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5 Strategies to Attract Legal Clients Online

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When it comes to growing your small law firm, a strong digital presence is essential. Sophisticated clients now turn to the internet first when searching for legal services, and if your firm isn’t easily discoverable or engaging online, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities

 

Here are five key digital strategies to attract clients and grow your law firm:

 

1. Optimize Your Website for Client Conversion

Your website is your digital business card. It’s often the first interaction a potential client has with your firm, so ensuring it’s professional, easy to navigate, and optimized for conversions is key.

 

Your website should include clear, concise information about your services, contact details, and a straightforward way for potential clients to schedule a consultation or get in touch. A poorly designed website can turn away clients, while a well-designed site that loads quickly and is mobile-friendly can help establish trust right from the start.

 

One essential aspect of optimization is incorporating Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics, such as using relevant keywords, ensuring your site is mobile-responsive, and creating high-quality content that answers potential clients’ legal questions. These elements not only help you rank higher on search engines like Google but also improve user experience.

 

2. Leverage Social Media to Build Relationships

 

Social media has become a vital tool for client acquisition, especially for law firms that want to build relationships with potential clients. Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram allow you to showcase your expertise, share valuable content, and engage with your community in a more personal way.

 

By posting regularly, answering common legal questions, and sharing success stories or updates in the legal field, you position your firm as an approachable authority. Engaging with followers through comments, likes, and direct messages further builds rapport, turning casual followers into clients.

 

To maximize your social media presence, consider creating a content calendar to post consistently and strategically. Additionally, using targeted ads on platforms like Facebook can help you reach specific demographics more likely to need your services.

 

3. Use Email Marketing to Nurture Leads

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective digital strategies for law firms. It allows you to stay connected with both potential and existing clients, nurturing relationships over time. With email campaigns, you can send newsletters, updates on new legal developments, or helpful guides that position your firm as a trusted source of information.

 

To make email marketing effective, segment your email list to ensure that you’re sending relevant content to the right audience. For instance, you could send different newsletters to past clients, prospective clients, or people who have recently downloaded a resource from your website. Personalized emails are much more likely to resonate and lead to client conversions.

 

4. Develop a Strong Content Marketing Strategy

 

Creating and sharing valuable content can help you build authority in your area of practice. Whether it’s blog posts, case studies, or video content, providing answers to common legal questions can position your firm as a go-to resource.

 

One of the best ways to attract clients through content marketing is by answering common questions your potential clients may have. For example, if you specialize in family law, writing blog posts about the divorce process, custody arrangements, or prenuptial agreements can draw in readers who may eventually become clients. By consistently publishing informative and engaging content, you also improve your SEO, making it easier for people to find your firm when searching online.

 

Consider incorporating a variety of content formats to appeal to different types of clients. Written articles, video explainers, and even downloadable legal guides can all serve to build trust and keep your audience engaged.

 

5. Encourage Online Reviews and Testimonials

 

Online reviews and testimonials play a major role in the decision-making process for potential clients. Positive reviews act as social proof that your law firm is trustworthy and capable, giving potential clients the confidence to reach out. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Avvo, and feature these testimonials on your website and social media.

 

Additionally, don’t shy away from responding to reviews—both positive and negative. Engaging with feedback shows that your firm values client satisfaction and is willing to improve when needed. A thoughtful, respectful response to a negative review can even turn the situation into a positive one for future clients reading the interaction.

 

How Amata’s Virtual Assistants Can Help You Implement These Strategies

 

While these digital strategies are proven to attract clients, they can be time-consuming to implement. As a small law firm, your primary focus is providing legal services—not managing websites, social media accounts, or email marketing campaigns. That’s where Amata’s fractional support services can make all the difference.

 

With Amata’s virtual assistants, you’ll access professionals who can handle your digital marketing tasks, from SEO optimization and social media management to content creation and email marketing. This frees up your time to focus on your legal practice, while your digital presence continues to grow and attract clients.

 

Amata’s virtual assistants scale their hours based on your workload, ensuring you get the support you need when you need it most.

Ready to grow your law firm’s digital presence? Contact Amata today to learn how our virtual assistants can help you attract more clients digitally without taking up your time.

Will Office Space Become Obsolete?

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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.

Contact us today to see how our virtual and on-site, flexible office plans can help you scale.

Discover our offices for lawyers in Chicago.

How Hybrid Law Firms Are Changing The Industry

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Five company directors in meeting with CEO in conference room.

