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Frequently Asked Questions

Document Sharing

There are many secure options for exchanging files that we use, including Microsoft Teams, client portals, and sharing One Drive folders.  We try not to use email when possible because it is not a good solution for secure file transfer.  

While security threats cannot be completely eliminated, cloud computing has become a superior option for secure data storage by implementing features to protect the user’s account, like multi-factor authentication, and using bank grade data encryption.

Yes, once you have log in credentials for your chosen software solution, you can securely access your data from any computer, tablet or phone through the Internet.  We recommend using strong passwords and managing same with a password manager such as Dashlane or Last Pass.  

Once we have a signed Contract for Services, we will have you fill out an Intake Form to provide some information about your firm.  We will also ask you to share the login credentials for any programs that we will need to access on your behalf.  If you are a CosmoLex user, we can be invited to use your free bookkeeper access using our Certified Accounting Partner (CAP) login.  

Email was not designed with security in mind yet every day confidential documents are transmitted via email.  A secure client portal will allow you to collaborate on your important confidential documents by using an encrypted platform that will only be available to those provided with log in credentials to access same.  https://dealcloser.com/blog/email-is-not-secu

Law Society of Alberta

In 2017, the Law Society of Alberta announced Clio as the first cloud based practice management systems that meets security and trust accounting standards for lawyers in Alberta. While Clio does not have end-to-end bookkeeping functions within its practice management program, when used in conjunction with its various accounting software integrations, such as Quickbooks or Xero, it provides all features required to maintain good bookkeeping practices and ensure Law Society compliance. In the spring of 2018, CosmoLex was approved as an all-in-one practice management system that is compliant with the requirements of the Law Society of Alberta. Soluno is another integrated cloud-based legal specific software program that has been approved by the Law Society of Alberta.

Security

With the increase of cyber attacks and data breaches being regularly targeted at law firms, it is inherent to mitigate these risks by using the most secure methods to exchange files.  Accordingly, I will only exchange files through a portal with built in 256 bit bank level SSL security and AES encryption at rest to protect you and your clients against these inherent cyber risks. 

Our team is aware of the importance of confidentiality, ethics and conflict management and this knowledge and this knowledge is sustained through our daily activities. A conflict check will be performed with each incoming project and a Confidentiality Agreement will be signed and become part of the Contract that is signed by you as the client.  Additionally, each team member has signed a Confidentiality Agreement with the Corporation in the provision of any services they are contracted to perform.

Please note that Advantage Virtual Services operates under the Code of Ethics defined by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals. Please visit the AAPP website for more information.

Legal Technology

Clio is a cloud-based legal practice management software suitable for small to mid-size law firms that makes running your practice, organizing your matters and collaborating with clients an easy process.  Clio offers more than 250 app integrations, allowing you to tailor the product to align with your law firms specific requirements. 

LEAP is a all-in-one, cloud based practice management software and is designed for law firms that provides full case management, contact management, document management, time billing and accounting, in depth analytical reporting and integrations with top industry products such as Microsoft 365, Adobe, and DivorceMate. It allows you to do all your work within one solution without having to access multiple programs throughout your day.

CosmoLex is a cloud based practice management software that integrates trust and business accounting, time tracking, billing, email, and document management into one all-inclusive platform. 

Soluno is a cloud based accounting and billing software that helps law firms work more productively. It offers time/expense entry, billing, accounting, and trust reporting features.

Clio DRAFT is an easy to use document automation and signature platform designed to create smart templates, increase overall efficiency, and avoid costly mistakes without sacrificing quality.

dealcloser is a transaction management hub for legal professionals that brings you and your client together on a deal. It transforms and modernizes the deal process.

Legalboards allows you to manage your practice visually from matters to client invoices and everything in between. We allow legal teams to automate their processes and build workflows to streamline their day-to-day activities. 

NetDocuments is a cloud-based document and email management platform designed primarily for law firms, legal departments, and other businesses that deal with sensitive and confidential documents. It allows users to create, edit, store, and share documents securely over the internet.

