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The Future of Law: Managing a Remote Practice

This webinar will explore how lawyers can successfully manage a remote practice in today’s legal landscape. We’ll cover the ethical rules that govern virtual practice, the technology and security infrastructure needed to protect clients, strategies for supervising remote staff, and best practices for delivering a high-quality client experience online. Attendees will also learn about innovative business models and profitability strategies that make remote firms sustainable for the long term.

Topics covered include:

Solo Practice & Small Law Firms Law Firm Management Law Practice Legal Industry Trends Legal Tech

Agenda:

Introduction: The Remote Practice Landscape

Overview of how virtual lawyering has evolved and why client demand for remote options is here to stay

Ethics & Compliance

Key ABA Model Rules, multijurisdictional practice limits, and ethical obligations for technology competence and client confidentiality

Technology & Security

Essential tools for remote practice (cloud software, e-signatures, secure communication) and best practices for cybersecurity

Staffing & Supervision

How to manage remote paralegals and virtual assistants while meeting professional supervision standards

Client Experience

Delivering trust, accessibility, and high-quality service virtually, with lessons from telelaw and telehealth models

Business Models & Profitability

Flat fees, subscription models, and strategies for building recurring revenue in a virtual firm

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

Future trends in AI, online dispute resolution, and how lawyers can stay competitive in the next decade

Questions & Answers (as time permits)

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: November 13, 2025 12:00 PM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Laura Cowan, an estate planning attorney, is introduced as the speaker, known for her virtual practice and the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer® program. Laura plans to discuss the future of law, managing a remote practice, and the ethical considerations involved. She emphasizes the opportunities in virtual lawyering and aims to provide insights into creating a successful virtual law firm.

04:59 Remote Practice Models

Laura shares her journey from a traditional to a virtual law practice, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on this transition. She discusses her book, 'Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution,' which explores post-COVID legal practice and future opportunities. Laura outlines five key areas for remote practice: ethics, technology, staffing, client experience, and business models. She notes the shift towards hybrid and fully virtual law firms, emphasizing the benefits of reduced overhead and increased client comfort with remote interactions. Laura stresses the importance of blending technology with empathy in future legal practices.

12:17 Ethics and Technology in Virtual Law Firms

Laura discusses the ethical considerations of remote practice, focusing on competence, confidentiality, and supervision of non-lawyer assistants. She clarifies the rules around multi-jurisdictional practice, allowing lawyers to live in one state while practicing in another. She emphasizes the need for lawyers to be aware of local rules and not misrepresent their practice location. Laura then explains the importance of understanding technology's impact on client confidentiality and workflow. She highlights the necessity of using secure technology tools to comply with ethical standards.

23:24 Staffing and Supervision in Remote Environments

Laura emphasizes the importance of clear systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in managing remote staff. She explains that clarity replaces proximity in remote environments, necessitating detailed SOPs for recurring tasks. Laura advocates for the use of project management tools to maintain control and accountability in a virtual firm. She highlights the role of technology in ensuring efficient communication and task management. Laura notes that successful firms automate processes to focus more on client work.

34:17 Client Experience in Virtual Settings

Laura discusses the client experience in virtual settings, emphasizing the balance between automation and personal interaction. She explains that while many tasks can be automated, personal meetings, even via Zoom, are crucial for building client relationships. Laura highlights the importance of clear communication and setting expectations to build trust with clients. She notes that virtual practice removes barriers, making it easier for clients to meet and interact with lawyers. Laura stresses the role of technology in maintaining transparency and trust with clients.

43:47 Business Models and Profitability

Laura discusses business models and profitability, advocating for flat fees and maintenance plans in virtual practices. She explains that flat fees provide predictable revenue and reduce client stress by eliminating billing surprises. Laura suggests offering membership programs to maintain client relationships and generate recurring revenue. She highlights the importance of automating processes to focus on providing high-quality client service. Laura notes that these models make a law firm more attractive to potential buyers.

50:50 Q&A and Closing Remarks

Laura concludes by emphasizing the opportunities in virtual law practice, viewing it as an evolution rather than a compromise. She highlights the importance of blending automation with empathy to provide excellent client service. Laura encourages lawyers to design their practices to align with their goals and values. She answers audience questions, providing insights on technology resources, multi-jurisdictional practice, and client onboarding. Laura stresses the importance of clear communication and documentation in managing a virtual firm.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Laura Cowan Founder
Law Office of Laura E. Cowan, PLLC

Laura Cowan is an estate planning attorney and the founder of The Law Office of Laura Cowan, based in New York. She is also the creator of the 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer® program, which has trained more than 500 attorneys nationwide to launch and grow streamlined, profitable estate planning practices. Laura began her career in public accounting as a Certified Public Accountant before graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School and building her own virtual practice from the ground up. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

Earn Credit Until: November 12, 2026

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: October 31, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in California, and North Carolina. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.

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