@clarinette02

Today we’re tweeting with IP and IT attorney, blawger & internet advocate @clarinette02, a French lawyer who just completed a UK LLM

Those of you who regularly follow our twitterviews will notice a 22 Tweets first in this twitterview…. Hope you enjoy it!

1. @clarinette02 thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @clarinette02?
   Tk You:) clarinette02 is my online representative, mon compagnon de route since the early age of my digital life.
   –
2. You practiced in France, then did an LLM in the UK. What type of practice do you want to build now?
   I’d like to practice on the area of internet related issues, legal challenges from e-commerce to e-reputation, privacy, piracy…
   –
3. Who will be your typical client?
   I guess, corporations, companies or individuals facing issues and needing advice in this fast-moving, increasingly important area.
   –
4. Et quel sera le principal problème juridique de ce client typique? [And what will be the principal legal problem of this typical client?]
   En principe, nul n’est cense ignorer la loi, pourtant sur le net, quelle loi doit-on appliquer? Pas facile pour les non-praticiens. [Ignorance of the law is no excuse however you need to find out which law you should apply online.]
   –
5. Why should those clients hire you? What specifically will you bring to the table to help them with their legal issues?
   My hands on experience of the net, my international profile+ perspicacity & tenacity, innovative ideas, enthusiasm, focus & drive
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6. You have law degrees from 2 countries. Is this bi-cultural approach common in Europe? Will it ever become necessary?
   Not enough, it should become compulsory for higher level of practice, Internet has no frontier as many other areas of todays life.
   –
7. Et quelles sont les différences principales entre le système juridique en France et celui de l’Angleterre? [What are the main differences between the legal system in France and in England?]
   hmmm…one is pragmatic and business oriented the other philosophical. Guess who’s who.
   –
8. Too easy…. Your interests span copyright, privacy & child safety. What’s the common link? Aren’t they in conflict?
   Yes, there is a tension. A need for a balance of rights to reach within the hierarchy of norms in a democratic society: Justice.
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9. How will our concept of “online privacy” be different at the end of the current decade?
   I guess it will evolute from privacy stricto-sensus towards a right of control over personal data and more consent, opt-in > opt-out
   –
10. Tell us about your work on online child safety projects. What do you do? How is it making the internet a safer place?
    C’est quelque chose qui me tient beaucoup a coeur. [It’s something that is very important to me.] I’m hoping 2educate parents 2understand the online world, 2accompany their kids
    –
11. Comment decririez-vous votre travail lors d’un premier contact? [How do you describe your work when you meet someone for the first time?]
    Diagnosis of issues, proposer of a framework 2better understand Dlegal implications of what they R doing and which options to go for
    –
12. You blog at Clarinette’s Blog (http://bit.ly/pCpJ7). What are your blogging objectives? Are you meeting them?
    I started the blog to escape the dictatorship of 140 characters to be able to exchange ideas, it has become a new portal 4me.
    –
13. Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use to market your practice?
    My linkedin profile is there to connect wit PPL IRL – my gateway en sorte – I also participate to many online discussions
    –
14. What specific benefits, if any, have you realized from your Web 2.0 activities?
    Oh, a gr8 source of info. helping to highlight issues, especially technical, many great contacts, getting 2know who’s doing what…
    –
15. Combien de temps passez-vous par jour à créer et à renforcer votre “marque”? [How much time do you spend every day creating and enhancing your brand?]
    C’est tres variable, difficile a dire. Je suis une ‘quick’ Twitter et j’aime faire plusieurs choses a la fois! [It varies, it’s hard to say. I’m a quick Twitterer and I like to do many things simultaneously!]
    –
16. Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    Between others, I’d say, being able to adapt, regulation pacing the speed of our fast evolving environment.
    –
17. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    I presume we R going towards more globalization, privacy should become a crucial part of legal issues as data fuels the net.
    –
18. Que fériez-vous si vous n’étiez pas avocate? |What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?]
    le droit, rien que le droit, toujours le droit. Peut-etre Lobbyist, je trouve le debat copyright/individual right tres interessant. [The law, nothing but the law, always the law. Maybe Lobbyist, I find the copyright / individual right debate very interesting.]
    –
19. How do you want to be remembered?
    I’d say as someone with good ideas who was able to bring innovation and who eventually changed things to better
    –
20. What do you do when you’re not working?
    Tweeting LOL I also like 2spend time with my family, I love music, practice sport, travel 2discover new cultures. I love learning
    –
21. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
    Go and look at new areas of law, adapt yourself to the new world, network and widen your audience by using web tools
    here is one example of opportunites: online RT @rcalo: LinkedIn London is hiring. http://bit.ly/d2GqbW #jobs
    –
22. et notre dernière question pour vous: quels conseils auriez-vous pour ceux qui font l’école de droit actuellement? [and our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?]
    Learn languages, master the new technologies, go abroad, if you can, specialize on privacy or find your own niche