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:

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.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

Marketing for Lawyers: How to Create a Pipeline of New Clients Without Referrals

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Amata is kicking off a new series to help lawyers better understand how to navigate the challenges of marketing for law firms. In partnership with Constellation Marketing, our first episode covers an in-depth overview to create something every business owner wants: a steady pipeline of clients.

Watch Here

Do you want to add 3-5 new cases every single month?

 

Learn Constellation Marketing’s methods for increasing your monthly revenue by 300% – without relying on inconsistent or low-quality referral leads. With these exact strategies, we’ve helped over 50 law firms attract the right type of clients and increase their monthly revenue 3x on average.

Trusted by 50+ Law Firms and Rated 5.0 on Google

We’re excited to partner with Constellation Marketing on this first episode of our series to explore marketing topics directly applicable to growing law firms. In our effort to provide opportunity to our clientele, we look to Constellation Marketing’s experience to help educate on what law professionals need to know in order to grow their marketing the right way.

Watch Here

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Reception Services: Make Sure To Keep Your Phone Number

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While you may be looking to adopt a new feature like receptionist service to your operations in favor of growth, doing so while having to change your number can actually be counterproductive. There’s lots of reasons why keeping your company phone number the same is important to your business’ long-term operation and growth, the most important of which we  outline in this article.

Changing Your Number Can Reverse The Work You’ve Done To Establish It

Make Sure To Keep Your Phone Number

In many ways, your business’ phone number serves as a part of its overall identity. It’s an essential piece of information that serves as the gateway between your office and clients, and as such, making sure that it’s well established to the public is important. This is why many businesses will go to great lengths to ensure that their phone number is well advertised, whether through print media, online directories, or even word of mouth. If you change your phone number, you risk losing the connection that you’ve already established with your existing client base. Not only will they have a harder time getting in touch with you, but they may also be hesitant to do business with a company that seems to be in flux.

Changing Your Number Can Be Unnecessarily Difficult

If you have a business phone number that’s been around for a while, chances are that it’s already connected to your company name in some capacity. This alludes to the administrative headache that comes with having to change it. In addition to alerting your current client base of the change, you’ll also need to make sure that your new number is updated on all of your marketing materials, website, and any other online listings. This can be a time consuming and expensive process, particularly for small businesses who may not have the resources to spare.

Changing Your Number Can Disrupt Your Operations

During a time when many businesses are struggling, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to maintain the stability of your company. This includes ensuring that all aspects of your operation are running as smoothly as possible, and that any potential disruptions are kept to a minimum. Making a change to your phone number can disrupt the flow of your business and introduce unnecessary complications, which is why it’s best to avoid it if at all possible.

In short, there are a number of reasons why it’s important to keep your company phone number the same. If you’re looking to make changes to your operations, it’s best to do so in a way that doesn’t disrupt your business’ phone number.

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Ways Virtual Law Firms Can Improve Communication With Clients

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Virtual law firms have seen a rise in popularity over the last several years. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a bigger boost in the demand for virtual legal professionals.

Will virtual firms become the “new normal” for the legal industry? Perhaps. Multiple firms across the country are seeing the benefits, as they’re able to hire and work with top attorneys with different areas of expertise. Clients can benefit, too. If a client needs an attorney specializing in a particular type of law, a quick search within a virtual law form can connect them with the expert legal advice they need.

But, as with any other type of virtual service, there are some potential drawbacks to virtual legal help. One of the biggest challenges is communication. Law firms need to adapt to improve client satisfaction remotely, and that’s often easier said than done.

But, it’s not impossible.

Whether you’re part of a larger firm or run your own, understanding how to improve communication with your clients will make a big difference in your success and trustworthiness. Let’s look at a few strategies that put communication at the forefront of your client-attorney relationship, even if you never meet each other in person.

Digitize Your Documentation

Ways Virtual Law Firms Can Improve

One of the best things you can do to improve your client communication is to stay organized. In addition to working with clients virtually, many attorneys are shifting their documents to cloud-based services. It’s a great way to “go green” and keep important files in one convenient location.

But, like any other filing system, it’s crucial to have some kind of organizational operation in place. Keeping things organized will make it easier to find information on your clients for meetings, or when they call or e-mail to ask a question. It will also make it easier to present information to your clients digitally, in an easy-to-understand format that will make communication stronger for both of you. Plus, staying organized will help you to avoid information silos and miscommunication within your firm.

Consider digitizing your documents through PDFs and creating a virtual library for all client documentation. You can store digital files by case numbers, last names, or however you see fit. In a matter of seconds, you’ll be able to search for files and pull them up, rather than scrambling for information at the last minute before your next virtual meeting.

