Board Approves New Benefits for Members
At its November meeting, the Board of Bar Commissioners approved four new member benefit programs offering member discounts on cloud-based practice management services (Clio and Rocket Matter), personal umbrella insurance (ISI), virtual receptionist services (Ruby Receptionists) and products and services from Verizon Wireless, Staples and Global Crossing conference calling (National Purchasing Partners).
Cloud-based Practice Management from Clio and Rocket Matter
Once upon a time, busy lawyers kept up with their documents and deadlines using manila folders and paper calendars. As lawyers’ documents, calendars, contacts, to-do lists, and billing and trust accounting have moved to electronic format, though, it’s become increasingly difficult to keep all the relevant information related to a case in one easily accessible and easily shared place. Cloud-based practice management, also known as software as a service (or SaaS), from Clio and Rocket Matter allows lawyers to log in to a secure website and access all their practice-related information from anywhere in the world that they have an Internet connection.
Compatible with PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices, Clio and Rocket Matter will help enhance overall productivity by allowing you to access the case and firm financial information you need–when and where you need it–while providing end-to-end encryption for a high level of security for your confidential information.
Alabama State Bar members are eligible for a 10 percent ongoing discount on Clio, making its practice management system available for $44 a month per attorney and $22 a month per support staff person. Clio service can be canceled at any time. ASB members who sign up for an initial one year of Rocket Matter service will receive a 17 percent discount, making Rocket Matter $49.80 for the first user and $41.50 for the next five users. Each company offers unlimited access to live support and web-based training, and both can help with data migration from your current practice management system. Each service offers a free 30-day trial. One or the other is bound to meet your practice management needs.
Personal Umbrella Insurance Offered through ISI Alabama
A personal umbrella policy is among the best values in insurance today. For as little as $290 a year, through ISI you can purchase $1 million of additional coverage that provides protection for you, personally, in excess of the limits provided in the required underlying auto and home policies. Some highlights of this plan include:
- Defense costs are in addition to the limit of liability;
- A broader definition of who is an insured under the policy;
- Only a short, summary application to apply;
- Domestic partner coverage included;
- Automatic coverage for 30 days on a drop-down basis for non-owned autos, watercraft and recreational vehicles (subject to a $10,000 self-insured retention);
- Higher cut-off for automatic coverage for home-based businesses–up to $25,000 in gross annual receipts versus $10,000 for competitors;
- $1 million of uninsured/underinsured motorists’ coverage standard in every policy;
- Youthful drivers and secondary residences are covered; and
- Coverage included for serving as a director or officer of any not-for-profit organization, including condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ associations.
Unlike the competition, ISI offers coverage limits of $1 million through $5 million and includes up to $25,000 of excess identity theft coverage as well.
Virtual Receptionist Services through Ruby Receptionists
Ruby Receptionists provides expert virtual receptionist services to more than 1,000 small businesses, legal practices and professionals across North America. Unlike conventional answering services, Ruby Receptionists interact with you and your callers as if they were your employees, putting through the calls you are waiting for and handling the rest.
Each Ruby receptionist attends "Ruby University," a thorough and ongoing training program, where they are equipped with the skills and know-how to most effectively field client calls. Ruby Receptionists was founded in 2003 and is based in Portland, Oregon. It employs more than 35 receptionists, who will handle your calls as you instruct.
ASB members receive free set-up, an eight percent discount on monthly charges and waived fees on additional mailboxes.
Discounts from Verizon Wireless, Staples and Global Crossing Conference Calling through National Purchasing Partners
National Purchasing Partners is one of the nation’s largest group-purchasing organizations, helping member businesses and professional organizations reduce costs through lower pricing on everyday business expenses. Established in 2001, NPP’s family of business is responsible for more than $6 billion in annual sales. Discounts currently available include:
- Verizon Wireless: Exclusive discounts on Verizon Wireless products and services including monthly voice, data and push-to-talk plans as well as Verizon Wireless equipment and accessories
ASB members with calling plans of $34.99 or higher may qualify for the following discounts:
* 22 percent discount on law firm/corporate monthly access fees (five wireless lines required to qualify; one line must be the law firm/corporate line; others may be employees/family; law firm/corporate line receives 22 percent discount)
* 18 percent discount on the other four lines which may be employee/family lines tied to the law firm/corporate line
* $20 unlimited wireless e-mail feature (not eligible for discounts–must be added to a calling plan of $34.99 or higher)
* Plus additional discounts on equipment
* Existing Verizon Wireless customers are not required to extend their contract to receive the discount - Staples: Aggressive pricing on more than 270 premium products, net-pricing on more than 2,800 core items and competitive discounts on more than 30,000 products and services
- Global Crossing Conference Calling: Simply and easily setup conference calls that cost 3.1 cents per minute–no contract or monthly fees and available 24/7 with no reservations needed
Registering with NPP is completely free to ASB members. Program details and enrollment information are available at 1-800-810-3909 or by e-mail.
The Alabama State Bar has partnerships with a number of companies, allowing members to receive free legal research and discounted rates for a variety of goods and services. Please note that members can only receive the ASB member benefit discount by going through the ASB website.
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