Deborah+Merritt

Good things about a virtual practice: 1. Low cost 2. Larger client base 3. Flexible lifestyle 4. Appeal to younger generations 5. Incentives to organize work flow

Things that could go wrong: 1. Represent clients in another jurisdiction (unauthorized practice of law) 2. Take on more clients than you can handle 3. Underestimate costs 4. Choose unreliable third-party providers 5. Succumb to distractions while working at home or Starbucks

I don't like copying definition so I'll rebel and note some sites that seem to represent different types of virtual practice. Here are some varieties I've noted:

1. Direct provision of services to client over the internet, with little contact between lawyer and client. One of my favorite examples is: []

2. Lawyers who practice in a relatively traditional way, but using the internet and cloud computing to substitute for paper, bricks, and mortar. From discussions with Chad Burton (mentioned by Stephanie), [] is an example of this.

3. Lawyers who use the internet to do some of the above but also cultivate a niche practice that might not otherwise have been feasible. Judy Young's Pennsylvania Winery and Hospitality Lawyer offers an example: []. Without the internet, could a lawyer have created this type of practice? Or would the practice be as informative to clients--I especially like the blog entries and other client info.