Pittsburgh Innovates

Two Pittsburgh attorneys have opened the first virtual law firm in Pennsylvania, having developed a unique business model that makes it quite unlike any other virtual model in the country.

Delta Law Group was developed by Karl Schieneman and Brian Walters, a Monroeville-based firm that focuses on consumers, innovative project management, web-based legal technology and the use of contract attorneys.

It’s an idea Schieneman has worked with and expanded on since his days as co-founder of one of his faward-winning ormer companies, Legal Network, an attorney-owned legal staffing agency. The biggest benefit of virtual law is that clients can keep close watch on their cases, he explains. “You can go online and use a password to see the work that’s going on, the filings, the strategy, the documents.”

Delta Law Group draws on a network of 20 solo practitioners who specialize in different areas of the law. A client who is looking for help with estate planning, family law or bankruptcy can connect with an attorney who prefers to work in that area. “And we’re extremely efficient and paperless. Everything is done through technology so we’ve been able to substantially reduce the client’s bill,” says Schieneman.

Delta Law uses video streaming for client interviews and online case management tools, a system that helps attorneys who are in court to manage their case load and stay connected with clients.

“There’s no phone tag and clients love it,” says Schieneman.    

Delta Law opened its virtual doors in the fall with five employees who handle the administrative details of the daily operation. And while “virtual” may imply no office space, Delta Law has four locations in Wexford, Greentree, Monroeville and downtown Pittsburgh.

To hear Scheineman's Talkshoe progrm "Making Law Easy," click here.

Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Karl Schieneman, Delta Law Group