Do you sometimes wish you had a chosen a cool career like graphic designer or travel writer? Its okay to be honest, this is a safe space.
If you’re not loving being a lawyer at the moment, you’re not alone. A third of women lawyers are leaving the profession annually and its not because their crazy.
Its because their NOT crazy.
You’d have to be ‘effin insane to work absurdly long hours everyday for years only to be ‘on call’ during those 5 hours in a 24 hour period that you’re not working (aka when you’re sleeping). Not to mention taking crap from higher ups, being passed over for partner, having to work harder than your counterparts (you know, the ones with balls?) to get ahead and having absolutely no semblance of a personal life while you do it.
Is this the supposed prestigious life of a lawyer?
Office politics, glass ceilings and becoming Our Lady of Perpetual Exhaustion isn’t exactly what you were hoping for back when you were a bright eyed law student.
But don’t you worry! Unfurrow that brow! You’ve got options baby!
The option to stop hating your chosen profession and start loving your life AND your work. You ready?
Are you sure?
Cause once I tell you why you don’t have to quit lawyering to have a life the only possible next step is taking action. If you’re scared and would rather stay in your bubble of misery then its better you don’t know. Stop reading and go back to reading that file or writing that brief. Oh, look. Your Blackberry just went off again. Better check it!
Now for the rest of you brave souls, here it is:
More and more women lawyers are opting out of the old school law firm mentality that requires women lawyers to make impossible choices and instead, are using technology to create thriving law practices that fit their desired lifestyle.
That’s right, my friend, virtual law offices are where its at!
You’re female colleagues are building virtual law offices to obtain the flexibility they need to have:
- a potent law practice that makes a difference in the world and in her purse (which is Louis Vuitton, of course!),
- while still having ample time to build relationships (with children, spouses or just that cute guy who caught her eye at Whole Foods),
- raise children (or puppies or plants),
- be with friends or family (on a yacht, in the Caribbean),
- travel (obviously, we’re in a yacht in the Caribbean!), or
- whatever aspects of life mean ‘having it all’ to them (whether its eating only grass fed beef or having the time to write that novel that’s been hibernating in her temporal lobe).
I know because I am one of them.
After my clerkship with a phenomenal judge, I was lucky enough to have multiple job offers from firms, a non-profit and a government agency, but none of them offered me what I really wanted — the ability to practice law the way I thought it should be practiced while still bringing home enough bacon to live a comfortable life (and frankly make the cost and trauma of law school worth it). I was always willing to work hard (I studied for two bar exams while working a full time job and passed them both on the first try) but I didn’t want to be chained to an office (or a Blackberry). I loved to travel and wanted to be able to spend months at a time in France (because, who are we kidding, one week is just not enough!). And my husband and I wanted to have babies, lots of babies, and I wanted to actually see and raise said babies (is that too much to ask?).
I wanted to live that life NOW not in 10-20 years (or never, because that is the reality for most lawyers).
So, with no trust fund or other access to large sums of cash AND a spouse to support AND a mortgage to pay AND all kinds of balls (yes, I’ve used the term ‘balls’ twice already, that oughta make my momma cringe), I turned down the various job offers to launch my virtual law practice, which I called Rachel Rodgers Law Office. The first month I had 3 clients. By the ninth month, I had received national press. And now I have a steady stream of my ideal clients, two kiddies (whom I spend ample time with every single day), my husband had the freedom to become a stay-at-home dad and we’re currently planning our next trip to France.
I have run my virtual law office from all over this fine country (and from a few international locales), all while serving predominately New York clients, most of whom freely express how thrilled they are to be working with me.
With my best friend on a recent trip to the South of France.
My practice has been featured on MSNBC, Fast Company, Forbes, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, Time Magazine, The ABA Journal, Canadian Lawyer, Above the Law and more.
There is no doubt in my mind that you can do the same. You just have to want it. I’ll teach you the rest.
You no longer have to choose between being a lawyer and having a life. Technology has created opportunities that were not available as recently as three years ago. You can practice law the way you want while simultaneously living the type of life you’ve always wanted. Now is the time to make it happen, lady!
