@thatlawyerdude
December 29th, 2009
Crisis Trial Lawyer
The Law Offices of Anthony J. Colleluori & Associates, PLLC
Author of that lawyer dude and Long Island (Criminal) Trial Law blogs
Today we’re tweeting w/crisis trial lawyer @ThatLawyerDude, who helps people put their lives back together after others abandon them
- @ThatLawyerDude, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @ThatLawyerDude?
I’m Tony Colleluori & I am a father of two, married 24 years & enjoy practicing law.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I take the cases other lawyers throw their hands up at. We want the cases no one else can handle. The“Bet the Farm”work.
– - Wow. I’m sure you have a lot of stories…. What type of clients do you represent?
I work w/ anyone who has been touched by a criminal charge or act. from Class Actions 2 White Collar Crime 2 Murder etc.
– - and what’s the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Finding Quality representation at a price they can afford, & getting fair treatment in Court during the Internet Age
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I took on an innocent kid whose 1st attorney wanted him 2 plead guilty & serve 8 years. We investigated & won his case.
I also just won one of the biggest verdicts in Prison Civil Rights cases 4 a paraplegic who was mistreated in jail
We proved that the Jail was “deliberately indifferent to his needs & left him to rot. No help, no proper medical care
– - I’d read about the last case. Both are fantastic results. Must be terribly satisfying. Why do your clients hire you?
B/c I care about them. Not as a case, but as humans, w/ hopes & dreams. I don’t judge them. I know I represent good people.
Most of my clients have experienced first hand the wrath of the law. It’s been used to defeat them. I even the field 4 them
– - That’s great. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I care about them & their family, I’ll B there 4 them 24/7/365, & that I’ll do everything I can legally do to help them
I also tell them not to worry anymore Until I do, and I never worry EVER 😉
We look after the small things, ie new DWI client, needs a ride to get to court or office? We have a driver on staff
a kid needs a 12 step program but is afraid to go alone? I go with them.
– - You devote a lot of your time to pro bono work. How do you decide what work to take on?
I take pro & lo bono from NYS & EDNY Assigned Counsel panels, The EDNY pro bono panel & selected work from clergy.
If it interest me & I think it will change the life of the client or the state of the world, I’m usually in.
I’m a sucker when it comes to Roman Catholic Nuns and Judges. If they ask I usually say yes
– - Tell us about the Outstanding Service Award from the Nat’l Assoc of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Why were you selected?
I co-authored an amicus brief w/ John Marshall, that caused the USDOJ to change the way it prosecuted Marijuana cases.
– - What led you to become a criminal defense lawyer? Have you always had the same passion for it (yes, it shows!)?
Thank you. I’ve always had a strong libertarian streak. As a historian, I understand Government seeks to expand power…
I wanted to take on the task to protect our Bill of Rights from Government’s power grab. As a kid I was fascinated by …
Perry Mason, & real cases: The Rosenberg case, the Crimmins case, & by F. Lee Bailey’s book the Defense Never Rests
– - Your clients are very lucky that you followed that passion…. How do you market your practice?
I write, teach, I network w/ others. I stay active in bar assoc. & in my community, I use Avvo.com & other Internet tools.
– - You have 3 blogs (http://bit.ly/cztgp http://bit.ly/TcIl6 & http://bit.ly/tHjG6) How are they different? Why three?
That Lawyer Dude is my main blog, it’s about the way law & life intersect. Long Island (Criminal) Trial Law, …
is a Trial Tech. teaching blog. It portrays my wider view of “Criminal Law” discipline. It defines a crisis lawyer’s job
The Positive Review is going 2B a restaurant review & only features places I like. If I don’t like it, I don’t eat there.
– - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Has it been a worthwhile endeavor?
I took a while 2 “get it” but once I did, I saw an opportunity 2 interact w/ my “crowd” & learn from others. Twitter rocks!
I find Twitter helps me get my message out and exposes me to other’s messages. I think it is better than an RSS feed.
– - Besides Twitter and your blogs, do you use other Web 2.0 tools? Which ones?
I have a website through “Getlegal.com” and I love Avvo.com. I think Facebook, Linkedin & Solosez are important too.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements — if any — have your Web 2.0 activities provided?
I get about 50% of my new work from Web 2.0 activities. It is a great way for people to learn about me. …
A web referred client is as likely to retain me as a lawyer referred client & usually is more savvy about my work & my fees…
they come ready to retain. I waste a lot less time and get a much better return on the time I spend meeting w/them.
