some things need to be done in person and by someone experienced. That is where administrative assistants come in. This all-encompassing position can do anything that is required to keep your law firm running smoothly, such as coordinating staff events, bookkeeping, and making runs to the Recorder’s office, Secretary of State, County and Federal buildings.

Here is a list of services and on-site administrative assistant can handle for you:

  • Daily runs to Courts, Clerk’s & Sheriff’s Offices
  • Obtain certified copies, record liens, deeds, birth and death certificates, apostilles, and more.
  • Pay fees, deliver courtesy copies, and obtain duplicate tax bills.
  • Billing & data entry
  • Greet your clients and answer your phone
  • Notary services
  • Document witness
  • Electronic filing services
  • Document delivery
  • Translation/interpreter services (documents, remote, and on-site)
  • Skip tracing
  • Social media posting, Google Analytics monitoring, posting articles, and creating reports

The reason why Amata’s administrative assistants can do so many of these things is because they are specifically trained in the legal industry. They have worked with other law firms for years and will know the ins and outs of managing your back office.

With our new Fractional Support Services packages, you choose to have an in-person administrative assistant on an 80/20 basis. This means that 80% of the time is allocated to a virtual assistant, and the remaining 20% to an in-person assistant. They will coordinate daily court runs, deliver courtesy copies to judges, keep vital records in your office, and also greet clients on your behalf.

By combining virtual assistants with on-site administrative assistants, you get the best of both worlds. You can drastically cut hours, allocate new time to grow, and increase profits without the risks of a full-time hire.

Amata’s support team allows you to get comfortable using the same staff member all the time, without carrying them on your payroll. You only pay for the hours they work for you and you never have to deal with employee benefits or payroll taxes.

If you would like to get started, contact our team today and we will give you all the information to hire your first (or next) virtual and on-site administrative powerful match.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Can’t Afford to Hire a Team? With Fractional Services, You Probably Can

One of the hardest things as a growing law firm is the catch-22 situation of needing to hire talent in order to grow, but not having the funds in order to do it. Many times, the founder is fully booked, knows he needs support in order to scale, but isn’t sure if his finances allow for a new hire.

We understand. Hiring full-time staff can be quite expensive, especially considering all the benefits that they are entitled to.

But what if there was a way to hire top talent for your law firm at precisely the rates that you can afford right now?

A New, More Flexible Way to Hire

The job market has been undergoing a change for the last few years. Hiring a full-time employee is no longer the most common or even preferred way to hire. In fact, according to World Bank indicators, nearly 46.6% of the global workforce (1.57 billion people) are “self-employed.” This means that almost half of the workforce are freelancers working with flexible arrangements that suit the demands of both the freelancer and the companies.

For example, let’s say you are spending way too much time researching cases, drafting documents, checking facts, interviewing witnesses, and communicating with clients. A well-prepared paralegal can take all these things off your plate, but hiring a full-time paralegal with 3+ years of experience costs between $60,370 and $97,100 in the state of Illinois.

When looking at that rate, you might be thinking:

a) “I do not have the funds to hire this person right now.”
b) “I could hire them, but my profitability would go through the root.”
c) “I could hire them and my profit margins could sustain it, I just don’t know if I have enough work available for them.”

In either of these situations, you will feel overwhelmed by the decision and probably put it away “until you’re ready for it.”

The problem is that your number of to-dos keeps growing, and you are constantly being pulled into activities that are not the highest and most productive use of your time (like preparing affidavits.) This is the catch-22 situation we referred to in the beginning, and can leave a law firm owner stuck for years working too much time for not enough profits.

Hire Top Talent for Your Law Firm Without Hurting Profitability

That’s when Amata’s Fractional Services come in. With them, you can hire paralegals, executive virtual assistants, and in-person administrative assistants for just the hours that you need. We have five different packages to fit the amount of available work you can delegate right now, and the budget that you can devote for this new hire.

Imagine having a paralegal with 20 years of experience working only 10 hours a month on your cases. You could delegate the most important parts of your cases, such as interviewing witnesses and managing clients, while you focus on networking with your higher-tier clientele, the overall strategy on cases, and spending more time doing what you love.

