Our Offices

Traditional office space to accommodate the firm was considered immediately following the addition of Reed, but after a few weeks of evaluating available locations it was determined that the expenses related to traditional office space would place such financial strain on the firm that little would be available to invest in essential office technology, basic supplies, and the various items needed in order to keep up with demand without raising rates for the services the firm provided.

The firm's attorneys then asked each other why a traditional office was even needed considering that nearly all contact with clients took place over the phone or by email and there were plenty of alternatives for those relatively rare instances when a face-to-face meeting with a client or opposing party was required.

It was then decided that each attorney would work on client matters from wherever they chose (such as their respective homes), while meeting regularly at a coffee shop or restaurant to review and work on client matters or to brainstorm to develop various new procedures or methods in order to operate in an increasingly more efficient manner (while also becoming more valuable to clients). Consequently, Heaton & Associates does not have a traditional bricks-and-mortar office location; however, even though clients cannot stop by to discuss a matter with one of their attorneys, arrangements can be made to meet at a time and location that oftentimes may be much more convenient for the client.

A November 10, 2008 Minnesota Lawyer article “Virtual law firms becoming a virtual reality,” by Michelle Lore, first referred to Heaton & Associates as a virtual law firm. There is not a simple definition of a virtual law firm, also known as a virtual law office. One definition says that a virtual law office or firm (i) has a stable core group of attorneys; (ii) has established collaborative relationships with other attorneys or law firms with specialized knowledge in areas of the law that complement the virtual law firm’s standard offerings; (iii) harnesses the power of computer and telecommunications technologies; and, (iv) expands and reduces the number of attorneys and/or staff members as needed.

While another definition declares that a virtual law firm is a professional law practice that exists exclusively online through a secure portal accessible to the client and the attorney anywhere the parties may access the Internet. And still yet another definition states that virtual law firms merely provide attorneys and clients with the ability to discuss matters in a secure, online environment where they may also upload and download files and documents for review.

Heaton & Associates currently falls under the first definition mentioned above, but also has the ability to allow clients to upload and download electronics files through a secure, online environment.