@steveimparl
September 29th, 2009
Internet, e-commerce and small business lawyer
Owner, Law Office of Steven D. Imparl
Author of Lawyer-Boxer’s Blog
Today we’re tweeting w/ @steveimparl who provides mindfulness-based legal services for internet, e-commerce, and small business
- @steveimparl thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @steveimparl?
Thanks, Lance! I’m a son, brother, and friend—regular guy who’s a lawyer, writer, barbershop baritone, and amateur boxer.
– - Taking fighting for your client’s rights to a new level?… Tell us about your law practice.
Transactions & counseling for small businesses, mostly in Internet/e-commerce, trademark, & copyright, but no litigation.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Small companies operating online: retailers, IT integrators, Web hosts, consultants, content publishers, some individuals.
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
In general, avoiding potential disputes of any kind; with the recession, no one wants to spend money now to resolve them.
– - That makes sense. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
“I am here to help you succeed & avoid problems. Please remember that and help me to help you. Your success is my success.”
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Helping a Web hosting company acquire a smaller one. The sale was good for both parties and went very smoothly.
– - Why do your clients hire you?
My IT background & ability to understand technology, attention to detail, and willingness to go the “extra mile” for them.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Business-to-business (B2B) agreements. It’s not quite typical; the recession is making everyone a bit more conservative.
– - You “wrote the book” on Internet Law (http://bit.ly/3rhKJ). Isn’t it evolving faster than you can publish updates?
Not quite, but staying current is a huge challenge! STP, my publisher is great. I get to do quarterly updates. That helps …
Also, my editor, Christine Merriman, is awesome. She’s very supportive and enthusiastic about the book, so it all works.
– - I’d imagine that “huge challenge” is an understatement…. How do you market your practice?
Twitter, Facebook, blog, LinkedIn, and other social networks; staying in contact with clients & referral sources regularly.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
Very briefly! Then I let the other person ask questions. They always do, and we have an enjoyable and productive chat.
– - You blog at Lawyer-Boxer’s Blog (http://bit.ly/89bFk). Who is it written for? Why should they read it?
Boxing is my main fitness activity. I’ve been boxing on and off since I was a boy. It has been a good networking sport …
so I am integrating these activities in a blog. Anyone can read it, but it’s oriented toward lawyers and boxing fans.
– - Interesting combo. You have at least 3 active Twitter profiles. Why separate the feeds? Doesn’t that dilute your brand?
You must mean @ilawguide and @cloudcomplaw. I separated them at the request of some of my followers. Far from diluting …
my brand, this approach lets me provide specific followers with information that interests them most. Also, many of my …
followers of @ilawguide and @cloudcomplaw look me up as @steveimparl, & follow me here, too, so it works fairly seamlessly.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
It’s awesome! I’ve picked up some great work from LinkedIn & now have several promising prospects on Facebook and Twitter.
– - That’s great! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Lance, I spend at least 90 minutes a day on focused activities, like social networking, to keep my name visible out there.
– - Well it seems to be working. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
To me, it’s: “How do we provide first-rate, cost-effective services for our clients, while taking good care of ourselves?”
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
In 10 years, I foresee many more lawyers using technology to help them enjoy a much greater work-life balance.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Hmm…full-time writer, linguist, historian, paleontologist, musician, professor, motorcycle racer—I need several lifetimes!
– - Another motorcycle racer? Seems to be a trend on 22 Tweets… How do you want to be remembered?
As a good, honest, kind man who overcame huge adversity and used his abilities to the fullest, for his and others’ benefit.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Walking, meditating, bicycling, reading, hanging with family & friends, running www.maledepression.com, and boxing.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Hang in there! This is a temporary crisis, but we live in an abundant universe and we humans have boundless potential.
– - What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Reconsider, and if you still decide to attend, have a backup “plan B” for how you can use your J.D., if you decide …
traditional practice isn’t for you. Also, hold law school administrators accountable—they’re making a lot of $$$ off you.