“Technology is the great liberator for women who wish to build solo practices around the lives they want to live.” – Susan Cartier-Liebel
You can absolutely do this, and it won’t even be THAT hard. Okay, that was a fib, it will definitely be hard but also positively worth it. And lucky for you, I’ve broken down the process by which I came to know this lovely lawyering life into simple steps, ie, here is exactly how you are going to make this happen for yourself, with my workshop:
Open Your Virtual Law Office in Six Weeks {On Demand}
6 Raw and Uncut Teleclasses recorded so you can listen to them when it’s convenient for you.
In them you’ll learn:
- how to make bank while doing work you like for clients you like,
- how to make sure you have a smart set up so you don’t work yourself to the bone (cause that would kinda defeat the purpose, no?)
- how to create a financial plan to support you as you launch your VLO,
- how to obtain a steady flow of your ideal clients,
- … and more.
By the end of this course, you will have a customized actionable business plan to start your Virtual Law Office.
At the end of the workshop you will have the option of submitting your VLO business plan for my review. I will personally review your plan PLUS provide written feedback to make sure you’re on the right path.
The Her Virtual Law Office Resource Guide is jam packed with all of the resources and information you need to start a lucrative virtual law office. Topics covered include:
- ginormous list of recommended technology (so you know what to use),
- creating the perfect website for your VLO,
- creating sources of passive income through your VLO (because making money you don’t have to trade hours for is amazing),
- … and much more!
You will also get access to my full-length exclusive audio interview with lawyer, law firm consultant and award-winning blogger, Jordan Furlong, where we discuss the new legal marketplace and how virtual law offices stand out. The information in this interview will save you months of time and thousands of dollars worth of trial-and-error mistakes.
You’ll also get access to my exclusive audio interview with Kyle Durand, tax lawyer and founder of OurDeal.com. Kyle relies on technology to efficiently run his law practice, accounting practice and legal start up while still having time to travel the world! In this interview, you’ll learn Kyle’s secrets for creating systems in your practice that enable you to save time, provide excellent customer service and manage all the different aspects of running your VLO without going insane.
You’ll also get access to my audio interview with Dana Samardzich, a life coach and expert on sales strategy. Dana has over 10 years of experience selling everything from steel to funeral services (now if she can sell funeral services, surely you can sell an estate plan). In this interview, you’ll learn why professional women have a hard time selling and how to get into a sales mindset. Dana also shares her simple, proven strategies for selling that don’t make you feel like a used car salesman and that anyone can do. Regularly obtaining new clients is essential to developing a thriving practice, Dana shows you how to close new business in a way that feels good (especially when you cash those checks).
I’d already been struggling with how to articulate my practice area, and even what my practice area would be, for a couple of months before the class started. In the class, I learned how to state what I do. I started getting client inquiries right after the class ended and have had two clients state that they want to hire me so far. It’s possible I could meet my goal of 5 new clients in the 30 days after the class ended.
Even though I had figured out many (though not all) of the steps I needed to take, it was worth it to have Rachel’s objective feedback. The class made me complete my VLO plan in writing (I had not done such a well-developed plan on my own), and the class, plus the recent client interest I’ve had, made me confident enough to just work my plan, rather than questioning and re-doing the plan every day, such that I was mostly working on the plan, not doing the actual work.
Sarah Kaplan, Sarah Kaplan Law
What will having a profitable virtual law office mean for you? How about …
- No more 100 hour work weeks.
- No more practicing an area of law that bores you to the bone.
- No more wondering when you’ll finally have the time to have a family or spend more quality time with the family you already have, or have time for travel and other pursuits you long for.
- No more archaic law firm business models.
- No more glass ceiling.
- No more office politics.
- No more Sunday nights dreading going back to work Monday morning.
- More use of technology in your practice.
- More time with your family, friends and for doing the things you love.
- More working with the type of clients you always wanted and providing the type of service you know they deserve.
- All while earning more than enough money to support yourself, your family and to live the lifestyle you want (only grass fed beef for you!).
Rachel does not mess around with a bunch of useless information. She gives you all the essentials you need to get started.
Therese Lee, Esq.
Rachel is a leader that inspires attorneys to disrupt traditional legal services while remaining committed to legal ethics and vigorous representation.
Eric Misterovich Newburg Law, PLLC
You will learn everything you need to know to start your Virtual Law Office and get on the path to living a life of freedom:
Each week, you will work through one of the steps to creating a lucrative virtual law office.
- You’ll listen to a 60-90 minute audio recording on your favorite MP3 player.
- Each class also comes with a handout that will help you work through the class material.
- After each class, you will be assigned relevant homework. Each week’s homework worksheets will be a piece of your very own virtual law office business plan. This is NOT busy work, this is ‘make it happen’ work!
