@StefanieDevery
June 25th, 2009
Nassau County, Long Island Attorney concentrating in Real Estate, Wills, Bankruptcy, and Small Business
Member, The Devery Law Group
Today we’re tweeting with @StefanieDevery, Long Island real estate, bankruptcy and small business attorney
- @StefanieDevery, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @StefanieDevery?
I am a Real Estate, Bankruptcy and Small Business Attorney in Mineola, NY (Long Island). I am also a mother to two young children.
- - Tell us about your law practice.
My law firm consists of myself and my husband. We are very family-oriented and we project that to our clients.
- - What type of clients do you represent?
Our clients are either extremely worried/scared or extremely excited. They are either starting a business, losing their house….
…buying a house, selling a house, in extreme debt. Our clients come to us when they need some to help them the most.
- - High stakes for you and them either way… What is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
Misinformation. Everyone thinks they are expert on the financial crisis & it’s simply not true…
….People are so confused, they are scared. They don’t know who to trust or what options are available to them.
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
They will always have access to an attorney and even If they don’t like the answer, they will always get the truth.
- - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
My firm was In-House Counsel to a large mortgage bank for 5 years. We handled all of their daily real estate and business matters.
- - That’s quite a gig! Why do your clients hire you?
Thanks. They hire us becuase we are honest. Everytime, with every client. If we cant help them, we tell them…
…We have received many referrals from clients who have not hired us, because they told people that we were honest with them.
- - Very impressive reputation! How are you & your firm responding to fin difficulties your clients may be experiencing?
Over the last 2 yrs, we have expanded our practice 2 include loan modifications, foreclosures & short sales.
- - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time?
Loan modifications. We have over 150 active files today.
- - Wow. You help people manage difficult fin situations. As the crisis drags on, are options increasing or decreasing?
Options are definitely increasing. However, many people are not sure of their options or even what options exist.
- - Getting the word out is no doubt a significant challenge. How do you market your practice?
Networking. A majority of my business is referral based. When you r dealing w/ people’s finances, they want someone they can trust.
- - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Has it been a worthwhile endeavor?
I like networking and it’s a way for me to interact with clients and other attorneys everyday…
I LOVE Twitter. I think its an amazing medium and provides so much information quickly.
- - Agreed. Besides Twitter, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use?
I use Delicious, LinkedIn, Facebook (personal), blog comments and I am working on my blog/website. (Thks, @GrantGriffiths)
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have your Web 2.0 activities provided?
I have gotten numerous new clients from Twitter and yesterday, I got a new client b/c of something I posted on someone elses blog!
- - That’s a great story! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I am always developing our brand. However, I spend about 1-2 hours every day working on it actively.
- - Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Trust. So many people believe lawyers are evil or liars. As attys we need to always hold ourselves as trustworthy, honest people.
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Much more personal. I don’t think people always want a huge law firm and fancy law office. They want attention.
- - Indeed. Why did you become a lawyer?
I love studying the law. I find it so interesting. I wanted to be involved in the process of making the law a reality.
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer, then?
That’s easy. I would be a Pastry Chef. That is my passion. I love to bake.
- - You’re the 2nd twitterviewee who likes to bake (tho no bakery treats for me yet). How do you want to be remembered?
I will send you something! As someone people counted on. Whether its my husband, my children, my friends, or a client.
- - Can’t wait. Other than baking, what do you do when you’re not working?
I am an avid scrapbooker. I love to bake, cook and be with my kids and my husband. We are always creating something!
- - Our final question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Work for as many law firms as you can before you come out. Figure out what area you enjoy the most and do it. Passion is key!
Great advice to close a great twitterview! Thank you very much for answering our questions today
Thank you so much.
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| Tags: Mineola NY, Real Estate, Small Business |
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