Empowering Military Spouses as Virtual Legal Assistants: Insights from Lindsay Kennedy's Journey

Lindsay Kennedy's journey began after graduating from law school, where she discovered a genuine passion for legal research and writing. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she met her active-duty husband, who would later become her spouse. Embracing the military lifestyle, Lindsay found herself moving frequently. 

Like the employment and licensing challenges many other military spouses face, Lindsay struggled to continue practicing law due to the time-consuming process of obtaining licensure in each new state every 2-3 years. Seeking an outlet for her legal expertise, she ventured into freelance ghostwriting for other lawyers. Ghostwriters craft written content like briefs, motions, contracts, and articles on behalf of an attorney or law firm. Her work as a ghostwriter allowed Lindsay to continue utilizing her skills while adapting to the nature of her military-affiliated circumstances.

Over the course of seven years, Lindsay's freelance work spanned various legal areas, including bankruptcy, tax law, and civil litigation. Lindsay's diverse exposure to different areas of law uniquely positions her to understand the challenges solo and small law firms face. 

Witnessing their struggle, Lindsay identified a pressing need for additional assistance, not only from other attorneys but also from virtual legal assistants.

Simultaneously, as a military spouse herself, Lindsay knew of a pool of highly educated and motivated military spouses eager to pursue legal careers. Recognizing the potential for mutually beneficial connections, Lindsay reached out to us at Freedom Makers Virtual Services – and together, we are empowering military spouses as they work as virtual legal assistants. 

Lindsay knows what solo practitioners need in the way of support, and we are grateful to her for offering her insights, relevant experience, and platform expertise to Freedom Maker virtual assistants working for law offices and those interested in pursuing work in the law field

Bridging the Gap: Virtual Legal Assistants in Support of Solo Practitioners

During a recent training session for Freedom Makers Virtual Services, Lindsay began by describing the commonalities and differences between paralegal work and the work of a virtual legal assistant, the traits a virtual assistant working in the legal field should have, the platforms most widely used by attorneys and the importance of helping solo practicing attorneys with their scheduling.

Lindsay explained that In the United States, the terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" are often used interchangeably by attorneys due to regional variations and personal preferences. The American Bar Association (ABA) has provided definitions that distinguish between the two roles. According to the ABA, a paralegal is an individual who is qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. But in practice, the term "paralegal" often encompasses many responsibilities a virtual legal assistant would handle. Similarly to paralegals, virtual legal assistants primarily engage in administrative tasks commonly found in any industry, like client communication, email correspondence, scheduling, document management, client updates, and basic drafting. 

Enhancing Efficiency with Clio: The Power of Case Management forVirtual Legal Assistants

Lindsay discussed why a virtual assistant should train on the prominent client case management software platform, Clio. Clio is a comprehensive database that includes crucial information such as contacts, opposing counsel, client details, relevant documents, and notes. A virtual assistant with knowledge of Clio can significantly contribute to a lawyer's productivity and efficiency.

By having a solid understanding of a platform like Clio, a virtual assistant can provide valuable support to lawyers in several ways:

• Case Management: A virtual assistant proficient in Clio can efficiently manage and organize case-related information within the platform. They can input and update client details, opposing counsel information, and case notes, ensuring that all relevant data is easily accessible to the lawyer. This helps streamline the workflow and enables the lawyer to focus on the legal aspects of the case.
• Document Management: Clio allows for seamless document management, and a virtual assistant well-versed in the platform can handle the organization and storage of digital files. They can upload, categorize, and retrieve important documents, ensuring the lawyer can easily access the necessary materials for their cases.
• Communication and Collaboration: Clio provides features for efficient communication and collaboration within a legal team. A virtual assistant familiar with Clio can utilize its tools to facilitate seamless communication between team members, including lawyers, paralegals, and clients. They can assist in sending messages, scheduling appointments, and coordinating tasks, ensuring effective collaboration and smooth information exchange.
• Deadline and Calendar Management: Clio offers features for tracking deadlines, court dates, and appointments. A virtual assistant can utilize these functionalities to manage the lawyer's calendar effectively. They can enter important dates, set reminders, and help the lawyer stay organized and on top of their schedule, reducing the risk of missed deadlines or scheduling conflicts.
• Client Relationship Management: Clio allows for the management of client information and interactions. A virtual assistant proficient in Clio can help maintain client records, update contact information, and log communication history. This ensures that the lawyer has a comprehensive overview of their clients, their cases, and the progress made, facilitating effective client relationship management.

Clio offers a free seven-day trial, allowing virtual assistants to explore its features, experiment with different scenarios, and undergo training. Its YouTube channel provides a wealth of videos for users to learn and practice the platform. Lindsay made it clear that once someone becomes proficient in Clio, transitioning to other case management systems like CASEPeer or CosmoLex becomes easier. While there are many platforms legal professionals use, they generally follow similar structures. Therefore, understanding Clio will provide a foundation for efficiently navigating and adapting to other systems.

Mastering Scheduling:  Virtual Legal Assistants And The Art Of Coordination

Finally, Lindsay explained that it is critical that a virtual legal assistant perfect the art of scheduling. This skill involves understanding the court schedule and other crucial aspects of the law firm's operations.  Lindsay emphasized that learning to do it well cannot be overstated. 

Among other things, scheduling involves:

• Coordinating depositions.
• Responding to motions within designated timelines.
• Managing client appointments.
• Aligning with court schedules.

By skillfully navigating these scheduling complexities, a virtual legal assistant can contribute to the efficient functioning of the law firm and ensure that important legal activities are appropriately planned and executed. For example, attorneys often allocate specific days and times for phone calls with clients due to the mental exertion involved in selling their services and presenting themselves effectively. By carefully arranging these calls, Lindsay explained that a good virtual legal assistant can act as a gatekeeper, ensuring that the attorney has sufficient energy and capacity to handle all pressing tasks.

Lindsay's insights and expertise sparked an exciting conversation and provided invaluable tips and encouragement. Her emphasis on learning platforms like Clio, coordinating complex tasks with professionalism, and mastering scheduling highlighted the significant role that a virtual legal assistant can play in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of a small law office.

Lindsay's life and passion aligns perfectly with the core values we hold dear at Freedom Makers Virtual Services. Her commitment as an attorney, mother, and military spouse is unwavering and something we as a community appreciate and celebrate. Moreover, our partnership with Lindsay enables us to optimize our service offerings to the legal community and ensure all Freedom Makers are poised and positioned to provide the highest level of virtual legal assistance possible. We are grateful for the positive impact Lindsay's dedication is making on solo practitioners and the military spouse community!