United States: Performance

The front desk has always been the first impression of a law firm. It is the voice a potential client hears when they call for the first time. It is the face they see when they walk in for a consultation. For decades, that role required someone physically present in the office. That assumption no longer holds. Small and mid-sized law firms across the U.S. are replacing traditional in-office receptionists with remote legal receptionists who handle calls, intake, scheduling, and client communication, without sacrificing professionalism and with significant overhead savings.

Defining moments make this work a privilege and a passion. The pride of taking that next step in a career you love. Creating a turning point for your client that unlocks everything.

This episode features a conversation with Tim Casey, General Counsel of Numotion. In this discussion, Tim reflects on growing up in Lindenhurst, IL, and attending Lewis University...

The lawyer who could handle everything was once seen as indispensable. But that model is getting harder to keep up with. Law firms are under pressure to move faster, manage risk, and deliver a better client experience without compromising quality.

In 2026, the “front desk” is no longer a physical place. It is the speed and quality of your first response, whether that first touch happens by phone, web form, chat, text, or email. This shift is not just about flexibility. It is about revenue protection and client experience. If calls and messages go unanswered, firms lose cases before an attorney ever speaks to the client.

By the end of the day, many solo lawyers are still working through tasks that had nothing to do with practicing law. They are replying to intake messages, tracking down missing documents, updating case files, following up with clients, and trying to keep the calendar from slipping. The legal work is still there, but it keeps getting pushed behind everything else that needs attention.

My first Jones Day Partners Meeting was in November of 1981, at Quail Hollow Resort just outside of Cleveland.

This episode features a conversation with Joseph Dowdy. Joe is a litigator and the managing partner of Foley's Raleigh office. In this discussion, he reflects on growing up on farm in Powells Point, NC...

The First Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Puerto Rico, issued an important ruling on March 13, 2026.