Happy Virtual Anniversary

Today is my anniversary. The second anniversary of being a Virtual Assistant, officially, as I incorporated on February 17, 2008.

I’ve worked with some great attorneys, as well as some wonderful clients, and have learned a lot about the virtual paralegal world. To my advantage, the economy continued to worsen and I’ve seen a growing trend in attorneys that work from home, or work from a small office but can’t afford the overhead of having a full-time legal secretary or paralegal on their payroll.

I recently joined a discussion How to Work with a VIRTUAL Paralegal through LinkedIn, started by Seth Rowland, Esquire, on The Virtual Lawyer group. His questions:

What I am interested in finding out is what is the best method and technology for (1) assigning work, (2) tracking and billing time for services, (3) communicating during the term of the project, and (4) making actual delivery. I am interested in both the "how", and the "what", as well as views on how successful these methods are for collaboration.

My answers:

I have found that virtual workspace is a great way to share documents, allowing both the attorney and the virtual legal assistant (VLA) to view and edit documents, without constant emailing back and forth. Something as simple as Google applications allow a VLA to keep track of an attorney's calendar, tickle dates, contacts, etc., while being able to either draft documents directly in the Google app, or to produce a document in Word and then drop the document in Google and share.

Personally, I use QuickBooks Pro, which has a handy time tracker device and then my time is integrated into a monthly or per project invoice. Invoices to attorneys can be a lump sum or broken down by client project.

I have a couple of clients that utilize a virtual call center so that if I need to make a call on behalf of the attorney, I can ring into the call center and then make the call and it will look like I'm calling directly from the attorney's office.

I would be interested in getting feedback from attorneys that have worked virtually, or are interested in doing so. Please email me at mgr@i-administrative.com.

Useful Legal Links

American Bar Association
Business and Corporations (by State)
Court Rules, Forms and Dockets
Federal Courts
FindLaw
Free Public Records (by State)
Google - U.S. Government Search
Law Library of Congress
LexisOne
Martindale-Hubbell
Pacer
Supreme Court Decisions
United States Code
United States Supreme Court
UScourtforms.com
Westlaw

Another Victim of the Recession - The Bullied Employee

I read an article recently about the increasing problem with harassment in the workplace due to the recession.

As the unemployment rate skyrockets, it seems that workers that still have their jobs are putting up with bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace for fear that filing a complaint could mean a potential loss of their job.

The bullying and harassment, more often than not, seems to be coming from supervisors, who know that employees have fewer options if they choose to quit rather than put up with the unpleasant situation.

Employers and supervisors seem to have the upper hand, or do they?

Employers fail to realize that harassment of their employees leads to lower productivity, loss of revenue, and morale problems within the workplace.

What can an employee do if he/she feels that he/she is being subjected to hostile environment?

From the linked article:
-- Try to get sick leave time. Often workplace bullying goes on for a long time, and can even cause stress disorders for targets.
-- Build an economic case against the bully. Has there been high turnover or absenteeism? Is there low morale? Has productivity sagged due to a tense, inefficient atmosphere?
"You have to make the argument that the bully's too expensive to keep," Namie said. Take this case to the highest-level person in your company that doesn't have a personal connection to the source of harassment.
-- If you can, look for another job. Getting away from the bully might be the easiest way to resolve the problem.
-- Look in your local yellow pages or online for an attorney who specializes in employment law.

Cyberstalking and Internet Laws

Pursuant to Florida Statute:

784.048 Stalking; definition
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(d) "Cyberstalk" means to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.

I belong to an online forum where members discuss local and national news, as well as there is also an “entertainment” section for general discussion, jokes, etc.

Lately several members have accused other members of stalking them throughout the forums. One member even went as far as to track down another member in real life (IRL) and threaten to have her fired from her job. Why? Because her political and religious views were quite different from his and instead of approaching subjects with an open mind, he began to personally attack this member, as well as several others.

Cyberstalking is growing at alarming rates. Stalkers feel there is a wall of safety, posting and emailing anonymously.

According to a report released last month by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, national stalking rates have been found to be the highest for the 18-19 age range (30percent) and 20-24 age ranges (29 percent). The report goes on to include that one in four stalking victims is stalked via the internet, with email being the highest percentage (83 percent), followed by instant messaging (35 percent).

The internet grew so quickly, Federal and State laws have had a hard time keeping up with cyber-crimes. If you feel that you are being cyberstalked or cyberbullied, please contact your local law enforcement agency as State laws will apply (laws differ from State to State Cyberstalking laws by State). The U.S. Department of Justice feels that Federal laws are inadequate at this time and only involves instances of interstate travel.

