@thatlawyerdude
December 29th, 2009
Crisis Trial Lawyer
The Law Offices of Anthony J. Colleluori & Associates, PLLC
Author of that lawyer dude and Long Island (Criminal) Trial Law blogs
Today we’re tweeting w/crisis trial lawyer @ThatLawyerDude, who helps people put their lives back together after others abandon them
- @ThatLawyerDude, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @ThatLawyerDude?
I’m Tony Colleluori & I am a father of two, married 24 years & enjoy practicing law.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
I take the cases other lawyers throw their hands up at. We want the cases no one else can handle. The“Bet the Farm”work.
- - Wow. I’m sure you have a lot of stories…. What type of clients do you represent?
I work w/ anyone who has been touched by a criminal charge or act. from Class Actions 2 White Collar Crime 2 Murder etc.
- - and what’s the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Finding Quality representation at a price they can afford, & getting fair treatment in Court during the Internet Age
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I took on an innocent kid whose 1st attorney wanted him 2 plead guilty & serve 8 years. We investigated & won his case.
I also just won one of the biggest verdicts in Prison Civil Rights cases 4 a paraplegic who was mistreated in jail
We proved that the Jail was “deliberately indifferent to his needs & left him to rot. No help, no proper medical care
- - I’d read about the last case. Both are fantastic results. Must be terribly satisfying. Why do your clients hire you?
B/c I care about them. Not as a case, but as humans, w/ hopes & dreams. I don’t judge them. I know I represent good people.
Most of my clients have experienced first hand the wrath of the law. It’s been used to defeat them. I even the field 4 them
- - That’s great. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I care about them & their family, I’ll B there 4 them 24/7/365, & that I’ll do everything I can legally do to help them
I also tell them not to worry anymore Until I do, and I never worry EVER ;)
We look after the small things, ie new DWI client, needs a ride to get to court or office? We have a driver on staff
a kid needs a 12 step program but is afraid to go alone? I go with them.
- - You devote a lot of your time to pro bono work. How do you decide what work to take on?
I take pro & lo bono from NYS & EDNY Assigned Counsel panels, The EDNY pro bono panel & selected work from clergy.
If it interest me & I think it will change the life of the client or the state of the world, I’m usually in.
I’m a sucker when it comes to Roman Catholic Nuns and Judges. If they ask I usually say yes
- - Tell us about the Outstanding Service Award from the Nat’l Assoc of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Why were you selected?
I co-authored an amicus brief w/ John Marshall, that caused the USDOJ to change the way it prosecuted Marijuana cases.
- - What led you to become a criminal defense lawyer? Have you always had the same passion for it (yes, it shows!)?
Thank you. I’ve always had a strong libertarian streak. As a historian, I understand Government seeks to expand power…
I wanted to take on the task to protect our Bill of Rights from Government’s power grab. As a kid I was fascinated by …
Perry Mason, & real cases: The Rosenberg case, the Crimmins case, & by F. Lee Bailey’s book the Defense Never Rests
- - Your clients are very lucky that you followed that passion…. How do you market your practice?
I write, teach, I network w/ others. I stay active in bar assoc. & in my community, I use Avvo.com & other Internet tools.
- - You have 3 blogs (http://bit.ly/cztgp http://bit.ly/TcIl6 & http://bit.ly/tHjG6) How are they different? Why three?
That Lawyer Dude is my main blog, it’s about the way law & life intersect. Long Island (Criminal) Trial Law, …
is a Trial Tech. teaching blog. It portrays my wider view of “Criminal Law” discipline. It defines a crisis lawyer’s job
The Positive Review is going 2B a restaurant review & only features places I like. If I don’t like it, I don’t eat there.
- - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Has it been a worthwhile endeavor?
I took a while 2 “get it” but once I did, I saw an opportunity 2 interact w/ my “crowd” & learn from others. Twitter rocks!
I find Twitter helps me get my message out and exposes me to other’s messages. I think it is better than an RSS feed.
- - Besides Twitter and your blogs, do you use other Web 2.0 tools? Which ones?
I have a website through “Getlegal.com” and I love Avvo.com. I think Facebook, Linkedin & Solosez are important too.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements — if any — have your Web 2.0 activities provided?
