Five years ago, many clients were skeptical when I told them I handled cases entirely over the phone or online. One elderly client from Compton, California, whose case I worked on remotely from New York City, even admitted he was nervous about hiring a lawyer “all the way on the other side of the country.”
By the end, he told me, “If anybody I know ever needs a QDRO, I’m sending them to you.”
As you might expect, the pandemic changed things whether it be more virtual law firms or boutique firms. Most lawyers were rushing to learn about Zoom and e-filing—belatedly jumping on the cloud bandwagon. However, my business steadily picked up, and questions from clients about the feasibility of a virtual attorney nearly disappeared.
In this post, we’ll cover how to start and run a virtual law firm successfully, from setting up the right tools to building client trust in a digital environment.
What is a Virtual Lawyer or Virtual Law Firm?
A virtual lawyer is an attorney who provides services without a brick-and-mortar office. We aren’t fake lawyers; we simply deliver services via the phone and the internet. The key difference is location. Our practice is not tied to a physical office, allowing us to serve clients from anywhere. This often means we can charge a little less than “traditional” lawyers, but the real advantage is convenience for both the firm and the client.
There are no commutes, no traffic, and very little waiting—and if a client misses an appointment, it’s easy to close the calendar and get back to work.
Many virtual lawyers start this way out of necessity, relocating for family or personal reasons while continuing to serve clients remotely. There’s even a community on Facebook called Lawyer on the Beach where lawyers share workflows and tools that make their virtual practices easier.
With courts now widely allowing virtual appearances, running a mobile or fully remote law office is more feasible than ever.
Benefits of a Virtual Law Practice
The idea of running an entirely virtual law firm may sound like a leap, even for those who regularly practice and even litigate through video calls. The truth is, my practice is not that different from your average attorney.
And now that clients are almost universally comfortable with the concept of a remote practice, my virtual law office offers many benefits and almost no drawbacks.
Greater Work Flexibility
The biggest benefit of a virtual law practice is the ability to work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. I’ve run my firm from Manila, Missouri, and soon from four acres of forest in Connecticut.
While some states still have outdated ethics rules about practicing remotely, it’s easy to stay compliant with research or guidance from an ethics attorney. This flexibility also extends to time—client cancellations, family emergencies, or unexpected events don’t derail my day because I’m already set up to work from home.
Fewer Client No-Shows
One unexpected advantage of a virtual law practice is the sharp drop in missed appointments. Because clients can join from anywhere, whether they’re at home, at work, or even traveling, they’re far more likely to keep their scheduled meetings.
In my own practice, the no-show rate is significantly lower than when I had a physical office. And when someone does cancel last-minute, I’m still at my desk, ready to switch to another case or task within minutes, so virtually no time is wasted.
Increased Office Space Savings
Did you notice that I haven’t talked about money yet? Ten years ago, when I read about virtual law offices, one of the biggest selling points was that you would save money on office space. The cost of an office was not a concern of mine when I went virtual. But, thinking about how much offices around here cost, I saved a good amount of money. And that’s not even counting the home office deduction from my taxes that I currently enjoy.
Easy Adoption of Tech
A final benefit of running a virtual law firm is the mindset. When you already live on video calls and have implemented technology in your practice, embracing other technologies that improve firm efficiency and client service doesn’t feel like a leap for you or the client. This includes electronic intake forms, document automation, electronic filing, marketing automation, and more.
How To Set Up a Virtual Law Firm
Starting a virtual law firm doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, clear workflows, and a few smart habits, you can serve clients just as effectively as you would in a physical office, often with more flexibility and lower overhead. Here are the core steps to get started.
1. Understand State Rules and Ethics
Every state has its own regulations on remote legal practice, including where you can be physically located while serving clients. Research your state bar’s guidance or consult an ethics attorney to ensure you stay compliant from day one.
