Virtual Paralegal Newsletter Magazine™ This Issue: Volume 4, Date 4/1/10 • • • • • • • •
Virtual Paralegal Interview - Cathy L. Ribble, CP Virtual Paralegal - Business Passwords Question of the Month Did You Know? Virtual Paralegal Forum Virtual Paralegal Blog Virtual Paralegal Directory Classifieds
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Virtual Paralegal Business Passwords One of the main concerns for attorneys hiring virtual paralegals and virtual assistants is confidentiality. It is the responsibility of the virtual paralegal to take the necessary steps to protect their client’s confidential information. In addition to signing and honoring the confidentiality agreement a virtual paralegal should consider using password protected software for transmitting all their clients’ documents. The virtual paralegal should avoid using personal information when creating passwords. Your passwords should be a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Do not use the same passwords for all your clients. Microsoft Online Safety offers a tool where you can check the strength of your passwords. The Virtual Paralegal Training Center Virtual Paralegal Newsletter Magazine™ http://virtualparalegaltrainingcenter.com inbox@virtualparalegaltraining.com
Question of the Month I may have an opportunity to interview a virtual attorney. What questions should I ask him to help you better market your virtual paralegal business? Click here to email your questions Did you know? •
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Virtual Paralegal Interview
Cathy L. Ribble, CP Digital Paralegal Services, LLC cribble@digitalparalegalservices.com www.digitalparalegalservices.com http://twitter.com/CathyRibble http://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyribble/ Phone: 1.800.531.7527 Fax: 1.800.319.6698 Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Oklahoma and Texas Years in business: I formed Digital Paralegal Services in 2009, and I have over 15 years experience as a legal professional. 1) Why did you start your virtual paralegal business? I worked for many years in a traditional law firm struggling to balance my professional goals with the family demands of a working mother. I live in a rural area requiring a 45-minute commute each way to reach the downtown area where most law firms are located. That made for a lengthy work day. I finally took an 8-year hiatus in my career during which I home schooled my youngest daughter. In 2008 I returned to my legal career, but found that the traditional “employee” position was too restrictive when it came to meeting the needs of my family. I also felt that my opportunities for professional growth were limited. I wanted to take advantage of new technology and the numerous avenues currently available for development The Virtual Paralegal Training Center Virtual Paralegal Newsletter Magazine™ http://virtualparalegaltrainingcenter.com inbox@virtualparalegaltraining.com
of new skills. The employer support for that development which I enjoyed earlier in my career was just not there. I wanted some flexibility in my schedule to spend time with my grandchildren. Working virtually will also allow me to help my parents during their senior years, and it gives me total control over my income level. 2) How long did it take for you to get your first client? I began researching and planning for my business early in 2009, but I did not officially launch my web site until September 1, 2009. I did not obtain my first attorney client until Christmas. Fortunately, I was able to do some general administrative projects for non-attorney clients as well as some freelance writing assignments during that time. 3) How did you transition from your “office” paralegal job to your virtual paralegal business? I actually resigned from my full-time “office” paralegal job in December, 2008. I first used my downtime to study for my certification exam with the National Association of Legal Assistants. After the exam date, I focused on networking with other legal professionals, business seminars, writing my business plan and then writing the content for my web site. 4) How much do you charge for your services? (Just give us a range) Generally, my rate is currently $35.00 per hour. Service packages are tailored to meet the specific needs of my clients, and I offer retainer plans which entitle clients to discounts. I anticipate gradual, but progressive rate increases to achieve my bottom line profit margin. 5) What type of software do you use for your practice areas? I primarily use the Microsoft Office programs including Word 2007 and Excel 2007. I recently acquired legal RTG Bills legal billing software and Adobe Acrobat 9. A good document scanner program is also required. I am currently using Backpack and ClientSpot for online collaboration. There are numerous litigation support tools available. That decision will be based on client preference as needed. 6) How do you market your services? I depend on my web site and blog as my primary marketing tool. I issued a virtual press release when I launched my company, and it is time for another press release. I participate in social networking sites (LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook). It required a substantial amount of time to develop a follower network of attorneys and paralegals. You have to remember though it is about building relationships and not just making a bunch of posts. I also participate in interviews for other virtual professionals whenever the opportunity presents itself. I have a firm brochure which I will be sending The Virtual Paralegal Training Center Virtual Paralegal Newsletter Magazine™ http://virtualparalegaltrainingcenter.com inbox@virtualparalegaltraining.com
