Why Virtual Receptionists Are a Go-To Solution for Attorneys Seeking Exceptional Receptionist Services

Do you avoid answering calls? You’re not alone. According to the most recent Clio Legal Trends Report, the majority (60%) of legal professionals don’t pick up when a prospective new client tries to contact them by phone.

There are countless reasons attorneys let callers go to voicemail. Maybe they’re busy with another task, or in court, or with another client. Perhaps it’s the evening or weekend, and they’re not available to talk. Or maybe they assume most calls are spam or unimportant; that legitimate prospects will leave a message or send an email. Regardless of the reasons why, however, this trend of unresponsiveness has negative consequences for lawyers and the legal market as a whole, with a staggering 90% of callers who receive no response becoming a firm’s “detractors”:

“Not getting a response through phone or email left shoppers with an overwhelmingly negative perception of the firm, resulting in nearly all of them being detractors of the firm they reached out to.

More detractors mean more than lost clients—these shoppers are less likely to recommend a firm’s services and can actively harm a firm’s reputation (for example, by posting negative Google reviews).”

Solving this problem is simple in theory—just answer the phone!—but can pose a significant burden on an attorney’s time and resources. It isn’t feasible for many legal professionals to answer every call themselves, or hire one or more full-time receptionists to do so. Fortunately, there’s an easy, cost-effective alternative: virtual receptionist services.

From performing client intake to answering frequently asked questions, these services can act as a reliable first point of contact for your firm, as well as improve your ability to manage incoming calls, adding professionalism to client-facing communications. 

Legal professionals of all kinds already outsource their communications to business phone answering services—and save time, money, and resources as a result. What’s more, these attorneys frequently find themselves improving customer service and capturing more sales opportunities. Here are some advantages you can expect by hiring the best virtual receptionist for your firm. 

Editor’s note: This article was updated in July 2025 with more information about how legal professionals use virtual receptionist services as well as recommendations for attorneys.

Virtual Receptionists Enable You to Manage Your Time Better

For attorneys, time is one of the most valuable assets, and balancing client calls, appointment scheduling, and office duties can quickly overwhelm even the most organized professional. Virtual receptionist services offload routine but essential tasks like answering calls and managing appointments. This frees you to focus on more critical priorities, such as representing clients and advancing cases. By delegating administrative responsibilities, you not only become more productive but also ensure every client interaction gets the attention it deserves.

Save Money Without Compromising on Quality

Hiring a full-time, in-house receptionist comes with significant costs, including training, benefits, and payroll taxes. It’s an expense that can strain smaller law firms. An attorney answering service solves this challenge by delivering consistent, high-quality service at a fraction of the cost.

With no need to pay for sick leave, vacation days, or healthcare benefits, you’ll avoid overlapping costs while enjoying uninterrupted service.

Answering Services Are Available Around the Clock, 365 Days a Year

Legal issues don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, and clients may require assistance at odd hours. An in-house receptionist is limited by working hours and days off, leaving critical calls unanswered outside of these windows.

Virtual receptionists, however, offer near-constant availability, providing 24/7 coverage, including weekends and holidays. This ensures you never miss an important client or potential opportunity regardless of the time of day.

Virtual Receptionists are Well-Trained and Professional

Virtual receptionists are typically vetted and trained in delivering exceptional customer service. Combined with their expertise in legal industry protocols, they handle every interaction with the professionalism required to maintain your firm’s reputation.

Rather than spending time and resources training a new hire, you can rest easy knowing that virtual staff are already equipped to interact with clients and prospects seamlessly.

Virtual Receptionists Make Appointment Schedules More Efficient

Scheduling appointments becomes effortless with virtual receptionists. They utilize unified systems to coordinate schedules across employees, reducing miscommunication and improving efficiency. With features such as automated notifications and reminders, they help cut down on no-shows and last-minute cancellations, providing an invaluable tool for optimizing your time.

These Services Provide Insights for Expanding Your Business

Understanding your clients’ needs is critical for long-term success, and virtual receptionists can serve as a valuable resource in this area. They not only handle incoming calls but also gather key data that helps you refine your services.

Virtual receptionist services can provide insights into client concerns, peak call times, and frequently asked questions. This information is instrumental in adjusting your strategies, whether to refine your service offerings, improve website content, or target specific client needs.

The best virtual receptionist services can help you answer these kinds of questions you may have about your business:

• What customers are truly looking for when they contact your company?
• What emotions your callers and website visitors are experiencing?
• What days and times are your busiest?
• Who are your buyers and leads?
• What are people’s concerns and objections before they test your service?
• What information on your website might need to be included?

Podcast: The Un-Billable Hour on Outsourced Legal Answering Services

For a deeper understanding of how virtual receptionists can transform your law firm, listen to the recent episode of the “Un-Billable Hour” podcast titled “Community Table: Alternative Fee Structures, Virtual Receptionists, and a Second Office”. Featured on the Legal Talk Network, this episode dives into how professionals in the legal industry are optimizing their workflows through innovative solutions—including virtual receptionists.

During the discussion, Posh, a leader in virtual receptionist services, is highlighted for its role in modernizing client communication. The episode explores how firms benefit from on-demand receptionist support, particularly when it comes to handling high client volumes and maintaining professionalism.

A key takeaway is the advantage of scalability and reliability virtual receptionists like Posh offer. Whether you’re managing a small firm or scaling larger operations, the podcast demonstrates how these services round out a strong client-facing strategy while complementing other digital solutions.

Listen to the episode here.

Ready to take your practice to the next level?

With our attorney answering service, you can. Your callers and online visitors speak with competent professionals whenever they contact you. Our team of virtual receptionists has assisted hundreds of lawyers in providing better client experiences, standing out in the market, connecting with prospects, and maximizing their potential. 

With our range of flexible plans, you can save time and money while improving the client experience. Get started right away and see how Posh makes a difference.