If you run a growing law firm or professional practice, you’ve probably heard about virtual assistants (VAs). But for every busy attorney who raves about their VA, there’s another who tried it and got mediocre results. So what makes a great virtual legal assistant that separates firms that win back time and profits from those who just add more email?
It’s Not Just What You Delegate—It’s How You Do It
Successful use of virtual assistants is about more than just task lists. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Bundle Repetitive Tasks for Consistency
Instead of asking your VA to “help with whatever comes up,” identify sets of tasks you can assign at the same time and schedule on a repeating basis. For example:
- Every Monday, the VA cleans up your calendar, confirms appointments for the week, and sends you a morning “at-a-glance” summary.
- Document templates are filled out for common filings or client onboarding, so you never reinvent the wheel.
Why this works:
Consistency builds speed. Your VA gets quicker and makes fewer mistakes—and your routine looks and feels more professional.
- Use Screen Sharing for Onboarding—Even for One-Off Tasks
Don’t just send email instructions. Record or schedule a 10-minute screen share when assigning a new workflow (case filing, time entry, CRM update). Show step-by-step, and encourage questions.Pro tip: Store your recording in a shared drive. Each time you add a new VA or temp assistant, you have ready-made training, saving you hours in the future.
- Batch “Client Touch” Tasks to Stay Top of Mind
Ask your VA to help with non-billable but high-impact outreach, like:
- Checking in with dormant clients
- Tracking birthdays or key dates, and sending a note (template provided by you)
- Scheduling quarterly check-in calls—without you having to remember
Why this works:
You become the lawyer who “always keeps in touch,” which drives referrals and keeps your calendar full.
- Create ‘Red Folder’ and ‘Green Folder’ Urgency Signals
Not all tasks are equal. Institute a system (color folders, labels, or email subject lines) so your VA knows what is time-sensitive (“Red Folder”) and what can be picked up as time allows (“Green Folder”).For instance, “Red: File Motion Today” gets tackled immediately. “Green: Organize XYZ Files” is batched for downtime.
- Guard Your Calendar—Literally
Give your VA power to pre-screen meeting requests with a short, direct script:
“What’s the main goal for your meeting with Attorney Smith? If it’s urgent, let me know and I’ll flag it right away.”A skilled VA can triage non-essential meetings or time-wasters, protecting your billable hours and sanity.
- Set Up a “Missed Opportunities” List
After a month, ask your VA to list:
- Calls or potential clients that didn’t get a response
- Filings that were almost late
- Common interruptions This post-mortem helps you spot process gaps—and gives your assistant permission to raise problems (not just do what they’re told).
- Expand Access, But Keep It Secure
Avoid sharing passwords via email. Use tools like LastPass, 1Password, or a secure client portal so your VA can access filings, calendars, or client comms—without sacrificing confidentiality.
- Use Your VA for Competitive Research
Think beyond admin. A VA can:
- Gather contact info for local referral partners
- Monitor court decisions in your field
- Keep a spreadsheet of competitor websites, reviews, or fee structures Set aside an hour monthly for your VA to “bring you the news”—instant intel you don’t have to gather yourself.
Why VAs Are the Secret to More Freedom (and More Clients)
Whether it’s for routine paperwork, client follow-up, travel booking, or prepping for trial, your VA gives you leverage.
Used well, they free up your best hours for what only you can do—legal work, business building, and life outside the office.
Want to see how other attorneys are using VAs to grow?
Talk to Amata. Our legal-trained remote assistants work with hundreds of firms, so you can get support that fits your workflow, stays confidential, and actually gives you your time back.
[Schedule a free consult to learn more about our VA services.]