That’s a useful perspective. Thank you so much for answering our questions today; this was a great twitterview
And thanks for talking with me, Lance! Your questions got me thinking about many important issues, and it’s a great format. Thanks!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Chicago, e-commerce, Internet | Comments Off on @steveimparl@cynthiarrowland
September 22nd, 2009
Business and tax lawyer with focus on nonprofit and charity law
Partner, Coblentz, Patch, Duffy & Bass LLP
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.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Business Law, Charity Law, Nonprofit Law, San Francisco, Tax | Comments Off on @cynthiarrowland@russellbesq
September 17th, 2009
Partner and Head of Trade Secret/Noncompete Task Force, Foley & Lardner LLP
Co-author of Trade Secret / Noncompete Blog
Today we’re tweeting with lawyer @russellbesq who heads up the Trade Secret / Noncompete practice of a global firm
- @russellbesq thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @russellbesq?
Thank you. Pleasure to be here. The answer is: Father, husband, lawyer, photographer, law school lecturer, author.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
20 years as commercial litigator, w/focus on soft IP (copyright, trademark, trade secret), especially, noncompete agreements
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I represent clients of all sizes in all industries. Mostly companies, but sometimes individuals, esp. in noncompete cases.
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Hard to say; law is developing in many areas, but…changes to Computer Fraud & Abuse Act and poss change in MA noncomp law
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Despite being a litigator, I tell new clients that litig is last resort. It’s costly, stressful & long. R u sure u need it?
– - That’s a useful perspective. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Over 20 years, there have been lots; 4 me, signif derives frm meaningfulness 2 client. Eg, 2 clients accused of fraud. …
There had been a related case w/their company, represented by other lawyers and lost. Individuals came 2 me 4 their case. …
My clients hadn’t done wrong, but co. had lost & these cases r rarely won b/f trial. But, we won w/o trial. …
It was very emotional for them; I will never forget their joy and thankfulness.
– - That’s a great story! Why do your clients hire you?
I like 2 think that it’s b/c I work to understand the case from their perspective, take a practical approach & hate to lose!
– - All good qualities in a lawyer… What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Trade secret/noncomps (counseling and litigation). Yes typical, but times when more copyright, trademark & commercial lit.
– - You drafted the current bill pending before MA House to define & codify MA noncompetition law. How did that come about?
MA high ct issued decision, after which a state rep, Lori Ehrlich, asked me if I would help to advise on and revise the law
– - That’s a great recognition of your work and experience. How do you market your practice?
Traditional marketing (wrote the book on MA noncompetes, lecture, happy clients, etc) & new media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Blog.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
I try to avoid pitch, instead have fun. If asked, I say that I am a litigator who fixes problems, but prefer to prevent them
– - What led a 20-year partner at a global law firm to embrace non-traditional marketing as aggressively as you have done?
I have a computer science background, and have always been very tech savvy. It’s purely b/c I enjoy it.
– - You write Trade Secret/Noncompete Blog jointly w/4 others (http://bit.ly/12VjKM). Do you recommend that approach? Why?
TSN Blog is new; I started it for F&L’s trade secret/noncomp group (which I run). There r 50+ lawyrs, so more will write. …
I recommend it – more/diverse content & I believe people shld do as much or as little as they wish. I enjoy it, so I do it.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
We r more visible. So, new clients r more likely 2 have heard of us when they r referred by other clients or lawyers. …
For example, just today, someone saw on Twitter that we were doing the web seminar and contacted us to attend.
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Not to be glib, but as much as I have! I do a lot of writing and speaking, and then use new media when I can slip it in.
– - Let’s switch gears a bit. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Cost. Legal services, esp litig, r costly. Lawyers, clients, law makers & courts must wk together 2 make it more practical.
– - That makes sense. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
If I only knew! 🙂 I suspect more small firms & fewer – but larger – big firms. Conflict of interest rules will b relaxed.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I do love what I do, but… (and don’t laugh!) race car driver (but my wife would kill me), so, photographer or astronomer.
– - One of the earlier twitterviewees said he’d race motorcycles…. How do you want to be remembered?
(Hmm… shld add motorcycles!) Loving father, husband, brother, and son. Good friend.
– - What have I started… What advice do you have for lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
(No worries, my wife wld kill me more for that!) Times r really tough. They must market. …
… Market, market, market. After that, market more. But, focus on types of mkting u enjoy. Ask 4 help & find mentors.
