Darling Hill

It doesn't matter if you've never heard of a virtual practice before. Today's your day to learn about virtual practice, especially if you're dreaming about flexible legal work or dreaming about quitting your law firm job but can't afford to skip the paycheck. All you need to do is check out this ABA article, At Virtual Law Firm, Lawyers Will Work at Home, Earn 85% of Billings. Your head will probably start swirling with thoughts like "that's what I want to do" or "that's the answer to my mommytrack dream" after you read it.

Growing numbers of virtual law firms might just wind up making a huge dent in the legal profession's traditional mode of operation and expected norms. Check out the coming book Staying at Home, Staying in the Law: A Lawyer's Guide to Remaining Active in the Legal Profession While Pursuing Your Dreams for more discussion about changing the profession's traditional expectations, especially about flexible work alternatives that support improved work/life balance.

According to the ABA Article, Virtual Law Partners is one company with plans "to employ hundreds of lawyers working from home doing all kinds of legal work for companies, except for litigation." This company has no plans to impose billable hour requirements on lawyers and lawyers get to pocket a huge percentage of the money they bring in to the company. "Other legal groups that employ work-at-home lawyers include Axiom Global Inc. in New York, Outside GC in Boston and Phillips & Reiter in Houston."

Virtual practice is just one way lawyers can achieve work/life flexibility and survive financially.

Know of other virtual law practices that are currently seeking at-home or work at home lawyers? If so, send an email to [ink] at* [darlinghill] dot* [com], and we'll compile a list to share in a future post.

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