If You Have a Virtual Law Practice, You Need a Chatbot
A virtual law practice provides more freedom with how you use your time. A virtual law practice enables lawyers to rely on various forms of technology to work out of the comfort of their own space. One of the main highlights of choosing a virtual law practice (aside from the previous mention of having more freedom in how you use your time) is in the increase of productivity. There are fewer interruptions by co-workers. You can control when you schedule calls and meetings. You can choose when and where you conduct business. A chatbot can make virtual law practices even more productive.
What Is a Chatbot?
By definition, a chatbot is a computer program that simulates conversation with human users. Primarily, they’re used through Internet websites. However, there are several chatbots that also work on social media platforms. One example is Facebook. Some chatbots integrate with Facebook messenger and allow people to ask questions. The chatbot will respond with preloaded responses. It reduces the amount of time that potential and current clients wait for a response.
How Using Bots Help Virtual Law Practices
Chatbots aren’t designed to replace lawyers. They’re designed to help lawyers save time while making potential clients feel as if they’re instantly connected to the answers they need. Consider the amount of time you could spend answering questions for someone via email, private messenger, or live chat. Using bots, virtual law practices can answer basic questions such as tenant rights, the divorce process in your state, and even help with client intake by recording answers to intake questions.
Chatbots Don’t Have to Be Complicated
There are two common misconceptions about chatbots and how they will (or won’t) work with any sort of law practice. The first misconception is that this sort of legal tech is meant to get rid of lawyers. That’s simply not true. Chatbots are meant to help lawyers better control their time (and the time of their support staff).
The second misconception is that chatbots are complicated. Chatbots can be as simple as you want it to be. You can start by using one that only gives out office hours (or live chat hours) and contact information. You could use one to screen potential clients or answer basic legal questions that you receive on a regular basis. If you are more technologically adventurous, you have a chatbot take on more prolific tasks. Here are some examples:
- Joshua Browder created DoNotPay, a bot that took on 250,000 traffic ticket cases and won 160,000 of them. It’s believed that since 2014, DoNotPay saved drivers around $4 million in fines. The service also helps travelers get refunds on their flights when the price of a ticket drops. What a great use of legal technology! What could your virtual law practice do to serve the community using bots?
- LawDroid, created by Tom Martin, uses Facebook messenger and can help entrepreneurs incorporate their business without a fee.
- In the UK, Robot Lawyer Lisa helps entrepreneurs develop NDAs for free.
Think about how using bots could specifically save your virtual law practice time. Then, weigh your options!