You could also have 30 hours a month of support between an Executive Virtual Assistant and an in-person Administrative Assistant. Your virtual assistant works 80% of those hours, helping manage your calendar, return client calls, schedule appointments, plan events, make travel arrangements, and more. In the meantime, your in-person assistant takes over the daily runs to courts, Clerk’s & Sheriff’s offices, obtains certified copies, files applications, delivers courtesy copies to judges, and any other task that requires your physical presence.

These are just two of the five pay-as-you-need-it packages Amata offers as Fractional Services. If you would like to see a detailed explanation of these five packages, including what they include and their discounted hourly rates, click here to learn more.

The fastest way to grow your law firm is to delegate all the things that are not contributing directly to your bottom line, so you and your attorneys can focus on billable hours, while everything else is taken care of. In this way, you can do your highest value and most energizing work, reduce your hours, and still be able to protect and grow your profitability.

If you would like to learn more about how our new Fractional Services help you do this, contact our team today and we’ll take care of you.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Get the Exact Support Your Law Firm Needs to Grow

Have you ever held yourself back from hiring a team member because you do not know if you will have enough work to keep them busy? 

Many solo practitioners and small law firms are choosing to do the work themselves instead of delegating it for this very reason. They dream of the day when their cash flow and workload will be enough in order to start delegating, scaling, and getting their time back, but they tell themselves “this is a luxury that I don’t yet have.”

For this very reason, Amata has released a powerful program that opens a new possibility: Hiring legal support staff now, for only the hours that you need it, and at reasonable rates that your budget can support.

This article will explain our new Fractional Support Services Program and how it allows you to stop waiting and start building the law firm and life that you want today.

 

How To Operate Like A Big Firm, Without Being One Yet

Most solo practitioners and small law firm owners come from a corporate background. They have experienced what is like having a paralegal drafting documents for them, conducting research on critical cases, and coordinating court hearings and mediations. They know the time relief that having an administrative assistant or a VA to handle all their client communications and administrative procedures creates. That is how AM250 firms get the most profit out of every team member: The lawyers focus on billable hours, while the support staff covers all the other tasks for them.

After all, “it takes a village” to see a lawyer succeed. Imagine if you could delegate all the menial tasks that are taking up your time, and then focus on only your highest impact activities, like billable hours, strategic networking, and enjoying time off. How much more productive, profitable, and energized would you be?

Amata makes the transition from large law firm to solo practitioner virtually effortless. Secretarial and paralegal services are available at competitive rates on an ‘as needed, pay-as-you-go’ basis which is ideal for the solo practitioner or small law firm.”
Paula Kaplan Berger, BERGER LAW, LLC

Fractional Legal Support Services

Our new program allows you to hire legal support on a “pay as you need it” basis. Many solo practitioners and small law firms are holding themselves back from hiring (because they do not need it full-time), and this program fixes this forever.

There are five pre-made programs, and the option to also pay-as-you-need-it. Pick the one that suits you best!

Hybrid 30

30 hours/month of:

  • Executive Virtual Assistant Service, and
  • On-site Admin Support

This is an 80%/20% program, where up to 20% or 6 hours of time each month may be allotted to an in-person administrator for court runs, courtesy copies to judges, trips to the clerk’s office, and the vital records office. It may also be used for copy work or any other task an administrator can perform.

Investment: $900/month (a 39% discount from hourly rates.)

Virtual 15

15 hours/month of:

  • Executive Virtual Assistant Service

This program is 100% Virtual Executive Assistant service, including email management, appointment setting, social media management, and event scheduling, and any other task a Virtual Executive Assistant may perform.

Investment: $506/month (a 25% discount from hourly rates.)

On-Site 15

15 hours/month of:

  • On-site Admin Support

This program includes court runs, trips to the Clerk’s Office or Vital Records, copying, scanning, mail preparation, and all other admin support services available at Amata.

Investment: $731/month (for a 25% discount from hourly rates.)

Paralegal 10

10 hours/month of:

  • Paralegal support

This service may include document drafting, document review projects, case management, and any other task a paralegal may perform.

Investment: $1050/month (for a 12.5% discount from hourly rates.)

Paralegal 18

18 hours/month of:

  • Paralegal support

This service may include document drafting, document review projects, case management, and any other task a paralegal may perform.

Investment: $1620/month (for a 25% discount from hourly rates.)