I get about 50% of my new work from Web 2.0 activities. It is a great way for people to learn about me. …
A web referred client is as likely to retain me as a lawyer referred client & usually is more savvy about my work & my fees…
they come ready to retain. I waste a lot less time and get a much better return on the time I spend meeting w/them.
I take it seriously. The web has been good to me It helped me to reach people I didn’t have the resources to reach
- - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
every waking minute I am enhancing my brand: at the gym, at Mass, playing poker. I love what I do, it’s part of my fabric.
- - Indeed. Let’s switch gears now. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Keeping bright people in the profession & finding ways 2 stop them from burning out. We need 2 focus them on bar activities
We need Courts 2 be run by judges & not admins who put form B/4 substance, we need 2 worry @ quality of life. life’s2 short
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
We’ll B using the web as a mainstay of our life, but successful lawyers will be those that best mesh hi tech w/ hi touch
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I have no idea! I’m a pretty good singer, I’d have followed that. Law is more fun. There is always Tournament Poker :)
I’ve only ever wanted to be a lawyer. I used to go to court and watch cases being tried when I was 10 yrs old
My poor mom must of thought she was raising a sociopath LOL!
- - Wow. I think I just watched the Flinstones at 10…. How do you want to be remembered?
As a loving Husband, a good Father, a worthy opponent & a strong advocate for Civil Rights, Liberty and Personal Freedom.
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
I raise awareness & $$$ 4 Scleroderma Foundation, Play poker & hang out w/ my best girl & best friend for 25 years.
I love going to new Restaurants and old favorites. I like to sing and I love being w/ my two sons. They’re interesting men
- - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
First thank you for having me Lance.
Go ‘cause U R called 2 the law. Don’t go 2 get rich, or 2 help others, Go ‘cause it’s vital 2 U! If U do, the rest will come
That’s great advice, and this was a fantastic twitterview. Thanks very much for doing it, and keep up the great work
Thanks again. You too and happy New Year to all. I hope it is healthy and prosperous.
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@dancanon
December 17th, 2009
Clay & Adams, PLLC
Employment and civil rights litigation attorney
Author, Conflicts Check law blog
Today we’re tweeting with @Dancanon: employment and civil rights lawyer, musician, yogi, cancer hater and more
Hi tweverybody.
- @Dancanon thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Dancanon?
One of the guys I practice with is always calling me an evil genius. The “evil” part is a fair cop, so I’ll go w/ it.
- - Could be worse, I suppose…. Tell us about your law practice.
Mostly civil rights litigation, mostly plaintiff-oriented. Lots of race & sex discrimination, lots of 1983 cases.
- - What type of clients do you represent?
We try to stick with the little guy: individuals, some small businesses, the underdog. Good for the conscience.
- - Good for those individuals, too, I’d wager. What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Generally – abuse of authority and/or the sheer ignorance of people often in charge of your job, housing, freedom, etc.
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I’ll do my best, but no guarantees. (And if you hear guarantees from a lawyer, run.)
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Probably this one, which is still going: http://chronicle.com/article/Judge-Orders-U-of-Louisville/47925
- - Wow. That’s significant indeed. Congrats on the win. Why do your clients hire you?
You’d have to ask them. I think I’m pretty down-to-earth, reachable, & I try to explain risk/benefit every step of the way.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Unemployment. Also some really bad race discrimination cases right now for some reason. Not typical. ADA & sex cases more common.
- - Is unemployment the biggest challenge your clients facing due to economic crisis? How are you helping them get through it?
Yes, I think so. I try to work on a contingency-fee basis as much as possible. Ppl w/o jobs simply cannot pay $xxx.xx/hr.
- - Indeed. How do you market your practice?
Not very well, I’m afraid. But hey, there’s this interview, so *someone’s* heard of me…
But seriously, I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in some kinda media-hyped stuff, so that helps.
- - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
Usually just say “I’m a civil rts lawyer.” Most ppl get that, and don’t immediately hate you like if you say “trial lawyer.”
- - Hadn’t thought of that. You blog at Conflicts Check (http://bit.ly/7VH8hH). Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
I dunno, still trying to find my legs w/ that thing. I just hope I’m writing stuff that is relevant to someone, somewhere.
- - Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
Just Facebook, I guess. I’ve been trying to get a @ProjectAiko as a receptionist, but I don’t know if that counts.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve had a lot more opportunity to let people know what I do. So, of course, you’re more likely to get the right clients …
I’ve tried to run a really transparent practice, letting tweeps know what kind of cases I’m working on, etc.