- The last class is a recording of a Q&A session, where I respond to questions from lawyers just like you who just worked through the same material.
- The Her Virtual Law Office Resource Guide will provide you with all of the practical resources you need to start your VLO. A summary of relevant ethics rules, information on website design, overhead costs, secure technology options and passive sources of income through the VLO will be included. It also comes with a convenient, one page checklist with all the steps you need to take to get started.
OPTIONAL:
At the end of this workshop, you will have the option to submit your step-by-step virtual law office plan that you have developed in the course for my review and feedback. I will personally review your plan line-by-line, providing written feedback to ensure your success as you launch your virtual law office.
This program gives you EVERYTHING you need to get on the path of loving your work and your life by the end of 6 weeks.
Open Your Virtual Law Office in Six Weeks {On Demand}
Investment
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1 payment of $597 |
3 payments of $217 |
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For less than $600, you get:
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over 6 hours of class time on ditching the day job and running a thriving virtual law practice,
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3 quality bonus sessions with guest experts,
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membership in a community of lawyers who have taken the class and are already doing it, AND
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the Virtual Law Office Resource Guide.
A value of at least $3,000 if you consulted with me one-on-one.
Step 1 – Finding Your Niche in the Legal Marketplace
- Learn the benefits of establishing a marketable niche and the situations where having a niche is a detriment.
- Participate in exercises to help you determine the right niche for your virtual law office and the clients your VLO will serve.
- Learn how expertise you already have (even outside of the legal industry!) can make you more marketable to your ideal clients.
- Learn how to incorporate your interests and things you’re already passionate about into your Virtual Law Office, even if they have nothing to do with the law!
- Result: You understand your unique positioning in the legal marketplace.
Step 2 – How to Set Your Legal Fees for a Lucrative Virtual Law Practice
- Discover strategies to determine what services your niche market needs.
- Learn how to set your legal fees to appeal to your ideal clients and provide for your needs.
- Develop a realistic business model for your virtual law office that serves your ideal clients and allows for the lifestyle you desire.
- Result: You have a winning business model rooted in what both you and your clients need and want.
Step 3 – Costs to Establish a Credible Presence as an Attorney Online
- Determine what funds are needed to develop your Virtual Law Office. (Note: no trust fund or ample savings required!)
- Learn exactly what products and services you need and what products and services are a complete waste of your time and money!
- Learn Rachel’s underground strategy for maximizing your profits.
- Result: You have a financial plan and can begin executing on your dream.
Step 4 – How to Convert Prospects into Paying Legal Clients
- Develop low cost, guerilla tactics to market your services and get new clients.
- Develop a sales mindset for success that doesn’t make you feel icky.
- Learn the 4 keys to successful selling for people who hate to sell.
- Result: You have a marketing plan and a step by step process for closing new business and can begin obtaining clients.
Step 5 – Building Your VLO Infrastructure & Virtual Legal Team
- Learn the essential pieces of a successful Virtual Law Office website.
- Develop systems in your practice that enable you to save time and manage all of the different aspects of running a law practice without going insane.
- Learn how to outsource aspects of your work on a budget and how to manage your team.
- Learn about workflow processes that enable you to provide excellent customer service to your clients.
- Results: You have a well-run Virtual Law Office that still allows you to have free time to pursue your interests.
When, Where & How Much?
- Get started with the first class immediately after you purchase!
- Each week that follows, you’ll receive the new module with the audio recording, class handout and worksheets and the corresponding bonus material for that week.
- All classes are recorded so you can listen to them when it fits your schedule.
- And you get access to the Facebook community right away so you can start asking questions and finding your way.
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1 payment of $597 |
3 payments of $217 |
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Rachel was awesome to work with and gave me all I asked for and more! She has amazing knowledge in the legal field for online businesses and solo legal practitioners. I loved working with her because she “gets” the attorney-legal world and the world of online, social media small businesses. The value she has provided me is endless really.
Candace Smyth, Esq., Family & Partnership Mediation
Your class was fantastic. It was exactly what I was looking for. I was thrilled to find a class explaining how to start a VLO, especially because it is relatively new. I very much enjoyed the class, the resources are excellent and I also like the Facebook group. Not only did I come away from the class with valuable information, but also with a network and support group of like-minded lawyers.
Current In House Counsel and Soon-to-be Virtual Attorney
Rachel Rodgers provided a wealth of information in such a short amount of time. This class was truly invaluable!