 

These programs will auto-renew each month until canceled and must be purchased and paid for prior to work being performed. Any unused hours expire at the end of the month and do not roll over into the next month. All monthly overages will be invoiced at the pay-as-you-need-it rates:

    • Paralegal  $120/hour
    • On-site Admin  $65/hour
    • Virtual Executive Assistant $45/hour

Learn more about our Fractional Support Services Program here.

The Fastest Way to Grow Your Firm and Escape The Time For Money Trap

Most law firm owners want to generate more revenue and serve more clients, but are capped by their personal time. They simply do not have more hours in the day to build their team, streamline their operations, and create those strategic relationships that will take their law firm to the next level.

With our Fractional Support Packages, they can finally bring an experienced team on board, at rates that suit their budget. No longer do you have to choose between a full-time or nothing: You can now bring experienced paralegals, virtual assistants, and administrative staff at just the hours that you need.

In other words, you can start operating like a bigger, more profitable law firm, and clean your calendar from all those tasks that do not add directly to your bottom line or happiness.

Our Fractional Services can be paused at any moment and scaled up and down to match the exact demand and budget that you have at any time. If you would like to experience a new way to grow your firm without having to do all the work yourself, contact our team to get started today.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Achieving Sustainable Growth as a Law Firm Owner

Achieving Sustainable Growth as a Law Firm Owner

Can you grow your business revenue without working longer hours?

That is arguably the biggest question law firm owners wake up with. The rush, the all-nighters, and the relentless pace that got them through law school and built their successful career is no longer serving their desire to scale sustainably.

As the author Margaret Bonnano said, “Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time.” Most business owners desire not only financial success but also freedom over their calendar, location, and the type of clients they work with.

The question is, how can do this practically? If working longer hours is not the solution, how can law firm owners grow their practices while achieving a healthier work/life balance?

This is where the Utilization Rate Formula comes in.

The Utilization Rate Formula

At a law firm, the traditional thinking is that to generate greater profits you either bill more hours or increase your hourly billable rate, an approach that can go against the best interest of the client.

Instead, here are Amata we use the Utilization Rate Formula to calculate what needs to happen to drive down expenses, produce more work, and increase your profitability.

Achieving Sustainable Growth as a Law Firm Owner

This formula allows us to achieve leveraged and scalable growth without hurting profitability or the client experience. The key is utilization – only paying for time that is billable to your clients, eliminating all under-utilized time and expenses.

Using the Utilization Rate Formula, you would divide the number of billable hours by the total number of available hours (x100). So, if a paralegal on your staff billed for 32 hours from a 40-hour week, they would have a utilization rate of 80%. This means you need to pay for the under-utilized time, in this example 8 hours, from your profits.

By employing the on-demand paralegal team at Amata, you are only paying for the time they do billable work for you. So, in the example above, you would only pay for 32 hours that you are able to pass along to your client, saving 8 hours that you won’t have to pay for. By delegating and using leverage in this way, you are able to scale your business and profits without placing constraints on your time.

The New Growth Model for Law Firm Owners

After working with more than 600 law firms and professional services companies, we created a unique model that helps you build a thriving company that supports your life — instead of taking away from it.

We do this by protecting your bottom line first. The fast-changing markets of today require service businesses to stay lean and flexible so they can respond to the fluctuating demand of clients. In months when this client demand is high, Amata can expand your offices and provide flexible staffing to meet your growth. In months of contraction, we can reduce your office space without penalizing you for it (like most office and staffing companies do).

Achieving Sustainable Growth as a Law Firm Owner

And when it comes to office space, you continue to enjoy the full benefits of a traditional office, with the added benefit of being able to add or remove office space as you need it. Considering that office space and staffing are the two greatest expenses for most law firms and professional firms poised for growth, this means a huge pressure is taken off your back. 

You can grow at your own pace, save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, and stay at the forefront of innovation.

Another reason our model is so powerful is that top talent today requires more than a lavish office. They expect reasonable hours, easy-to-access offices, and the freedom to thrive in their personal lives just as much as they do in their careers. We help law firms and professional service firms create an environment that attracts these top performers while staying lean in their operations.

Our role is to help you practice your profession on your own terms. So whether you are working remotely, on-site, or a combination of both, we have solutions for you.

