Missed calls don’t just hurt your image – they leak cases. Whether you’re a solo practice or a growing multi attorney firm, the “front desk” is now a blend of 24/7 reception, attorney grade intake, smart routing, and integrations that push notes into your CRM so your team can move. This guide compares the top legal answering services used by law firms today – from legal only specialists to large cross industry providers with voice, chat, and AI options – so you can match the right partner to your workflow and budget.
Research supports this: KPMG’s Global Legal Department Benchmarking Survey shows in-house legal teams commonly track internal client satisfaction (56%) and time to completion/turnaround (22%) – underscoring how important responsiveness is.
Here are the providers covered:
- Veza Reception
- Smith.ai
- Ruby
- Nexa
- LEX Reception
- Answering Legal
- AnswerConnect
- Gabbyville
- Back Office Betties
- Abby (Abby Connect)
Quick Compare: Top Legal Answering Services
Use the table to scan legal only focus, 24/7 live coverage, chat options, and a pricing snapshot – then jump into the summaries for details.
| Provider | Legal-only? | 24/7 Live? | Live chat? | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veza Reception | Yes | Yes | No | 200 min plan is $284. |
| Smith.ai | No | Yes | Yes | Per-call pricing. 90 calls is $787.50 |
| Ruby | No | Yes | Yes | 200 min is $705/mo |
| Nexa | No | Yes | Yes | By quote |
| LEX Reception | Yes | Yes | Yes | By quote |
| Answering Legal | Yes | Yes | No (AI chatbot only) | 250 min is $737/mo* |
| AnswerConnect | No | Yes | Yes | By quote |
| Gabbyville | No | No (M–F 8–10 ET) | Yes | 200 min is $700/mo |
| Back Office Betties | Yes | No (M–F 5–5 PT) | No | 200 min is $650/mo |
| Abby (Abby Connect) | No | Yes (config.) | Yes | 200 min is $599/mo |
*Answering Legal pricing from MyCase’s 2025 buyer guide; actual pricing may vary.
Pricing reflects vendor listed rates (or nearest tier) as of Nov 11, 2025 and may change. Taxes, add-ons (chat), and overages may apply – confirm at signup.
Now, onto the summaries
1. Veza Reception
We’re a legal only virtual receptionist and intake team built to stop missed calls and book more consults. We keep our team intentionally small and senior so your callers hear the same trusted voices, your scripts get tuned fast, and intake quality stays high.
What we do
- We answer 24/7 for new matters, overflow, and after-hours so prospects never hit voicemail.
- We run attorney grade intake: custom scripts, conflict checks, matter-type routing, and warm transfers to the right person.
- We handle scheduling and push instant call notes into your email/CRM (e.g., Clio) so your team can move.
- We filter spam/solicitations and chase call-backs so minutes go to real opportunities.
What makes us different (small team edge)
- Boutique + legal only. No dentists, HVAC, or ecommerce – every workflow is built for law.
- Named pod model. A dedicated pod (the same 8-10 receptionists) learns your tone, intake rules, and priorities.
- Fast iteration. We review calls and update scripts weekly so conversion keeps climbing.
- Founder level access. You can reach us directly when something mission critical changes.
Pricing & trial
Plans start at $159 for 100 minutes and $339 for 250 minutes. If someone uses 200 minutes a month their cost would be $284.
Where we fit best
Solo to midsize firms that want a boutique, legal only front desk with tight intake workflows – without hiring in-house. We optimize for booked consultations.
Start Your Free Trial with Veza Reception
2. Smith.ai
Virtual receptionist + AI answering with 24/7 coverage that combines an AI receptionist with live, North America–based agents. Popular with law firms (dedicated legal page), though the service is not legal only – Smith.ai serves many industries.
Highlights
- Inbound answering, lead screening, intake & scheduling, plus payment collection.
- Outbound call backs / outreach to follow up with leads and book consults.
- AI first or human first options; seamless handoff to live agents when needed.
- Legal friendly Clio integration for auto logging contacts and call/chat summaries.
Pricing
Plans for human receptionists start at $787.50/month for 90 calls; AI first plans available separately. A 30 day money back guarantee is advertised.
Best for
Firms that want a hybrid AI + live agent receptionist with built in outreach and strong Clio integration.
3. Ruby
Virtual receptionist + managed live chat for small businesses and law firms, with 24/7/365 live answering and chat. It’s widely used in legal, though Ruby serves multiple industries (not legal only).
Highlights
- 24/7 live reception and website chat for lead capture and intake.
- Appointment scheduling, payment processing, and flexible call forwarding via app/portal.
- Outbound call assists for confirmations and simple follow-ups (weekday availability).
- Legal-friendly Clio integration to sync call data/messages.
Pricing
Plans for 200 min are $705/mo
Best for
Firms that want an established provider with always-on reception + live chat and legal integrations.
4. Nexa
24/7 virtual receptionist and live chat provider with voice-plus-AI options. Nexa has a dedicated legal page and works with many law firms, though it serves multiple industries (not legal only).
Highlights
- Always on answering with outbound follow ups, appointment scheduling, and lead qualification.
- Live chat handled by agents to capture and convert website visitors.
- Voice + AI options and a broad integration ecosystem.
Pricing
By quote only (minute bundles shown, dollar amounts not published).
Best for
Firms that want a large, established provider with 24/7 answering, live chat, and outbound call assists.
5. LEX Reception
A legal only virtual receptionist with 24/7 call answering, intake, and scheduling – plus managed live chat. LEX focuses exclusively on law firms and positions itself as “your 24/7 legal reception.”
