@dinayin
April 9th, 2009
Associate at Baker & Daniels (Beijing and Indianapolis)
International transactions and patent / trademark lawyer
Author of Indiana China Lawyer
Today, we’re tweeting with @DinaYin, a transactional lawyer currently based in the Beijing office of an international firm
- @DinaYin, thank you for joining us today at 22 Tweets. Tell us: who is the person behind @DinaYin?
Thanks for having me. In no particular order, int’l business lawyer, foodie, traveler, blogger, creative thinker.
- Tell us about your law practice.
cross-border transactions, IP enforcement, U.S. import & export controls.
- What type of clients do you represent?
Fortune 500 to startups. Clients come to B&D for international service at reasonable midwest rates.
- What is the most important legal issue affecting your clients?
At the moment, how to handle downsizing operations in China yet still work with the recent Chinese labor law changes.
- Sounds like uncharted territory…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
When it comes to China, I always tell clients to be VERY patient. Focus on relationship building, not the result….
You’d be surprised at how a change in focus will help in obtaining results.
- What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
Setting up my first subsidiaries in China and India for a client.
- Why was it significant?
It was my first substantive “international business attorney” experience….
It had all the right ingredients: cross jurisdictional legal issues, players from different countries, time zones…
- Why do your clients hire you?
Lawyers at my firm have a reputation for being practical, cost-effective problem solvers…
But as a “China lawyer,” you have to understand the problem from both a legal and cultural perspective and EXPLAIN it.
- How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
Not much. It’s made them more creative in finding business opportunities worldwide and not focus on the U.S.
- Have you and your firm had to respond to financial difficulties your clients may be experiencing?
Tailor fee structure to legal budget, provide set quotes if necessary, work with the client’s time line for payment.
- How do you market your practice?
Twitterviews! Web 2.0, seminars, face to face meetings. But most of all, continue doing quality work for existing clients.
- Can never go wrong with that! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Sometimes all day… and now all night… No, probably 3 to 4 hours a day on average.
- What value have you seen from being on Twitter?
It keeps me connected to my Indy network, meet new tweeps re China law, updated on developments on China and Int’l matters.
- Your blog, Indiana China Lawyer (http://bit.ly/jJDsA)=your China experiences. How did U sell a non-legal blog to your firm?
The firm approached me! The blog is about my experience in China from all facets (legal and non-legal)….
Clients want to know how to do business in China. That’s the day-to-day, networking, AND legal. My blog=all those views.
- Interesting take; had not thought of that – How important are your Web 2.0 activities to the marketing of your practice?
It’s increasingly important to use new mediums for networking and potential clients, especially in an international setting.
- What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
I agree with @Jayshep on this. There’s an increasing need for the legal profess. 2 think abt alt. fee arrangements.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Lower billing rates, more regional firms rather than gargantuan firms. Stronger networks amongst firms to cross-sell.
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
At this moment: probably be a traveling journalist and spend at least a month in Yunnan, China.
- I liked your blog post on Yunnan; makes me want to visit. How do you want to be remembered?
Wow. That’s a loaded question. I think for now, just someone who can adapt to any challenge.
- You’re no doubt getting a lot of practice at that these days. What do you do when you’re not working?
Trying to see as much of China/Asia as I can this year!
- What’s been the most difficult thing about the move to China?
The night vs. day time zone change is the biggest challenge for effective communication….
Local system works better 4 u when here.. But a Chinese solution for American clients can be hard for them to accept.
- One last question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t let the rat race in school bog u down. Connect ur life skills to ur legal knowledge when interviewing — all 1 package.
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@jayshep
April 7th, 2009
Employment Litigator
CEO of Shepherd Law Group
Author of Gruntled Employees and The Client Revolution
Father, husband, and diehard Red Sox fan.
Today, we’re tweeting with @jayshep, a nationally recognized employment lawyer and founder of a firm that does not bill by the hour
- @Jayshep, thank you for joining us today at 22 Tweets. Who is the person behind @Jayshep?
In order: father, husband, brother, son, entrepreneur, fixed-fee evangelist, lawyer, writer, Red Sox fan.
- Sox get last billing, eh? It’s early…. Tell us about your law practice.
Shepherd Law Group in Boston. Protects employers from other lawyers. Lowers workplace costs. 11 years, 4 lawyers, more fun.
- What type of employers do you represent?
Fortune 1000 to tiny startups. Our clients care more about the value they receive than about an office in Prague.
- What is the most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Disgruntled employees sue. Employers need to care more about having gruntled employees, and less about policies & rules.
- Interesting perspective. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
We don’t charge you for our time or work. We try to solve a problem, and we charge for the value that service has for you.
- What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
We’ve helped many billion-dollar-plus co’s. But most significant? The 6 startups we kept from being shut down.
- Can you tell us about one of the start-ups you saved?
Competitor was trying to use noncompete injunction to kill my client. Beat them in court. Still in business years later.
- That’s a great story. Why do your clients hire you?
We don’t seem lawyerly. We come across more businesspersonly. Plain English, business-focused answers, no billable hours.
- How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
More people losing jobs = more ill will = more people suing = higher workplace costs = vicious circle.
- How are you and your firm responding to financial difficulties your clients may be experiencing?
Litigation problems mean uncertainty. Not telling clients how much it will cost would mean more uncertainty. We tell them.
- I’m sure they appreciate that. How do you market your practice?
Twitterviews, naturally! Blogging, writing, speaking, meeting people, bar associations, CLEs. Being of value, or trying to.
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Seemingly every waking moment. Easily a solid 3 to 6 hours each day, 7 days, 364 a year (except Opening Day — d’oh!)
