AUSTIN YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
AY LA PRESIDENT’S COLUMN RACHAEL K. JONES, EIGHTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS (REMOTE)
Rising to the Challenge
O
n behalf of AYLA, welcome to a new bar year! The 2020-21 bar year was certainly one for the books, in many ways. AYLA has done a remarkable job of rising to face the unique challenges with which it’s been presented, finding new
and creative ways to stay true to its mission of promoting justice through service to the legal profession and the greater Austin community. I am honored to serve as your AYLA president as we continue to navigate through whatever the future may bring. Although this year has proven so far to be interesting in its own way, we still remain cautiously optimistic about a safe return to in-person events, including AYLA’s signature programming such as our Docket Calls, Community Service Days, Judicial Reception, Runway for Justice, and more. We can’t wait to see you! In the meantime, please don’t forget
that AYLA is here to serve and support you in any way we can. Along with the rest of the AYLA board, I’m looking forward to another great year. We will continue working diligently to bring you the most impactful programming possible. Whether it’s community service, networking, or CLE, my goal is for your experience with AYLA to be one of opportunity and growth. To that end, if you have any ideas for potential events or programs, whether virtual or in-person—or if you simply just want to reach out—please feel free to contact me any time. You can reach me via my personal email, rkjones983@gmail.com.
Without a doubt, the last year and a half (or so) has put many of us to the test, both professionally and personally. Many of us have had to dig deep to find strength we didn’t know we had. But in the wise words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” We hope you will continue to share your skills—both longstanding and newfound—with AYLA. If you’re looking for ways to get more involved, please consider joining one of our excellent committees. You can sign up for an AYLA committee on our website at austinbar.org/young-lawyers/projects/. We look forward to AUSTIN LAWYER seeingAyou! L AL
SPONSORED CONTENT 3 Reasons Your Law Firm Should Use QR Codes for Payments This content originally appeared on the LawPay blog and has been edited for Austin Lawyer.
To support the healthiest, most reliable cash flow, your law firm’s billing and payments process must include three technologies. An online payment solution, so you can easily and securely accept credit and eCheck payments from clients. A mobile payment app and Bluetooth reader/swiper so you can manage payments on the go. And a QR code connected to a custom, secure payment page. When your client scans the QR code, their phone automatically prompts them to open a secure page to complete payment. In addition to driving revenue, QR codes can offer your firm some major advantages. Faster, Easier Payments Giving clients the option to pay with QR codes makes it easier for them to submit payment, which means you get paid faster. You can display your QR code in your office so that when a meeting ends, the client can scan the QR code and pay before they leave the office. For clients who prefer invoices, you can include a QR code on the printed bill, allowing them to pay electronically without having to type out a URL. QR codes can also encourage clients who are still paying by check to make the switch to electronic payments.
Upgraded Payment Experience According to a Mastercard global study, almost 80 percent of consumers report using contactless payments, citing safety, cleanliness, and convenience as the primary drivers of their decision. In short, not only does allowing clients to pay with QR codes help you get paid faster, it also enables you to accommodate the preferences of your clients and offer a more modern, client-focused payment experience. Increased Security and PCI Compliance Accepting payments via QR codes is also more secure. When your client scans a LawPay QR code, they are sent to your custom, mobileoptimized payment page that is hosted on our secure server. The client then enters their payment details, which are encrypted, sent directly to our system, and never stored locally. Neither you nor your staff handles the client’s payment information, reducing security risks and minimizing your PCI (Payment Card Industry) liability.
The next evolution in legal payment processing is here! Don’t miss out on all the advantages QR codes can offer. To learn more about LawPay’s QR code payment feature and our full suite of innovative payment tools, visit lawpay.com/austinbar.
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AUSTINLAWYER | SEPTEMBER 2021
