@djillpugh
July 7th, 2009
Seattle Employment Attorney
Law Office of D. Jill Pugh
Author of Employment Law Blog and Employee Handbooks blog
-
Today we’re tweeting with Seattle Employment Attorney @djillpugh, solo practitioner and author of 2 employment law blogs
- @djillpugh, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @djillpugh?
<140 char?! Happily married atty passionate about empl law & helping others, my work is a calling, not just a job; animal lover
- - Tell us about your law practice.
Only do empl law; I don’t handle ERISA or workers comp; I do discrimination to unpaid wages to unemp ins to severance to noncompetes
- - What type of clients do you represent?
About 75% individual employees; 25% small businesses. Litigation and plain ol’ negotiations.
- - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Hard 2 pick. Most common right now is wrongful termination based on FMLA or maternity leave; non compete issues R on the rise
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Civil litigation is a slow process; be proud of yourself for sticking up for your rights, you are setting a good example
- - That’s a positive message! Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Hard 2 choose! I’m proud of helping a woman with cancer get a good settlement for being fired for being ill
her boss gave her a poor review b/c she “wasn’t who she used to be” before chemo (!!)
- - That’s an amazing story; I imagine it validates everything you do…. Why do your clients hire you?
Experiences like that are why I love what I do – it is absolutely worth the work
They feel listened 2, feel understood & have confidence in my knowledge & legal skills; also usu. I was highly recommended to them
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Big increase in review of severance agreements (> than normal #s of requests); also increase in non compete issues.
They are common areas, just a huge increase in traffic. Slow economy = busy employment lawyers!
- - I’ll bet! You’ve been solo for nearly 8 years. Why did you make the leap? How long did it take to feel established?
Ah, that’s a trick question; I was also a solo from 1996 to 1999, but needed better business management skills. (cont’d next twt)
I had an all contingency fee case load the 1st time, hard to pay the rent that way!!
I saw law firms were pyramid schemes; wanted control over choosing clients, cases, my time. At 3 yrs felt established – the 2nd time
- - From the looks of it you’re doing it right this time. How do you market your practice?
Thx! I market with my blog(s); personal face to face networking; speaking at CLEs; publishing articles; Twitter; Avvo; LinkedIn
- - You mention your blogs: you have two on employment law (http://bit.ly/RrIti and http://bit.ly/SBu1R). How do they differ?
The Employment Law Blog is primarily aimed at employees & the Employee Handbooks Blog is aimed at employers/business owners
- - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Has it been worthwhile?
Critical mass of folks I respect on the solomarketing listserve were singing its praises; it has definitely been worthwhile!
Twitter is an infinite source of information, friends, networking – I love it!
- - Besides Twitter and your blogs, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use?
I keep Avvo profile updated & answer some questions there; try to be interactive on LinkedIn; active on several listservs
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you seen from your Web 2.0 activities?
In the aggregate I think it has increased my referrals tremendously; no direct clients from the 2.0 activities
Makes sense though, my best referral sources are other attorneys, HR professionals, CPAs
- - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
It’s not always conscious brand development, as a solo I am always “on”; but my timesheets reflect about 30 dedicated hrs per month
- - Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Ok! One big issue is how does the profession move into the 21st century? Technology outpaces legal developments & not just emt law
- - Indeed. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Hmmm; I think there will be fewer mega law firms; more personal interaction w/clients; hope technology will be tool not a weapon
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I always say I’d be a librarian! Archaeology is another love; or I’d be a professional animal sitter :-)
- - How do you want to be remembered?
As a passionate skilled advocate who fought with integrity; who found time to mentor, and made time for family & friends
Preferably *not* remembered as just as the crazy cat lady! ;-)
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
Not working? Er? I do find some time 4 Rock Band on the 360, Mariners games, knitting, scrapbooking, Wii Fit, and 2 much pop culture
- - Good point… What advice can you give lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
My advice would be don’t give up hope; create an online presence even if unemp; find ways to be noticed and to be helpful, volunteer
- - That’s helpful. We’re at our last question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t take out student loans! Ha. Seriously? Learn the law stuff, but also learn 2 market (even if you don’t want to be a solo)
Excellent advice. This was a great twitterview; thank you very much for answering our questions today
Thanks for the invite! This was a terrific experience!
Print This Post
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Employment, Seattle | Comment (0)
Leave a Reply