Irena Purves, Esq.
Nicole Robbins, Esq., Robbins Law Group, LLC
The Amazing Money Back Guarantee (or Not)
Here’s my amazing money back guarantee: there isn’t one. You know why? Because what you are gonna do is take this course and do the work. And then when you’re making a minimum of $10,000 per month in your new practice on your own terms, you’re gonna send me a love note for creating this workshop. What you’re not gonna do is screw around and waste your time and mine by not doing the work and then requesting a refund. Can we both agree that would be really silly? But you should know that I am committed to your complete satisfaction with the Open Your Virtual Law Office in Six Weeks {On Demand} Workshop. If something is missing or something is not to your liking, let me know, I’ll fix it. I want to see you succeed and I will go out of my way to make that happen. Now isn’t that better than some stupid money back guarantee?
And … if you’re on the fence about taking this workshop, give me a call or send an email (contact info is below), I’ll talk with you and if its not right for you, I will definitely let you know. I’m a straight shooter so be ready for no filter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can this workshop help me even if I want to practice in a litigation-based practice area?
Absolutely! Virtual law offices can be used for litigation-based practice areas as well. In fact, I know of a lawyer who practices civil litigation for Canadian litigants while living in Greece. Sky’s the limit! Whether you want to offer unbundled or limited-scope services or whether you want to represent clients in court. I have helped lawyers use the virtual law office to do litigation including family law, criminal law, medical marijuana, animal rights, freelance law handling court appearances and witness interviews, etc. In this workshop, you will learn how to develop a marketable niche and infrastructure for your VLO, whether litigation or transactional.
2. Have the lawyers who have worked with you been able to obtain paying clients?
Yes! The lawyers who have taken my previous courses have told me that the techniques I taught them absolutely worked for them. I have seen many lawyers bring in high-value legal matters shortly after taking my previous courses. However, I can only teach you these techniques and help you develop the plan. After that its up to you to execute on the plan. If you don’t do the work, you will not reap the reward.
3. Is this workshop only for women lawyers?
Good question! I have developed this program specifically with women lawyers in mind. However, the material is relevant to both men and women lawyers. Several male lawyers have gone through this course and had success.
The Virtual Law Office workshop was a resource I had been searching for. When I happened upon the workshop, I knew it was the fit for me. I enjoyed every aspect of the workshop, including the genuine delivery of the sessions held by Rachel. The workshop was chock-full of information and no holds barred! I cannot thank Rachel enough for putting me on the right path for a successful career.
Tee Davis, Esq.
Incredible course and worth the investment if you are even thinking of going solo.
Christopher Matthew, Esq.
Why Me?
During my judicial clerkship, I spent the entire year researching almost every virtual law office in the country, to find out how they set up their practices, who their clients were and how they obtained those clients. I found out what was working for them and what wasn’t. I also relentlessly studied solo practice, law practice management and marketing for lawyers.
In the months before my clerkship ended, I received various less-than-desirable job offers. Instead, of signing up for several years of misery in an inflexible job that prevented me from having the lifestyle I wanted, I used the research I had developed to create a plan to launch my virtual law practice, Rachel Rodgers Law Office, and never looked back.
Since then I have helped hundreds of lawyers develop strategies for going solo. I am on a mission to help women lawyers achieve the balance they so desire without having to give up their legal careers. It’s something that I have achieved for myself and I want to help as many women lawyers as possible do the same.
By creating a profitable virtual law office that enables me to do interesting legal work serving an exciting niche I created, I have the freedom to spend ample time with my husband, daughter, extended family and friends and time to pursue my other interests (France, anyone?).
I want to help you do the same. If you’re ready to become an innovative, freedom-having lawyer who provides an incredible service to grateful clients while also having an amazing lifestyle, join me.
Sincerely,
Before taking the 21st Century Lawyer course with Rachel Rodgers, I was in the process of creating a virtual practice, A.G. Thompson Law, LLC for the lifestyle flexibility. This class gave me the tools I needed to create apractice and a lifestyle that met my needs, and fulfilled my dreams.
Adrianne Thompson, A.G. Thompson Law LLC
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3 payments of $217 |
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P.S. Do you want to make 2013 the year you finally make your legal career work for you? For less than the cost of an iPad or a pair of Jimmy Choos, you can have a complete business plan for launching your own lucrative virtual law office and finally have the lifestyle you’ve always wanted. What are you waiting for?