– - What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Focus on areas of interest and practical skills. You can learn the rest when needed – and you will for the bar.
– - That’s good advice. Our final question for your today: What do you do when you’re not working?
Is there a time I’m not working?! 🙂 #1 priority: time w/kids & wife (& dog). Then, photog, computer, garden, music, driving
Well, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions today: this was a great twitterview!
It was my pleasure. Thank you for the thoughtful questions and taking the time to twitterview me!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Noncompete, Philadelphia, Trade Secret | Comments Off on @russellbesq@charlesthomas
September 15th, 2009
Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorney
Founder, The Law Offices of Charles Thomas
Author of Persuasive Authority and Philly LGBT Lawyer
Today we’re tweeting with Philadelphia criminal defense attorney and (new) solo practice evangelist @CharlesThomas
- @CharlesThomas, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @CharlesThomas?
Thanks for having me! I’m a true solo doing MOSTLY crim def. I enjoy cooking and play some music too. http://is.gd/3jctX
– - Looks interesting; I’ll have to watch it later. Tell us about your law practice.
I was trained as a criminal def atty- that’s my bread & butter. I’m trying to add civil and LGBT rights to my practice.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
My crim clients come from all walks of life. LOTS of people get a DUI or a shoplifiting or into a fight. Rich & educated too
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
The inequality in the system- I have a 5 county practice. Bucks Co would jail someone where Philly would just give a fine.
– - Wow. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That I have a firm no-BS rule. If I say “this is the best I can do for you” I mean it. Can’t always win on this side.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
When I was a PD, I was set precedent about the the 1st Amend rights of parolees. http://is.gd/3jf3Q (PDF)
– - Significant representation indeed! Congrats on that. Why do your clients hire you?
Because I am not judgmental. Most of them are embarrassed & afraid- I get that, but I also let them know there are ways out.
– - I imagine that’s a huge comfort for them. What’s the most active area of your practice right now? Is that typical?
There’s no such thing. Each phone call is different. One guy gets busted with weed- someone else punched a guy.
– - You started your career as a public defender. What led you to strike out on your own?
I was there almost 5 years. That seems to be the point when people either a PD for life or break away. I wanted a change.
– - How is your practice different now that you’ve got your own practice? What does it mean to your clients?
For one thing, I have fewer felony cases. Ironically, I used to work harder on the CASES back then. Now I work on the biz.
– - That’s very interesting. How do you market your practice?
Entirely through social media. All my referrals come through twitter or facebook.
– - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Are you achieving those objectives?
I was an early adopter for personal purposes. I found more lawyers and made deeper connex, I saw the pro possibilities.
– - You blog at Persuasive Auth (http://bit.ly/lvVjK) & Philly LGBT Lawyer (http://bit.ly/14ETsk) Who do you write for?
Myself. As a Bi man I have a stake in LGBT rights. Pther blog is about legal writing, which is so awful. If clients result, bonus.
– - You said all your work comes from SocMed. How do you manage that? What do you do to keep up the flow?
I sub to @davidmatson ’s lead generation service where his 800 number fwds to my cell. Otherwise, it’s referrals from attys.
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Branding is a new thing to me. My website http://is.gd/3jkRb is a good start, emphasizing my caring and empathetic approach.
– - Yes, it is. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
That clients have FINALLY figured out what a ripoff biglaw is. The billable hour rewards incompetence & needless research.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Biglaw will shrink. Boutiques will grow. And the prison pop will increase. In 1960 PA had 7800 inmates- it’s now 51K.
– - That’s a stunning statistic. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d be a standup comedian or an actor. I’m always tempted to move to LA and start auditioning. In drag, like Swayze in To Wong Foo.
– - Maybe that can be your next YouTube video…. How do you want to be remembered?
A DA once called me the King of the BS Defense, meaning I would try anything to help the client. That’s how I want to be remembered.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I play my guitar and write songs. I am also writing a comic book about an insurance adjuster who saves the world.
– - What advice would you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Now is the time. Find a niche, and seize on it. There is a guy in DC who ONLY does milk regs- THAT’S a niche.