- - A sensible approach for sure. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I know Twitter lawyers are all into that, but who has time? Practice cases right, let ppl know what you do, & they’ll come to you.
- - Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
No idea. It probably has something to do with the @btannebaum and @nikiblack feud.
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Probably even more confusing, because there’s a big technology gap that is widening. …
Hopefully more state courts will do online filing, but that can be bad for luddite lawyers, and there are lots of them.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Worry less, but probably beat myself up about not doing something more meaningful.
- - How do you want to be remembered?
I’m not prepared to answer that, but I hope I’ve got a few decades to think it over.
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
Always have been a musician. Teach guitar. A little theatre. Drink lots of coffee. Beat myself up for not working enough.
- - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Use free time to develop a niche, & tell ppl about it. But go after something interesting, not just lucrative. #clicheadvice
- - And finally, our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t go unless you’re sure you want to practice. And try to be nicer than I was. I was grumpy the whole time.
Solid advice. Thanks for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed it.
Thanks for having me!
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@FLSALawyer
December 8th, 2009
Chicago-based Employment lawyer
Associate, Maduff & Maduff, LLC
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Today we’re tweeting with labor & employment lawyer @FLSALawyer, who also tweets as @gourmetlawyer
- @FLSALawyer thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @FLSALawyer?
I am a pssionate individual w/ a drive to help people. I love to cook, and learn something new everyday.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
Civil rights firm in the emp. sector. We do everything. Inc. contract negotiations 4 execs 2 collective action litigation
- - What type of clients do you represent?
Ranges from 7-figure executives to blue color, on the line, steel manufacturing workers.
- - That is a broad range of employees. What is the single most important legal issue affecting them?
Job security & being pd wht they R owed; Some emp. believe it is more cost effective 2 break the law, rather than follow it.
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Litigation is a long, hard process. I expect every client to work closely with me to achieve their goals.
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
We represent over 750 employees at US Steel in Gary Works seeking unpaid wages. We just defeated SJ. We hope to go national.
- - Good luck with that. Why do your clients hire you?
We’re experienced, diverse, friendly, & client goal drive. We adapt & provide affordable options 2 meet needs.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Severance negotiations and non-competes are more active than usual. Unpaid wage actions continue to be a trend as well.
- - How is the evolution of the workplace changing the legal status of the employee / employer relationship?
It’s becoming less of a partnership. Emp. R look 2 stretch the boundaries at ee’s expenses. Need 2 work tgthr. (cont) …
… A happy employee is one that will be much more productive and cost less in the long run.
- - How do you market your practice?
Significant online presence, large network of similarly minded attys, and word of mouth
- - And how do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I help employees get paid what the law says they should.
- - You also tweet as @GourmetLawyer. Why two accounts? How do your tweets differ?
W/ ths acct I’m focusing on my professional, lawyer side. My other acct lets me explore my other interests w/o interfering.
- - How does your firm’s leadership view your active Twitter presence?
Good & bad. There’s some concerns, but it’s all about being open and frank about it. It’s a good thing.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve received clients from fantasy gaming friends and a few other attys on the web (cont…)
I’m in a unique biz where literally every1 is a potential new client, both those employed and not
- - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
15/30 mins a day. We’re in the process of developing a more interactive updated website.
- - Sounds like good ROI for your efforts…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Imo, atty conduct. So much money is wasted b/c of a ridiculously mindless and pointless atty bickering.
- - Interesting perspective. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
More online filing. More attys crossing state lines as legal issues become more national. Possibly a federal bar.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d own and cook in my own espresso bistro on the streets of northern Italy
- - How do you want to be remembered?
I want everyone I meet to leave knowing I made a difference, no matter how small.
- - I’m guessing I know at least a partial answer to this one…. What do you do when you’re not working?
haha, i bet u cn. Cook w/ my wife. Prepare 4 ou new baby. I luv just being w/ my wife, family & friends w/ gd food & wine.
- - I knew it! What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Be diligent, work hard. Never give up. Network. The attys getting jobs typically know the people that are hiring them.
- - And our last question for you this afternoon: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Treat law school like a job. Set a schedule so you can get all your work done (e.g. 10 hour days, 5-6 days/wk). Don’t stress
That’s good advice. Thank you very much for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
A huge thanks and to @22twts and @lancegodard for the opportunity to participate in this unique and gratifying twitterview.
