17 Aug Virtual Law Firm: Preparing for a Hybrid Future
Increasingly, attorneys are embracing the flexibility of work-at-home legal jobs. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the hand of many a law firm as overnight they had to transform to a virtual law office.
It is apparent that the legal industry will largely be transitioning to a hybrid work model even after the pandemic. There are certainly many advantages to embracing virtual legal jobs as remote work can enable lawyers to save time, lower overhead costs, and increase efficiencies.
According to Law Practice Today, the percentage of time worked in main offices is likely to decline by 12% post-pandemic, and some predict a 15 to 25% reduction in space occupied by law firms. That should result in huge savings for firms as real estate is one of the highest costs behind salaries.
However, while there are upsides to embracing this hybrid approach – and certainly firms that fail to adapt risk being left behind – it is not something that should be done haphazardly. First, firms must take a critical look at how they are currently operating to determine the best path forward.
How to Excel as a Virtual Law Office
An essential component of a virtual law firm is making sure technology is adapted to support remote law jobs. Since there is so much sensitive information involved in the legal industry, firms must ensure that security measures are in place to keep that confidential information secure if they transition to remote work. As more law firms have moved to remote or hybrid work models, phishing attempts have skyrocketed, increasing the pressure placed on information technology departments.
Lexicon Senior Cyber Security Specialist Miranda Dittmann cautions that law firms must keep in mind the amount of data sharing that is taking place in hybrid environments. As more data is replicated, the risks to law firms increase.
“Definitely limit your data share,” Dittmann said. “The more that we work in a virtual environment the more information we’re seeing replicated across the environment in and out of our enterprises, so it’s going to be critical to limit your information share and be mindful of what is being shared.”
Ultimately, firms must assess their technology infrastructure to determine whether they are set up for success in a hybrid environment. Any areas of potential vulnerability need to be addressed to avoid cybersecurity threats and thrive as a virtual law firm.
Fostering Employee Growth With Work From Home Attorney Jobs
While the hybrid model brings its own set of challenges for law firms, it also offers the chance for law firms willing to evolve to attract the best up and coming leaders in the legal industry. The fact of the matter is that much of the young legal talent entering the field is going to be seeking work at home legal jobs because of the flexibility and convenience that those careers offer.
Lexicon Product Marketing Manager Lauren Hoffmann says law firms should seize that opportunity to create an innovative work environment post-pandemic.
“The legal industry is a little slower to adopt in a lot of areas,” Hoffmann said, “and you have this generation that is coming out of college and they are used to seeing technology and modern work spaces and the ability to work from home and clean white lines in the office, and then you move into this legal industry which has generally been slower to adapt to new technology and modern infrastructure and this really gives the up and coming leaders the ability to be who they are and practice in an environment that works for them.”
Virtual law firms that offer work at home attorney jobs and innovative office designs are going to be more attractive to this next generation of lawyers. By providing hybrid work environments, and ensuring the firm is set up to excel as a virtual law office, law firms can establish a culture that frees employees to be more efficient and focus more on the practice of law.
How Can Lexicon Prepare You for a Hybrid Future
Lexicon has been in the business of creating solutions for law firms for more than a decade. We offer practice management software, marketing services, appointment setting, revenue optimization, client billing, support services, and more.
We understand the challenges law firms have faced in the past, and we know the barriers they are likely to encounter in the future. With our experience and expertise we can help your firm navigate a hybrid future, whatever that may look like.
To learn more about how Lexicon can help your law firm thrive as a virtual law firm and transition to a hybrid future, get in touch with us.