The Drive-thru law firm - gimmick or new trend?

The Kocian Law Group has opened a drive-through office in an old Kenny Rogers Roasters.

The Kocian lawyers are keeping the drive-thru window to use it as an easy and efficient way to exchange documents and to give clients quick advice. A paralegal working at the window hands out documents and answers questions. Consultations and meetings with lawyers are scheduled for the office.

According to attorney Nick Kocian, it's convenient for his clients. He explained: “We represent a lot of injured people. If you have somebody who's in a wheelchair or somebody who's hurt, it's convenient." He also has several clients who visit the firm once a week to pick up workers compensation checks.

“We have drive-thrus for ATMs and we have that customer convenience. Why not a law firm?” he added. Kocian wanted to make things convenient for customers to easily drop off and pick up documents. “They really love it. It’s convenient for them,” said Rosa Castillo, one of the firm’s paralegals.

This is the first drive-thru legal service in Connecticut and possibly the country. Besides the drive-thru, the firm is also open during nights and weekends. "It's really something that law firms should have done a long time ago," said Kocian.

Most lawyers quite like the idea. Lawyers, Tigers, and Bears (a legal blog) wrote: “You know, this is a pretty good idea. I know when I practiced, there were many times when I had to have someone come by to pick up a check or sign something. And I had free surface parking--with a lot of downtown firms, parking and traffic is a total pain in the ass. Having a paralegal available is very good, and you can have extended hours. Hmmm. Now, for corporate law firms, this isn't needed--but if you have a lot of regular clients, this might be a pretty effective option for a firm.”

But Elie Mystal lamented: “If it makes sense to turn law firms into fast food joints, then it would make sense to turn law school into a six week correspondence course.”

In my opinion, it’s a great idea for various reasons:

• It makes clever use of the drive-thru feature of the building

• It makes optimal us of paralegals

• It is client-friendly

• It is a great marketing & PR tool

I wonder how many law firms will follow…….

(Image courtesy of NBC Connecticut)