@anthonybushnell

October 15th, 2009

Anthony Bushnell

Criminal defense and civil litigation solo attorney

Managing attorney, The Bushnell Law Firm, LLC

Today we’re tweeting w/ crim def & civil lit lawyer @anthonybushnell, who provides smart legal representation – for real people

  1. @anthonybushnell thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @anthonybushnell?
    Thanks Lance! Attorney, dad, believer in a good and merciful God, thus trying to treat others & clients the way I want to be treated
  2. Tell us about your law practice.
    I do criminal defense and litigation, which varies from helping homeowners with contractors to dealing with unpaid wages.
  3. What type of clients do you represent?
    A lot of individuals and small to mid-size businesses. Most people are ordinary folks who get stuck with legal problems.
  4. What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
    Cost of legal services and access to legal help. Most people are slow to seek #legal help; they think they can’t afford it.
  5. Indeed. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
    I can’t guarantee the results in litigation or a criminal matter, but I will work my hardest and get the best I can for you.
  6. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
    Represented a guy pro bono who had a court order put on him with no notice or process. Had to go to appeals court to fix it.
  7. Why do your clients hire you?
    I provide high-quality legal work and personal attention, but keep my rates very reasonable so real people can afford it.
  8. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
    Litigation right now. It varies, but seems to average 60% litigation / 40% criminal. I also do some prosecution on contract.
  9. You tweet a lot re work/life balance. How do you maintain the right mix in the face of time-sensitive client needs?
    I remind myself that clients get better service when I’m balanced and healthy. Taking my family time is serving them too.
  10. That does make a lot of sense. How do you market your practice?
    Thanks. Relationships with other attorneys – trying to help each other and genuinely invest in each other. Websites and SM.
  11. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
    I provide legal services regular people need and make a priority to keep it affordable. I can help people who some can’t.
  12. What were your goals in becoming active on Twitter? Have they changed?
    I started tweeting to connect with clients. I’ve found best & fav use is keeping up on legal news & building relationships.
  13. Besides Twitter, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
    LinkedIn. I also post about my practice on Facebook, but use it primarily for friendships. Just remind people what I do…
    …Minnesota Bar also has a website called www.mypracticelaw.org – like LinkedIn/Facebook for lawyers.
  14. What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
    Honestly, I haven’t identified any. But it’s made me better at connecting and improved staying on top of law developments.
  15. There’s a lot of value in that, of course. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
    1-2 hours on weekdays. I also think a lot and try to keep track of good ideas. Building something worthwhile takes time.
  16. Absolutely. Let’s switch gears: What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    We have way too many lawyers (many out of work) but not enough people get legal help. That’s broken. 1+1 should = needs met.
  17. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    I expect we’ll have a lot of part-time and contract lawyers/solos. Hopefully apprenticeships for grads & practical training.
  18. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
    I would pastor or teach. Often feel the law doesn’t let me help people with their whole need. So I tweet @be_fullyalive too.
  19. How do you want to be remembered?
    As sincere and genuine and as having helped people. People said Winston Churchill was same man in public and private. …
    …Reason I sometimes mention my faith even in professional area is I believe being healthy means being integrated. No masks.
  20. What do you do when you’re not working?
    Spend time with my kids and give them as much of me as I can. Try to remember they’ll learn most on life from my wife & me.
  21. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
    Don’t need a job to be an #attorney. You ARE one. Go find clients and offer yourself for contract work. That advice made me.
  22. What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
    Meet all the real lawyers you can. Make sure it’s for you. Do the math and live on a budget. Get practical experience. …
    … Don’t be shy about calling lawyers to meet. They’re glad to. Work to develop yourself as a lawyer and get things done.

All very valuable advice. Thanks for your thoughtful responses today; I enjoyed tweeting with you very much.

Me too. Thanks, Lance! This was a great experience. Thank you for creating this idea for lawyers to get to know each other.


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    TWEN·TY-TWO TWEETS

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    1. live Twitter interviews with practicing lawyers who tweet
    2. a forum where lawyers tell their stories, one tweet at a time
    3. the hottest legal marketing mash-up on Twitter

     

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