If you create a cloud-based library, you can also choose to have it password protected. This allows you to directly share all files and information about a client’s case with them, so they can see changes and additions in real-time. It’s a small gesture, but when your client feels well-informed and updated, they’re more likely to trust the process.

Additionally, multi-factor authentication (MFA) or, at the very least, two-factor authentication (2FA) is advised. If your password is considered one form of authenticating or verifying your identity, then another form might be a text message or an email with an additional log-in code, or even the last four digits of your SSN. By protecting your clients’ documents with more than one form of authentication, you’re doing more than the bare minimum — consider MFA for all your clients’ files and data to keep them truly secure.

Set Up Multiple Communication Avenues

No matter how many clients you have, it’s important to make each one feel comfortable and heard. Not everyone will want to talk on the phone, so consider offering several virtual communication options, including:

  • One-on-one video chats
  • Email
  • Instant messaging
  • Conference calls

You can even host live streams within your office when you have to meet with more than one person. Live streaming is a great way to communicate a lot of information at once, especially when you’re working with multiple attorneys or your client wants other individuals involved. If you decide to go that route (or do any video conferencing, for that matter), it’s crucial to have the right setup. Choose your live streaming space carefully in a low-traffic area, especially if you’re working from home. Your background should be clean and free from distractions, but it’s never a bad idea to have your degrees hanging behind you.

It’s also okay to add a touch of personality to every avenue you offer. Whether you’re chatting on the phone or hosting a video conference call, be yourself. Have a few personal items in the background of your video, or connect with your client by finding a few interests you have in common. While remaining professional should be your top priority, your client will feel more comfortable and willing to open up if they see the actual person behind the attorney title.

Invest in the Right Software

With many firms across the country going virtual, keeping up with communication efforts will ensure you stay competitive. Consider developing your own online portal for clients. This has become increasingly popular in the healthcare industry for doctors and patients, but it can work just as well for attorneys. A digital portal will give your clients full access to the information they need, and they can set up meetings with you directly.

If you don’t want to build your own online portal, there are plenty of existing companies that have developed communication software. Practice management software like Clio, Practice Panther, and Smokeball can assist with things like:

  • Document management
  • Billing assistance
  • Scheduling
  • Case management

The more secure your clients feel when utilizing your virtual services, the better. Strong communication will help with that, so don’t be afraid to invest your time, money, and resources into improving your communication efforts. Virtual law firms are here to stay, and yours can continue to grow if you focus on building professional relationships with your clients, even if you’re in completely different time zones.

Discover our virtual offices in Chicago.

Mathew Dragatsis: The New Way to Scan and Search Legal Documents | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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Mathew Dragatsis is the CEO of Scan Search, the new way to manage and retrieve documents. In this episode, Matthew talks about what the most difficult part of file retrieval and document management is, and how Scan Search completely eliminates that problem by making it so that you’re able to retrieve a file just like how you’d search on Google. Type any word or phrase that you remember from that document and you’ll find it, it’s as easy as that.

Matthew and Ron talk about the the best business practices, how to keep your relationship with clients and how Matthew was able to adjust, transition, and evolve with the changes that were required of his company. He also talked about the future features of scan search such as email integration, highlighting, and many more.

Key moments:

  • The most difficult part in file retrieval (1:17)
  • Eliminating the problem of indexing (8:46)
  • Evolving with technology and maintaining client relationships (15:47)
  • Future quality of life features (23:52)

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

MEMORABLE QUOTES

“If you’re not evolving exponentially with the technology that comes out, you’re gonna fall behind or you’re not gonna be able to capitalize on opportunities that are really out there for you.” – Mathew Dragatsis

Mathew Dragatsis

ABOUT MATHEW DRAGATSIS

Mathew Dragatsis, Scan Search 

Document Imaging

Mathew Dragatsis has been the Founder of Radiant Solutions Corporation and CEO of their new product, Scan Search. He has almost 30 years of experience in document imaging and has served many different kinds of organizations with their document imaging, management, and retrieval needs.

Website: www.scansearch.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-dragatsis-b218883/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScanSearchDAM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scansearch

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

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

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

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

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

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Geo Bellas: Forty-Years of Game-Changing Tech for Law Firms | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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His law firm’s first game-changing tech adoption was a trio of fax machines that outpaced the competition and he says AI is the next big player. But Geo Bellas – nicknamed Geo as a reference to Neo in The Matrix – hasn’t been a techie simply because of the success it’s brought his practice over the past forty years.

He says it’s also the fun of getting a “new toy.” Further proof that staying true to your passions in your legal career, and having fun, is an important aspect of long-term success.

