@scottwolfejr
April 29th, 2009
Construction lawyer and Member, Wolfe Law Group
Serial Blogger: author of Blogging is Speaking, Brazil Construction Law, Chinese Drywall Blog, Construction Law Monitor, Construction Lien Blog, and Louisiana Green Building Law
Entrepreneur and a whole lot more
Today, we’re tweeting with @scottwolfejr: lawyer, entrepreneur, and New Orleans City Business Magazine 2008 Innovator of the Year
- @Scottwolfejr, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Who is the person behind @Scottwolfejr?
Thnx for having me. So, this 1st Q is very easy or hard. Easy: Me Hard: Husband, entrepreneur, attorney & student.
- Tell us about your law practice.
We focus exclusively on construction law, w/ offices in SEA, WA and N.O., LA. We’re 4 yrs old, do smart work, young & fun.
- Sounds like you like what you do…. What type of clients do you represent?
We do. Generally builders, suppliers, trades & others in constr. industry. Size varies; we rep multi-million $ co.’s – mom & pops
- What’s the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Those who installed Chinese Drywall in N.O., this stuff carries big consequences. http://www.chinesedrywallblog.com ….
More generally- Obama Employment Law and Immigration changes. http://bit.ly/oJNvQ
- What then is the single most important business issue affecting your clients?
In SEA w/ recession, many need business, & are trying to transition from private sector to public sector in light of stimulus…
In NOLA, recession hasn’t hit hard. Payment & cash flow is always problem here, & keeping good documentation on projects
- Striking how diff those two markets appear to be. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I tell them thank you, that I want to learn about their business & try to prepare them for legal process.
- What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
Hard ?. Post-Katrina, we helped a lot of people get right-side up. That had rewarding moments.
- Can only imagine what it was like trying to pick up the pieces then. Why do your clients hire you?
I think we do a good job distinguishing our firm from the crowd, and people react to that. Plus…
Plus, via the web, we are constantly conversing with potential clients, & they see us as an authority on construction law.
- How are you and your firm responding to the financial difficulties your clients are experiencing?
We try to help them make good decisions about settlement v litigation & we try to contractually put them in safe positions
- Am sure they appreciate. Congratulations on your recent certification as LEED AP. What does it mean for your clients?
Thank you. Many of our clients are interested in growing into the green market, and it means we can be a source for them
- You’re actively challenging the LA Bar’s attorney advertising rules. Why are they bad for clients and the profession?
100 reasons. Most basic: bar regulated a medium (the net) it doesn’t understand & based on how it worked 5 yrs ago…
Think of reasons why Internet is good for clients and profession. The new La. ad regs compromise those reasons
- Good luck with that effort. On that note, how do you market your practice?
Exclusively through our website, blogging, SEO & social networking. Very little paid ads. Virtually 0 traditional ads.
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
We have great help at WLG. I still spend 10% of my day on it. I figure branding req. either 10% of my day or 10% of my money.
- You have 7 (yes, seven!) blogs (see list @ http://bit.ly/t8d3). How do you manage them in the 10% of your time window?
Its tough, but helps that I enjoy it. I get help from WLG partner @douglasreiser, our law clerk @sethsmiley and wife @emwolfe.
- Clearly you’ve embraced Web 2.0. How have your Web 2.0 activities impacted your practice?
It makes a bi-coastal practice painless, increases our efficiency, & keeps us connected to colleagues & clients�
- It’s exciting to watch and learn from you. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Staying relevant. ‘Good boys club’ isnt relevant on a global scale; automation is real; & litigation trivialities are transparent.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I defer to Richard Susskind’s “The End of Lawyers” http://tinyurl.com/9qupcz
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
No doubt, I would simply dedicate more time to being an entrepreneur.
- Guess THAT was the easy question…. How do you want to be remembered?
Big Q. Re: Family, I just want to be remembered fondly. Professionally, as a valuable mind.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
My wife & I love travel & enjoy wine, & freq combine the 2. Pre-WLG, I would fly my Cessna, but recently, it just sits
- You might be the first pilot on 22 Tweets…. What languages do you speak?
Unfortunately, only English. I can stumble through basic Spanish conversation.
- I’m pretty sure stumbling counts…. Final question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Ignore the competition for grades. Learn the law & plan to be hard-working and innovative post-grad.
Valuable advice indeed. This was great; thank you very much for tweeting with 22 Tweets and answering our questions
That was lots of fun. Thanks for having me.