What Our Clients are Saying

Our migration to Clio and Soluno was a huge undertaking and Angie provided a tremendous amount of guidance and hands on assistance to make our transition a success. She was able to navigate migration from two programs, completed training for our staff and even assisted with some data entry to help us meet our Go Live date. Angie was aso there continuously to aid all staff and lawyers to make their shift in day-to-day procedures as easy and seamless as possible, building new workflows to match the changes in our technology. I can say with certainty that our transition would not have been nearly as successful without Angie’s knowledge, assistance and guidance.
Amanda Elliott from Schnell Hardy Jones
I left a major national law firm to split my time between an in-house position and a solo legal practice.  Advantage Virtual Services made it easy to keep my practice running smoothly while staying on top of general operating requirements and requirements specific to trust safety.  They have been responsive, thorough, easy to work with and cost-effective.  I would recommend AVS Legal to anyone who is running a solo or small practice, especially for support on trust accounting.
David Wood of R. Group Legal
I have been working with Advantage Virtual Services for over a year now. Having been in-house for my entire career, I needed a lot of support when I started my Firm. AVS provided me with all the support I needed  ranging from practice software integration, paralegal support and bookkeeping. Angie and the team are proficient and proactive with Law Society compliance and meticulous with billing. They are a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend them.
Elizabeth Abidogun from Pinnacle Legal
In this day and age of electronic communications and rising costs, it is my view that the key to survival for professionals and small business owners is to control overhead and keep abreast of technological change. As the founder of a law firm with an international practice, I have found Angie Calliou of Advantage Virtual Service to be an ideal partner for my practice, working as paralegal/bookkeeper/and Cosmolex Certified Consultant. She has been keen, able, proactive, cost effective, and essentially key to my firm’s success. I have no hesitation in recommending her services.
Harmon Hayden, Founder of Harmon Hayden Law
When I decided to set up my own law firm, I found myself drowning in information overload. I contacted Angie and she was able to walk me through the ‘must haves’ for a start-up firm. Most importantly, Angie was able to help me identify the right Practice Management Solution for my business. I choose Clio, and I am delighted that I did. Angie was able to help me hit the ground running and even went a step further and helped me customise my Clio account and precedents. Thank you Angie, you made the transition into solo practice easy for me.
Karen Howley, Founder of CRT Legal
I worked closely with Angie on litigation files and found her to be smart, hard-working, and very detail oriented. We were very disappointed to see Angie leave and would not hesitate to recommend her.
Robert Katzell, Chief Operating Officer at Alberta Motor Association
Angie worked with our firm for over a year and during that time was my main assistant. Even though she worked part-time hours, she produced full-time work. I have no hesitation recommending her and her work quality. Her key strengths are her intelligence, organization, sound judgment and ability to prioritize. Her warm personality and sense of humor are an added bonus.
Nancy Bergstrom, Partner at Chapman Riebeek LLP
Angie was one of my two Assistants, prior to her leaving my Firm to raise her family. Angie was an exceptional Legal Assistant, and I was very sad to see her go, but I valued her decision to put her family first. When Angie approached me about working with me remotely, I was VERY hesitant to even consider same, and was convinced that it would never work; boy was I wrong! Angie is responsible for preparing the majority of my pleadings and agreements; as she is not in the office with constant interruptions, her accuracy is amazing! Angie would transcribe my dictation and I was always amazed at how skilled I was at dictation: wrong again! Angie has a keen ability to learn your style and then prepare your documents the way you want them to be. Angie's flexible schedule means that your work sometimes gets done in the evening or on the weekend, so your documents are ready to be reviewed first thing in the morning. Angie's attention to detail and desire for excellence is evident in her work. She genuinely cares about my practice and my clients. Working with Advantage Virtual Services has been a very rewarding experience, and I recommend Angie without hesitation!
Gaylene Bobb, Partner at Chapman Riebeek LLP
Angie is consistently professional and diligent in completing any assigned task. She has developed her skills and knowledge base over the many years she has been a Legal Assistant. Her company, "Advantage Virtual Services" is an excellent option for any lawyer or firm requiring either regular or occasional administrative assistance in their practice.
Michael Keyes, Partner at Warren Sinclair LLP
I am a loyal customer to Angie for her virtual assistant services. She delivers a high quality product in a reasonable timeframe. Due to her years of experience I can get Angie to do my more complicated dictations, agreements and court pleadings. Angie has saved me more than once by helping me make my court filing deadlines. I have recommended Angie to other lawyers and will continue to do so.
Crystal Thompson, Barrister and Solicitor
Angie does excellent work! Attention to detail, little instruction needed, delivered in a timely fashion. I highly recommend her.
Sonja Lusignan, Barrister and Solicitor
I have had the pleasure of working with Angie from Advantage Virtual Services for a number of years. Angie’s drafting and communications skills are excellent. She is very well organized and has recently helped me integrate a very busy family law practice into my existing practice, when one of my partners was appointed to the judiciary. I could not have managed this without her superior assistance. Angie is efficient and responsive, and works well independently (to instruction), allowing a busy practitioner to move matters forward with competence and confidence. I would not hesitate to recommend Advantage Virtual Services to any conscientious practitioner.
Suzanne Alexander-Smith, Q.C., Partner at Chapman Riebeek LLP
I have used Angie as a virtual legal assistant to assist with overflow and she has done an excellent job for our firm. She provides accurate work with attention to detail and provides the work within the time frames we request. I highly recommend Angie to anyone looking for a virtual legal assistant.
Brent L. Handel, Q.C., Owner at Handel Law Firm
AVS and Angie have been a wonderful partner for Round Table Law. Angie has been responsive, diligent, and proactive. She is willing and able to learn whatever technology and procedures we have, and sometimes recommends better ones. Working with her has been a pleasure. My only regret is not having brought her into the team sooner.
Jason Morris, Founder of Round Table Law LLP
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