Tips for Video Conferencing with Clients in a Shifting Legal Practice

  • 06 février 2021
  • Olivia Koneval-Brown, family lawyer at Mann Lawyers

There has always been a desire to see the practice of law catch up with technology. COVID-19 has definitely forced this to happen in one big leap with e-filing in court, videoconference hearings, and virtual commissioning. While these changes are a welcome sight for many, they are happening so quickly that it can be hard to keep up. As lawyers, we not only have to adapt quickly, but also ensure we are meeting our duties and responsibilities to our clients, the Law Society, and ourselves.  The first place this starts is with our video meetings with clients.

Like many others keeping in-person meetings to a minimum or not conducting them at all, Zoom and Microsoft Teams are now common tools in my utility belt. While these applications are, for the most part, user friendly, I quickly learned that there is a lot more that I need to be aware of as a lawyer conducting a confidential client meeting.

As the pandemic has progressed, my checklist for video meetings has gotten longer and longer. Through discussions with colleagues and the use of online resources, I’ve been able to put together a list of things to keep in mind while on Zoom. Keeping track of these types of points is critical to having a solid record in your file.