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@jcelaw
October 5th, 2010
Wellington, NZ, Barrister and Solicitor
Information and Privacy Lawyer
District Inspector for Mental Health
Today, we’re tweeting with public law and privacy barrister and solicitor @jcelaw, the first Kiwi lawyer to be featured on 22 Tweets
- @jcelaw, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @jcelaw?
A 44 y.o NZ lawyer with two kids, one cat, one partner, own law firm, – advocate, adviser, educator, commentator
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Its a mix. My main speciality is “Information Law” which is privacy, IP & FOI/RTI, I also do investigations & inquiries
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Whoever pops into my inbox or shows up at the door-Govt agencies, individuals, corporations, charities the lot
– - A diverse group…. What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Doing what they do in a lawful & ethical way that is not going to lose the trust of their clients + getting the best representation
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
How lucky we are to have found each other 😉
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I once took a class action for 100 psychiatrically abused clients (from the ’70s). They ended up being paid millions
– - That must have been tremendously satisfying. Why do your clients hire you?
It was – Specialist knowledge, straight talking, winning smile – also, I can access influence for lobbying
– - Always good to have an ace in the hole… What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Just now I’m doing lots of work on how to balance privacy against better delivery of govt services – that’s pretty typical
– - How does one go from information lawyer to District Inspector for Mental Health? Is it a logical progression?
No not logical, but I like the mix -there but for the grace of God etc. I’m a watchdog, and work with real people in that role …
It kind of lead on from that class action I was talking about – got me a bit of credibility in that community
– - You represent both private clients and governmental organizations. Do you find that they have differing objectives?
Everyone wants their point of view put as powerfully as possible.Here -govt *usually* wants 2 know how 2 do the right thing
– - What’s at the center of the name suppression debate in New Zealand? What does it mean for NZ online privacy?
Perceptions of privilege & inequality depending on your side of the tracks-constant tension btwn privacy &accountability…
plus a blogger’s campaign to breach suppression lead to a rethink of internet regulation
Some of the proposals are pretty short sighted, and could adversely affect open internet & privacy
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
It depends who I’m talking to – I’m either a champion of the underdog, or a safe pair of hands for your organisation #cynicalIknow
– - Practical, perhaps. How do you generally market your practice? Does social media play a big part in your marketing strategy?
Word of (my big) mouth mostly -as for SM- no marketing value yet IMO, but I have used SM for building support for a case…
marketing value will come & I hope to be ready – that’s what I’m focussing on positioning for it could be huge
– - When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
I ws innocent of Twit til early ‘09, but wanted to garner sympathy for a client.Now I like to engage, share, inform, connect, amuse
– - Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
I have always kept a fairly active media presence, and web 2.0 is a natural extension of that. More will come I’m sure
– - Indeed. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Hmm -tough one -keeping up, remaining credible, enabling, rather than profit draining, working with clients, being creative
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Far less litigation orientation, and more facilitative, enabling advice. Fewer & fewer can afford to litigate
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
If I wasn’t a lawyer I’d probably write a great novel, blog, in other words, be unemployed haha
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I love the outdoors, hanging with my family, with friends, movies, reading, arts, theatre, travel & a nice single malt
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Cut your rate, work pro bono, get involved – its all experience, and good things will come of it, learn to paint,read poems
– - How do you want to be remembered?
That’s an easy one – As a great dad
– - That brings us to our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Pass your exams but keep your perspective, the law is about human interaction, it does not exist separate from people
That’s great advice. Thank you very much for an informative and enjoyable interview!
Thanks @22Twts that was fun – excuse the pomposity – I don’t usually give advice to people at law school, or underemployed lawyers 🙂
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