Highlights
- 24/7 legal answering with intake and appointment scheduling.
- Managed live chat to capture and qualify website leads.
- Outbound call backs to follow up on forms/emails and secure consults.
- Deep legal integrations (Clio, MyCase, LawPay, PracticePanther, Filevine, Lawmatics).
Pricing
By quote only (minute based plans; pricing gated).
Best for
Firms that want a specialist, legal only provider with 24/7 voice + chat, outbound follow ups, and plug and play legal integrations.
6. Answering Legal
A legal only virtual receptionist built for law firms, with 24/7/365 live answering, custom legal intake, and scheduling by a 100% U.S. based team.
Highlights
- Always on answering with custom legal intake and appointment scheduling.
- Direct integrations (Clio Grow, MyCase, LeadDocket, Lawmatics, PracticePanther).
- AI intake chatbot for website lead capture (offered free).
- U.S. based receptionists who answer exclusively for lawyers.
Pricing
By quote only (flat rate, per minute bundles; pricing gated).
Best for
Firms that want a specialist, legal only provider with 24/7 reception, built in legal integrations, and an AI intake option.
7. AnswerConnect
24/7 virtual receptionist and managed live chat with appointment scheduling and lead qualification. AnswerConnect has a dedicated legal answering service page and works with many law firms, but it serves multiple industries (not legal only).
Highlights
- Always on live answering for after hours and overflow; intake/lead qualification and scheduling available.
- Live chat handled by agents (minutes apply to chats, like calls).
- Legal friendly integrations, including Clio via Zapier (and Clio Grow)
Pricing
By quote only (minutes based; pricing gated).
Best for
Firms that want 24/7 voice + chat with straightforward intake/scheduling and Clio/Clio Grow hooks.
8. Gabbyville
Virtual receptionist + managed live chat with add on AI receptionist. Gabbyville has a dedicated legal page and works with many law firms, but it serves multiple industries (not legal only).
Highlights
- Live answering with call transfer, message taking, and appointment scheduling.
- Live chat available with round the clock website coverage options.
- AI powered receptionist for 24/7 availability alongside weekday live agents.
- U.S. based receptionists; customizable scripts and notifications.
Pricing
The 200 min comes out to $700/mo.
Best for
Firms wanting weekday live coverage plus 24/7 via AI/live chat.
9. Back Office Betties
A legal only virtual receptionist and virtual legal assistant service for small law firms. 100% U.S. based team with a small assigned pod that learns your firm (typically 8-10 receptionists).
Highlights
- Business hours live answering (Mon – Fri, 5am – 5pm PT) with voicemail + next day call backs for after hours.
- Custom legal intake, appointment scheduling, payment processing, and outbound follow ups.
- Clio Grow integration to push qualified leads straight to your inbox.
Pricing
The 200 min is $650/mo.
Best for
Solo and small firms that want a legal specialist team focused on daytime coverage, with intake, payments, and Clio Grow hooks built in.
10. Abby (Abby Connect)
24/7 virtual receptionist with Human + AI options and managed live web chat. Abby has a dedicated legal page and works with many law firms, but it serves multiple industries
Highlights
- Human + AI receptionist choices with a dedicated team and custom answering hours (including 24/7).
- Live web chat to capture website leads alongside phone intake.
- Legal integrations (Clio Manage/Grow) to log calls and intake automatically.
- Supports outbound call backs and appointment scheduling use cases.
Pricing
The 200 min plan is $599/mo.
Best for
Firms that want a hybrid Human + AI receptionist with 24/7 coverage and live chat.
Choosing the Right Legal Answering Service: What Really Matters
A polished website and friendly voice mean nothing if your clients still hit voicemail – or talk to someone who doesn’t understand the difference between a retainer and a consultation. Before you pick a provider, dig into the details that actually separate a true legal answering service from a generic call center. Here are the key factors to compare:
1. Trial & Transparency:
Never commit blind. The best services offer a short trial or pilot period so you can test responsiveness, accuracy, and tone before you pay long term.
2. Pricing Fit:
See which provider fits your budget – monthly pricing varies. Plan for both an average and a busy month.
Watch add ons: true after hours live coverage, weekends/holidays, warm transfers, bilingual, integrations.
Get what “24/7” includes in writing (live vs. voicemail, surcharges) to avoid hidden costs.
3. True 24/7 Coverage (No Voicemail Traps):
Ask point blank if live agents answer around the clock. Many “24/7” services actually forward to voicemail after 6 p.m. or on holidays. Confirm real human coverage, not just message taking or auto responses.
4. Legal Experience:
Receptionists should know intake terms, conflicts, and tone for legal clients. Choose a service that’s legal only – or at least staffs trained legal teams – so intake accuracy doesn’t suffer.
5. Customization & Flexibility:
Your firm isn’t cookie cutter, and your calls shouldn’t be either. Look for services that let you tailor scripts, escalation rules, and call routing. The best providers review calls regularly and adjust scripts fast.
6. Integration & Workflow Fit:
Make sure call notes, messages, and appointments flow directly into your CRM or case management system (Clio, Lawmatics, MyCase). This keeps follow up instant and measurable.
Bottom Line
The right legal answering service should feel like an extension of your firm – not a third party vendor.
Compare coverage, cost, and customization side by side, run a quick trial, and pick the partner who proves they can sound like you and book more consults – day or night.
If you want a boutique, legal only team with real 24/7 coverage and per minute pricing that scales cleanly, Veza Reception is built exactly for that.
