Laymans for Remote Legal Work
Your entire legal practice - client meetings, document collaboration, and case management - in one secure, encrypted platform.
The modern legal practice isn't confined to office buildings anymore. Whether you're meeting clients from home, collaborating with co-counsel across states, or managing cases while traveling, Laymans provides the infrastructure for secure, professional remote legal work. Everything is encrypted end-to-end, fully integrated with your case management workflow, and accessible from anywhere.
Why Legal Professionals Choose Laymans for Remote Work
- Built-in video conferencing - No third-party subscriptions needed
- End-to-end encryption - Signal protocol protects all communications
- Integrated case files - Meet, collaborate, and manage documents in one place
- Client-ready templates - Onboard clients remotely with Briefcases
- Transparent billing - Stripe invoicing with pay-now-pay-later options
Secure Video Conferencing Built for Legal Work
Unlike generic video platforms, Laymans video conferencing (we call them "Broadcasts") is built directly into your casefiles - the same encrypted containers where you store evidence, documents, and case materials.
Two modes for different needs:
| Mode | Privacy Level | Who Can Participate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Broadcasts | Fully encrypted | Only casefile collaborators | Client consultations, team meetings, confidential depositions |
| Public Broadcasts | Owner-controlled | Public viewers (chat only) | Legal education, community town halls, public Q&A sessions |
Private broadcasts work like Zoom - all participants can use video, audio, and chat. Public broadcasts work like livestreams - you present, the public watches and chats.
How it works
- Create a casefile for your case or meeting
- Schedule a video conference event through the Events system
- Participants receive notifications with secure access links
- Join via the Broadcast Viewer - no downloads required
- All communications are encrypted with hardcoded protocols
Professional features:
- Screen sharing - Present documents, walk through forms, share research
- Room owner controls - Kick disruptive users, designate other speakers
- Minimizable viewer - Continue working on Laymans while meeting runs
- Secure by default - Hardcoded encryption protocols, no configuration needed
- Recording (paid accounts) - Capture important client meetings and depositions
- 2-hour limit (free) - Extended meetings available for paying users
Start now: How to Access Video Conferences
End-to-End Encrypted Collaboration
Your communications with clients contain privileged information. Laymans uses the Signal protocol - the same encryption that protects messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp - to secure:
- Direct messages - Client communications, co-counsel discussions
- Video conferences - Encrypted broadcasts with no unencrypted server storage
- Document signatures - Cryptographic verification of authenticity
- Case history - All interactions tied to encrypted keys
What this means for your practice:
Critical Security Information
Laymans does not store unencrypted messages. If you lose your encryption key, you lose access to message history. Documents and cases remain safe in IPFS storage, but communications are tied to your device keys.
Always download and securely store your encryption key backup.
Multi-device workflow:
- Set up encryption on your primary device (laptop/desktop)
- Encrypt secondary devices (phone, tablet, office computer)
- Store backup keys securely (password manager, secure vault)
Why encryption matters for remote work:
- Work from coffee shops without security concerns
- Use public WiFi for client meetings safely
- Comply with attorney-client privilege requirements
- Meet bar association data security standards
Organize Client Work with Casefiles
Casefiles are the foundation of remote legal collaboration on Laymans. Think of them as secure, encrypted project folders that can contain:
- Evidence - Contracts, receipts, photos, correspondence
- Court documents - Pleadings, orders, notices
- Video conferences - Attached directly to the casefile
- Public records - UniCourt integration for court case lookups
- Collaborative annotations - Comments, notes, tags
Privacy controls for professional use:
| Casefile Type | Visibility | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Private | Only you and shared collaborators | Client cases, confidential work product |
| Public | Anyone on Laymans | Educational materials, legal templates, community resources |
Why casefiles are perfect for remote work:
- Mass upload capabilities - Drag-and-drop entire case folders
- Auto-tagging - AI categorizes documents by legal issue and value
- Integrated with Cases - AI references casefiles when drafting documents
- Share with co-counsel - Collaborate securely with other attorneys
Learn more: What is a Casefile? | Create a Casefile
Onboard Clients Remotely with Briefcases
Briefcases are reusable case templates that let you onboard clients in minutes instead of days - perfect for remote legal practices with standardized service offerings.
