In today’s internet-connected world, virtual legal assistants have become increasingly popular, especially for law firms with busy lawyers. Hiring a virtual legal assistant can help you save your time, increase the firm’s productivity, and improve your bottom line, not to mention reduce your stress by having a team supporting you. However, choosing the right legal VA can be a daunting task, with so many individuals seemingly available in the market. In this article, we will discuss some essential tips to help you choose the right legal virtual assistant for your needs.
Identify Your Needs
Before you start looking for a legal virtual legal assistant, it is essential to identify your needs. What tasks do you want your legal VA to handle? Do you need help with drafting, filings, client intake, nonattorne salespersons, administrative tasks, social media management, email management or something else? Identifying your needs will help you narrow down your search and find a legal virtual assistant who is best qualified in the areas you need assistance with.
Look for Experience and Expertise
When hiring any type of virtual assistant, it is essential to look for experience and expertise. A good virtual assistant should have experience or the ability to quickly learn the areas you need help with. Ask for references and check their portfolio and online reviews if you can find, but even better, get a background check done, if you can.
Communication Skills
Communication is key when working with a virtual assistant. Make sure the virtual assistant you choose has excellent communication skills and is comfortable communicating through email, phone, or video conferencing. They should be able to understand your needs and be able to provide regular updates on the progress of the tasks assigned to them.
Availability
It is essential to choose a virtual assistant who is available when you need them. Discuss their availability upfront and make sure they can work within your preferred schedule. Make sure you find someone who is willing to accommodate your needs.
Cost
The cost of hiring a virtual assistant can vary greatly depending on their experience, expertise, and location. It is essential to not be pound foolish and penny wise. Although everyone likes to save costs when we can, we all know that cheaper is not necessarily better. Keep in mind that hiring a virtual assistant is an investment in your business, and you should be willing to pay for quality services.
The Value of Your Time
Finally, factor in the Cost in terms of the value of your time. The more time you spend searching, vetting and training someone means less time you spend doing legal work. Therefore, make sure you factor in the value of your time in this process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right legal virtual assistant can be a game-changer for your law firm. By identifying your needs, looking for experience and expertise, assessing communication skills and availability, and identiying the true value they bring as well as cost, you can find the right legal virtual assistant to help you achieve your goals.
