The Indiana Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration recently proposed a rules change to require attorneys to list cell phone numbers on appearances for court cases. Those opposed to the proposal take the position that appearances are public records, and most attorneys prefer to keep their cell phone numbers private, because they, 1) don't want to get texts and phone calls at all hours, 2) don't like the idea of just anybody being able to contact them wherever they are - even during business hours, and 3) some attorneys simply don't use cell phones for business purposes.
In addition, many attorneys don't like the idea of adding text messaging to their business communication methods. Their concerns often center around how to control the flow of text messages, read and respond without relying on your phone, track and bill for them within the relevant matter, and how to keep them secure. The short response is, all of these are possible! What's more, it's possible to have a number for receiving text messages without giving anybody your personal cell phone number (and without the necessity of a second cell phone for business purposes).
The most basic (and free) method for adding texting as a communication channel without giving out your personal cell phone number is to use Google Voice. It is free to obtain a Google Voice number. The number forwards to your regular cell phone, and text messages and voicemails can be forwarded to the associated Google email address. Additionally, if you want to silence calls or texts from Google Voice, it's a simple switch in the app's settings.
Other tools incorporate your existing business phone number to send and receive text messages. Zipwhip and RingCentral both give you that functionality. They both offer dashboards that allow you to handle text messaging the same way that you handle your emails. Additionally, you can allow additional members of your team to handle text messages, as well. That gives attorneys the ability to easily track and log text messages into client matters as you go. Those two tools offer particular value to text messaging as a tool for client intake.
Practice management tools have been a bit slow to adopt the technology directly into their platforms, with a few exceptions. Filevine and CASEPeer, tools designed specifically for personal injury attorneys, allow clients to text your existing number, and they automatically associate the text and contents with the appropriate client. The main idea there is that clients can text photos and other multimedia files directly to you, and those can be added to the matter library right away.
Note, however, that there are confidentiality issues that can come into play with texting. For reasons that include the fact that you typically can't readily verify that the person using your client's phone is your client, as well as the fact that sending text messages means that you are putting that information in the hands of a third party outside of your control (the cell phone providers), it's generally best to avoid using ordinary text messaging for privileged communication between attorneys and clients. For those conversations, use an encrypted messaging service, such as Signal, if the client doesn't want to meet in person or have conversations over the phone. Signal also has a desktop app, so you can use it the same way you use email.
According to Clio's 2017 Legal Trends Report, 27% of clients want their attorneys to be available via text message, and nearly 15% of clients prefer texting to phone calls or face-to-face meetings. That number is up to almost 20% for Millenials. So, while it's not yet necessary to use texting, it is a communications channel that is becoming more and more important to make available to clients. But, you can do so without making your personal information available (and without carrying an extra cell phone), if you use the right tools.
In addition, many attorneys don't like the idea of adding text messaging to their business communication methods. Their concerns often center around how to control the flow of text messages, read and respond without relying on your phone, track and bill for them within the relevant matter, and how to keep them secure. The short response is, all of these are possible! What's more, it's possible to have a number for receiving text messages without giving anybody your personal cell phone number (and without the necessity of a second cell phone for business purposes).
The most basic (and free) method for adding texting as a communication channel without giving out your personal cell phone number is to use Google Voice. It is free to obtain a Google Voice number. The number forwards to your regular cell phone, and text messages and voicemails can be forwarded to the associated Google email address. Additionally, if you want to silence calls or texts from Google Voice, it's a simple switch in the app's settings.
Practice management tools have been a bit slow to adopt the technology directly into their platforms, with a few exceptions. Filevine and CASEPeer, tools designed specifically for personal injury attorneys, allow clients to text your existing number, and they automatically associate the text and contents with the appropriate client. The main idea there is that clients can text photos and other multimedia files directly to you, and those can be added to the matter library right away.
Note, however, that there are confidentiality issues that can come into play with texting. For reasons that include the fact that you typically can't readily verify that the person using your client's phone is your client, as well as the fact that sending text messages means that you are putting that information in the hands of a third party outside of your control (the cell phone providers), it's generally best to avoid using ordinary text messaging for privileged communication between attorneys and clients. For those conversations, use an encrypted messaging service, such as Signal, if the client doesn't want to meet in person or have conversations over the phone. Signal also has a desktop app, so you can use it the same way you use email.
According to Clio's 2017 Legal Trends Report, 27% of clients want their attorneys to be available via text message, and nearly 15% of clients prefer texting to phone calls or face-to-face meetings. That number is up to almost 20% for Millenials. So, while it's not yet necessary to use texting, it is a communications channel that is becoming more and more important to make available to clients. But, you can do so without making your personal information available (and without carrying an extra cell phone), if you use the right tools.