Comments are closed.
@paulrubell
December 16th, 2010
Business and Technology Lawyer
Partner, Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP
Special Professor of Law, Hofstra Law School
Today we’re tweeting with Long Island business and technology lawyer @paulrubell, former attorney to Dr Robert Atkins
- @paulrubell thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @paulrubell?
Well, I’m a lawyer in New York, which I hope you won’t hold against me. I’m also a prof at Hofstra Law School.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I focus on the #technology space – software developers, mergers/acquisitions, tech transfer, privacy.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Mid-cap and emerging #growth #companies; designers and customers of #software; #businesses and their owners.
– - And what is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
The #cloud + its attendant #security and #privacy concerns. Also the #economic #climate (ok that’s 2 issues).
– - Two big issues…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
“This meeting is #confidential, whether you engage me as your #lawyer or we shake hands and say good bye.”
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Cant breach client #privileged, #confidential. More than 1: many, where people’s lives, #careers,, families are at stake.
– - Why do your clients hire you?
Recommendations, mostly. My holistic approach to personal & business – and I hope, my intelligence & experience.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
A lot of M+A deals. Licensing #software. Business advice of all kinds. Growth strategies.Typical? My firm & I are fortunate.
– - You work with a lot of entrepreneurs. How have they fared in the economic crisis? Any signs of improvement?
#Business in mandate industries (#healthcare, #financial) is booming. Service industries are slow.
– - Let’s talk about your work with Dr Atkins. There must have been some unique challenges…. What did you do for him?
I was Dr A’s personal & corporate lawyer from 1997 to his passing in 2003. I productized his nutriceutical company, grew it.
– - In addition to your law practice, you teach at Hofstra Law. Why do you teach? How does it make you a better lawyer?
I teach to give back to the bar and the community. I want to train young #lawyers for the real world of #business….(more)
….. Writing with clarity is an essential, scarce skill. I learn from students, and getting back to basics is key.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I listen. I try to understand their interests, aspirations. Make #eye contact. Use #body #language. It’s just like #dating.
– - Good analogy….. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
I joined #Twitter in late 2008/early 2009 (thereabouts) as a way of learning from others…. (more)
….& sharing information.I have to understand client’s needs re social media, law. My goals haven’t changed since then.
– - What does your firm’s leadership think of your Twitter presence? Was it difficult to get their buy-in?
Social media is an emerging world, esp in business. Buy-in was easy once it’s explained/understood ….(more)
..…Media’s use in my firm dove-tails advice I give to clients.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I use #Web 2.0 as a tool to facilitate communication & collaboration; board meetings, overseas. I haven’t used it to market.
– - Interesting approach. Let’s switch gears now: What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
As always, quality #advice is hard to find. And today – so are jobs. …..(more)
…..As #clients’ businesses meet obstacles, their need/ability to pay for #lawyers diminishes.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Old/new. America is litigious; that won’t change. Emerging areas of law such as #robotics, #free #software will flourish….
More #tech tools (who knows what?!) will be at lawyers’ disposal, and more concerns about #safeguarding #client data.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I would design software applications, as I’ve been doing since 1969…..(more)
And my son @brentrubell wants to hire me as his general #counsel.
– - How do you want to be remembered?
That is a scary question. Family member, friend, kind, caring.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Enjoy my #kids and #wife, #friends. #Bike ride, going to the local #beach, read #science #fiction, #sleep.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Don’t give up. The economy will turn. Take any job in any area of law that opens up. Don’t be picky.
– - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Get A’s. #Network. And get A’s. #Learn as much as you can, about anything / everything. And get A’s.
Good solid advice! Thanks for your time today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
Thank you so much, Lance. Your questions were well conceived, as is this forum. I am grateful to have participated.
test Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Business Law, Long Island, Technology | Comments Off on @paulrubell
