Most folks have, hopefully, come around to the realization that a virtual receptionist isn’t just a latter day call service, but a real asset to practitioners looking to offer the human touch in the administrative process. Because while virtual receptionists, like Smith.ai, offer 24/7 phone and chat services, they also provide screening and intake functions, providing lawyers with a customizable means of getting clients in the door.
Considering the role Smith.ai plays in the onboarding process, it only makes sense that the service seamlessly integrate into a case management workflow. And that’s what Filevine and Smith.ai announced today:
With this integration, any call handled by Smith.ai’s receptionists is visible directly within Filevine. This means that not only will law firms never miss a call, but attorneys and their staff will be able to quickly understand the work that’s already been completed. They can then immediately identify and assign tasks for next steps, all within a single program: Filevine.

Plugging The Profit Leaks: How Your Firm Can Stop Burning Money
Join the webinar on September 25th and learn some quick wins you can implement right away.
As much as I loved closing my door and going down a four-hour research rabbit hole, communication — with clients, witnesses, opposing counsel, whoever — is at the core of a legal practice. Plugging these touches directly into the matter management workflow magnifies the value proposition of both providers:
“We’re focused on empowering law firms to deliver world-class service to their clients, no matter how busy attorneys find themselves,” said Aaron Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Smith.ai. “Our 24/7 receptionists are a critical resource to firms with limited staff, time, and budget. We are very proud to join together with Filevine to facilitate highly effective firm communications. Our mutual clients embrace technology. They know that speeding up responsiveness and improving client experience are two key indicators of the overall health of their law practice. We’re making it easier for them to succeed with less effort, creating strong outcomes now and a solid foundation for future growth at scale.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the companies and what they can offer together, check out https://smith.ai and https://filevine.com.

How 8am LawPay Takes The Sting Out Of Legal Billing
Getting paid can be an arduous task. You should make it as easy on yourself and your clients as possible.
Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.