Marvin Rodriguez Blog: Could Your Attorney Work Remotely?

Video chat has undeniably changed the way we do business.

Businesses employ top-talent in a global arena, doctors can diagnose and prescribe medication from your smartphone, and now your attorney can work from home…

It’s crazy to think that this has become the new normal.

FindLaw columnist William Vogeler explores why some law firms are pioneering the idea of working remotely.

Lawyers, Is Remote Work More Than a Trend?

The American Lawyer says virtual firms with up to 180 partners are breaking the mold. BigLaw attorneys are going virtual because they like the idea of practicing from home.

“Here, I can really work on matters pretty much at any level I choose to without it becoming cost prohibitive,” said Jamal Edwards, who used to work at the 300-lawyer firm of Honigman Miller in Detroit.

These days, an attorney can work from a beach with a smart device and a good internet connection. You may have to show up for mandatory appearances, however, so leave the flip-flops at home. Read more…

According to Carol Kinsey Goman, a contributing author at Forbes, there are several reasons why businesses should thoughtfully consider the impact of virtual vs. face-to-face meetings. In her interview with Michael Massari, Caesars Entertainment’s Senior Vice President of National Meetings and Events, they assert there’s inherent value in personal interaction:

No matter what industry you work in, we are all in the people business. Regardless of how tech-savvy you may be, face-to-face meetings are still the most effective way to capture the attention of participants, engage them in the conversation, and drive productive collaboration. If we don’t continue to nurture strong and positive personal relationships with our clients and coworkers, we won’t build trust, understanding, or a sense of a shared mission – all of which are critical elements to successful partnerships and business success.

Source: The Immeasurable Importance Of Face-To-Face Meetings

For many attorneys, it’s that sense of partnership that fosters trust, something critical for effective communication within a case.

While video chats are considerably more effective than a phone call, there’s still a lack of the personal interaction that is can help foster teamwork among team members.

That said, personal interaction can still be done in remote groups, it’s just a little more challenging.

Tips to effectively run a virtual meeting

Other Considerations For Attorneys Working Remotely

Aside from the obvious challenges of personal communication, what are the other risks of working remotely?

Well, for businesses like attorneys or doctors, confidential information should be considered. Inherently, smartphones can be used to capture sensitive data. Obviously, this has raised concerns about the use of these types of devices within the business workplace.

Should your business consider adopting an at-work cell phone policy?

Jeff Griffin of the JP Griffin Group seems to think so. He believes that adopting a policy on how cell phones should be used at work before issues arise is essential for any business culture to thrive:

How Cell Phone Use at Work is Shaping Company Policies

Many employers don’t create a policy regarding cell phone use at work until they realize they have a problem, which can be weeks, months, or even years into a downward spiral of problems. Like it or not, it’s necessary to have a cell phone use policy at this point. It doesn’t have to be incredibly long or detailed, but it should incorporate the unique nature of your business (such as security or safety concerns)…

There’s nothing wrong with laying out a policy clearly telling your employees how you’d like them to use their cell phones during work hours. Perhaps limiting phone calls to emergency-only is a reasonable solution. You could ask employees to keep their phones in desk drawers on vibrate. If you’re in a setting that involves heavy interaction with the public (like retail or service), you could ask employees to keep their phones in their lockers.

Read full article here…

Making sure that employees understand the expectations and risks of using a mobile device at work. This is especially true for any attorneys working remotely.

Whenever handling personally identifiable information (PII), considering security is of utmost importance.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a doctor, attorney, or business professional, the flexibility of working remotely certainly has a certain appeal. When doing so, it’s important to keep communication, privacy, and security at the forefront of the conversation.