Internet Security Tips
• Never divulge personal information online. There is no reason to give anyone you meet in a chat room your phone number, address, or Social Security number.
• Use a screen name that is not gender- or age-specific. Reveal no personal information about yourself in your screen name.
• Be cautious when meeting an online acquaintance in person. Especially the first time, meet in a public place and always bring a friend. Never go alone.
• Make sure your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has strict policies that prohibit cyber-stalking. If they do not respond to your complaints, consider using a different ISP.
• Leave an online conversation the minute you begin to feel uncomfortable. You have no obligation to stay.

What To Do If You Are Being Cyber Stalked
• Consider canceling your e-mail account and starting a new one.
• If you are receiving unwanted contact, make it clear to the person that you would like them to stop all communication attempts.
• Save all communications for evidence. Do not alter or edit them in any way. Furthermore, be sure to keep a record of contact with Internet system administrators and law enforcement officials.
• Consider blocking or filtering unwanted messages. Many e-mail programs such as Eudora and Microsoft Outlook have a filter feature. You can configure your software to automatically delete unwanted e-mails.
• If harassment continues after you have asked for it to stop, contact the harasser's ISP. Most ISPs have policies prohibiting the abuse of another person on-line. The ISP may contact the stalker and close their account.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency and inform them of the situation.

Bad Economy Good For Some Businesses

Rental Communities

Trends in renting versus buying a home are obviously on an upswing due to the economic downturn. The marked increase in renting can be attributed to the high number of foreclosures, as well as would-be first time buyers having second thoughts about purchasing a home with the economy on such shaky ground.

Shannon Procacci, the Community Manager at a central Florida apartment home community, recently said that in her particular complex the annual occupancy rate for 2008 averaged 96%.

Research shows that the average quoted rent in central Florida per unit for January 2009, compared to January 2008, was up 1.1%.

Rent-To-Own Furnishing Stores

Money is tight but people still need appliances, furniture and electronics. Rent-to-Own establishments, like Aaron Rents already have recession-friendly financing policies, where consumers with a light wallet can rent by the week or by the month.

As the economy continues to suffer, rent-to-own establishments have found that even some higher-income families have had to turn to weekly or monthly leasing since banks have tightened their financing requirements.

Online Dating Sites

Opinion Research Corporation, a global research company, found recently that when young singles get stressed financially, they seek out love more often.

According to a recent New York Times article (NYT), dating interest is up, both online and offline. Pursuant to the article, “Match.com had its strongest fourth quarter in the last seven years, and brick-and-mortar outfits like Amy Laurent International, a matchmaking service with outposts in New York, Los Angeles and Miami, say business is up 40 percent among women over the last four months.”

Face it, people are spending more time at home and find the internet a great place for social networking and dating. Even paying a nominal monthly fee for a membership with an online dating service is cheaper than one evening out for drinks and dinner.

Second-Hand Stores

Although the concept escapes my grasp, some people are just not that into the internet.

Cheap entertainment is at their fingertips as well; previously read books. Used books stores are buying approximately 30% more books in this economy than in 2007. Sales are up as well; people looking for an inexpensive evening at home. What better way to escape today’s reality for a few hours and only spend $3 - $4 doing so?

Virtual Assistants

A must-have for any business. A Virtual Assistant (VA) can help your company or firm during slow economic times by decreasing your overhead, while increasing your productivity. The financial rewards for both the company or firm and the VA are a win-win situation.

Virtual Assistants that are experts in their particular field are in high demand.

Statistics:

-95% of employers say telework has a high impact on employee retention

-78% of people who call in sick really aren’t. They do so because of family issues, personal needs, and stress.
-Unscheduled absences cost employers $1,800.00 per employee, per year; that adds up to $300 billion/yr for U.S. companies

Frivolous Lawsuits

I remember back in the mid 1990’s, the firm I was working for represented a Florida company that wanted to open offices in Alabama. After a little research, the company decided to form a separate corporation to do business in Alabama. Why?

A judgment was won by an Alabama doctor who learned after buying a $40,000 BMW that his new car had been repainted to repair undisclosed damage. The plaintiff’s punitive damage award? $4,000,000.00. The Alabama Supreme Court cut that amount in half to $2 million.

But that’s a blog for another time. Its about frivolous lawsuits, not tort reform.

Several years ago, Cleanthi Peters sued Universal Studios in Orlando claiming the theme park's annual Halloween Horror Nights haunted house attraction was too scary and that it caused her emotional distress.

In 2005, Cleveland paralegal Austin Aitken filed a four page handwritten lawsuit against NBC for $2.5 million, claiming that an episode of “Fear Factor” caused him “suffering, injury, and great pain.” He said that watching the contestants eat rats on television made him dizzy and light-headed, causing him to vomit and run into a doorway. The case was dismissed by the Judge.

