@rushnigut
February 5th, 2010
Iowa Business Lawyer
Shareholder, Brick Gentry P.C.
Author of Rush on Business
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Today we’re tweeting with Iowa business, franchising and employment lawyer @rushnigut
- @rushnigut thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @rushnigut?
Thanks for the opportunity. My son says I am a “lovable, sporty guy, that can’t cook.” That’s a direct quote.
- - Hmmm. Tell us about your law practice.
I’m a shareholder with Brick Gentry, P.C., a 25 person law firm in West Des Moines Iowa. I’m primarily a business lawyer.
- - What type of clients do you represent?
I represent a wide range of business clients as outside general counsel and handle business litigation cases.
- - And what is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Employment claims and lawsuits are the number one issue faced by most of my business clients.
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I represent Lloyds London in defending a $100 million claim to pay for the clean up of old manufactured gas plants in Iowa.
- - Significant indeed…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I am not going to bill you for each and every phone call. If you have a problem, call me. Clients can’t be afraid to call.
- - Smart policy. Why do your clients hire you?
I hope they recognize I am passionate about going above and beyond to provide value and obtain excellent results.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Currently business litigation is taking up most of my time. Not typical but may be this way for a while.
- - What major regulatory changes can your clients expect from the Obama administration over the next three years?
I am hopeful his recent $30 billion small business loan proposal spurs employment and growth with business clients.
- - How has the economic crisis affected your clients’ ability to do business? How are they adapting to survive?
Many business clients are really struggling to obtain credit and funding. They cut costs at every corner. It’s rough.
- - Let’s talk about your marketing efforts. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
It’s better to be interested than to be interesting. I try to focus the conversation on the person I am talking with.
- - You blog at Rush on Business (http://bit.ly/9U5YNy). What are your blogging objectives? Are you meeting them?
I provide info about business legal issues in an easy to understand format. I want to improve the image of lawyers. It’s working.
- - How are your Web 2.0 activities perceived by your firm’s leadership? Are there others in your firm as active as you?
My firm is incredibly supportive. My success has helped. Others aren’t as active as me but a couple are blogging routinely.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
It’s been amazing! Too many referrals to count over the past 3-4 years. The blog has helped to elevate my reputation.
- - Congrats for that. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Recently not as much due to the demands of certain cases. But I usually try to spend an hour or so each day.
- - Sounds like you’re getting real ROI for it. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Accounting firms beating law firms to the punch. Business lawyers need to develop methods to serve clients more effectively.
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Lawyers from nimble boutique firms will have the most success. Intellectual property law will continue to explode.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’m looking to take Tony LaRussa’s job if he doesn’t win the World Series so there’s still a chance I’ll be a MLB manager.
- - Good luck with that! How do you want to be remembered?
That I was a positive role model for my children, loved my wife and gave it my all in my endeavors.
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
I spend time with my wife and kids. I coach baseball and football. We’re home bodies on the weekends with no games.
- - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Think creatively. A law degree is useful in many ways besides practicing law. Explore options outside a law practice.
- - And our last question for you today — what advice do you have for people going to law school now?
Consider your reasons for going to law school. Is it to make lots of money? You might be sorely disappointed upon graduation.
Wise advice…. Thanks very much for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
Thank you very much for the interview today. I enjoyed it! Keep up your great work.
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@cynthiarrowland
September 22nd, 2009
Business and tax lawyer with focus on nonprofit and charity law
Partner, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP
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Today we’re tweeting w/ tax & corp lawyer, Haiku poet & Director Emeritus of St Mary’s Med Center Foundation Board
- @cynthiarrowland thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @cynthiarrowland?
Hardworking & seasoned CA lawyer devoted to clients, family, friends & community w/passion for making world a better place
- - Tell us about your law practice.
General counsel for wide range of nonprofit legal, regulatory, tax, business & ethical challenges & complex corp structures
- - What type of clients do you represent?
Mainly charities, community & family fndns, museums, universities, schools, churches, & philanthropists that support them
- - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Effective nonprofit governance on a tight budget that’s also prudent, compliant, ethical & avoids conflicts of interest
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I’m committed to their success, responsive, know they’d rather not spend $ on legal & won’t surprise them w/bill > budget
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Working w/ founders to create OneCal Foundation as charity that’s a holding co for a community bank www.onecalfoundation.org
- - Why do your clients hire you?
They trust me to help them do things right, and to do the right things.
- - That’s a great endorsement. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Tax & corp compliance; charities are highly regulated by fed & states & rules not intuitive-many traps for the unwary & yes
- - How is the economic crisis affecting your non-profit clients? What are they doing differently to survive?
Greater demands from grantees/clients means nonprofits need to be more effective & efficient; all are doing more w/less
- - I’d imagine ‘less’ for your clients means absolute bare minimums right now…. How do you market your practice?