I take it seriously. The web has been good to me It helped me to reach people I didn’t have the resources to reach
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
every waking minute I am enhancing my brand: at the gym, at Mass, playing poker. I love what I do, it’s part of my fabric.
– - Indeed. Let’s switch gears now. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Keeping bright people in the profession & finding ways 2 stop them from burning out. We need 2 focus them on bar activities
We need Courts 2 be run by judges & not admins who put form B/4 substance, we need 2 worry @ quality of life. life’s2 short
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
We’ll B using the web as a mainstay of our life, but successful lawyers will be those that best mesh hi tech w/ hi touch
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I have no idea! I’m a pretty good singer, I’d have followed that. Law is more fun. There is always Tournament Poker 🙂
I’ve only ever wanted to be a lawyer. I used to go to court and watch cases being tried when I was 10 yrs old
My poor mom must of thought she was raising a sociopath LOL!
– - Wow. I think I just watched the Flinstones at 10…. How do you want to be remembered?
As a loving Husband, a good Father, a worthy opponent & a strong advocate for Civil Rights, Liberty and Personal Freedom.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I raise awareness & $$$ 4 Scleroderma Foundation, Play poker & hang out w/ my best girl & best friend for 25 years.
I love going to new Restaurants and old favorites. I like to sing and I love being w/ my two sons. They’re interesting men
– - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
First thank you for having me Lance.
Go ‘cause U R called 2 the law. Don’t go 2 get rich, or 2 help others, Go ‘cause it’s vital 2 U! If U do, the rest will come
That’s great advice, and this was a fantastic twitterview. Thanks very much for doing it, and keep up the great work
Thanks again. You too and happy New Year to all. I hope it is healthy and prosperous.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Criminal law, Long Island, Trial | Comments Off on @thatlawyerdude@dancanon
December 19th, 2009
Today we’re tweeting with @Dancanon: employment and civil rights lawyer, musician, yogi, cancer hater and more
Hi tweverybody.
- @Dancanon thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Dancanon?
One of the guys I practice with is always calling me an evil genius. The “evil” part is a fair cop, so I’ll go w/ it.
– - Could be worse, I suppose…. Tell us about your law practice.
Mostly civil rights litigation, mostly plaintiff-oriented. Lots of race & sex discrimination, lots of 1983 cases.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
We try to stick with the little guy: individuals, some small businesses, the underdog. Good for the conscience.
– - Good for those individuals, too, I’d wager. What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Generally – abuse of authority and/or the sheer ignorance of people often in charge of your job, housing, freedom, etc.
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I’ll do my best, but no guarantees. (And if you hear guarantees from a lawyer, run.)
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Probably this one, which is still going: http://chronicle.com/article/Judge-Orders-U-of-Louisville/47925
– - Wow. That’s significant indeed. Congrats on the win. Why do your clients hire you?
You’d have to ask them. I think I’m pretty down-to-earth, reachable, & I try to explain risk/benefit every step of the way.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Unemployment. Also some really bad race discrimination cases right now for some reason. Not typical. ADA & sex cases more common.
– - Is unemployment the biggest challenge your clients facing due to economic crisis? How are you helping them get through it?
Yes, I think so. I try to work on a contingency-fee basis as much as possible. Ppl w/o jobs simply cannot pay $xxx.xx/hr.
– - Indeed. How do you market your practice?
Not very well, I’m afraid. But hey, there’s this interview, so *someone’s* heard of me…
But seriously, I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in some kinda media-hyped stuff, so that helps.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
Usually just say “I’m a civil rts lawyer.” Most ppl get that, and don’t immediately hate you like if you say “trial lawyer.”
– - Hadn’t thought of that. You blog at Conflicts Check (http://bit.ly/7VH8hH). Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
I dunno, still trying to find my legs w/ that thing. I just hope I’m writing stuff that is relevant to someone, somewhere.
– - Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
Just Facebook, I guess. I’ve been trying to get a @ProjectAiko as a receptionist, but I don’t know if that counts.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve had a lot more opportunity to let people know what I do. So, of course, you’re more likely to get the right clients …
I’ve tried to run a really transparent practice, letting tweeps know what kind of cases I’m working on, etc.