For example, our flexible staffing options allow firms to work with the same staff every day but only pay for the time they actually use. This may mean 5 hours/month for a senior paralegal, 56 minutes/month for a receptionist, and 10 hours/month for an assistant.

By eliminating unnecessary spending (e.g., an 800-square-foot library in the middle of the office), we allow clients to invest in tech, team, and client relationships that will take their business to the next level.

From 7-Day Work Weeks to Exploring America

Amata was born out of a deeply personal pain. Ron Bockstahler, our founder, was a declared workaholic. For decades, he didn’t take two days off in a row until he realized that you should treat your personal life the same way you treat your career. This means having clear and inspiring personal goals and committing to achieve them. 

Looking for exploration and to break the patterns of tradition, Ron went on an 8-year RV adventure with his wife across all 50 States in America and 9 Canadian provinces. Surprisingly, his business continued to soar, and he was earning more while living life to the fullest.

Today, Ron competes in Ironman races and is a father of 6 children:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkiKO9bqqq4

Amata began by managing the backend operations for lawyers, including tasks like litigation copy work and small print jobs. From the beginning, our primary focus has been putting our clients first, doing whatever it takes to create an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.

We believe that growing a business without enjoying life is not worth it. That is why we offer innovative solutions that allow you to keep expanding your firm while protecting your profitability, client experience, and work/life balance.

Contact our team and explore how our unique model can help you achieve sustainable growth.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Virtual Office vs. Physical Office: Finding the Right Fit with Amata

Should you pick a physical office or a virtual workspace? There are benefits either way. A virtual office offers flexibility, cost savings, and remote access. But a physical office provides a dedicated space for collaboration and productive meetings.

Here are Amata we offer the perfect middle. With flexible office spaces, we can serve your needs with the advantages of both a physical and a virtual office. This article is going to explain how.

Virtual Office vs. Physical Office

Here are 3 ways we can help virtual offices:

Cost Efficiency

Virtual offices eliminate the need for physical space, utilities, and maintenance. This option helps businesses maintain profitability, so they can invest more into tech, team, and growth.

At Amata we offer cost-efficient virtual office solutions, so your business can maintain its professional presence without the overhead expenses of a traditional office space.

Flexibility

We understand the importance of adaptability in today’s fast-paced world. That is why we provide 12-month lease terms with 30-day adjustment notice periods, which allow you to quickly pivot if needed.

With our scalable plans, you can also add or reduce office space as needed during the term of the contract, without penalties. Our shared spaces also virtual law firms to maintain their professional image while reducing on the second largest expense for most professional service companies: office space. You can better allocate those resources to improve technology, serve more clients, and grow your team.

Access To Legal Support Services Chicago

Whether you opt for a virtual or physical office, Amata’s support services are readily available to smoothen your operations. Our pre-vetted professionals act as extension of your team including:

  • Administrative assistants
  • Paralegals
  • Live receptionists
  • Business phone services

All of which can off-load your essential but tedious tasks like phone answering, posting on social media, keeping your databases updated, and even drafting first drafts for important cases.

Here are 3 ways we can help non-virtual offices:

Modern, Professional Office

Amata’s modern office spaces in Chicago are strategically designed to project a professional image and an environment for enhanced productivity and collaboration. You can enjoy all the credibility, safe facilities, and fully-equipped offices from a large corporation, but without the costs or 5-year leases.

Collaborative Environment

Our physical offices are designed to promote your very best work, where collaboration and innovation can flourish. With a combination of private offices, strategically placed workstations and networking events, law firms and professional service firms can focus on client service while everything is taken care of for them.

Secure and Private Environment

Physical offices provide an unmatched level of security and privacy, which is particularly important for law firms and professional service firms. We equip our offices and conference rooms with robust security measures, ensuring your data and confidential meetings remain protected.

We Can Help You Grow, On Your Own Terms

The choice between virtual and physical offices depends on your unique situation. While virtual offices offer flexibility and cost savings, physical offices provide a professional space for enhanced productivity and collaboration. With our flexible office plans and scalable solutions, we ensure you’ll find the perfect solution for your business, whether you require a modern office space, virtual office services, or legal support in Chicago.

Contact our friendly team and discover your ideal office solution to grow — whether you work remotely, on-site, or with a hybrid arrangement.

Discover our virtual offices in Chicago.