out to selected solo attorneys in Oklahoma and Texas by direct mail. I am in the process of launching an electronic newsletter. 7) What are the challenges or obstacles you have faced while starting and operating your virtual paralegal business? It was definitely a challenge waiting for that first client. I had limited funds available for startup costs, but I wanted to develop a first-class business image. I found numerous training sources for virtual assistants, but not specifically for virtual paralegals. It is an ongoing challenge to figure out which virtual tools will best meet the needs of my clients and the specialty of litigation practice. It is exciting and fun to learn new things, but you can get easily overwhelmed because there are so many options to consider. 8) What do you miss most about your “office” paralegal position that you do not have as a virtual paralegal? I guess what I miss most would be the firsthand knowledge of the latest developments in a case. In the office it was easy to constantly anticipate what needed to be done in a litigation file because you saw every email, fax and piece of paper related to the case, both coming and going. You overheard many telephone conferences. Now, I am much more reliant on the attorney to feed me information. 9) What advice would you give to new virtual paralegals? Write a specific business plan. Make a total commitment to see your business fully established. Network, network, network -- with attorneys, paralegals, legal vendors of any kind! You never know where your first referral will originate. Get your name out there everywhere possible. Develop a solid web site. Invest time and resources to establish a reputation that you will be happy with for a long time in the future. I truly believe the world of virtual paralegal services is just getting started, and this service model is here to stay. 10) What do you think is currently lacking from the virtual paralegal industry? Paralegals are great at networking with each other on list serves and message boards through the various paralegal associations. I believe the virtual paralegal industry needs to fully develop its own niche within a niche. We need to network with each other to discuss common issues of working virtually and to learn from each other. Which programs, applications, services work best for which particular area of law? We will each be able to charge the highest rates in our own particular specialty area. Let’s build a referral network which helps our clients, but helps us build our own businesses. 11) How can the virtual paralegal training center help you grow your business? The virtual paralegal directory is the first step. We need to continue to develop ways to help attorneys and virtual paralegals find each other more quickly. 12) Please feel free to add your bio if you would like to have it as a part of this interview. The Virtual Paralegal Training Center Virtual Paralegal Newsletter Magazine™ http://virtualparalegaltrainingcenter.com inbox@virtualparalegaltraining.com
Cathy L. Ribble is the visionary behind Digital Paralegal Services, LLC. She earned her Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) title from the National Association of Legal Assistants early in her career. In 2009, she re-established that professional certification by earning her Certified Paralegal (CP) title and then founded Digital Paralegal Services to provide virtual paralegal support to attorneys throughout the United States. Cathy has worked as a legal professional in traditional law firms in Texas and Oklahoma for over 15 years, and she specializes in Civil Litigation. Cathy L. Ribble, CP Digital Paralegal Services, LLC cribble@digitalparalegalservices.com www.digitalparalegalservices.com http://twitter.com/CathyRibble http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cathyribble Phone: 1.800.531.7527 Fax: 1.800.319.6698
Virtual Paralegal Forum – VPTC offers the first virtual paralegal forum where virtual paralegals can network and learn more about the virtual paralegal business. The virtual paralegal forum is FREE to join. Click here to register Suggested Questions/Topics • • • • • • • • •
Introduce yourself. Questions pertaining to the virtual paralegal business. Questions about VPTC training courses. Post your company’s press release. Post an announcement about your company and/or your services. Useful tips for your fellow virtual paralegals. Introduce your virtual paralegal Ezine or newsletter. Post your virtual paralegal event. Let us work together to make The Virtual Paralegal Forum a place where virtual paralegals can network, and get information about starting and growing their business.
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Virtual Paralegal Training – The Virtual Paralegal Training Center ("VPTC") mission is to provide training to virtual paralegals with starting and operating their virtual paralegal business. VPTC provides step by step guidance to virtual paralegals and continuing education for growing their business. Click here for a list of membership benefits from The Virtual Paralegal Training Center. Virtual Paralegal Blog- VPTC discusses topics that are of interests to virtual paralegals with starting and growing their business. Topics include but are not limited to confidentiality, software, fees, marketing, conflicts of interests, and paralegal ethics among other things. Click here to register Virtual Paralegal Directory -VPTC offers an online directory where virtual paralegals can advertise their services. We are currently running a promotion for FREE directory listing for 6 months. Offer ends June 1, 2010. Click here to join. Join us on Facebook. Click here to become a VPTC Facebook Fan. Follow VPTC on Twitter - VirtPara Virtual Paralegal Courses - Click here to view the Virtual Paralegal Training Center Curriculum
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