– - Is he on Twitter? Our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
My advice: right now, don’t. New grads will be competing with laidoff assos. The readjusted salaries will not cover loans.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful responses today. This was a great twitterview.
Thank you for having me! I hope to have many conversations with people in the days to come.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Criminal Defense, Philadelphia | Comments Off on @charlesthomas@eric_b_meyer
September 11th, 2009
Labor and Employment Attorney
Associate, Dilworth Paxson LLP
Regular contributor to The Legal Intelligencer Blog
Today we’re tweeting with @eric_b_meyer, labor & employment lawyer & winner of the 610 WIP SportsRadio Midday Show Suicide Pool
- @eric_b_meyer, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @eric_b_meyer?
Husband, recent father, L&E attorney, Philly-area native, sports nut (Eagles, Sixers, Bruins, BoSox – family is from Boston)
– - Congrats on fatherhood! Tell us about your law practice.
I’m an associate at Dilworth Paxson LLP in Philly where I counsel employers on labor and employment issues affecting the workplace
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Most of our clients are employers in the Mid-Atlantic (PA, NJ, DE) region that have 50+ employees
– - What are some of the key legal issues now affecting those clients?
Most common are issues involve sexual harassment, discrimination and FMLA. Employee use of social media is also hot now
– - SocMed issues probably going to grow…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Employment disputes have a tendency to get very personal. It’s ok to be passionate, but at the end of the day, it’s business
– - Wise words…. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
1 of which I am most proud was a non-L&E pro bono case, helping a couple who bought a puppy mill dog take action against a kennel
– - I hope you and they were successful. Why do your clients hire you?
Chloroform & brainwashing ;). But seriously, I like to think I’m good at what I do, while providing great value for our clients
– - What’s the most active area of your practice right now? Is that typical?
Discrimination, sexual harassment & FMLA actions are generally plentiful. We are now seeing an increase in wage & hour disputes
– - You write a lot about the Employee Free Choice Act. What does it mean to your clients? Where does it stand?
#EFCA means a lot to our clients, especially those that are not presently unionized — it is an absolute game changer …
I do not see #EFCA passing this year — Congress will have its hands full with healthcare. Maybe a watered-down version in 2010
– - How has the economic crisis affected your clients’ ability to do business?
Some of our clients are hurting. We’ve seen layoffs. We’ve seen bankruptcies. 2009 has not been the best of times for them
– - I think everyone’s looking forward to the next economic phase…. How do you market your practice?
because its viral, social media is great! Although, nothing can replace some face to face time, a handshake & good conversation
– - You blog at The Legal Intelligencer Blog (http://bit.ly/p41HW). Why not start your own blog?
There are only 24 hours in a day ;). @TheLegalIntel is so well known; I can just focus on blogging (rather than marketing)
– - Makes a lot of sense. Why did you become active on Twitter? Are your goals still the same? Are you meeting them?
Getting my start on Twitter just kinda happened. And I aimed low — I started last November w/ zero goals … I met them.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from your Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve gotten many speaking engagements and have also become a recognized authority on #socialmedia issues affecting the workplace
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I use Tweetdeck at work and at home, so it’s constantly on for me. Actively, I probably spend an hour or two a day on Twitter.
– - Let’s switch gears. What would you say are some of the most significant issues currently facing the legal profession?
Finding ways to distinguish yourself from the field. For me, that means staying on the cutting edge, e.g., #EFCA and #socialmedia
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
What will the stock market look like in 10 years? I have no idea. Guessing, I’d say more emphasis on tech, less on billable hour
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I always wanted to be a sports agent (still do). More than likely, I’d be in financial services (a stockbroker, maybe)
– - How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a great lawyer and an even better person
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
My 12 week old son, Brooks, dominates my life away from work (although my wife would tell you its fantasy football/baseball)
– - What advice would you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Get out there and network like its your full-time job. Make contacts. Make contacts with your contacts. Be aggressive & persistent
– - Our last question of the day: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
As explained to me many years ago, in the whole scheme of things, law school doesn’t count for much …
Thanks for having me
Thank YOU for a great twitterview! I really appreciate your thoughtful responses
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Employment, Philadelphia | Comments Off on @eric_b_meyer@HealthBlawg
September 8th, 2009
Author of HealthBlawg: David Harlow’s Health Care Law Blog
Cancer survivor and six-time rider of the Pan-Mass Challenge
Former Deputy General Counsel of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Today we’re tweeting with health care lawyer, consultant and cancer survivor @Healthblawg
- @Healthblawg, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Healthblawg?
