Hire a What?
The BIG Benefits of Hiring a Virtual Assistant
If you're bogged down with too much time-consuming administrative work, then it might be time to hire an assistant - a virtual assistant (VA)!
Virtual assistants have proven to be invaluable to solo attorneys - especially those who work from home.
Why?
They give attorneys added brain power!
A VA is a person who works off-site and helps with a variety of tasks like editing documents, making travel arrangements, updating websites, writing newsletters, etc. VA's can't, however, answer the phone or help with too much bookkeeping.
Sure, the thought of hiring an assistant you don't regularly see can be a little unsettling. Attorneys must be prepared to DELEGATE and TRUST their virtual assistant!
Laurie Kadair Redman, a Louisiana solo practitioner, offers these tips on how to work with a VA:
- Track your administrative tasks for a week. Which tasks keep you from doing billable work or do you just dislike doing? These are good tasks to potentially delegate to a VA.
- Do your research! There is a wealth of information on the virtual assistance industry on the Web.
- Trust your instincts. The relationship between an attorney and the VA is intended to be a long-standing partnership. Take your time to interview several people. It's important to like and understand each other.
- Don't resist change.VA's keep current on new processes and technologies and can offer a fresh perspective on helping you run your business more effectively.
- Be flexible. VA's offer a wide range of services, but there may be services they do not offer. You can complete your virtual office by contracting with an answering service and hiring a virtual bookkeeper.
A VA is not a secretary.
He or she is your bonus brain - and two brains are ALWAYS better than one!
Entries(RSS)
As a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, we are an ideal solution for Attorney's just starting their law practice or branching out and including bankruptcy in their list of services. We offer the convenience of using our services on an "As Needed" basis. When you use the same VBA you have increased productivity then you would if going to a temp agency and receiving a different candidate on each job assignment. We are also available when staff is on vacation, sick leave, etc., and on weekends or in the evenings. For a Bankruptcy Attorney this works out to their benefit as client calls can be made by the VBA (at Attorney's request) to obtain financial information for the petition ... when most clients are available, but staff is already gone home for the day.
I agree, Susan. Virtual assistants can be a huge help with bankruptcy case support, especially where much of the work load is focused on a large amount of paperwork that could be easily completed by a paralegal or other staff member. One good thing to remember when looking for a virtual assistant is to pay attention to expertise in the field of work you need assistance and some reassurance that these assistants understand ethical and privacy obligations of your office and clients.
Thanks Martha! I’ve been a Virtual Legal Assistant for quite a while now and I can tell you that to this day I still get that blank look with that same question: You’re a What?? This is a terrific post and on behalf of Virtual Legal Assistants nationwide, we thank you!!
Aretha Gaskin
The Virtual Legal Assistant
http://www.tvlai.com
800-682-0882