– - A sensible approach for sure. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I know Twitter lawyers are all into that, but who has time? Practice cases right, let ppl know what you do, & they’ll come to you.
– - Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
No idea. It probably has something to do with the @btannebaum and @nikiblack feud.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Probably even more confusing, because there’s a big technology gap that is widening. …
Hopefully more state courts will do online filing, but that can be bad for luddite lawyers, and there are lots of them.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Worry less, but probably beat myself up about not doing something more meaningful.
– - How do you want to be remembered?
I’m not prepared to answer that, but I hope I’ve got a few decades to think it over.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Always have been a musician. Teach guitar. A little theatre. Drink lots of coffee. Beat myself up for not working enough.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Use free time to develop a niche, & tell ppl about it. But go after something interesting, not just lucrative. #clicheadvice
– - And finally, our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t go unless you’re sure you want to practice. And try to be nicer than I was. I was grumpy the whole time.
Solid advice. Thanks for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed it.
Thanks for having me!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Civil Rights, Employment, Louisville | Comments Off on @dancanon@FLSALawyer
December 8th, 2009
Today we’re tweeting with labor & employment lawyer @FLSALawyer, who also tweets as @gourmetlawyer
- @FLSALawyer thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @FLSALawyer?
I am a pssionate individual w/ a drive to help people. I love to cook, and learn something new everyday.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Civil rights firm in the emp. sector. We do everything. Inc. contract negotiations 4 execs 2 collective action litigation
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Ranges from 7-figure executives to blue color, on the line, steel manufacturing workers.
– - That is a broad range of employees. What is the single most important legal issue affecting them?
Job security & being pd wht they R owed; Some emp. believe it is more cost effective 2 break the law, rather than follow it.
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Litigation is a long, hard process. I expect every client to work closely with me to achieve their goals.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
We represent over 750 employees at US Steel in Gary Works seeking unpaid wages. We just defeated SJ. We hope to go national.
– - Good luck with that. Why do your clients hire you?
We’re experienced, diverse, friendly, & client goal drive. We adapt & provide affordable options 2 meet needs.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Severance negotiations and non-competes are more active than usual. Unpaid wage actions continue to be a trend as well.
– - How is the evolution of the workplace changing the legal status of the employee / employer relationship?
It’s becoming less of a partnership. Emp. R look 2 stretch the boundaries at ee’s expenses. Need 2 work tgthr. (cont) …
… A happy employee is one that will be much more productive and cost less in the long run.
– - How do you market your practice?
Significant online presence, large network of similarly minded attys, and word of mouth
– - And how do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I help employees get paid what the law says they should.
– - You also tweet as @GourmetLawyer. Why two accounts? How do your tweets differ?
W/ ths acct I’m focusing on my professional, lawyer side. My other acct lets me explore my other interests w/o interfering.
– - How does your firm’s leadership view your active Twitter presence?
Good & bad. There’s some concerns, but it’s all about being open and frank about it. It’s a good thing.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve received clients from fantasy gaming friends and a few other attys on the web (cont…)
I’m in a unique biz where literally every1 is a potential new client, both those employed and not
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
15/30 mins a day. We’re in the process of developing a more interactive updated website.
– - Sounds like good ROI for your efforts…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Imo, atty conduct. So much money is wasted b/c of a ridiculously mindless and pointless atty bickering.
– - Interesting perspective. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
More online filing. More attys crossing state lines as legal issues become more national. Possibly a federal bar.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d own and cook in my own espresso bistro on the streets of northern Italy
– - How do you want to be remembered?
I want everyone I meet to leave knowing I made a difference, no matter how small.
– - I’m guessing I know at least a partial answer to this one…. What do you do when you’re not working?
haha, i bet u cn. Cook w/ my wife. Prepare 4 ou new baby. I luv just being w/ my wife, family & friends w/ gd food & wine.
– - I knew it! What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Be diligent, work hard. Never give up. Network. The attys getting jobs typically know the people that are hiring them.
– - And our last question for you this afternoon: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Treat law school like a job. Set a schedule so you can get all your work done (e.g. 10 hour days, 5-6 days/wk). Don’t stress
That’s good advice. Thank you very much for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
A huge thanks and to @22twts and @lancegodard for the opportunity to participate in this unique and gratifying twitterview.
Congrats too on the baby news — one more demanding client on the way….
Ain’t that the truth.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Chicago, Employment | Comments Off on @FLSALawyer
