| Picture this: you're a potential client looking for a | | | | Many lawyers will believe that having a non |
| lawyer within budget and you walk into an | | | | traditional office space takes away from the daily |
| absolutely breathtaking office. You're greeted by a | | | | interactions and networking between those on the |
| receptionist who asks you who you are there to | | | | job, but those lawyers have never set foot inside |
| see. The receptionist calls up that lawyer, who | | | | the new non traditional law offices. Many of these |
| comes out to meet you and walks you into an | | | | said "non traditional" offices have more assets |
| equally impressive and fully equipped conference | | | | readily available to them then any other traditional |
| room. This is the fifth lawyer you've seen today, | | | | law office. Need an expert for your upcoming |
| and after looking at the general space of this | | | | trial? Go talk to the therapist that has space in |
| specific office, you think the lawyers fees will be | | | | the office. Need someone to spin PR for your |
| well out of your financial ability. The lawyer gives | | | | client? Take a brisk walk down the hall to one of |
| you his upfront costs, and you sit there thinking | | | | the PR firms' right inside your "non traditional |
| this must all be a joke because there's no way a | | | | office". Not getting enough potential clients? Work |
| lawyer with an office this amazing can be giving | | | | out a deal with the advertising agency next to |
| fees that low, but you take him or her on as | | | | your office. The lists of possibilities are endless, |
| your lawyer because surprisingly, his fees fit your | | | | and your resources within a virtual office space |
| budget. | | | | are limitless. |
| That's how a meeting with a lawyer who uses | | | | An unprecedented amount of professions are |
| "virtual office space" goes. In this declining | | | | being hurt daily by our current recession. Travel |
| economic state, potential clients are always | | | | agents, stock brokers, librarians; all people we |
| looking for the best "bang for their buck" and this | | | | used to count on but can no longer afford to pay |
| is giving new lawyers a much harder time | | | | their fees. What do we do when we can't afford |
| obtaining clients when they first join large law | | | | them? We use the technological tools we have in |
| firms. This sends younger lawyers into a mad | | | | our homes to get the same information those in |
| dash, looking for centralized office spaces, | | | | that profession would help us acquire without the |
| somewhere with conference room access where | | | | incurred costs. With incomes becoming smaller |
| they can begin their own law practices. But where | | | | each day and the internet expanding the amount |
| can they find a space that isn't going to cost | | | | of information that can be found there, many |
| them an arm and a leg so that they can keep | | | | potential clients are convinced they are capable of |
| their overhead costs low, and thus be able to | | | | being their own lawyers to save some money. If |
| provide the same services as a larger law firm at | | | | you as a lawyer can find a way to be the |
| sometimes half the cost? That's where a virtual | | | | internet, in other words be extremely efficient |
| office space comes in. | | | | and low cost, plus bring your already impeccable |
| Companies like Micro Office Solutions and Your | | | | records of experience and personal interaction to |
| Wall Street Office are just two of the larger | | | | the table, clients are much more likely to come |
| conglomerate of companies of its kind. What they | | | | directly to you for your services. |
| offer is a moneysaving efficient solution to the | | | | A large number of concepts that were once |
| declining job placement market for new lawyers, | | | | considered taboo are common practice in today's |
| and a great home for start up practices of | | | | age. Like the shift from typewriting to word |
| existing lawyers. Some of the services offered | | | | processing on a computer, the shift to using |
| by these virtual office solutions are a lawyers | | | | virtual office space will too turn from "non |
| dream come true. They consist of anything from | | | | traditional" to "traditional", and an option that would |
| large private office spaces furnished with desks, | | | | be considered the smart thing to do for all parties |
| chairs and filing cabinets, to high speed internet | | | | involved. Wouldn't you want to be ahead of the |
| and unlimited local and domestic calling all readily | | | | curve and have a steady clientele base before |
| paid for in one monthly bill. Many of these | | | | every other lawyer catches on and tries to ride in |
| companies offer conference rooms, professional | | | | on the new wave? The best thing any lawyer can |
| mailing addresses with onsite mail handling, printer | | | | do is keep up with the times, and look into your |
| fax and photocopy machine access and recurring | | | | options. |
| cleaning services all inclusively. | | | | |