How it works:
- Create a Briefcase from a successful case - Learn how
- Package everything - Casefiles, templates, forms, services, even your rates
- Share a link - Client uses Briefcase to auto-populate their case
- You review - Client's information is organized and ready for your review
Professional use cases:
Scenario: Immigration attorney with standardized naturalization service
Before Laymans: Intake forms, document checklists, back-and-forth emails, scheduling chaos.
With Briefcases:
- Create Briefcase once with required documents, interview questions, and service fee
- New client clicks Briefcase link from your website
- Client uploads documents, answers questions, schedules video conference
- You receive organized case with everything pre-populated
- Meet via encrypted Broadcast to review and finalize
Result: 80% less admin time, clients onboard themselves remotely, everything encrypted and compliant.
Scenario: Employment lawyer offering severance review
Briefcase contains:
- Checklist of documents to upload (severance agreement, employment contract, etc.)
- Casefile templates for evidence
- Pre-scheduled 30-minute video consultation
- Fixed-fee service ($500)
- Payment link with pay-now-pay-later option
Client experience: Click link → Upload docs → Pay → Meet → Done
Your experience: Review organized casefile → Meet client via Broadcast → Provide guidance → Close case
Benefits for remote practices:
- Standardize intake - Same process every time, no missed documents
- Enable self-service - Clients do the admin work
- Generate passive income - Briefcases can be sold or licensed to other attorneys
- Scale your practice - Serve more clients with less overhead
Collaborate with Clients on AI-Powered Cases
Cases on Laymans aren't just documents - they're collaborative workspaces where you and your client build legal products together, regardless of location.
The remote workflow:
| Step | You (Attorney) | Client | Platform Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Intake | Create Briefcase, send link | Upload evidence to casefiles | Mass upload, auto-tagging |
| 2. Initial meeting | Schedule Broadcast | Join via notification link | Encrypted video conferencing |
| 3. Document drafting | Start Case, reference casefiles | Review drafts, provide facts | AI drafting with Leyla |
| 4. Revisions | Edit in collaborative editor | Comment, request changes | Real-time collaboration |
| 5. Finalization | Finalize and certify | E-sign, download | Notarization, verification |
Why this beats traditional remote work:
- Everything in one place - No switching between email, Zoom, Dropbox, DocuSign
- AI assistance - Leyla extracts facts from uploaded documents automatically
- Client involvement - Clients can see progress, provide input, stay engaged
- Secure by default - No risk of unencrypted email attachments or unsecured file shares
Transparent Remote Billing
Traditional remote legal work often means convoluted billing, delayed payments, and client confusion. Laymans integrates Stripe invoicing with flexible payment options.
Payment features:
- Fixed-fee services - List services with transparent pricing
- Pay-now-pay-later - Clients can finance legal services
- Campaign funding - Clients can crowdfund before purchasing your services
- Automated invoicing - Connected to your cases and services
- Track expenses - View legal fees and expenses
Perfect for remote practices: No awkward money conversations, no delayed payments, no manual invoicing. Clients pay online, you get paid faster.
Market Your Services to Remote Clients
Laymans isn't just a practice management tool - it's a marketplace where clients find legal professionals.
How clients discover you:
- Search by location - Clients localize to their county
- Filter by issue - Browse by legal problem
- Transparent pricing - See your rates before contacting you
- Profile and reputation - Salutes, pledges, and contributions build your profile
For remote-first practices:
- Serve clients nationwide (where bar admission allows)
- Build reputation through educational content (Seminars, public casefiles)
- Offer remote-only services at competitive prices
- No geographic limitations
Learn more: How to Advertise Your Services
Legal Education & Community Building Remotely
Seminars on Laymans let you teach, build authority, and generate leads - all remotely.