Congrats too on the baby news — one more demanding client on the way….
Ain’t that the truth.
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@agrilawyer
November 24th, 2009
Agricultural and Food Lawyer in the Metropolitan Memphis Area
Attorney at Gillon & Associates, PLLC
Author of legal blog Seed Law
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Today we’re tweeting with Memphis-based agriculture and food lawyer @agrilawyer
- @agrilawyer thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @agrilawyer?
Thank you for having me,I would say I am a good Southern Gentleman that enjoys the good life overall,no matter how tough the times.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
I mainly focus on representing agriculture and food clients in corporate, political, regulatory and international trade matters.
- - What type of agriculture and food clients do you represent?
Anybody from individual clients that need a will or a pot-bellied pig saved to start-ups to large national trade associations.
- - That’s a broad range…. What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
For the larger clients , it would be Lobbying or preparatory work for various governmental programs, as well as interpreting regs.
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I just tell them that we need to keep open communication both ways, and never hesitate to call or stop by.
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I assisted in getting the govt to overturn a reg that would have taken payments from land that was taken from and leased back . . .
. . . to farmers throughout the nation by the govt. We did some client meetings with entire rural communities at their fairgrounds.
- - Quite different from the conference room…. Why do your clients hire you?
Specialization, accessibility, and honesty. I’m a lawyer because I want to be a part of a community, not to take from it.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Oddly its commercial litigation, and no, not really. The volatility in the cotton market left many ginner clients needing a lawyer.
- - What is the principal business issue your clients face? How do you help them resolve it?
Like most, its what to do with scarce resources. Connect them to money or help with ways to keep costs low, preferably the former.
- - That makes sense. In what other ways has the ongoing economic crisis affected your clients?
It has definitely taken a hit, many sources of funds for our start-up bioenergy clients has dried up, so we have to become creative.
- - What would you say is the next big frontier in agricultural law and policy?
Bridging the gap between consumer and the agricultural/food industry. This will change the policy decisions re: commodities & trade.
- - How do you market your practice?
Through twitter, the website, farm trade groups, and good ol’ word of mouth (which I value the most). .
- - Besides Twitter, do you use other Web 2.0 tools to market your practice?
blog at www.seedlaw.blogspot.com, I tooled with FB, but feel its too cluttered for bus. I have been on FB personally for a few yrs
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I have not gained a terrible amount of clients yet, but I have connected very well with potential clients and journalists.
- - That alone is very valuable…. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
You are dead on. Any moment that I am not focusing directly on a paid client matter. Branding is huge concern for a small niche firm
- - Indeed. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
A big problem I have noticed is a disconnect between the newer generation lawyers and older gen. lawyers . . .
. . . I have been fortunate to have great mentors, but many other young lawyers have not. Requires work from both ends.
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Unfortunately, I think it will circle back to what we were, we will dumb back down from lessons we learned in this turbulent market.
I’m obviously speaking in generalities.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
A chocolatier – me and a candy oven with hard rock playing on the radio making specialty chocolate footballs.
- - Sweet! (no, I really couldn’t resist…). How do you want to be remembered?
Haha, I understand. Hopefully as an awesome Chocolatier/ Ag Attorney that was a caring husband and father when that time comes.
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
I spend time running, weightlifting, reading history books, watching my wife at roller derby. I want to get back into Rugby soon.
- - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
You are a walking business, and your integrity and competence is your brand. Go sell it even if you are looking for another job.
- - And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Law School Students -Take advantage of the ability to “free”-think b/c most of ur law prac, ur thinking is paid for by someone else.
Very valuable advice. Thank you for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice
Thanks a lot Lance, I enjoyed the interview and I look forward to seeing the other ones with lawyers in the near future.
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@thetrialwarrior
November 19th, 2009
Canadian and International commercial litigation and arbitration lawyer at Steinberg Morton Hope & Israel
Professor, University of Toronto at Mississauga–Rotman School of Management
Author of The Trial Warrior Blog
Today we’re tweeting with Toronto-based lawyer @thetrialwarrior, who specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration
- @thetrialwarrior thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @thetrialwarrior?
Thanks for having me. I appreciate the opportunity to pontificate, er, I mean, speak with you today.