I’m David Harlow, Boston-based health care lawyer, consultant, blogger, tweep & escaped New Yorker
– - Tell us about your law practice.
As a lawyer, I help #healthcare clients navigate the maze of business & regulatory issues unique to the industry…
this includes structuring relationships and running interference w regulators …
as a #healthcare consultant, I help clients define goals and develop structures and systems to achieve them…
I also work with folks implementing #healthcare #socialmedia strategies See http://bit.ly/uxjg1 and http://bit.ly/4cLNub
– - Wow – sounds like you’re the guy to know! What type of clients do you represent?
#healthcare providers, vendors and payors – ranging from small MD practices to imaging centers to academic medical centers
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Reimbursement & regulation drive the business of healthcare; we tie ourselves in knots trying to maximize $ & compliance …
These days, everything is done with one eye on the (unknowable) future shape of federal #healthreform
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I put my publc & privt sector exper, & my virtual netwrk (vs my fmr downtwn firm) to work for you, effectively & efficiently
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Diag imaging and cancer trmt provider dealing w st CON laws and fed antikickback & self-referral laws thru many transactions
Had a healthy dose of business and regulatory issues in every bite
– - Sounds very complex; hope it turned out well. Why do your clients hire you?
Not my boyish good looks … Expertise, experience, efficiency, effectiveness
– - What’s the most active area of your practice right now? Is that typical?
Diagnostic imaging & anything touched by HIPAA and what I call Son of HIPAA (from ARRA) from perspec of providers & others
There’s always some new reg du jour that generates a lot of heat
– - Makes sense. You touched on this earlier, but what do the proposed Health Care reforms mean to your clients?
Saving $ for society means taking it away from healthcare providers They must learn to be more efficient and effective …
Innovations like patient-centered medical home http://bit.ly/HUHaj and value-based purchasing http://bit.ly/urdru are key
– - Clearly there are significant changes to come. Has the econ crisis affected your clients’ ability to do business today?
Sure: access to capital issues delay construction projects, uninsured folks defer elective care
– - How do you market your practice?
On line and in person: blog, tweets, LinkedIn, Fcbk (cf http://bit.ly/smlaw); also good old fashioned speaking, schmoozing
– - Tell us about your blog, Health Blawg (http://bit.ly/ixjIo). Who do you write it for? Why should they read it?
It’s for folks in the healthcare thick of things; I try not to repeat news but to analyze developments, put them in context
– - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Are you achieving those objectives?
1. Connect w folks w related professional interests & see what develops 2. Channel for blog – Seems to work for me
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from your Web 2.0 activities?
Broader reach locally and nationally; clients, referral sources & collaborators find me &/or validate their choice online…
for example, my 3 newest clients & my current biggest client all found me via web 2.0 activities
– - That’s great! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Probably averages out to 1/2 to 1 hour a day or so, through blogging, tweeting, speaking, press interviews, etc.
– - Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Top issue for profession: Communicating value of services to clients; alt billing and implosion of BigLaw are symptoms
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
More fragmentd & more consoldated, w commodity work & bet-the-farm work split up even more than today; decline of BigLaw…
Big oppty for small firms to move in to the great middle
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Things I almost did: get a PhD in history & literature; become a professional photographer or photography curator
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Smart, funny guy w perfect work-life balance, & legal & healthcare chops
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Family: off-grid last wk camping. Biking, incl the PMC http://bit.ly/PMC2009. Photography http://bit.ly/12CmbJ Love jazz too
– - Congrats on raising $4667! What advice do you have for lawyers currently under-/ unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Thanks … Be flexible. Go out on a limb. Do something you love in your free time. Network, network, network.
– - And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Your future clients are businesses & running a law practice is a business; you need to understand business, not just the law
That’s great advice. Thank you very much for answering our questions today
Thanks Lance – My pleasure
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