If you are a solo working from home, this might be a great option for you.
First, What is a virtual office?
Your virtual office arrangement can be as minimal as having a mailing address for you to list on court filings and receive mail (the most “virtual” of virtual offices) to having a receptionist answer your calls, with a dedicated office suite and access to a conference room to meet with clients.
Why a virtual law office?
The virtual office spaces are usually in high-rise buildings and accessible by public transportation, making meeting with clients easy. Many solo practitioners like using virtual offices for that reason. Meeting with clients is very convenient, both for the client and the attorney. And, you’re in a space that impresses clients and other attorneys.
The mailing address feature, offered by every major virtual office company, allows you to receive your law firm mail at a corporate address instead of your home address. In New York City, for example, most of the virtual office locations are located in either Midtown or the Wall Street areas in high-rise buildings. A virtual mailing address can make your firm look more professional, giving your firm an identity that gives confidence to prospective clients. “My virtual office is on Avenue of the Americas in a well-known building. It changes the way you’re perceived, among clients, and your perception among other attorneys,” Mr. Smith said.
When you sign up for a virtual mailing address, you can list the address on your business card, court filings, and website. It’s great if you don’t want clients or other attorneys to know where you live, Mr. Smith said. You can have mail sent to you at the virtual office for you to either pick up at your convenience or they can forward it to your home address.
What about a co-working space?
Is a virtual office right for my firm?
Pro | Con |
Affordable options | Often the full office package can be as expensive or more expensive than renting office space because of the premium carried by the address location |
Can allow you to work from home while having a different mailing address and a receptionist to answer calls | Can be impractical for attorneys hoping to get volume business from walk-ins or frequently meeting face-to-face with clients |
Having a well-regarded mailing address | |
Office very accessible by public transportation |
Really like this article, especially the profile of Mr. Smith. It’s a good example of the type of practice that finds success with a virtual office. It seems that lawyers who go to court frequently end up having fewer issues with isolation that most virtual attorneys complain about. Their forced to get out of their home office as a function of their job. The challenge will be when these attorneys want to level-up their practice by adding staff. Since won’t be covering the expense of office space, when they hire their first employee they will need to factor in the cost of labor plus the added cost of office space. This may make it more challenging for a virtual practice attorney to grow beyond a “one man army” (if that is in fact what is desired). We refer to Mr. Smith and your piece in our article about the past, present and future of virtual law practice. Link is here http://bit.ly/1LmPTy6. Hope you like it!