The emergence of online communities in the past few years has helped in spreading information and awareness, solving issues, and bringing people together. The legal world has not remained untouched by its influence. The online communities for solicitors have revolutionized the legal world in more ways than one. Many web-based professional platforms have been developed recently that are valuable to solicitors and their clients.
The relevance of online legal communities
For most solicitors who are new to the concept of online communities, the first thing these communities seem to represent is social outlaws who rant ceaselessly on the internet. No matter how oversaturated the legal market is in these times, there is a lot that one can gain from online communities for solicitors. People who have acquired professional law degrees and other related qualifications must definitely seize the chance to interact with colleagues and potential clients on these social networks.
Some online communities were started as invite-only WhatsApp group chats, closed LinkedIn groups, and email chains that later evolved into full-scale online communities. The Irish Law Site is one such thriving online community for Irish lawyers that promotes discussion about Irish and Northern Irish Law. Various legal subjects are tackled by experienced as well as new lawyers in such communities.
Major benefits of online communities for lawyers
Being a solicitor or a manager in a law firm, it is natural that you are on the lookout for ways to aid the firm’s budget management. In that case, the opinions of other solicitors who confront the same challenge as you are quite helpful. Some resort to online communities to set up relationships with fellow solicitors working in the same niche.
Others are more interested in getting client referrals via online networking. Even if they have a low membership base or are in their initial stages of development, online communities for solicitors are beneficial. It is advisable to participate in these communities in the early stages so that one can establish relationships with others as they join.
Displaying expertise through communities
Turns out, legal online communities are for both solicitors and potential clients. Potential clients looking for legal help often join these groups to assess the right solicitors for their case. One shouldn’t worry about securing clients right after joining and should instead focus on contributing. This will result in the advancement of dialogue in the community, and client referrals will automatically start coming in.
Delivering better service to clients
Online communities for solicitors also help in bridging the gap between clients and law firms. This enables solicitors to provide better customer service. Some major concerns of clients regarding flexibility, visibility, and responsiveness have been sorted, as the online communities have evolved from discussion forums to mature platforms for discussing best practices and interacting with clients.
A lot of solicitors remain sceptical about online communities. The opportunities that digital communities offer overshadow their pitfalls by a wide margin. Online communities for solicitors promote knowledgeable discussions between law practitioners that help in their individual advancement. It also enables prospective clients to evaluate the solicitors, benefitting the entirely legal system.