Right. Seminars, articles, books, meals, ABA, NCCUSL + blog, twitter, LinkedIn, LegalOnRamp see http://tinyurl.com/kvdnhn
- - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
Expert @ helping entrepreneurial philanthropists & charities, partner in general biz law firm; can help w/most legal needs!
- - You blog @ Leadership, Women, Lawyers (http://bit.ly/k4LXE). Why did you start it? Are you meeting your objectives?
Was looking for new & interesting challenge; at 1 yr mark soon! It’s been fun, I’ve learned a lot & have growing readership
- - Congrats-Great blog! How are your Web 2.0 activities perceived by your firm’s leaders? Are others as active as you?
No one else in my firm seems publicly active in Web 2.0 nor using it for client development. Yet. Might change after today!
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Good Q–Many of my clients are active Twitterers so I follow them & RT; can’t say any particular new engagement yet but it’s early…
more imp: Twitter/Tweetdeck is info source for following chatter about issues & orgs I need to know about (eg, adv parties)
- - Very good point. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Feels like 24/7; probably avg 1 hr/day, both old school methods (seminars, publishing etc) and Web 2.0 (blog, twitter, etc)
- - Time well spent. Let’s switch gears now: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Cloud computing & Web 3.0 are transforming biz & legal profession See http://tinyurl.com/n4m7kj & http://tinyurl.com/nfcbts
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Info access & communication will be very different, changing clients & service delivery-but they’ll still need wise counsel
- - Absolutely! What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Probably go hungry; Maybe psychologist or novelist—I like figuring out why people do what they do & writing fiction & poetry
- - I very much doubt that! How do you want to be remembered?
Wise & thoughtful lawyer & team player & mom, devoted to increasing happiness quotient on the planet; a true & loyal friend
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
Spend eves & wknds w/family (husband, 2 sons and dtr, 2 horses, dog, cats) home & garden design, church & good friends :)
- - I see why only 1 hr/day for SocMed.. What advice can you gvie lawyers under-/unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Get out there & network(info interviews, volunteer) do what you love w/people you like; build skills as best you can; stay +
- - And our last question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Here’s what I told my son (1st yr @ U Chi) It’s a great education! Don’t waste it & gd luck! See http://tinyurl.com/lhshxc
Wise words (and nice post)! Thank you so much for answering our questions today; this was a great twitterview
Thanks, great fun! I am finding it hard now to say anything with more than 140 characters! Will resume legalspeak shortly.
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@seattlelawgirl
April 30th, 2009
Small Business Lawyer
Owner, Farrris Law, PLLC
Today, we’re tweeting with @seattlelawgirl: small business lawyer, salsa dancer, traveler, auntie and friend
- @Seattlelawgirl, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Seattlelawgirl?
I am a Detroit-born, island-raised, entrepreneur-by-blood Lebanese-American lawyer living & practicing small biz law in Seattle, WA
- Tell us about your law practice.
I help small biz owners plan 4 future success, limit liability, & avoid litigation whenever possible! I also do estate planning.
- Can you describe your typical small business owner client?
Small, independently-owned biz, everything from artists to techies. Savvy, forward-thinking, active in Web 2.0 world.
My clients are ppl who want 2 protect themselves (& their families) legally 2 ensure peace of mind & security 4 their futures.
- What, then, would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Avoiding litigation, for most. Plus learning not 2 be penny wise & pound foolish. Legal services can seem costly…
but NOT having the right protections in place is even more so. How can I protect my biz while balancing the cost?
- Indeed. How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
Not as much as it’s hurting big biz. Small biz is better able to adapt to changing economy, which means less loss/negative impact.
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I explain atty-client relationship & let them know I will always tell the truth even if they don’t want to hear it…
I also talk about advocacy & the counselor-at-law part of the work I do, & that really gives my clients peace of mind.
- I’m sure it does. What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
Representing my sis when she adopted my nephew! Extremely significant personally, & also my 1st in-court appearance. Poignant & fun!
- A different kind of pressure than you’re used to facing…. Why do your clients hire you?
b/c I am a small biz owner, I understand the needs & challenges they face. & b/c I value ppl & relationships; my clients sense that.
- How do you market your practice?
For me, building relationships = marketing. I haven’t spent a $ on advertising & don’t plan to. Networking & social media.
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
My brand is delivering intelligent, creative, & cost-effective legal solutions/advice. So, in a sense, every minute I’m working…
…I’m building my brand! I also spend about an hour/day on web 2.0 stuff, & I attend networking events often.
- You publish a blog on your firm’s website (http://bit.ly/17tt7t). How would you describe it? Who should read it?