In an attempt to make a point as to frivolous suits, in 2007, Ernie Chambers, a state Senator from Nebraska, filed a lawsuit against God, seeking a permanent injunction ordering God to "cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats...of grave harm to innumerable persons, including constituents of Plaintiff who Plaintiff has the duty to represent". Chambers asked for the court to grant a summary judgment and requested that the Judge set a date for a hearing as expeditiously as possible and enter a permanent injunction enjoining God from engaging in the types of deleterious actions and the making of terroristic threats. A Judge eventually threw the case out, stating the Almighty wasn't properly served due to his unlisted home address

Who are these people? (Okay, I know, Senator Chambers was trying to make a point)

We can go from the desperate, to the truly sad and schizophrenic. Does the name Jonathan Lee Riches mean anything to you? Probably not if you don't follow weird news and ridiculous lawsuits.

Riches is currently doing time at a federal correctional institute in Salters, South Carolina, incarcerated for wire fraud. His projected release date is March 23, 2012.

To keep himself busy while serving his (plea bargained) time behind bars, Riches has filed over one thousand lawsuits in federal district courts across the U.S. A list of his cases can be found http://news.justia.com/cases/jonathan-lee-riches/

Jonathan Lee Riches v. Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf, Shaukat Aziz and Immigration and Naturalization Service was filed in the California Eastern District Court in November of 2007. Riches is seeking a temporary restraining order against Defendants to stop his extradition to Pakistan on March 2012 because he will be tortured. He claims that the case is one of mistaken identity and that Pakistan wants another Jonathan Lee Riches, who is an international fugitive and made nuclear weapons with Pakistan scientist A.D. Khan.

Some of the more, ahem, interesting cases are:

Jonathan Lee Riches d/b/a Gordon Gecko, et al v. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Riches claims that Blizzard’s World of WarCraft caused Riches’ mind to live in a virtual universe, where Riches explored the landscapes committing identity theft and fighting cybermonster rival hackergangs.

In Riches v. Michael Vick, Riches alleged that, among other things, Riches alleges that Vick stole two white mixed pit bull dogs from his home in Holiday, Fla., and used them for dogfighting operations in Richmond, Va. The complaint goes on to allege that Vick sold the dogs on eBay and “used the proceeds to purchase missiles from the Iran government.”The complaint also alleges that Vick would need those missiles because he pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda in February of of 2007. Riches' also claims Vick was attempting to ‘kidnap’ Riches’ mind and to force him to lose weight. Riches demanded that the $63 billion be delivered, in ‘British silver and gold’ shipped via truck, to the front gates of the prison where Riches is incarcerated. The Court found that Riches’ assertions in the complaint, including his claim that Michael Vick ,threw snowballs at his car, did not qualify as a claim of imminent danger of serious physical injury.

If you, or someone you know, hasn't yet been sued by Jonathan Lee Riches, please raise your hand.

Why We Do What We Do

From a Virtual Legal Assistant’s Point of View

Why Legal Virtual Assistant’s Choose To Go Into Business

“Virtual Assistants (or simply VAs) are independent contractors that provide support to attorneys and other professionals. VAs work from home or a remote office, and can help mitigate your administrative burden in the same way that an in-office assistant would. They can be particularly helpful for solo and small practices where the ebb and flow of administrative work makes employment of a full time staff person impractical.”*

If you’re reading this, you have probably already considered hiring a Virtual Legal Assistant. You’ve covered the why’s,” the potential cost advantages, and the possible risk of breaching client confidentiality sending documents via the internet and you have done your research.

So, what’s in it for the Virtual Legal Assistant?

I’ve worked at a few law firms over the past 20 years and have enjoyed the experiences in most cases. Of course, there has been the “bad fit” as well. I equate working with a new attorney like dating; you have to test the waters and see if personalities mesh. Working as a Virtual Legal Assistant, I find there is no obligation if there is a conflict in work ethics or personalities. One size does not fit all and I can come to a mutual agreement with the attorney I’m contracting with that our relationship is not going to work (which hasn’t happened, yet).

I am confident in my experience and knowledge and therefore work independently without eight-hour a day supervision.

I am going to work hard for the attorney I am contracting with to make us both look good to the attorney’s client. I also get the satisfaction of a job well done and repeat business.

Last, but certainly not least, there are no interoffice politics; no distractions. How many attorneys have had to deal with staff members that don’t get along? There’s almost no way of avoiding it in any size law firm. I have found that there will always be that secretary, that paralegal or that bookkeeper that has to stir the pot or will become the office gossip. I never played the inter-office politics very well and working for myself, I find it such a relief that time is not wasted on those watercooler moments. Working remotely, I arrive at my office ready to get the job done!

I truly enjoy working as a Virtual Legal Assistant and find that the attorneys I contract with find the experience to be an asset to their practice.

If you have further questions, please visit my website: http://www.i-administrative.com/. If you would be interested in attending a webinar to learn more about legal virtual assistants, please contact me at mgr@i-administrative.com.


Resources
*ABA Site-tation Article

Visit my website at http://www.i-administrative.com/