@Aswsolicitors
January 25th, 2011
Today we’re tweeting w/ @Aswsolicitors, litigation / family lawyer and director of a firm in Blackpool, UK
- @Aswsolicitors, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @Aswsolicitors?
a 35yr old business owner, wife and mum of a two year old
– - Tell us about your law practice.
we act for private clients. We combine traditional values with a modern way of thinking and vision for the future
– - Tell us a little about the type of clients you represent. Who are they? What do they do?
typically they are medium to high income working/retired individuals and businesses.
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
most certainly the value of their assets and safeguarding the value of their assets
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Litigation is costly but we can do as much or as little as you want us to and we can work together to help you budget fees
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
a client who bought a house suffered serious abuse from neighbour. seller of house made misreps on property info form …
saying no problems. important for client to recover monies to enable client to sell at reduced price and move away
– - Why do your clients hire you?
I’m down to earth, upfront, honest and play devils advocate. clients can see on http://www.ascroftwhiteside.co.uk/ that …
we are friendly and can even get to know us before instructing us
– - Indeed they can. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
our wills and probate dept is always our most active area due to our longstanding reputation and long estd Will dept
– - How have the economic challenges of the past few years impacted your clients? Are you seeing signs of recovery?
Prior to 2008 residential and commercial conveyancing was booming and as you can guess, we took a big impact on those …
areas. we are now seeing a growth in both areas but slow growth and probably more sustainable
– - How are you transforming a 130+ year-old firm into “a forward thinking, creative, modern biz”? Why is that important?
making new solid foundations, modern leadership, future online services + social media. Change is important because of …
imminent threats to legal profession. Hanging on to old ways is not an option
– - Speaking of change, let’s talk about Tesco law. What does it mean to your clients? To the legal profession?
clients: more choice of provider. Legal Profession: Its a big wake up call. To some it’s doom and gloom. me? an opportunity
– - Nicely put re Tesco Law. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I say I’m a Solicitor. I then get told that I don’t look or act like one!
– - 🙂 When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
about 6 mths ago. Initially it was a trial and to learn how to use it. Now it facilitates my networking and part of routine
– - More broadly speaking, how important is social media and social networking to your firm’s marketing efforts?
very It helps me keep in touch and make new contacts. also helps show that we are normal-not unapproachable and intimidating
– - Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
yes. Mainly through Facebook. Had more contacts through Twitter rather than clients
– - What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
the sad fact that soon we won’t be a “profession” – just one of a number of legal services providers
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
reduced number of high st firms. those still around will be focussing on niche areas and online service
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I can honestly say that business is my passion not being a lawyer so i would work on any business
– - How do you want to be remembered?
as someone who inspired people to be who they want to be
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
spending time with my family, doing classes at the gym and reading
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
try not to be too general in the area of law you want to practise. Think:what’s going on in the country. how can you meet ..
those needs? finally, be positive!
– - And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
there are a lot of doom mongers out there. Avoid them. If your heart is in law, stick at it. Be different, not a stereotype
That’s great advice. Thanks so much for the interview today; I really enjoyed learning more about you & your practice
Thanks Lance. Have a good evening 😉
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blackpool UK, Family Law, Litigation | Comments Off on @Aswsolicitors@Ned_Law
January 18th, 2011
Today we’re tweeting with Ottawa commercial real estate lawyer @Ned_Law (the third Canadian lawyer we’ve featured on 22 Tweets)
- @Ned_Law, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @Ned_Law?
Husband, father, son, brother, partner at Ogilvy Renault since July, soon Norton Rose & a lover of buildings & a fun guy too!
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Known for expertise in Commercial Leasing & Real Estate I advise on bldg issues & construction w/ emphasis on mining deals
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Lrg corps require sophisticated advice & #CRE isn’t their core biz Mining: handle ppty issues on projects for M&A
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Lgl compliance due diligence securing rts. Clients want protection w/real estate whether buying leasing acquiring mining rts
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I’m avail understand their biz & give practical advice Don’t be surprised when I comment technical bldg issues I know my biz
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
A fortune 50 company entering in Canada & assisting w/acquisition leasing & construction on several lrg ppties (…)
in dif jurisdictions in Canada. Very sophisticated & I’m part of their team. Not a real estate co but need top #CRE advice
– - Sounds like an interesting deal. Why do your clients hire you?
I’ve worked in RE biz so I know construction, devlpmt & #CRE & how to negotiate the right deal & I’m a fun guy to work w/ 🙂
– - Good qualities to have! What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Mining sector is active right now w/many people looking to Canada cuz of its rich natural resources:less typical v.enjoyable
– - How has the economic crisis affected your clients? Are you beginning to see signs of recovery?
Canada wasn’t hit as hard as US.US clients die retract in Canada & some cash hungry clients sold #CRE & lease it back (…)
(…) a lot more stability now & Americans seem to be hungry for a piece of the pie in Canada-Target just made big move here
– - How is real estate law in Canada evolving in response to the growing demand for green building and sustainability?
Yes green bldg is imp but cost is an issue. I see a slow evolution to green, but not a general buy-in yet cuz of costs
– - Makes sense. What’s the biggest problem facing the CRE industry today? Overcapacity? Insolvencies? What are the solutions?
Here biggest issue-availability of product. No 1 wants to sell & hard to start from scratch (…)
(…) Target made a lrg acquisition here so it could get in the door w/existing assets. Expect to see similar transactions
– - You’ll soon be part of one of the world’s largest law firms. What does the upcoming merger mean for your clients?
We will be able to provide our clients w/seamless legal services around the world w/the same law firm culture we have today
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
That I advise on building matters, negotiating #CRE deals & often being part of an M&A team & mining work can be fun too!