I’d describe it as a plain-English intro to legal concepts & choices, & also my contribution to demystifing lawyers & the law…
Who should read my blog? Small biz owners; anyone curious about the law; those who want 2 see a lawyer be real & accessible.
- What benefits have you realized from blogging?
It’s reinforced my commitment 2 using plain Eng. in my practice & enhances my ability 2 clearly give options & advice 2 my clients.
- Sounds like a win-win all around! When and why did you become active on Twitter?
A few months ago; 1st to see what the hype was about; later, b/c I realized I could provide value & build relationships here.
- Beyond Twitter and your blog, what other social networking tools do you regularly use?
Biznik is my favorite – it’s a GREAT tool 4 indie biz ppl that marries online networking w/ in-person meetings, hosted by members…
Their website: http://tinyurl.com/dybm2m Founded by @danmccomb & Lara Feltin, fellow Seattleites!
- I’ll have to check it out. How have your Web 2.0 activities impacted your practice?
Without exaggeration, 100% of my biz comes through my web 2.0 activities & word of mouth referrals. Pretty cool, I think!
- Wow. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
The most sig. issue = public perception of lawyers. We need 2 battle that by being better entrepreneurs & counselors 4 our clients.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Like the rest of the biz world! Better client service. More flat fees, less billable time. More small/solo firms & specialization.
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d own a restaurant or B&B and travel half the year! That’d be the marriage of nearly all my passions (languages, food, travel).
- That would be a pretty nice lifestyle…. How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who values people & relationships above all things. I want 2 be remembered w/ love & joy & laughter.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
Spend time w/ my boyfriend, family, & friends. Esp. my niece & nephews! Cook, read, run, dance, travel…soak it up and live it up!
- What languages do you speak?
French, Spanish, & Lebanese Arabic…with varying degrees of fluency!
- And English too, of course…. Final question: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Work hard, play hard, remember what’s important. Invest ur time in ppl & things u value. Choose ur life, don’t let “it” choose u.
Pretty much the same advice I’d give anyone. Don’t let law school rule u or change who u are!
Good advice indeed. This was a great twitterview; thank you for tweeting with 22 Tweets and answering our questions
Thanks so much for having me – it’s been fun!
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@marshallrisaacs
April 14th, 2009
Business / Corporate Litigation and Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
Author of two blawgs: Summary Judgement and Smallville, the New York State Bar Association’s official blog for solo and small firm attorneys
Tenacious, Unrepentant Litigator, Negotiator and Draftsman
Today, we’re tweeting with trial lawyer and blawger @MarshallRIsaacs, who recently blogged “Twitter: For Birds, Not Lawyers”
- @MarshallRIsaacs, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is the person behind @MarshallRIsaacs?
Thanks for having me. I’m a born and bred New Yawker. Tenacious litigator. Independent thinker. Fisherman. Loyal friend.
- Tell us about your law practice.
I’m a litigator and trial attorney handling commercial, breach of contract & tort cases.
- What type of clients do you represent?
Various businesses and individuals: publicists, nightclubs, construction contractors, web designers, even an adult video company!
- Another 22 Tweets first, I believe…. What is the most important legal issue affecting your clients?
Breach of contract! So many people use cheapy forms downloaded from the web. I refer to these fondly as “lawsuits waiting to happen”
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I can’t guarantee how much it will cost or how long it will take. I can only guarantee that I’ll give it my all.
- How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
There’s more litigation but fewer who can afford it. Thankfully, my firm is small & nimble so I can be flexible with fee structures.
- What was the most significant client representation you’ve had?
I lost a big $ slip/fall case against a top-name Plaintiff’s firm but convinced the appeals court to reverse. Case dismissed!
- That’s a great result! How were you able to convince them?
I kept my brief under 140 characters. : ) Just good old fashioned lawyering.
- Perhaps *great* old fashioned lawyering might be more fitting… Why do your clients hire you?
I know what I’m doing and I’m extremely generous with my time and advice.
I think you should adjust the camera, Lance. You’re not getting my good-side.
- Sure I am…. How do you market your practice?
Referrals & Adwords. Also, a lot is done in court: I’m proud to say that many of my referrals come from former adversaries.
- That’s a sign of true respect. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
24/7/365. I AM my brand and I try to convey it in everything I do. (Sappy, but true!)
- If it works… You wrote that Twitter is for birds, not lawyers (http://bit.ly/VfYhc). Why are you on Twitter then?
Lots of tweople post articles that get my goat; Makes 4 great blogging. For blogless esqs, Twitter’s no more than an AOL chat-room
- So Twitter good for feeding blawg traffic? Have you realized any professional value from your activity on Twitter
Kevin O’Keefe and I would both disagree with the blog-traffic statement. Maybe we’ll discuss it for another time!
OK, if you agree to come back for another twitterview….