Forty years of game-changing tech and what the future holds for the legal profession:

  • The first tech in his firm and why he adapted early (01:30)
  • A prediction of law firms’ futures (18:00)
  • Attorneys working with purpose (32:08)
  • Geo’s advice for younger attorneys looking to build storied careers (41:05)

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

Legal innovation needs more than game-changing tech. It needs lawyers who change with it.

“I don’t think I ever sat there and said, ‘I got to do this, I got to go get this,’ I just wanted to get a toy. And, you know the old adage is he who dies with the most toys wins.”

“There is a movement to have a form of artificial intelligence decide small cases to eliminate the load on the courts…. The only thing is that computers haven’t learned to absorb all of the other factors…that help us make a decision. But eventually that’s going to happen and computers are going to take a lot of the work off of lawyers and lawyers are gonna have to find a way to fit into that new paradigm.”

“[Zoom] is creating the efficiency and lawyers are still adapting to it. I mean, I see lawyers, getting on…and there are still lawyers who sit there and have to have either their grandchildren, or somebody help them open up the Zoom window so they can participate in a webinar by Zoom. But that will change. There was a time where lawyers didn’t know how to use a fax machine. But they got [it], somehow they figured that out.”

GEORGE “GEO” BELLAS, An Early Adopter of Game-Changing Tech for Law Firms

Geo Bellas

Chicago Business Litigation Lawyer who has used technology in litigation for over 40 years. Geo’s firm serves as a trusted business advisor to business owners and has been promoting the use of technology in the practice for over 35 years.

www.bellas-wachowski.com
Blog: www.businessattorneychicago.com

Geo’s Social Media
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/georgebellas/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/george.s.bellas
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GeoBellas

Keep Reading About Game-Changing Tech in Law

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

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

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

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

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

More episodes of The 1958 Lawyer podcast

Discover our legal support staff for lawyers in Chicago.

Legaltech News: Flexing Their Market Muscles, ALSPs Can Elicit Tech Discounts For Small Firms

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Read the full piece here or below:

Discover our networking events for Chicago lawyers.

John Risvold: Prioritizing Powerful IP Over Fancy Legal Tech | THE 1958 LAWYER Podcast

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Don’t equate the legal technology changes that are happening in the courts, like E-Filing and the incorporation of video calls, with your law firm having to adopt all new tech to keep up with the times. While John D. Risvold likes the technology changes he sees in the legal system, he credits IP—his own pursuit of medical knowledge and expert support from family, friends, and his colleagues—for his practice’s success. With a focus on strong IP, a server (or cloud drive) and Microsoft 365 is all your firm needs to be profitable. Even the office is optional.

An IP focused law firm and the legal tech they use:

  • The Collins Law Firm minimal tech setup (01:21)
  • Examples of powerful IP at play in a law firm (06:31)
  • Marketing techniques and tools (25:10)
  • What John Risvold wants to see changed in the legal profession (41:20)

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OPERATING A LAW FIRM WITH A STREAMLINED LEGAL TECHNOLOGY APPROACH

“I haven’t been in the office in three weeks, but 2020 was one of the most successful years the firm has had in the last decade. It’s just a testament to everybody’s pulling together and hard work and making the technology work too.”

“We’re still getting cases resolved because of the expertise of folks at the firm, and the history of the firm and it’s experience.”

“The way things are going, if you have a good laptop, a good internet connection and you know how use Word, Excel, and Outlook, you can run an entire practice. You don’t need an office space. You don’t need any of the fancy case management systems…. You really can run the whole thing from a laptop and Excel and Outlook.”

“The pandemic [has] dragged our industry kicking and screaming from the mid-18th century to the present…. Carbon paper is such a hot commodity in Cook County that the judges have written their courtroom numbers on them and ‘Do not steal’….Hopefully, now that they’ve decided to do smart things like digital orders and PDF orders and email…we shouldn’t be handwriting orders [any longer.]”

JOHN RISVOLD, TECH SAVY PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAWYER

John Risvold

John, a personal injury trial lawyer at The Collins Law Firm P.C., has dedicated his career to fighting those responsible for injuring his clients. He focuses his practice on traumatic brain injury, car and truck crashes, medical negligence, nursing home neglect, and catastrophic personal injury. He spends the majority of his practice helping victims of catastrophic injury obtain justice.

Instagram: @johnrisvoldesq

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RisvoldTrial/

The Collins Law Firm: https://www.collinslaw.com/

LEGAL TECH TIPS, TRICKS, AND OTHER FIRMS FOCUSING ON IP

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

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

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

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

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