Practicing in the Virtual Realm: A Framework for Delivering Legal Services Online

A number of innovative law firms are seeking to deliver legal services directly to clients through their Web sites or to set up what some call “virtual law offices.” Unlike a simple law firm site, which may have just a description of the firm’s practice, the lawyers’ biographical information and some informational resources, a virtual firm’s site has a more ambitious purpose. It is characterized by clients’ access to a password-protected and secure Web space where the lawyer and client may interact and the client may consume legal services. Some of these services may include the delivery of legal advice, review of documents that the client has received from other parties, sensitive discussions between the lawyer and client, and the creation, assembly and review of legal documents and forms. Among numerous examples of law firms now delivering services online are http://illinoisdivorce.com and www.kimbrolaw.com, both recipients of the James I. Keane Award, which the ABA eLawyering Task Force of the Law Practice Management Section presents to innovative firms that use the Internet to deliver legal services more efficiently.