- What value have you seen from being on Twitter?
Big increase in traffic to my blogs. I’ve met many top legal innovators (http://sn.im/f212i) in 3 short months.
- You have 2 blogs, Client Revolution (http://bit.ly/sNtwD) & Gruntled Employees (http://bit.ly/95kd) Who should read them?
Client Revolution (http://bit.ly/sNtwD) is for law-firm clients (and their lawyers) who think old model is broken …
… Gruntled Employees (http://bit.ly/95kd) is for employers, managers, HR, and in-house counsel wanting fewer lawsuits.
- Has blogging made you a better lawyer?
It has. Over the past 30 months, I’ve better formulated my philosophy and strategies into something clear and consistent.
- Have your Web 2.0 activities had an impact on referrals or client engagements?
Increasingly, as I improve at them. The 2.0 stuff is giving me credibility and notoriety, getting attention of prospects.
- Switching gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Hourly billing, overpaid associates, legalese are killing it. BigLaw is like GM, newspapers, record co’s. Change is coming.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
One-stop firms down. Business-oriented niche firms charging for value of bespoke services up. The Long Tail of law.
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d create and run another business. I’d write and speak more. I’d work to change another troubled industry.
- How do you want to be remembered?
“He took a risk, stood up for something, challenged authority, and made a difference. But he was still a nice guy.”
- What do you do when you’re not working?
My most important job: father to the loveliest, sweetest 2 little girls. Also, watch the Sox. And try to figure out “Lost.”
- Can anyone figure out “Lost”? What do two employment lawyers talk about over dinner?
People think my employment-lawyer wife and I talk about employment law. As if. We mostly talk about the kids. (And “Lost.”)
- Our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Two words: informational interviews. Meet many people. Don’t send blind résumés. Sell your differentness. And don’t panic!
[Ed. note: like @lawyerben, @jayshep got an extra question due to editorial oversight....]
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@bretttrout
April 1st, 2009
Iowa Patent Attorney
Author since 2003 of BlawgIT
Author of Cyber Law: A Legal Arsenal for Online Business
Today, we’re tweeting with @BrettTrout, a patent lawyer, award-winning blogger and author from Des Moines, Iowa
- @BrettTrout, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is the person behind @BrettTrout?
My lovely wife. She reins in my motorcycle racing, cage fighting and general nerdery
- Tell us about your law practice.
Patents, Trademarks, Software Licensing, Terms of Use, Document Retention Policies. Counselor for all things nerdly
- I’m beginning to detect a theme…. What type of clients do you represent?
I typically represent smaller clients: individuals, inventors, start-up ventures and small software companies.
- What is the most important legal issue affecting these clients?
Volatility of the law. IT laws are constantly changing. Clients need to be able to rely on the underlying rules of the game.
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
We are in this together. I provide you the appropriate legal advice to help you make your business decisions.
- What’s the most significant client representation you’ve had?
I just wrapped up a 5yr patent infringement trial. We not only won, but the court awarded us treble damages & atty fees.
- You must have many infringement trials. Why was this one most significant?
Patent infringement litigation typically runs over $1.5M per side just in atty fees. We did this one for about 1/10th that.
- That IS significant. Why do your clients hire you?
Most appreciate my ability to communicate. Communication is the most important aspect of the atty/client relationship.
- Why *should* they hire you?
Not every client *should* hire me. Every client is unique. Sometimes I refer them to an atty better matched to their needs.
- How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
I have not noticed the economy affecting my clients. People are still inventing. Small companies are still growing.
- That’s great for them and you. Switching gears a bit: how do you sell your practice?
Iowa is the most restrictive state when it comes to *selling* your practice. I rely mostly on atty & client referrals
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Too much time. I love interacting with people, so it is more “fun” than “work.” Probably a couple hours per day.
- What value have you seen from being on Twitter?
Des Moines’ Twitter community is powerful & vibrant. Twitter connects me w/a lot of great people both locally & abroad.
- You publish an award-winning patent law blog, “BlawgIT” (http://bit.ly/QdAe). What led you to start blogging in 2003?
Fellow Des Moinesian @ChrisPirillo got me hooked on blogging. He’s always way ahead of the curve, so I knew it would be big
- Has blogging made you a better lawyer? How?
Yes. Blogging forces me to stay up to date on important issues & be able to communicate them succinctly to clients
- You’re also a published author. How did you come to write a book on CyberLaw?
I wanted a CyberLaw desk reference back in 2000. When I couldn’t find one, I wrote one. Currently working on the 4th ed.
- In your spare time, no doubt… What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Transparency. The Internet breaks down barriers b/t clients & lawyers, forcing lawyers to be more honest, open & responsive
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I see smaller firms gaining ground as they interconnect w/one another to offer clients much more customized legal services
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d love to race motorcycles, but I’m too big. I’d love to fight MMA but my wife wants me in one piece. Probably an inventor
- How do you want to be remembered?
He was good at what he did.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
I attend a lot of my kids’ sporting events. I read. I cook. I travel. I drink wine. I connect with friends & family.
- Our last question of the day: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
I found law school was fun & interesting, but I may be the only one. Most importantly, choose quality of life over money.
Thank you so very much for tweeting with 22 Tweets and answering our questions today
Thank you. It was a pleasure. @22twts is a great series
I hope you’ll consider a second twitterview one day to talk about motorcycle racing and cage fighting!
Ha. I crash a lot & take a lot of punches, but what I lack in skill, I make up for in entertaining hyperbole.
As long as you keep entertaining your tweeps like me, we’ll be happy with whatever you do in your non-Twitter time!
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