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@richardjaffe
January 14th, 2010
Today we’re tweeting with @richardjaffe, who is “living life as a paramedic beneath the epidermis of an attorney”
- @richardjaffe thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @richardjaffe?
Tx for having me Lance. A father, son, medic, firefighter, attorney, and soulful insomniac.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I rep injured accident victims, and doctors against ins carriers who try to deceive them.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
healthcare providers- doctors, chiros, dentists, etc. and accident victims- anyone cheated by insurance industry.
– - What’s the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
the insurance industry threat of bending the law to kill healthcare
– - That’s an issue of importance to all of us…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I make sure they know I will tell them what they need to know, which is not necessarily what they want to hear.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Pro-bono millions 4 extended family whose sole income was the salary of a young woman who died in 9/11. we cried alot.
– - Wow. That must have been a great moment. Why do your clients hire you?
my grasp of medical nuances as both art and business , my notions of sympathy, corporate accountability n responsibility
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
insurance companies, especially no fault carriers, R refusing 2 pay doctors more aggressively lately.
– - It must be extremely challenging to balance an active legal career and work as a volunteer paramedic How do you do it?
lots of coffee, no sleep, heartfelt ‘thank yous’ from clients, and the adrenaline from my medic calls
– - How does your work as a paramedic help you be a better lawyer? Are you a better paramedic because you’re a lawyer too?
i revive my adversaries after I anhiliate them in court. Lol
– - Job security…. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I tell them I speak softly and carry a big stick in one hand, and trauma shears in the other.
– - You blog at Medic Interrupted (http://bit.ly/514b9r). Who is the blog for? Why should they read it?
theres some atty, medic and dad in each post, blend of which I hope helps readers contrast life’s ironies with its realities
– - Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
avvo, list serves, and linkedin. I also like skype and email w/old hi school classmates. we are a small closely knit bunch
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
after seeing me on the web, clients seem much more decisive in retaining me. they feel good talking about EMS w/me too
– - Others have said the same (not the EMS part…) How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I get brand epiphanies randomly. Im always looking and listening for new ideas to incorporate into my practice
– - Let’s switch gears a bit: what do you think is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
State Court system inefficiency and court administration red tape, and the govt’s apathy towards both.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
mostly product of the age of internet- less handshake deals, faster transactions, more international jurisdictional issues
– - Maybe we already know the answer to this one? What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Medic or kids summer camp director by day, inventor of Ralph’s Ices flavors by nite. Luv Ralphs! http://bit.ly/51XPA8
– - Now I’m hungry for a snack…. How do you want to be remembered?
An inspirator of connection, compassion and humanity who gave my kids more life opportunities than I ever had
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
family time, EMS, and occasionally I smoke a nice cigar with close friends in a clandestine location
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Learn to speak at least one new language- clients and opportunities will increase exponentially
– - What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
to quote my talented, esteemed attorney colleague Anthony Collelouori (….)
“Go ‘cuz U R called 2 the law. Don’t go 2 get rich, or 2 help others, Go ‘cuz it’s vital 2 U! If U do, the rest will come”
That’s valuable advice. Thanks so much for answering our questions today; was great to learn about you & your practice
thanks for the privilege of being your guest. Loved it.