Yes. The NYSBA stumbled upon my blog “Summary Judgment” thru Twitter and invited me to write for them. http://bit.ly/2cZuCD
- How will your NY State Bar Association blog (http://bit.ly/2RXU) differ from your personal blog?
I’m going to have to watch my Ps & Qs! There’s an under/over on how long I can last…want in?! LOL
- I’d bet on long…. Beyond Twitter and blogging, what other social networking tools do you regularly use?
I love Facebook. Where else could I discover that if I were a dog I’d be a golden retriever?
- Tenacious, generous… it makes sense. What’s the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Unemployment.
- Indeed. So what will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
There will be just as much hot air but a lot less paper.
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d be the almost-award-winning author of numerous unfinished novels!
- I’m guessing that career path is more crowded than you might think…. How do you want to be remembered?
I’d like to be remembered as someone who always tried to do the right thing…and was the first to acknowledge when I didn’t.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
Dating. Wait a minute, you said NOT working. Make that sleeping.
- Again, there’s no doubt a good story there that’ll have to wait for next twitterview. What languages do you speak?
CPLR (Civil Practice Law and Rules). This is a language unto itself and actually has its own translator at the U.N.
- Our last question of the day: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t let ‘em convince you that only grades matter. Compassion, persistence and a pressed shirt are just as important.
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@fredabramson
March 26th, 2009
Frederic AbramsonNew York Civil Litigaton Attorney
Author of Frederic R Abramson’s New York Law Blog
Today, we’re tweeting with business lawyer @FredAbramson, a trial attorney based in New York City and author of a business law blog
- @FredAbramson, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is the person behind @fredabramson?
I am a dad, a foodie, a huge reader, music fan that is passionate about business.
- Tell us about your law practice.
I am a New York business law attorney. My practice entails litigating cases and drafting legal documents.
- What type of clients do you represent?
I represent entrepreneurs, business owners, consultants and individuals. Many of my clients are in tech.
- What’s the most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Every business has its own issues. Some don’t have proper contracts. Others have problems getting paid. Its varied.
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I will give them a detailed plan of how their case will proceed. All correspondences will be answered w/in 2 hours.
- How is the economic crisis affecting your clients?
Entrepreneurs and small biz owners are having a difficult time raising funds. Credit has dried up for many.
- What’s the most significant client representation you’ve had?
Representing a hedge fund that invested in a complicated startup venture.
- Why was it significant?
There were many parties involved, the product was unique, complex ip issues, and significant sums of $ were on the line.
- Significant sums have a way of raising the stakes…. Why do your clients hire you?
Reputation. I am experienced, tech savvy, innovative, accessible and diplomatic. I could also be a bulldog if need be.
- That’s a pretty good calling card. How do you sell your practice?
Referrals, social and in person networking, e-newsletter, community involvement, Google adwords and friends
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
newsletter: 2hrs/wk, networking events 1 eventwk, blog: 2hrs/wk and tweet all the time for fun.
- You publish the “New York Business Law Blog” (http://bit.ly/56o8r). How would you describe it? Why do you write it?
I write about legal issues facing businesses, highlight what is newsworthy for biz owners and provide Twitter tips for esq.
- What benefits have you realized in blogging?
as per @kevinokeefe blogs work together with Twitter. Tweet a link to your blog + write a detailed post. Long form tweet
- What value have you seen as a result of being on Twitter then?
I have been able to connect with some fascinating people, share information, help others and have learned quite a bit
- Beyond Twitter and your blog, what other social networking tools do you regularly use?
I use facebook and linkedin. FB has been more usefull bc 95% of my connections are friends, family and reconnections
only 5 of my facebook friends are on Twitter and none use it extensively. Totally different audience.
- That’s interesting re FB. What do you see as the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Law firms, both big and small are downsizing due to the economy. Lawyers need to be creative to thrive and survive.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Law firms may shed the overhead of the office due to tech advances. Lawyers using social media to create virtual law firms
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I would be an entrepreneur/chef/musician/artist.
- A fairly unique job title, I’d have to say…. How do you want to be remembered?
as someone who helped others, made people laugh, made them smarter and made a difference.
- I have an inkling of what your answer will be, but I’ll ask anyway. What do you do when you’re not working?
I tweet! Family time with wife and 2kids, cook, read, explore NYC, run, watch sports, spend time with friends
- Sounds like you maintain a full schedule. What languages do you speak?
I speak English and Twitter. 6 yrs of spanish classes didn’t help. I can read the 4 questions in Hebrew and culinary terms.
- Our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Lawyers don’t just practice law. Your value increases if u can bring in cases. Rainmaking is not taught in law school.
Sound advice. Thank you so much for tweeting with 22 Tweets and answering our questions today
thank you for tweeting with me! Great idea Lance.
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