Good advice. Thanks for tweeting with me today in 22 Tweets’ first bilingual Twitterview. I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks for inviting me. It was a gr8 experience. I always love mixing languages, congratulations for your good French.

Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger | Comments Off on @clarinette02

@matthewdevries

Today we’re tweeting with LEED AP @matthewdevries, a Nashville-based construction lawyer and blogger

1. @matthewdevries thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @matthewdevries?
   Thx. Best description: Christ follower. Husband. Dad to 5 (soon 6) kids. Construction Atty. Speaker. Author wannabe.
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2. Tell us about your law practice.
   My practice: 75% Construction; 25% Commercial Litigation; 10% blogging,marketing,speaking. That’s 110% practice!!!
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3. You’ve probably underestimated it at that…. What type of clients do you represent?
   My clients: Owners, A/E, contractors, subk, suppliers. This yr also included many pro-bono clients, nonprofits
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4. And what is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
   Issue affecting clients: hard economic times affect everything, from contract drafting to claims to liens to collection
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5. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
   I tell every new client that I will pour my heart into their case, give them my all, but I will always play by the rules
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6. Am sure they appreciate that. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
   Major representation included huge win for road builder following wk long trial. On appeal now …
   Other major representation involved guiding a local homeless non-profit and helping w/construction of new facility
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7. Why do your clients hire you?
   I hope clients hire me for my work ethic, experience, litigation track record. But it may just be my good looks (NOT)
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8. What type of billing arrangements are your clients requesting? Is that typical?
   Primary billing arrangement remains hourly. Had a number of blended terms lately: reduced fee + contingency (mostly liens)
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9. Tell us about your LEED AP certification. What does it mean? Why is it important to your clients?
   LEED AP = certification involving @usgbc; means you have understanding of green bldg practices & LEED Rating System …
   LEED AP is imp to clients b/c they need advice on new risks and how to allocate that risk on green projects
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10. More and more builders are adapting green building techniques. What are some of the legal dangers of “going green”?
    Dangers of going green: new risks & failed expectations. Contracts are mechanism to address both of these.
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11. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
    Anyone who meets me knows I love my wife/kids. As father and atty, I prepare for unknown. I am a chaos manager! …
    If they ask “what is construction law” I say contract disputes, arguments over concrete, payment disputes, falling buildings
    –
12. You blog about a wide variety of topics. What’s your overall blogging strategy? How do you decide what to write on?
    I blog about the things that interest my clients, whether strictly construction, leadership, technology, family …
    …my friend @cordellparvin had a good post yesterday: http://bit.ly/dBb0di It’s easy to find topics. Hard to find the time
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13. Indeed. Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use to market your practice?
    Other Web 2.0 tools: LinkedIn somewhat; Facebook for friends and family, although I see others using FB for business.
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14. What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
    Impact of Web2.0: Gets my name out. New speaking opportunities. Few new clients from cold calls. Mostly name recog, though.
    –
15. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
    Don’t tell my partners but I spend about 1hr per day (+/-) developing my brand. I am getting more efficient though b
    BTW, none of them Tweet, so I think I’m safe…
    –
16. Mum’s the word…. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    Ouch. Tough one … ETHICS! “First thing we do is kill all the lawyers” Was a compliment long ago. Now, butt end of a joke …
    Was heckled by participant in presentation last week for being “Atty”. That mentality is what we have to change.BTW, none of them Tweet, so I think I’m safe…
    –
17. Yikes. That doesn’t sound like fun. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    Legal landscape in 10yrs: Hopefully we are more efficient in our work by relying on technology. More virtual work.
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18. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
    If not a lawyer, I would love to be motivational-family-leadership speaker guy and author! I still may be day … Watch out!
    –
19. How do you want to be remembered?
    What’s up with the tough questions? Save the zingers for the end? …
    I would want to be remembered by legacy of raising good kids who love God, work hard, serve others, enjoy life to fullest.
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20. What do you do when you’re not working?
    Not working. What’s that? When not “at” work, I manage chaos at home, make gourmet meals, enjoy kids. Golf sometimes.
    –
21. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
    Unemployed attys, find your passion! Here are a few posts I did on this issue: http://bit.ly/5hvpnV and http://bit.ly/cTAUIG
    –
22. And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
    Hate to do this, but see prior answer. Can’t stress enough how imp it is to love what ur doing. Find that out b4 law sch.

