3 Ways to Incorporate Video Conferencing Solutions for Remote Clients

As law firms and other businesses increasingly embrace remote work options and continue to expand their practices to out-of-reach clients, video conferencing solutions are not only becoming more common, they are also becoming more necessary. These solutions offer an alternative to traveling, saving both time and money without sacrificing customer service or productivity. Within a rapidly growing legal market, video conferencing can help lawyers maintain a personal connection with their clients — and be more productive in the process.

Lawyers can leverage conferencing technologies as part of their best practices for communicating with remote clients. Here are three ways conferencing solutions can help:

1. Creating HD Interactions

Lawyers often need to observe and play off of the body language and the emotions of their clients. Therefore, face-to-face interaction is the preferred method of client engagement for many law firms. But some law firms are faced with the difficulty of having to negotiate interactions with on-the-go clients and colleagues, and find themselves in need of communicating remotely. In these situations, video conferencing solutions with HD-quality video and audio can provide the clear picture and acute sound necessary for lawyers to truly engage with their clients. Up to 100 colleagues and clients can interact through this technology, allowing multiple parties to communicate without technological disruption, no matter what network or device the firm or client uses.

With HD capabilities, video conferencing allows lawyers to observe and engage with the facial expressions and body language of their clients. Clearly observing client body language gives legal teams additional insight they can use in negotiation, deposition, or trial preparation. Additionally, the connection established through video can also help the client feel more comfortable with their legal team, enhancing their experience. If a firm is looking for a way to improve their relationships with clients, conferencing solutions just might be the key.

2. Connect and Collaborate

But when it comes to collaboration, web conferencing takes video conferencing to the next level. It leverages the power of the cloud for a better client experience, while simultaneously enhancing the law firm's productivity.

Web conferencing allows lawyers to share documents, desktop screens, applications, and more with each other, as well as with clients. Members of a legal team can share screens via video conferencing so everyone can review the same documents without having to download them or risk accidentally disconnecting from the call while opening an attachment on a smartphone.

Lawyers and clients can collaborate on a trial motion, rehearse opening and closing arguments, or prepare for cross-examination, all without having to be in the office. This is especially useful for law firms that require significant travel or offer flexible work options. Some web conferencing solutions even have a whiteboard feature that allows for better brainstorming and problem-solving, so everyone can see and participate in real-time.

Another benefit of web conferencing is its closed-caption capabilities, allowing clients who have trouble hearing to interact and engage without impediment, a modern benefit which is swiftly becoming a critical and necessary component of any up-to-date law firm's client engagement strategy.

Whether mapping out trial strategy, preparing for a deposition, or nailing down the finer points of contract negotiations, lawyers can use conferencing tools to keep communication with remote clients and staff open, collaborative, and productive.

3. Conferencing on the Go

In this fast-paced world, both clients and lawyers are often pressed for time. With features such as secure one-touch icons that replace phone numbers and passcodes, mobile conferencing can help on-the-go lawyers be more productive, even when they are out of the office or on their way to another meeting. With mobile conferencing, clients don't need to sit in front of a computer; they can participate from their smartphone or tablet anywhere.

For lawyers, mobile conferencing allows for seamless transition between devices. They can start a call on their smartphone while commuting, and switch to a laptop or desktop when they get to the office. In other words, mobile conferencing lets lawyers and clients connect, regardless of where they are.

Another benefit of mobile conferencing is the added security of drag-and-drop features. Lawyers can add clients, other lawyers, and law firm staff by dragging and dropping icons representing them into the call interface, removing the risk of sending passwords to the wrong party via email or a calendar invite.

As law firms continually work to adapt to both client expectations and technological advancements, using these three remote communication strategies will keep any law firm connected to clients and staff, both in and out of the office. Whether mapping out trial strategy, preparing for a deposition, or nailing down the finer points of contract negotiations, lawyers can use conferencing tools to keep communication with remote clients and staff open, collaborative, and productive.