– - How does your firm’s leadership respond to your active presence on Twitter?
Ogilvy Renault is AMAZING & supportive! Joined July ’10 w/announcements in National media w/my twitter account featured (…)
(…) @granatstein & @crossborderbio 2 Ogilvy Renault lawyers also on twitter. Ogilvy Renault is VERY supportive of us all
– - That’s great. Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
sure has! Inquiries & contacts: that’s what my presence online is all about not here just for work but to share news & info
– - Indeed. Let’s switch gears a bit: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Growing w/your clients as they do more business internationally.Impact of globalization is massive & law firms have to adapt
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
There will be 20 or so global firms in the top level of the legal industry. Norton Rose Group will be a part of this
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Easiest question to answer, you could ask my kids too they know – an architect, even tho I can’t draw a straight line!
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Compassionate, caring & fun. A good husband, great father & son, and trusted friend, honest & good lawyer, hard-working
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
LOL! See above – husband, father, son, brother, busy guy. Also community volunteer & regular exercise too. Sleep??
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Always think outside the box. Practice of law is not confined to law firms (…)
(…) Look at gov’t NGO & great in-house jobs all provide very fulfilling legal careers. Don’t limit urself to compensation
– - That brings us to our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Follow your passion, not money. Be committed to work hard & always strive for excellence: this is a v. rewarding profession
Great advice on both counts. Thanks much for this enjoyable interview today; enjoyed getting to know you and your practice
& thx to you too, fun too – You do a great job & cont’d luck with #22Twts – Ned
@RachRodgersEsq
January 11th, 2011
Owner, Rachel Rodgers Law Office
Author, My Lawyer’s Name is Rachel legal blog and Adventures of a Gen Y Solo Practitioner at SPU
Founder, Gen Y J.D.
Today we’re tweeting with Gen Y attorney @RachRodgersEsq, founder of Gen Y J.D. and The Cashflow’s “Entrepreneur of the Week”
- @RachRodgersEsq thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @RachRodgersEsq?
I’m a biracial New Yorker living in Cali, biz lawyer to GenY entrepreneurs, caffeine addict, traveler, dreamer, blogger, etc
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I have a business law practice dedicated to GenY entrepreneurs. Also have an Online Law Office that I am developing @ the mo
– - Exactly what type of clients do you represent?
Most of my clients are twentysomethings w/ businesses/non-profits in a whole range of industries incl tech, film, agro, etc.
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Not sure if its “legal” but ignorance. They get themselves into trouble trying to DIY their legal services. They need access
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That I’m always available to answer their Q’s & concerns and that my goal is to protect their interests so their biz is successful.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Helped a GenY’er buy her 1st biz. Seller was trying to screw her. I made sure she didn’t get screwed & still got the deal done.
– - Congratulations to both of you. Why do your clients hire you?
They hire me to help them make their dreams come tru. From forming a biz to resolving disputes, I’m on their team. Its pretty sweet!
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
New trend is Disputes w/ vendors or clients. Mainly b/c initial deal was done without a lawyer or proper contract.
– - Your law firm is designed for Gen Y biz owners and entrepreneurs. How does it differ from traditional firms?
Flat fees, online law office, free consultations, great customer service & me. I’m young like my clients so its not intimidating.
– - And how do the legal needs of Gen Y entrepreneurs differ from that of other clients?
Well, they need instant access to their lawyer & different levels of service to fit their varied stages of business & income
– - Makes sense. Why did you decide on flat fees for your legal work? How is that working out for you and your clients?
I chose flat fees b/c tracking billable hours sucks for me & not being able to control legal costs sucks for clients.
Its a win-win! Everyone is happy!
– - Win-wins are always good…. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
Exactly! I help GenY start and manage their own businesses. And I write a blog to inspire them as well.
– - Let’s talk about your blog (http://bit.ly/ehc5Zl) & site for Gen Y lawyers (genyjd.com). What drives that activity?
I love to write, love to help ppl & it lets clients get to know me;
GenYJD came about b/c many Gen Y lawyers were contacting me about how I started my practice.
Also, that link was wrong for my blog. Here’s the right link: http://bit.ly/hFFxZ0. I’m in the process of moving it. Sorry!
– - Useful info on both sites. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
I joined twitter to follow @carolynelefant & @scartierliebel so I could learn how to start my own practice;
Now I share resources & learn a ton from twitterville. Its an awesome little community that I love interacting with everyday
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Most of my clients find me after reading articles I wrote on sites like @Under30CEO & @the_cashflow. And also my own blog;
I’ve met strategic business partners on Twitter & FB. And its how I got a column on Solo Practice University.
Social media and Web 2.0 activities offer an amazing ROI.
– - Sounds like a successful effort…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Access to legal services and overpriced law schools.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Flat fees only and all law firms offering services online if I have anything to do with it. Less expensive law schools, too.
And hopefully no silly restrictions on lawyers use of social media. 😉
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d find some other way to help people live their best life. Its my calling. 🙂
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who helped others and left the world better than she found it. Oh, and rich. I want to be remembered as rich, too. 😉
– - I wouldn’t mind that either 🙂 What do you do when you’re not working?
I read voraciously, sell things on Craigslist (for fun!), travel, cook & cheer on the Jets in the playoffs (woo hoo!).
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Be an entrepreneur! Don’t be all “woe is me” Take control of ur life & recognize that you have the ability to make a living.
– - And finally, what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Ignore the rankings! Get the best grades possible & accept the fact that you may have to start your own practice to be a lawyer.
Solid advice for both groups. Thanks very much for tweeting with me; I enjoyed learning about you / your practice.
The pleasure was all mine! Thanks so much for creating ! Great way for us lawyers to learn and connect! 🙂
