Posted by Authored By: Amata Law Office Suites, a Chicago Bar Association partner organization
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In creating the business model for Amata Law Office Suites, we started by looking at the three most common challenges encountered by solo and partner practice law firms: cash flow management, time management and hiring the right employees. Then we customized our service offerings to make sure we were helping to address these challenges.
Along the way we have also been able to assist with other needs such as marketing, saving for retirement, legal research tools and software solutions through our vendor research program and partnerships that allow Amata clients to enjoy the purchasing power that comes from 100’s of law firms.
Amata Law Office Suites has taken services from four distinct industries and created a unique offering that is customized to the unique needs of law firms. Many law firms join Amata using one service and, over time, add other services as they need them.
The primary service offerings include attorney support services, office space-as-a-service, virtual office programs and live receptionist service. These services are offered individually and bundled with appropriate discounts available.
ATTORNEY SUPPORT SERVICES
Amata has created back-office operations similar to those at AM100 law firms, for solo and partner practice law firms.
Our experienced paralegals, administrative assistants, and virtual assistants act as an extension of your law firm. Since our team members are full-time Amata employees, you consistently work with the same team member, just like you would if they were on your payroll. Our paralegals have areas they specialize in so from time to time you a specialist may assist in your work, but you will always have the same team lead and the process will remain the same.
Prior to any work being performed our team members will review the scope of work with you and establish cost expectations. General paralegal fees can range from $65 to $180 per hour and all work is billed in 15-minute increments.
For clients that are using office space, one of our virtual programs or live receptionist services, these rates are automatically discounted by 30% savings.
DAILY RUNS TO COURTS, CLERKS AND SHERIFFS OFFICES
Amata’s paralegal team makes daily runs to the Daley Center, Recorder’s Office, Secretary of State Office, and the Dirksen Federal Building. With an extended line of credit provided to all Amata clients, Amata will pay associated costs for documents and filings, pick up certificates, search the court docket, deliver courtesy copies or handle any other requests to assist with your day-to-day operations and free up time for attorneys and staff at your firm.
PARALEGAL SUPPORT
At Amata paralegals are billed based on years of experience and expertise in specific subject matters. Our senior paralegals have more than 20 years’ experience and have reached a high level of competence and understanding in several areas of law.
In most cases, a senior paralegal will review or oversee the work of paralegals and paralegal assistants on their team. Many of our paralegals join Amata after spending many years accumulating experience at various law firms. They enjoy the work and appreciate the opportunity Amata offers for advancement and to work in a variety of legal disciplines and with multiple attorneys.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
Amata has been providing administrative assistant services to law firms since 2002. Our administrative assistants work on-site at each Amata office and are available to assist clients with various tasks including e-filing, scheduling messengers, handling express mailing, binding projects, entering billing and posting on social media.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
A Virtual Assistant can be an invaluable gatekeeper for your law firm, saving you time and reducing the anxiety and stress of running a law practice. They will not be experts at everything, but they will be able to source the best resources for the work you need completed.
OFFICE SPACE-AS-A-SERVICE
Amata Law Office Suites has created flexible office space with the needs of solo and partner practice law firms in mind.
The Amata office model allows law firms to enjoy the same, or better, office accommodations they would have with a traditional lease. The common areas of the office are designed to leave a lasting impression on your clients, with elegant designs, well-appointed furniture, and custom artwork.
Unlike a traditional office lease, when a firm licenses multiple offices they can sign up with the option of canceling an office if a team member leaves the firm and the office is no longer necessary. This allows law firms to match their expenses to their revenues, creating a more profitable and predictable cash-flow model.
The office space-as-a-service model is very similar to the way law firms are licensing the software’s their firms are using. They pay a monthly licensing fee for each user and when an attorney leaves the firm, they are able to cancel the license fee for the office and services the attorney was using.
VIRTUAL OFFICE PROGRAMS
Amata’s virtual office programs are customized to suit the needs of law firms. We model our offices off some of the most successful law firms in the country, providing free beverage services, secure high-speed internet, IT support, mail scanning and bank deposit services.
Amata virtual clients are able to take advantage of these free services as well as a long list of program features:
- Monthly line of credit for payment of clerk fees and other costs
- Mail scanning and forwarding
- Bank deposit services
- Access to meeting rooms
- Day offices
- Lobby directory listing
- Secure internet
- Large video screens for presentations
- Rooms for video and in-person depositions
- Meeting catering
LIVE RECEPTIONIST SERVICES
The Amata team has been answering phones for law firms for 20+ years and for good reason.
According to a Gallup poll, customers who are engaged during an initial call represent a 23% premium in terms of profitability, revenue and relationship growth over those that go directly to voicemail. Clients call attorneys when they are in need and in today’s culture, they expect an immediate response or they go somewhere else. Having a professional receptionist service answering your calls has a direct effect on profitability. For more information and CBA member savings on Amata, click here https://virtualoffices.amatacorp.com/cba or call 877-738-1606.