The Trial Warrior is my alter-ego: he’s an Archetype; Cautious Optimist; Taoist Alchemist and Finder of Delusion.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
I practice domestic & Int’l commercial litig’n and arbitr’n, civil litig’n, class actions, admin law and reputation mgmt law
- - What type of clients do you represent?
I act for both plaintiffs and defendants. My clients range from multi-national corporations to individuals.
- - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Damages, Damages, Damages: Getting or avoiding judgment. Few cases are taken on or won on principle.
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
1.“How much justice can you afford?” 2.“Don’t lie to me” 3.“Only one thing guarantees our failure, and that’s if we quit”
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Significance is subjective: $4 M judgment obtained for a US client or landlord/tenant appeal prompting legislative amendment
- - I’d say both of those qualify…. Why do your clients hire you?
I wish I could say it was my charm, but they usually hire me knowing that they will get what they pay for and nothing less.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Jurisdictional challenges/foreign judgment enforcement and reputation management law (mostly internet defamation)
It’s atypical, but most commercial litigation for the most part varies in form and content
- - You’ve adopted Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” as your professional and personal guide. Should others do the same? Why?
Master Sun said:“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.” We each must choose our own path.
- - In addition to practicing, you teach at the U of Toronto. Does teaching make you a better lawyer? How?
What paint is to an artist; teaching is to a lawyer. Knowledge shared without, leads to wisdom within.
- - Indeed. How do you market your practice?
Mostly print/online media. I’m active in a few prof. assoc’s (ABA, OBA, ILA, IBA) and rely on client/lawyer recommendations
- - You blog at The Trial Warrior Blog (http://bit.ly/5a23d). Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
I write the blog for anyone interested in trial advocacy & international law who’s also committed to the pursuit of justice.
- - Besides Twitter and your blog, what Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
Blawging and Tweeting is personal; I use online pub’s (SSRN/BePress) 2 promote my legal writing > client/lawyer referrals.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Combo of my firm’s website, online directories, & Google SEO all have increased referrals/client engagements significantly.
- - Sounds like real ROI. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I spend about 2 hrs/day. TTW spends more, although most of it is taken up philosophizing, strategizing and plotting ;-\
- - A man and his alter ego at work…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Maintaining one’s personal and professional ethics in the face of client demands and info/tech overload is the exigent issue
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
The lamentable trend of the “vanishing trial” means trial lawyers are a “dying breed” turning us into knowledge technocrats.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d be a guitarist in a heavy metal band, or a philosopher, or a ghost writer, writing about ghosts, or, all of the above.
- - How do you want to be remembered?
Niiezsche said: “Some are made modest by great praise, others insolent.” Neither famous, nor infamous, a fighter for justice
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
I read/write poetry, I play guitar, I procrastinate, I vent at injustices in the world, I watch Toronto teams get pummelled
- - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Master Sun said:“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”Stay sharp, have a strategy: listen, learn, read, write, speak.
…and remember that Nietzsche said: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
- - Thoughtful guidance. And finally, what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Never lose your sense of wonder or thirst for knowledge after you finish law school and always be an advocate for justice.
Great advice. Thank you [both] for tweeting w/me today; I really enjoyed learning more about you & your practice.
Thanks again for the opportunity. I/we enjoyed talking with you today.
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@glennm
November 11th, 2009
Competition, intellectual property and policy advocacy lawyer
Partner, Duane Morris LLP
Author of Glenn’s Web and LexDigerati
Web pioneer and Web 2.0 legal guru
Today we’re tweeting with @glennm, biglaw antitrust / telecom / technology litigator turned Web 2.0 legal guru
- @glennm thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @glennm?
Good morning . Thanks for inviting me.
A tech atty. focused on comp. policy, IP & complex litigation. I help to shape the rules for new technologies, like social media.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
My practice has broadened over the years as technology developed, from telecom to software and Internet to mobility and content….
It all started at DOJ during the US v. AT&T divestiture case, where I 1st combined antitrust with telecom regulation.
- - That’s quite a resume! What type of clients do you represent?
Clients who can pay their bills. ;-) Seriously, my clients range from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. Hard 2 generalize.
- - I can imagine…. What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
“What am I?” Meaning, how will legislators, courts and regulators classify and treat our products and services. That affects…
…business Qs like CRM, IP protection/licensing and relations with both partners and competitors.
