LSC Technology Initiative Grant Conference 2015 #LSCTIG

1. Engaging Pro Bono
Attorneys in Virtual Law
Practice
ED MARKS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW MEXICO LEGAL AID.
RICHARD GRANAT, CEO/DIRECTLAW, INC.
AJA BROOKS, PRO BONO COORDINATOR, NMLA
AMY LESTER. PRESIDENT, PANTIGO CONSULTING,NMLA CONSULTANT

2. The Problem: Increasing the Productivity
and Participation of Pro Bono Attorneys
● Attorneys are often reluctant to participate in Pro Bono because they are afraid they will be
make a commitment for more that they can afford;
● There should be a way to reduce the friction in the system so that law students can easily
assist Pro Bono attorneys;
● There should be a way to reduce the friction between legal administrators and pro bono
attorneys by making communication and collaboration more efficient.
● There should be an easier way for legal aid administrators to monitor and evaluate the work of
Pro Bono attorneys.
● Pro Bono attorney should be empowered so that they can service some clients on-line and
delivered “unbundled” or “limited legal services.”

3. It’s all about reducing friction!

4. Workflow for the NM Virtual Law Firm
Platform for Pro Bono Attorneys

5. Work Flow
● Pro Bono Attorneys Register for System
● NMLA Administrator Assigns Clients and Cases to Attorney
● Client’s Register
● Pro Bono Attorneys Serve Clients
● Pro Bono Attorneys Collaborate with NMLA Administrators and also supervise law students
and other legal professionals who work on a case.

6. The NMLA Platform is Designed to Encourage
Online Collaboration and Communication.

7. Secure Client Portal and Secure Attorney Dash
Board- Virtual Law Practice – Client-Facing

8. What is a Virtual Law Firm?
● A “virtual law firm” is characterized by access by the firm’s clients to a
password protected and secure web space where both the attorney and client
may interact and legal services are consumed by the client.
● More specifically it can be defined as having a secure client portal that is
accessible from the law firm’s web site.
8

9. Attorney Registration

10. Client Log-On Screen

11. Secure Client Portal

12. Up Load Files And Communicate With
Attorney

13. On-Line Legal Advice from Pro Bono
Attorney

14. Access Legal Information from Agencies
and Courts Through Resources Tab

15. Embedded Document Automation
Solution
Comes With: Over 250 Automated State Specific Documents plus you can
integrate HotDocs templates from the HotDocs LSC/ProBono.net Server

16. Document Automation: HotDocs or
Rapidocs

17. Client Journey

18. Client Journey

19. Attorney - Management
For each assigned case, the pro bono attorney working through their Attorney Dash Board can:
● Manage Cases assigned including recording time and closing cases.
● Retrieve/download client Questionnaires (documents) for review;
● Manage Legal Advice and Legal & Court Coaching client information, questions and your responses;
● Manage a Legal Document Review Service clients and associated documents;
● Retrieve client information (name, address, telephone, e-mail, etc.);
● Communicate & Share Files with clients;
● Post events (such as phone calls, important dates, etc.) on a clients’ Calendar tab;
● Manage and update your DirectLaw™ platform account information (username, password, address, etc.) – the
My Account tab.

20. Attorney Functions

21. Attorney Dash Board

22. Case Management

23. Managing Legal Advice

24. Client Facing Calendar

25. Each Attorney Can Customize Their Own
Platform

26. Expected Project Outcomes
● Increased participation of Pro Bono Attorneys.
● More effective communication between Legal Aid Administrators and Pro Bono Attorneys –
less telephone tag.
● More effective management of pro bono attorneys and legal aid administrators;
● Possible more law student and law school involvement in Pro Bono through the platform;
● More effective legal services delivery and the delivery of “limited legal services” to clients that
have Internet access.

27. Learn More About Online Legal Services
● About the DirectLaw Platform: www.directlaw.com
● About Virtual Law Practice:
◦ American Bar Association - eLawyering Task Force, www.elawyering.com
◦ Stephanie Kimbro - http://virtuallawpractice.org/
◦ Stephanie Kimbro – (2015 edition, soon to be published.)
Virtual Law Practice: How to Deliver Legal Services Online.
◦ Learning Resource: http://www.digital-lawyer.com
Center for Law Practice Technology
◦ Contact:
Richard Granat, richard@directlaw.com
Ed Marks, edm@nmlegalaid.org