Screens and connects, around the clock.
Qualified callers reach an attorney in minutes. Every call gets a report and transcript.
Lighthouse vs. the alternatives
The difference is what happens after the call is answered.
An answering service takes a message. In-house staff screen well, but they sleep. Lighthouse screens every call against your firm’s criteria and connects qualified callers to an attorney while they’re still on the line.
Full transcript of every callYour criteria, not a scriptFlat monthly pricing
Illustrative after-hours callStarts at 5:53 p.m.
Lighthouse
Answered · 5:53 p.m.→Screened · 5:54 p.m.→Attorney on the line · 5:57 p.m.
Answering service
Answered · 5:53 p.m.→Message taken · 5:54 p.m.→First callback · next morning, 9:12 a.m.
In-house staff
Rings out · 5:53 p.m.→Voicemail→Voicemail heard · next morning, 8:46 a.m.
The full comparison
Answering the phone is not the same as intake.
The meaningful difference is whether the caller is screened, connected, and documented while their need is still urgent.
| Capability | LighthouseAlways-on intake | Answering serviceMessage taking | In-house staffDirect coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answers at 2 a.m. | Yes | Yes | No |
| Screens to your firm's criteria | Yes, logged per call | Script only | Yes |
| Qualified caller reaches an attorney | Minutes | Next morning | When staffed |
| Report and transcript for every call | Every call | Message slips | Inconsistent |
| Cost model | Flat monthly, by volume | Per minute | Salary + turnover |
Swipe or scroll horizontally to see every column.
Today, 68% of firms still pull attorneys or paralegals into intake, and only 11% use any virtual receptionist (CallRail, 2026 legal intake survey).
Hear the difference
See one real call from ring to report.
The demo takes fifteen minutes and shows the screening, the handoff, and the report your team receives.