2. Choose Your Practice Management Software
Invest in legal software that keeps everything in one place—case management, calendaring, document automation, and client communication. Tools like MyCase can handle scheduling, intake, billing, and even secure messaging so your practice runs smoothly from anywhere.
3. Set Up Reliable Communication Channels
Clients should be able to reach you easily and securely. Consider a dedicated business phone line (such as Google Voice), encrypted messaging within your case management software, and automated scheduling tools to improve the client experience.
4. Build a Professional Online Presence
Your website and online profiles are your digital office front, so they should clearly outline your services, practice areas, and how clients can hire you. To simplify onboarding, include intake forms, consultation scheduling links, and secure payment options.
Build a strong digital presence through your website, social media, and online reviews, and consider using marketing automation to keep your client pipeline active.
The Tech Needed for a Mobile Law Office
Are you ready for it? Here is the list: a laptop and Microsoft Word. Maybe email, too.
Okay, that was a little facetious. Honestly though, as a virtual attorney, my tech stack is not that different from other lawyers. The core tasks of being a lawyer (paperwork and talking to clients and other parties) don’t change just because you work out of your house. I still use case management software, email, and Microsoft Word.
Beyond those, I do have a few tools that I absolutely love and make any attorney’s life easier, especially a virtual attorney:
Calendaring Software: Beyond built-in calendars, legal calendaring software lets clients pick a time without endless back-and-forth emails. It automatically sends invites, organizes appointment types, and integrates with Google Meet for virtual consultations. This has virtually eliminated no-shows and reduced the need for support staff.
Marketing Automation Software: I use a CRM with legal marketing automation to email and text leads from my website, send intake forms automatically, and follow up if no appointment is booked. This ensures all client information is ready before the meeting and streamlines the intake process.
Google Voice: A free tool for making calls and sending texts from any device, without expensive charges. It keeps my personal number private and allows desktop texting for faster client communication. Other providers can also sync communications to the client file in your practice management software.
Document Automation: Modern cloud-based legal software, like MyCase’s Document Automation, pulls case data directly into documents with a click. This saves hours on repetitive drafting so I can focus on strategy and billable work.
Tips for Setting Up a Virtual Law Firm
Probably the biggest issue I have run into with running a virtual law firm is the bleeding of lines between personal time and work time.
This problem goes both ways.
Here are some tips for setting up a virtual law firm to find the balance between work and home:
1. Set Work Boundaries With Family
When you work from home, family members may assume you’re always available for errands or interruptions. Make it clear from the start that you have set work hours and that, aside from true emergencies, you won't be available outside of those hours. Treat your time like any other professional schedule to avoid stress and tension later.
2. Don’t Overextend Work Assignments
Remote work makes it easy to keep going long past your usual hours, answering late calls or squeezing in “just a few edits” before bed. Without commutes, casual office breaks, or separation from your desk, burnout happens fast. Set boundaries for yourself to protect personal time, hobbies, and rest.
3. Set Up a Quiet Workspace
Choose a dedicated, closed-off workspace to avoid constant distractions from pets, deliveries, or family members. A calm environment helps you focus and maintain productivity as a remote lawyer.
4. Understand and Test Your Technology
Reliable internet is essential, as is knowing your tools inside and out—especially client-facing ones like calendars and intake forms. Familiarity with your software makes troubleshooting easy and keeps clients confident in your services. Smartphone apps can also be powerful for managing tasks on the go.
5. Connect With Other Virtual Lawyers
Don’t be afraid to reach out to peers who’ve mastered virtual practice. Networking with other remote attorneys can spark new ideas, solve challenges faster, and make the work feel less isolating. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) if you have questions about legal technology or running a virtual law firm.
Also, give MyCase a shot. They offer a 10-day free trial. No commitment or credit card required.
About the author
William PeacockAttorney & Legal SME
William “Willie” Peacock is a marketing consultant and attorney licensed in seven states. One of his many hobbies is writing about law and technology, and he has been cited by the American Bar Association, Above the Law, and other national publications.