No apologies needed; it’s good advice. Thanks for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed it very much.

Thanks for the interview. I enjoyed it! Gotta run. New chaos: family member w/kidney stones! Thanks again.

Good luck!

Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Construction, Litigation, Nashville | Comments Off on @matthewdevries

@howardcollens

Today we’re tweeting with Michigan probate and estate planning lawyer and Detroit Tigers fan @howardcollens

1. @howardcollens thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @howardcollens?
   Thanks for having me. Attorney for 15 years. Husband, father of 3, lifelong Detroiter & Detroit Tigers fan.
   –
2. Tell us about your law practice.
   Galloway and Collens, PLLC has been a firm for 7 years. We started with 2 lawyers, no clients & have grown every year.
   –
3. What type of clients do you represent?
   Mostly individuals. Our practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, real estate issues
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4. And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
   The impact of the new Michigan Trust Code will be the most significant legal issue on planning and estate administration
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5. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
   Each client’s case is unique. It will unfold in its own individual way. I explore the client’s goals & hopes early on.
   –
6. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
   In a contested probate, I was able to leverage a will, handwritten into the decedent’s patient advocate designation form, …
   to carry out the decedent’s intent to benefit my client, her neighbor.
   –
7. A very satisfying result, I’m sure. Why do your clients hire you?
   Whether the client is a young family planning for their children, an elder worried about the costs of long term care or …
   a family who has just experienced a death, my clients look to exchange uncertainty for certainty, crisis for calm.
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8. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
   Short sales & loan modifications. Representing investors purchasing property in Metro Detroit. See OutFromUnderMyHouse.com
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9. Understandable developments…. How has the economic crisis affected your clients?
   I see more economic exploitation of seniors. The probate practice has not been too impacted….
   One does not get to wait until better financial times to contest an estate or deal with a guardianship of a loved one.
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10. Indeed. What are some common mistakes people make when preparing estate plans?
    The most complicated (and expensive) administrations result from the estate plans that people write themselves.
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11. There’s a valuable lesson in that…. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
    People have a personal connection to our practice. Everyone has a will or trust or is planning to put one in place.
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12. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
    Nov 2008. At 1st, purely social. Now, social and biz. I like that through tweeting you get to tell & learn all at once.
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13. Besides Twitter, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use to market your practice?
    Facebook, LinkedIn. Looking to use Ustream. Clients from all over the country and the world find us through our websites.
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14. What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
    Expansion of social networks and staying connected/reconnecting with friends has lead to real business.
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15. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
    It varies. I try to balance brand development w getting the work done. In a small firm setting, this is a delicate balance.
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16. I’m sure it is. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    The larger impacts caused by economic uncertainty both on the clients and on lawyers and their firms.
    –
17. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    I hope our local probate courts will finally have electronic filing and better, more robust remote access to court files.
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18. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
    I would love to be a baker. There is magic in making a loaf of bread from scratch.
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19. Would you believe that you are the fourth twitterviewee to say “baker”? How do you want to be remembered?
    Amazing on the baker answer. I idealize it as a let the stress out sort of job. I would hope I would be remembered . . .
    As a caring husband, engaged father. As a person who believes in the power of community. As an advocate of planned giving.
    –
20. What do you do when you’re not working?
    I coach my son’s soccer team. Enjoy watching a good baseball game. I keep a garden. Canned home-grown pickles last summer.
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21. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
    Don’t give up. Doing something you are passionate about in the law (or toward whatever you want to accomplish) will work out
    –
22. And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
    Strike a good balance between study and extracurriculars and/or clerking….
    The day to day practical application of the law during law school should not be missed/overlooked.

Thanks; that’s useful advice. Enjoyed tweeting with you today, and learning about you and your practice.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to participate in this twitterview.

Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Detroit, Estate Planning, Probate | Comments Off on @howardcollens