- - Sounds like fascinating work. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
“It’s better 2 be the windshield than the bug.” Be proactive in managing the development of law & policy affecting ur space.
- - Am sure you’ve got some great success stories: tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
My fave is representing Netscape in 1995-96, when the FCC faced the Q of what was this new animal of the Net…
…Netscape WAS the Internet and we inaugurated a federal policy of minimal regulation that survives (in large part) today.
- - Wow. And we all thank you for that…. Why do your clients hire you?
I’m smart, fast and strategic. I would rather solve a problem with a conf. call than write a research memo. And I try to craft…
…legal strategies for clients that further their long-term bus. plan rather than just dispose of “one off” disputes.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Over the past 2-3 years it’s been litigation. But the law moves in cycles, sometimes regulatory agencies r where the action is….
…and at other times firms must act to resolve issues by taking them to the courts. We’re in the latter phase in tech now.
- - What have been the biggest changes in your practice over the past few years? Clients? Technology? The Law?
A move away from private antitrust litigation to intellectual property, as competition issues have become dominated by disputes…
…over ownership of the underlying tech methods and assets. Take VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) for one example.
- - What will be the next great legal battle of Web 2.0? Why should we pay attention to it?
Who owns user-generated content is the big unsettled Q. It will impact users, social network providers and content creators…
…If most or all digital content can b “shared,” how do older rules re proprietary rights apply in the new environment.
- - You’re at an AmLaw 100 firm. How does your firm’s leadership view your active Web 2.0 presence?
Mgmt. is supportive & has tasked me several times w/teaching our lawyers how to utilize and interact w/social media.
- - That’s great. What do you say to lawyers who thumb their noses at social media and social networking?
Hope they don’t thumb noses. But lawyers are conservative creatures and thus tend not to embrace change quickly…
…I’d say that if attys. do not “get it,” they probably won’t get as many clients and work as new modes of communication develop.
- - Your Web 2.0 presence is a mash-up of personal & professional. What are your SocMed objectives? Are you achieving them?
I’m more concerned with satisfying a passion for early adoption than forming concrete objectives from social media. My philosophy…
…has always been to find industries, partners and clients that excite me, so work is satisfying instead of a burden. The rest..
…typically follows, namely success, profit and (we hope) happiness.
- - Nice. What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve been approached and retained by about 1/2 dozen clients in the past 12-18 months from social media contacts. The familiarity…
…created by a user’s “social stream” tends 2 build closer relationships from the start than cold calls either way.
- - Indeed. Can be a significant competitive advantage. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Discipline is key, else social media addiction can consume one’s life. I dedicate 30 mins, in the morning and then periodically…
…review/post stories re current events (emphasizing law/policy, of course) of interest. Content is the best promotion.
- - Seems to be working well…. Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
It’s clear that Big Law is facing its most challenging bus. environment in decades. Pressures to reduce and make fees predictable…
…r sending shock waves of RIFs throughout the field. What will the bus. model be 4 legal servs. in the 21st century?
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Ah, if I could predict that, I’d be able to retire now. ;-) 20 yrs. ago I never imagined 3000+ lawyer firms, so I don’t…
..pretend to have a crystal ball on the legal landscape. Change can b both exhilarating and frightening, however.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Photographer or ski bum. Maybe there’s still time left? I could take a bluetooth headset 2 the slopes & do bus. in powder. .
- - How do you want to be remembered?
Unless a person becomes historically famous, legacy is all about the memories one leaves with family, colleagues and friends….
…So while I am not especially religious, I believe in “from dust to dust.”
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
Law is a jealous mistress as the old saying goes. Time is a precious commodity in short supply. So on off hours I recharge my…
…batteries, enjoy time with wife/friends and try to beat my freshman-year son in fantasy football (he’s going down!).
- - What advice can you pass along to the increasing # of lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Quoting Jim Carville, it’s the economy, stupid. Do not equate self-worth with job prospects. Keep faith in urself & ur innate value.
- - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Enjoy being an atty., but remember most of lawyering is in small details. Master craft first before trying 2b creative.
Relevant advice Indeed. Thanks so much for tweeting with me today; I really enjoyed learning more about you & your practice.
And thanks much 4 the Twitterview, Lance. I’m honored to be your guest. Very early here (Calif.), so hope I was coherent.
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| Tags: Blawger, Competition, IP, Technology, Washington DC |
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