How to work with a Remote Paralegal

Think of us as more of a partner than an employee. That’s what we will be is a support system to cheer on your team as we use our skills to help your law firm reach its goals. Thankfully due to electronic case filing and advanced case management software it has allowed remote paralegals to become more efficient than before. What use to be more of an office assistant role such as typing simple documents and scheduling clients, has been able to match being a paralegal just as if we are physically there in your office.

Case management systems will add your remote paralegal just as any other employee to create a profile for them to operate in your system. As a professional myself I want to ensure that my clients feel that I am completely confidential in handling their information so I always provide any references they may personally know, keep my bar certification active and I am fully ensured as an LLC. These are some things you can check on if you find a remote paralegal that you aren’t familiar with.

The Difference

I have contemplated what differences there are between when I was a paralegal in-office and now that I’m a remote paralegal. There aren’t that many believe it or not! Of course I’m not a W-2 employee and there is an up-side to that for a law firm owner. When you take into account the costs of hiring a W-2 employee like offering benefits, payroll, having to schedule time off needed for the employee, etc., versus not having to incorporate any of that, the benefits outweigh the risks! This is not just lower cost for your law firm, but will eliminate any high turnover you’re experiencing. Looking at it from that perspective doesn’t it seem riskier to higher a W-2 employee? Eliminate the high employee turnover problem by choosing to hire a professional remote paralegal who is also a legal entrepreneur.

Another positive difference is the tasks that seem to fall through the cracks and are forgotten when your staff had a busier than usual day and things didn’t stay on track as planned. That’s the nature of things, but when office staff leaves at 5:00 p.m. they can’t access systems to check on anything or aren’t allowed back in the building until the next day. In this particular case you may want a remote paralegal that can scan through emails and case workflows to complete any of these important things. We are your own system of checks and balances! This is important for you as a law firm owner so that you aren’t taking work home and exhausting yourself.

Technology

The advanced technology that case management software has been working on today has streamlined the business for remote paralegals and law firms. The ways of communication when working with a remote paralegal remain the same as a busy in-office person. Use of emails to staff and clients, saving documents and organizing them in the electronic files of your chose case management system, and use of the new functions that now case management has brought about to contact clients so you won’t have to use your office phone or email! Schedulers like calendly and zoom can be linked and appointments are set at ease and those systems can also be managed by remote paralegals who are helping you with this behind the scenes work.

Remote paralegals like myself are attending tech shows where legal technology are presenting so that we can stay up to date on newest features to be aware of. Even the states that are slower to advance are rapidly coming up with the times and eFile is being implemented. With this knowledge we not only know how to advance our business but can also guide your law firm into the future!

Conclusion

To thrive, firms must stay abreast of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain and biotech, etc., ensuring they can effectively counsel clients on the legal implications of these innovations. By strategically adopting and integrating technology into every aspect of the firm’s operations also utilizing remote paralegal professionals, a law firm can position itself as a modern, efficient, and client-focused organization set for long-term success.