For a law firm, the phone ringing off the hook might seem like a good problem to have. That means more leads, right? But keeping up with these phone calls, plus new client intake, can be a hefty task. Fortunately, there are other options besides waiting by the phone…
With a call answering service, you can outsource the responsibilities of answering calls and recording lead information to an outside agency. This is often more cost-effective and efficient than answering phone calls yourself or hiring a full-time receptionist.
Not all answering services for law firms are created equal, though. That’s why we’re ranking the top call answering providers, with specifics on how they could benefit your firm.
Why Hire a Call Answering Service?
As an attorney, your time is valuable. And it’s probably better off spent handling client cases rather than fielding general calls. Hiring a call answering service is a great way to free up your time and save money in the process.
In fact, there are many more benefits to hiring a call answering service:
- 24/7 availability: Many call answering services operate around the clock, so you won’t miss calls after hours, on weekends, or during holidays. This ensures potential clients can reach someone whenever they need help.
Efficient lead screening: Call answering receptionists can pre-screen calls, ensuring that only relevant inquiries make it to your desk. - Quick appointment scheduling: Many answering services offer appointment scheduling, keeping your calendar full of qualified leads. This reduces the risk of missed appointments or scheduling conflicts.
- Improved client experience: Quick, responsive service keeps clients feeling valued. A call answering service ensures that clients can connect with your firm whenever they need to. Happy clients are more likely to stay with your firm for future needs.
Best Call Answering Service Providers
There are many perks to hiring a call answering service for your law firm. But how do you choose the best one for your business? Consider these top answering service providers and how they might suit your needs.
1. Gabbyville
Gabbyville is a call answering and virtual receptionist service that comes highly recommended time and time again in lawyer forums. Suited for firms of all sizes, Gabbyville’s pièce de résistance is their personalized customer service. Their friendly, U.S.-based receptionists answer calls, schedule appointments, handle administrative tasks, and ultimately make the intake process more enjoyable for potential clients.
Why They’re Great:
- Friendly receptionists
- Based in the US
- Bilingual services (English and Spanish) available
- Lead/call screening
- Appointment scheduling
- Call forwarding available
2. Smith.ai
Smith.ai is a 24/7, 360 virtual receptionist service offering call answering, intake, appointment scheduling, outbound sales, chatbots, SMS messaging, and more. Beyond inbound call answering, Smith.ai has a full suite of services to support your lead generation and sales efforts. Combining both AI technology and human receptionists, Smith.ai provides high-level customer engagement and call services to save time and money for your law firm
Why They’re Great:
- AI-enhanced call routing
- 24/7 availability
- Appointment booking
- Billing and payment processing software
- Sales support and tools
- Live website chat integration
- Client Relationship Management (CRM) tool integration
3. MyIntakes.com
MyIntakes is a specialized call answering and client intake service for law firms. They handle everything from new client inquiries, intake and lead qualification, and message answering services for phone, chat, text, and web-form submissions. MyIntakes is great for screening calls to ensure your firm is only fielding the most qualified leads.
Why They’re Great:
- Lead capture and qualification capabilities
- Detailed client intake
- Automated follow-ups
- Appointment scheduling
- CRM integration
4. AnswerConnect
AnswerConnect is another call answering service that comes highly recommended by legal professionals. They provide 24/7 virtual receptionists, live answering services, live chat support, and appointment scheduling. AnswerConnect is unique in that they focus on sustainable practices, offering eco-friendly service and remote support.
H4> Why They’re Great:
- 24/7 answering
- Human only, no bots
- Live chat support
- Bilingual services available
- Appointment scheduling
- Message-taking
- Environmentally conscious
5. LawyerLine
LawyerLine is an answering service designed specifically for law firms, offering call answering and client intake services. They’re great for streamlining your call management and client intake processes. Like many of the other answering service providers, they offer lead qualification and appointment scheduling as well.
Why They’re Great:
- Outbound calling and sales
- Call transfer and routing
- Bilingual options available
- Legal-specific client intake
- Lead qualification and call screening
6. Alpha Reception
Alpha Reception offers a premium call answering service for businesses. Focused on professionalism and quality, they offer 24/7 live support, appointment scheduling, and outbound calling. They’re a great fit for law firms looking for dependable client support and lead handling.
Why They’re Great:
- 24/7 answering
- Personalized call greetings
- Lead capturing
- Message forwarding
- Outbound calling
7. Back Office Betties
Back Office Betties is a boutique virtual receptionist service specializing in legal practices. With U.S.-based receptionist services, they offer friendly client handling and detailed intake. Need help with administrative tasks as well? Their virtual assistant services cover everything from CRM management to document drafting and prep to legal research and email inbox management.
Why They’re Great:
- Virtual receptionist and assistant services
- Legal intake and CRM management
- Outbound calling and sales
- Client retention support
- Customized client greetings
- Legal research, document management, and drafting
8. LEX Reception
LEX Reception is a top-rated virtual receptionist and call answering service for legal professionals. They offer live call answering, client intake, appointment scheduling, and lead qualification services. LEX Reception’s receptionists are available around the clock, ensuring that client calls are answered promptly, regardless of the time or day. They also provide bilingual receptionists, in English or Spanish, helping law firms serve a diverse clientele.
Why They’re Great:
- 24/7, 365 live answering service
- Legal-specific intake experience
- CRM integration
- Bilingual support available
- Strict confidentiality and compliance
- Outbound calling and lead follow-up
9. VoiceNation
VoiceNation is your superhero for legal call answering. With client intake, messaging services, and more, they’ve got everything you need to make sure every call is answered. Known for its reliability, VoiceNation gives you live, U.S.-based receptionists who are ready to jump into action whenever the phone rings—any time, any day.
Why They’re Great:
- Customizable call scripts
- 24/7 answering and support
- Bilingual services available
- Call forwarding
- Appointment setting
10. Answering Legal
Never miss a lead with the help of Answering Legal. Specific to legal client intake, Answering Legal ensures every call is received, managed, and routed to the appropriate channel. Pre-screen calls to identify the best opportunities and get your calendar booked with potential clients. Answering Legal is another great answering service that helps law firms capture leads and serve clients more effectively.
Why They’re Great:
- 24/7 answering
- Legal intake
- Call transferring and routing
- Lead qualification and CRM integration
- Overflow call handling
- Bilingual services available
