Zoom is becoming the standard for holding video conferences, conducting depositions, and trial activity.  The question for the solo or small firm practitioner is, do I need a Zoom paid plan?  The answer is probably not.

The Basic “free” version of Zoom allows the user to host and record a one-on-one conference for an unlimited time or a group of two or more for up to 40 minutes.  I have not yet come across a situation where I needed a paid subscription.  And in a moment, I’ll explain why a solo- or small- firm practitioner probably does not require one either.

First, let’s discuss the benefits of a paid plan.  A subscription allows for multiple hosts and multiple guests.  Subscriptions are:

A paid plan is clearly advantageous when you are at a large law firm, with multiple firm-users or clients on the same matter who may be in multiple locations.  In the not so distant past, the reason why all lawyers, regardless of firm size, needed a paid subscription was due to security flaws in prior free versions of Zoom.  However, this was abated with a security patch Zoom issued that provides the necessary security regardless if you have a free or paid subscription.  But what if you, a free user of Zoom, were going to participate in a mediation, deposition, or trial for a client and needed access to the paid features?  Then what?

The good news is you are unlikely to be the host of these sessions.  The Zoom conference will likely be held by the mediator, the court reporter for the deposition, or the courtroom reporter for the trial.  The host brings the paid features:  You don’t need to have a paid subscription to participate as a guest in these Zoom meetings.

So, unless you will have multiple hosts in your firm or the need to have numerous parties for a recorded zoom session, save yourself a little money, and enjoy Zoom for free!

MTC

Happy Lawyering!