engaging pro bono attorneys in virtual law practice
TRANSCRIPT
Engaging Pro Bono Attorneys in Virtual Law
PracticeED MARKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID.
RICHARD GRANAT, CEO/DIRECTLAW, INC.AJA BROOKS, PRO BONO COORDINATOR, NMLA
AMY LESTER. PRESIDENT, PANTIGO CONSULTING,NMLA CONSULTANT
The Problem: Increasing the Productivity and Participation of Pro Bono Attorneys
● Attorneys are often reluctant to participate in Pro Bono because they are afraid they will be make a commitment for more that they can afford;
● There should be a way to reduce the friction in the system so that law students can easily assist Pro Bono attorneys;
● There should be a way to reduce the friction between legal administrators and pro bono attorneys by making communication and collaboration more efficient.
● There should be an easier way for legal aid administrators to monitor and evaluate the work of Pro Bono attorneys.
● Pro Bono attorney should be empowered so that they can service some clients on-line and delivered “unbundled” or “limited legal services.”
It’s all about reducing friction!
Workflow for the NM Virtual Law Firm Platform for Pro Bono Attorneys
Work Flow
● Pro Bono Attorneys Register for System
● NMLA Administrator Assigns Clients and Cases to Attorney
● Client’s Register
● Pro Bono Attorneys Serve Clients
● Pro Bono Attorneys Collaborate with NMLA Administrators and also supervise law students and other legal professionals who work on a case.
The NMLA Platform is Designed to Encourage Online Collaboration and Communication.
Secure Client Portal and Secure Attorney Dash Board- Virtual Law Practice – Client-Facing
What is a Virtual Law Firm?
● A “virtual law firm” is characterized by access by the firm’s clients to a password protected and secure web space where both the attorney and client may interact and legal services are consumed by the client.
● More specifically it can be defined as having a secure client portal that is accessible from the law firm’s web site.
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Attorney Registration
Client Log-On Screen
Secure Client Portal
Up Load Files And Communicate With Attorney
On-Line Legal Advice from Pro Bono Attorney
Access Legal Information from Agencies and Courts Through Resources Tab
Embedded Document Automation Solution
Comes With: Over 250 Automated State Specific Documents plus you can integrate HotDocs templates from the HotDocs LSC/ProBono.net Server
Document Automation: HotDocs or Rapidocs
Client Journey
Client Journey
Attorney - ManagementFor each assigned case, the pro bono attorney working through their Attorney Dash Board can:
● Manage Cases assigned including recording time and closing cases.
● Retrieve/download client Questionnaires (documents) for review;
● Manage Legal Advice and Legal & Court Coaching client information, questions and your responses;
● Manage a Legal Document Review Service clients and associated documents;
● Retrieve client information (name, address, telephone, e-mail, etc.);
● Communicate & Share Files with clients;
● Post events (such as phone calls, important dates, etc.) on a clients’ Calendar tab;
● Manage and update your DirectLaw™ platform account information (username, password, address, etc.) – the My Account tab.
Attorney Functions
Attorney Dash Board
Case Management
Managing Legal Advice
Client Facing Calendar
Each Attorney Can Customize Their Own Platform
Expected Project Outcomes
● Increased participation of Pro Bono Attorneys.
● More effective communication between Legal Aid Administrators and Pro Bono Attorneys –less telephone tag.
● More effective management of pro bono attorneys and legal aid administrators;
● Possible more law student and law school involvement in Pro Bono through the platform;
● More effective legal services delivery and the delivery of “limited legal services” to clients that have Internet access.
Learn More About Online Legal Services● About the DirectLaw Platform: www.directlaw.com
● About Virtual Law Practice: ◦ American Bar Association - eLawyering Task Force, www.elawyering.com
◦ Stephanie Kimbro - http://virtuallawpractice.org/
◦ Stephanie Kimbro – (2015 edition, soon to be published.)Virtual Law Practice: How to Deliver Legal Services Online.
◦ Learning Resource: http://www.digital-lawyer.comCenter for Law Practice Technology
◦ Contact:Richard Granat, [email protected] Marks, [email protected]