297: A Year of Remote Lawyering: How Jeff Austin Took His Practice to Patagonia
Dec 10, 2024
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Jeff Austin, an estate planning attorney from Durham, North Carolina, shares his remarkable journey of practicing law remotely while living in Argentina. He discusses the transition to a paperless, remote practice and innovative solutions for challenges like notarization and client communication. Jeff emphasizes the importance of tech tools like eSIM cards and virtual mail services for staying connected. Balancing family life with professional responsibilities in Patagonia, he offers insights into maintaining ethical standards and building client trust in a virtual landscape.
Jeff Austin successfully transitioned to a remote, paperless law practice in Patagonia by utilizing innovative technologies for client communication and document management.
His proactive approach to maintaining ethical standards while practicing abroad involved consulting with ethics boards and leveraging remote notarization services.
Deep dives
Transitioning to a Remote Practice
An estate planning attorney shares insights from his experience practicing law remotely while living in Argentina with his family. He highlights the move toward a paperless practice, which involved navigating challenges such as remote notarization and client communication. To address these issues, he adopted various technologies that allowed him to manage his legal work effectively while ensuring compliance with North Carolina law. His proactive approach included consulting with ethics boards and adapting his practice to operate fully virtually, reassuring clients about his availability and responsiveness.
Living Abroad with Family
The attorney and his wife had long envisioned living abroad with their children, a dream that became reality through careful planning and collaboration with a friend. They decided on Patagonia, Argentina, after discussing various options and recognizing the benefits of such an adventure, despite challenges faced with young kids. His wife's role in managing the family logistics—such as navigating healthcare and school systems—proved crucial during their transition to a new environment. The family adapted well to their new life, ultimately easing homesickness and forming lasting friendships in their community.
Technological Integration and Tools
Utilizing a range of software and tools, the attorney streamlined his remote practice to enhance efficiency and communication. His choice of practice management software, My Case, became instrumental in maintaining client interactions, document sharing, and collaboration with a remote paralegal. Additionally, he implemented a virtual mailbox service that scanned physical mail, allowing for seamless management of correspondence while abroad. The integration of technologies, alongside a virtual receptionist, ensured he met client needs without compromising his focus on legal work.
Notarization and Client Services
The attorney creatively addressed the requirement for notarized documents through various solutions, ensuring compliance with North Carolina laws. This included leveraging remote notarization services based in states that allow this practice, while also utilizing concierge services for client signing ceremonies. These options provided significant convenience for clients, allowing in-home notarization and witness services that eliminated logistical hurdles. His extensive planning and ethical considerations ensured a trustworthy process, allowing him to offer quality service even while physically distanced from his practice.
In this episode, you'll hear from Jeff Austin, an estate planning attorney from Durham, North Carolina, who spent a year practicing law remotely while living in Argentina with his family. Jeff will explain how he transitioned to a paperless, remote practice, tackling challenges like how to notarize documents remotely, how to manage client communication, and how to handle physical mail.
In this episode, you will hear:
Jeff Austin's transition to a remote, paperless law practice while living in Argentina.
Innovative solutions for remote notarization and client communication.
Maintaining ethical standards as a North Carolina attorney practicing abroad.
Practical strategies for building a credible online presence and client trust.
The importance of technological tools like eSIM cards and virtual mail services.
Adaptability and resourcefulness in international living and remote work.
Resources from this Episode
MyCase - Practice management software that Jeff used
Traveling Mailbox - A physical mailbox service that scans and manages mail.
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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