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@priyalawyer
November 4th, 2010
Founder and Member at PMD Legal, PLLC
Virtual General Counsel for Entrepreneurs
In-House Contract Attorney
Adjunct Media Law Professor at Lawrence Technical University
Today we’re tweeting with @Priyalawyer, Virtual GC for entrepreneurs, In-House Contract Attorney and adjunct media law professor
- @Priyalawyer, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @Priyalawyer?
I am a Business Attorney, Adjunct Professor of Media Law, Wife and Mother. I enjoy music, dance, politics and travelling.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I help entrepreneurs start businesses. I draft, review and negotiate business contracts . . . .
. . . and I advise on legal issues using social media.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I represent mostly solo-preneurs and entrepreneurs, but also small businesses with less than 10 employees.
– - And what’s the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
An important legal issue for entrepreneurs would be protecting their assets and limiting their liability.
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I offer a free half-hour consultation with new clients to assess their legal needs and outline a legal plan and strategy.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Helping a startup client oppose a confusingly similar trademark and then get their trademark registered.
– - That must have been very satisfying. Why do your clients hire you?
It was. Clients hire me because of my large law firm experience but with affordable rates, and my ability to work virtually.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts because those are the daily needs of a business.
– - Tell us a little bit more about a Virtual General Counsel. How involved do you get in your clients’ businesses?
I get very involved. Just as lawyers in law firms serve their clients from their office, so do I. Skype helps too.
– - You teach Media Law at Lawrence Technological University. How does teaching make you a better lawyer?
teaching makes me learn, improves my legal research skills and my client communication skills.
– - You’ve practiced at some pretty big firms. What led you to strike out on your own?
Started out of necessity after losing the big firm job in the economic downturn, but it was a blessing in disguise.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I help businesses stay out of trouble.
– - Nice…. How do you generally market your practice? Does social media play a big part in your marketing efforts?
I market through traditional forms of networking as well as online. Social media has expanded my network.
– - And how long have you been active on Twitter? Has your Twitter strategy changed over that time?
I’ve been tweeting since March 2009. It has changed over time as the number of people I follow grows.
– - Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
Twitter led me to the Adjunct Professor job. Facebook and Twitter has also led to referrals, but no new engagements yet.
– - What would you say is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
In this economy, billable hours is hurting law firms. Alternative fee arrangements like mine are more attractive to clients.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I see a consolidation of big firms, more small and solo firms, but more work kept in-house at large companies.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I always said that if I was not practicing law I would want to work at Nordstrom’s . . .
. . . But I would like to run for political office one day
– - We’ll watch for that! How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered for being a loving wife and mother first and foremost, but also as someone who has helped friends succeed.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I spend most of that time with my family, as well as spending time with friends. I also like to workout and watch TV.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Advice to under or unemployed lawyers: Know that everything happens for a reason and that everything will eventually work out . . .
. . . but there are many other things you could do with your law degree other than practicing law.
– - And finally, our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
read @kevinhouchin’s book Fuel The Spark …
I suggest finding an attorney mentor to explain what practicing law is really like.
Useful advice. Thanks so much for tweeting with us today; enjoyed learning more about you and your practice
Thank you!
