LAWCLERK, an online marketplace where solos and small firms can hire freelance lawyers to assist them with specific projects, is today introducing a feature that allows hiring lawyers and freelancers to instantly meet for voice and video calls.

The option is available directly from within open projects on the LAWCLERK platform,  where users will now see a “Start Meeting” icon. The user will see a notification that they are receiving a call. If they are not logged into the platform, they will see a list of any missed calls.

While attorneys and freelancers were previously able to communicate by text chat in the platform, this new feature allows them to connect by audio call or video conference and to share screens on video calls.

The chat feature is also enabled during video conferencing.

The feature uses the Vonage Video API to enable the live video sessions.

There is no option for recording videos, which LAWCLERK cofounder Kristin M. Tyler told me was intentional to ensure the security of conversations.

For more about LAWCLERK, listen to my LawNext podcast interview with cofounder and CEO Greg Garman, or see all prior articles I’ve written about the company.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.