F.A.Q.
1. Why Should You Consider Working With eParalegal solutions llc?Are you a solo attorney? Are you part of a small law firm and do absolutely everything for yourself? If so, you should consider contracting with us for the following reasons:
2. I can't afford an attorney, can you assist me with my legal matter?No! eParalegal Solutions LLC is a business entity and not a law firm, nor does it staff attorneys. This business is not part of, nor affiliated with a law firm. The business does not employ attorneys for the purposes of providing legal advice, and it is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm, nor is it licensed to practice law, or authorized to provide legal advice.
The paralegal services provided by eParalegal Solutions LLC are not offered or provided to the general public. If you are not a licensed attorney and are in need of legal services, legal advice or legal representation, you should seek assistance with your local state bar association. 3. How do you ensure adequate attorney supervision over remote work product?Based upon the lead attorney's needs, he will determine an ideal supervision, communication and document sharing system which will allow us to assist with case matters without ever (or infrequently) having to physically visit the firm's office.
While an in-office, face-to-face meeting is inevitable for some remote assignments, for more complex projects, in-house assistance is preferable over remote assistance. However, additional costs such as travel/mileage fees may be incurred. 4. What's the Difference Between Hiring a contract paralegal Versus Hiring a Full-time Paralegal?Costs! eParalegal Solutions LLC's billable hours are more cost effective on a case-by-case basis. The greatest advantage comes via the savings you get from not paying employee taxes, benefits, vacation time, sick time, and other costs associated with traditional in-house staff. We can produce the same amount of work in less the amount time, and for half the costs of full-time employees.
5. What About Tax Liabilities?As contractors, we are not subject to withholding by the attorney's firm. We will provide the firm with a completed W-9 form. And the firm is to provide an IRS Form 1099 on an annual basis as mandated by the IRS.
In order to protect both parties and to ensure any holdings as an independent contractor for tax purposes, a Contractor's Agreement must be executed between the parties. 6. If we decide to move forward, what is the next step?
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My goal is to provide stellar remote and in-house contract paralegal support services to licensed attorneys and their staff.
7. How do you ensure security and compliance with confidentiality rules and data.Most firms already have security protocols and confidentiality processes in place. Generally, it's just a matter of adding the contractor to the firm's case and time management systems, providing a login and password for access, and providing a point of contact including an internal email address and phone number, as well as an emergency contact in case of any problems or issues with a case or internal systems.
In rare cases, an account can be set-up for and on behalf of a firm with one of our online vendors including but not limited to Juris, Bill4Time, MyCase, LawPay, Clio,etc., with maintenance and overhead costs charged back to the firm. 8. Contract Paralegal or remote Paralegal?Both! The terms are not to be used interchangeably... As "contractors", we are hired to complete projects on an as-needed basis, versus being hired as a permanent employee of your practice.
As "remote" contractors or virtual paralegals, we utilize modern technologies such as cloud-based legal software programs, online client and time management software, email, cell phones, and the internet to assist with completing projects. 9. What Expenses Should Firms Expect to pay?For the time we spend on cases, the billing rate ranges from $45 to $100 per hour. The rates are dependent upon the complexity of the project and the time allotted to complete the project. Invoices are sent out on a weekly basis and some plans will require an initial deposit before the start of a project. In addition, there may be general out-of-pocket operating and administrative costs identical to those a firm typically charges its clients (i.e. postage, mileage, fax, photocopies, long distance telephone charges, court filing fees, courier costs, etc.). These administrative costs are charged at at rate of 20% above your final costs and services.
10. Explain the process for communication with the attorney's clientsAt no time will eParalegal Solutions LLC ever contact an attorney's client without the prior authorization.
Only upon specific instructions and agreement in advance, will eParalegal Solutions LLC communicate with clients or other pertinent persons involved in a case via e-mail, snail mail, telephone or online meetings. All outgoing correspondence including pleadings and requests of documents for review or signature, are only sent after the supervising attorney's review and approval. Unless otherwise instructed. the supervising attorney will always receive blind carbon copies (bcc) of all outgoing e-mails and outgoing correspondence including attachments. In some cases, we are able to send outgoing email correspondence directly from the firm's internal email account ensuring that they are privy of all communications with their clients on their behalf. 11. WHY MAKE eparalegal solutions llc PART OF YOUR TEAM? There is no reason not to... You have everything to gain and nothing to lose! We are not in competition with your in-house staff. From day one, we come prepared to make a seamless transition into your legal support team.
We can help meet deadlines, increase your billable hours and retain more clients. Our goal is to help the attorney save time, money and energy to do what they do best, practice law! Remember, there are no long term commitments, you have the option to hire us on contract for a one-time project or on-demand on an as-needed basis, and work can performed remotely from our office or on site from your office - just like an in-house legal support employee but without the added tax and paid employee benefit costs. |