Help center

1. Best practices for criminal law firms

If you’re a criminal defense attorney, responsiveness is critical. Here’s how to make the most of Answering Legal:

• Use 24/7 coverage—emergencies happen at night and on weekends.
• Tailor your script to ask about the charge, arrest status, and upcoming court dates.
• Let us connect urgent calls directly via screen and transfer.
• Include county or jurisdiction questions to triage faster.

2. How to improve client conversions

Make your first impression count:

• Respond to messages as quickly as possible (use our app notifications).
• Customize your intake script to match your sales funnel.
• Use warm transfers for high-value leads to speak with you directly.
• Make sure your Google Business hours match your coverage window.

3. Tips for working with virtual receptionists

To get the best results:

• Keep your script short, clear, and specific.
• Let us know how to handle frequent caller types (opposing counsel, court clerks, etc.).
• Review a few sample messages during your first week to fine-tune your script.
• Send feedback—our receptionists adapt quickly when trained on your preferences.

4. Building a strong intake process

Your legal intake should be:

• Fast (we recommend under 5 minutes for phone intake)
• Focused (ask only what you need to qualify the case)
• Consistent (all staff and receptionists use the same flow)

Update your intake form seasonally or after major case changes in your practice.

5. Using Answering Legal with in-house staff

We’re built to complement your existing team:

• Use rollover forwarding so in-house staff can take calls first
• Let us cover after-hours, lunch breaks, or peak volume
• We handle overflow and vacation seamlessly—no downtime or onboarding required

This hybrid model keeps overhead low while ensuring full coverage.