Author: Marie Westerhof

December 16, 2011 (San Diego, CA) – Law firm practice management software, such as a Virtual Law Office (or VLO), may be an excellent solution for law firms expecting to suffer setbacks due to the coming changes to the Unites States Postal Service delivery system.  The USPS is seeking to end next-day mail delivery in an attempt to cut costs and stay open – and as attorney web design firm Legal Web Experts reports, many law firms that rely heavily on prompt mail delivery could find their practices in trouble without a reliably fast mail service.

With increased reliance on email and internet technology for communication and sending of documents, the U.S. Postal Service has struggled over the last several years to continue providing many first-class mail services.  They recently announced a plan to save $2.1 billion in costs by laying off 28,000 workers, closing hundreds of mail processing plants and ending next-day delivery of regular (also known as “first-class”) mail.

Without next-day mail delivery, the delay of important court papers, documents, evidence and other materials could cause problems and even cost an attorney their case.  By switching to a law firm practice management software system, legal practices that rely heavily on the mail could completely avoid problems associated with the USPS.  “Sending and uploading documents via the internet is beginning to affect every industry, including legal,” says Ryan Nelson, Director of Operations for attorney web design firm Legal Web Experts.  “All firms must seriously consider having a digital document sending solution – or, at the very least, have a solution that can be implemented quickly should they need it.”

The Virtual Law Office (or VLO) system allows attorneys to set up a client login portal on their website.  Clients can log in over a secure connection to download and upload documents, send completed forms, securely message their attorney and even make payments online.  Beyond simply solving the mailing problem, a VLO allows lawyers increased flexibility at their office and gives them the ability to work from anywhere.  Clients also love the flexibility of sending and completing forms and documents online and communicating without traveling to their attorney’s office.  The VLO can be integrated into almost any website in under two weeks – in many cases, within days.  There are a number of low-cost  online law office solutions that can fulfill a law firm’s document-sharing needs.

The USPS anticipates holding off on the mail delay until at least May 15, 2012.  In the meantime, it is advisable for attorneys who depend on prompt mail in their legal practices to look into options like VLOs.

About Legal Web Experts
Legal Web Experts, a division of New Wave Enterprises LLC, offers expert attorney web design and affordable Virtual Law Office integration for law firms of any size.  For more information, visit http://www.legalwebexperts.com.