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@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
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