Big Mode Consulting
    Communications

    VoIP Phone Systems for Law Firms

    Your phone system is often the first touchpoint with potential clients. This guide helps you choose a VoIP platform that supports your practice and integrates with your legal technology stack.

    Mauro Gonzalez10 min readJanuary 2025

    Why Law Firms Are Moving to VoIP

    Traditional phone systems tie you to an office and require expensive hardware and maintenance. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) delivers phone service over your internet connection, enabling:

    Remote work flexibility — Take calls on your business line from home, court, or anywhere

    Lower costs — Eliminate expensive PBX hardware and reduce long-distance charges

    Better integrations — Automatic call logging to your case management system

    Unified communications — Voice, video, and messaging in one platform

    Essential Features for Law Firms

    Not all VoIP features matter equally for legal practices. Here's what to prioritize.

    Critical

    Call Recording & Compliance

    Automatic call recording with retention policies. Essential for client communication documentation and compliance.

    Critical

    Mobile Apps

    Full-featured mobile apps that let attorneys make and receive calls on their business line from anywhere.

    High

    CRM/Case Management Integration

    Automatic call logging to Clio, Filevine, or your CRM. Eliminates manual entry and ensures complete records.

    High

    Video Conferencing

    Integrated video meetings for client consultations, depositions, and team collaboration.

    High

    Audio Quality (Noise Cancellation)

    Clear audio matters in consultations, remote depositions, and client calls. Tools like Krisp reduce background noise and echo for more professional conversations.

    Medium

    Auto-Attendant & Call Routing

    Professional call handling that routes callers to the right person without a receptionist.

    Medium

    SMS/Text Messaging

    Business texting from your office number for client communication preferences.

    VoIP Platform Comparison

    The leading VoIP platforms for professional services, with law firm considerations.

    RingCentral

    Partner

    Best for: Mid-size to large firms needing reliability and integrations

    Enterprise-grade unified communications with robust integrations and reliability. As a RingCentral partner, we offer certified implementation and support.

    Pros

    • Excellent uptime (99.999% SLA)
    • Strong integration ecosystem
    • Full unified communications

    Cons

    • Higher price point
    • Can be complex to configure
    • Long-term contracts typical

    8x8

    Partner

    Best for: Firms with international clients or offices

    Cloud communications platform with strong international capabilities and analytics. As an 8x8 partner, we provide expert deployment and integration services.

    Pros

    • Global calling included
    • Strong analytics
    • Competitive pricing

    Cons

    • Interface less intuitive
    • Support can be slow
    • Fewer legal-specific integrations

    Dialpad

    Partner

    Best for: Tech-forward firms wanting AI features

    AI-powered phone system with real-time transcription and coaching features. As a Dialpad partner, we offer specialized implementation for legal practices.

    Pros

    • Built-in AI transcription
    • Modern interface
    • Easy setup

    Cons

    • Newer platform
    • Fewer enterprise features
    • Limited hardware options

    Zoom Phone

    Partner

    Best for: Heavy Zoom users wanting a unified platform

    Phone system from the video conferencing leader, with seamless Zoom integration. As a Zoom partner, we help firms maximize their unified communications.

    Pros

    • Seamless Zoom integration
    • Familiar interface
    • Good mobile apps

    Cons

    • Phone features less mature
    • Limited integrations
    • Brand association with video

    CallRail

    Partner

    Best for: Firms focused on marketing ROI and lead tracking

    Call tracking and analytics platform that helps law firms understand which marketing channels drive calls. As a CallRail partner, we help firms optimize lead attribution and call handling.

    Pros

    • Powerful call attribution
    • Call recording & transcription
    • Marketing analytics

    Cons

    • Primarily tracking-focused
    • May need paired with full VoIP
    • Learning curve for analytics

    Smith.AI

    Partner

    Best for: Firms needing 24/7 live answering and lead qualification

    AI-enhanced virtual receptionist service providing 24/7 live answering, lead qualification, and appointment scheduling. As a Smith.AI partner, we help firms integrate intelligent call handling into their intake workflow.

    Pros

    • 24/7 live human + AI answering
    • Lead qualification and intake
    • CRM integrations

    Cons

    • Per-call pricing adds up
    • Less control than in-house
    • Requires workflow integration

    Blazeo

    Partner

    Best for: Firms wanting live chat and AI chatbot for lead capture

    Live chat staffing and AI chatbot solutions for law firm websites. As a Blazeo partner, we help firms capture more leads through intelligent website engagement.

    Pros

    • 24/7 live chat staffing
    • AI chatbot automation
    • Website lead capture

    Cons

    • Monthly commitment
    • Chat-focused (not phone)
    • Requires website integration

    Microsoft Teams Phone

    Best for: Microsoft 365-centric firms

    Phone capabilities added to Microsoft Teams for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem.

    Pros

    • Native Teams integration
    • Single platform
    • Microsoft security

    Cons

    • Requires Teams adoption
    • Complex licensing
    • Call quality can vary

    Migration Planning

    Switching phone systems requires careful planning. Here's what to consider.

    Number Porting

    Plan 2-4 weeks for porting existing phone numbers. Request LOA (Letter of Authorization) early.

    Hardware Assessment

    Evaluate existing phones for compatibility. Modern VoIP works with headsets, desk phones, or just software.

    Network Readiness

    Ensure your internet can handle VoIP traffic. A dedicated network segment (VLAN) improves quality.

    Training Plan

    Budget time for staff training. VoIP has more features than traditional phones—make sure people use them.

    Need Help Choosing a Phone System?

    We evaluate your needs, compare platforms, and handle the entire migration—so you can focus on practicing law.