Create educational content:
- Public Broadcasts - Host live webinars and legal education sessions
- Recorded seminars - Create on-demand courses
- Shareable casefiles - Package legal templates and resources
- Community engagement - Answer questions, build following
Why this matters for remote practices:
- Establish expertise - Teach pro se litigants and potential clients
- Generate leads - People who learn from you become paying clients
- Passive income - Charge for advanced courses or premium content
- Geographic reach - Serve a national audience, not just your town
Learn more: What is a Seminar? | Create a Seminar
Remote Work Best Practices
| Practice Area | Laymans Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Client confidentiality | End-to-end encryption | Meet bar ethics requirements for remote communication |
| Document security | Private casefiles + IPFS storage | Prevent data breaches and unauthorized access |
| Professional appearance | Integrated platform | No "Let me find that file" moments during video calls |
| Time tracking | Project Details Dialog | Document billable hours and client interactions |
| Compliance | Verification services | Prove document authenticity and timestamps |
Getting Started with Remote Legal Work
| Step | Action | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create professional account | Start Registration |
| 2 | Set up encryption | First-Time Encryption |
| 3 | Create your first casefile | Create a Casefile |
| 4 | Schedule a test Broadcast | Access Video Conferences |
| 5 | Build a client intake Briefcase | Make a Briefcase |
| 6 | List your services | Advertise Services |
Compare: Laymans vs. Traditional Remote Work Stack
| Function | Traditional Stack | Laymans | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video meetings | Zoom ($15-20/mo) | Built-in Broadcasts (free) | Integrated with case files |
| File sharing | Dropbox ($12-20/mo) | Encrypted casefiles | Signal protocol encryption |
| Document signing | DocuSign ($10-40/mo) | Built-in verification | Cryptographic signatures |
| Client intake | JotForm + email | Briefcases | Auto-populates cases |
| Billing | QuickBooks ($30+/mo) | Stripe integration | Pay-now-pay-later options |
| Practice management | Clio ($39-129/mo) | Integrated Cases | AI drafting with Leyla |
| **Total monthly cost | $106-249+ | $0 (free tier) | Save $1,200-3,000/year |
Professional Tier Benefits
Upgrade for extended video recordings, unlimited Broadcasts, priority support, and advanced analytics. Even the paid tier costs less than one traditional software subscription.
Why Remote Legal Work Works Better on Laymans
Traditional approach:
- Client emails documents (unsecured)
- Schedule Zoom meeting (separate platform)
- Share screen with Dropbox (another login)
- Draft in Word (not collaborative)
- Email draft (unsecured again)
- Send DocuSign for signature (another tool)
- Send invoice via QuickBooks (another tool)
- Store file in Clio (one more platform)
Laymans approach:
- Client uploads to Briefcase casefile (encrypted)
- Meet via Broadcast attached to same casefile (integrated)
- Draft Case with AI referencing uploaded documents (all in one place)
- Client reviews and collaborates in real-time (same platform)
- Finalize and verify (built-in)
- Invoice and receive payment (Stripe integration)
- Everything stored encrypted in one organized case (done)
Result: Fewer tools, better security, happier clients, more time for legal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laymans video conferencing HIPAA/bar compliant?
Laymans uses end-to-end encryption with the Signal protocol and hardcoded security measures. While we provide the technical infrastructure for secure communication, individual practitioners should review their jurisdiction's specific requirements. The platform does not store unencrypted communications, which aligns with most data security standards.
Can I use Laymans for interstate remote practice?
Yes - Laymans is a platform tool, not legal advice. Your bar admission and ethics rules govern where you can practice law. Many attorneys use Laymans to serve clients in multiple states where they're admitted. Use the localization filters to show your service areas.
What happens if my client doesn't have encryption set up?
Clients are prompted to set up encryption when they register. The process is guided by the Encryption Wizard and takes less than 2 minutes. For casefile collaboration, encryption is automatic - they just need to complete the setup process once.
Can I record client meetings?
Yes, but only on paid accounts. Recordings are stored encrypted and tied to the specific casefile. Free accounts have 2-hour meeting limits without recording. Always obtain client consent before recording, as required by your jurisdiction's ethics rules.
How do I get paid for remote services?
List your services with pricing, and clients can purchase directly through Stripe integration. You can offer fixed-fee services, pay-now-pay-later options, or accept campaign funding. Payments are processed automatically and tied to specific cases for easy tracking.
Ready to modernize your remote legal practice? Create your professional account and start serving clients securely from anywhere.