@HyperionLaw
May 31st, 2011
Today we’re tweeting Boston IP lawyer, passionate technologist, and founder of her own law firm @HyperionLaw
- @HyperionLaw, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @HyperionLaw?
I’m a technologist, early adopter/geek, patent attorney. I passionately do outstanding work for clients I really believe in.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
It’s a radically different law firm focused on translating complex patent-ese into strategic business advice for tech companies
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I love working w/ emerging tech companies – any company with software tech, eg 2 computers & internet cloud, is right up my alley!
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Understanding case law’s impact on software #patents & how to draft claims satisfying legal reqs while remaining useful to business
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Patents are a critical tool – or tragic waste of $. Let’s discuss business goals to understand whether you benefit from filing one!
– - Interesting. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
A diabetes co had new glucose tools for useful, fun data interaction; it was satisfying to help them go from hard- to soft-ware IP!
– - I’ll bet it was. Why do your clients hire you?
An experienced, personable attorney & unabashed geek w/ solid tech background, I keep us focused on business benefits of IP
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Software #patents for tech companies with some friends-and-family or angel funding. It’s what I love so I hope it remains typical 🙂
– - You spent 5 years in a big firm before starting your own. What led you that decision? Are you meeting your objectives?
Normal fee & firm structures reduce/kill interaction between experienced attys & clients. I saw a different way. Totally successful!
– - That’s great! How are your small / med-sized tech company clients doing in this economy? Is the crisis over for them?
If you’re cash-constrained, I suspect there’s always a crisis! But these clients are adaptive and smart; they create ways to survive
– - What’s the next big frontier of IP law? Who will be most affected by it?
The biggest battle is always over growing fees. A new biz trying to preserve IP options will find it harder to afford key advice.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
“I help companies protect their world-changing technology via strategic use of IP. And run a radically different law firm to do so.”
– - Nice. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
2008. I wanted to continue developing relationships w/ favorite clients. Now I also want to get to know others working w/ tech cos
– - You blog at Hyperion Law (http://bit.ly/mMg8lK). Who do your write it for? Why should they read it?
Anyone who has to deal w/ US software #patents: CxO, GCs, entrepreneurs. I provide useful & jargon-free info, which is hard to find!
– - Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
Absolutely. One of my clients hired me after reading my posts on Quora; others decide to hire me when they read the blog.
– - Congrats on that. Let’s change gears now: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
We *could* tell clients we see their biz realities and will revamp the biz of law to forge even closer ties with them. But will we?
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Cynically, I suspect it will look much the same as it does today! Some going w/ tried & true; some working creatively w/clients.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
An astrophysicist or an anthropologist. Or maybe an anthropologist who studies humanity’s obsession with the universe 😉
– - 🙂 How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who lived and loved passionately and joyfully, gave back to the community, and was fun to be around.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I read fascinating non-fiction, check out new restaurants with my friends, travel the world with my husband, and spoil our two cats.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Take the time to do some serious soul searching about what you really want and gather info on how to get it. Don’t despair!
– - And our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Talk to many lawyers, get as much work experience in a law practice as you possibly can; work hard to understand the path you’re on
Great advice. Thank you very much for today’s interview. I enjoyed getting to know you and your practice
Thank you! I really enjoyed the discussion!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Boston, IP | Comments Off on @HyperionLaw@dgvelaw
January 26th, 2010
Adoption, Estate Planning, Residential Real Estate Attorney
Author of Massachusetts Wills, Trusts, and Estates
Today we’re tweeting with @dgvelaw, a Massachusetts lawyer who helps people add to, protect, and move their families
- @dgvelaw thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @dgvelaw?
Thanks for having me – very excited about this!
Deadhead feminist Atty-Mama (5, 3 & 5 mos), fun wife, big sister, DD, loyal friend, clients’ trusted family advisor for life
– - Tell us about your law practice.
DGVE law helps pp add to, protect, & move their families: adoption, estate planning, residential real estate
– - What type of clients do you represent?
most DGVE law clients are in their 30s-40s, own homes in the Greater Boston area & are parents of minor children
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
legally protecting their kids- naming guardians & ensuring kids’ $ is protected until they’re mature enough to receive it
– - Important matters indeed. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
we date b/f we get engaged- I tell prospective clients a little about me, ask about them, then we can see if rel. would work
– - I like that analogy. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I’ve had the privilege of becoming the trusted family advisor to an extended family, helping each of them…
Also very excited about clients who started w/me for estate planning & are now in the process of adopting!
– - Why do your clients hire you?
I’m genuine, friendly, deeply empathize w/my clients & want to help them in as easy a way possible- they can sense that immediately
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Guardians for Kids, Living Wills) though Real Estate & Adoption have been picking up lately
– - What’s the most common mistake people make with respect to estate planning. How can they fix it?
Avoid/delay. No certainty but death/taxes but never know when disability/death will come, what cost, or how old kids’ll be…
always better to plan calmly than react in crisis. DIY estate planning = close second- that’ll be big news going forward.
– - Heard it here first…. You charge flat fees for your work. How long have you done that? How has it changed your practice?
did some hrly billing as I was taught when I first went solo. It was awful for me & the clients. I decided never again &…
everyone’s happier this way. It fosters more & better communication & engenders more good will all around.
– - That makes sense. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I help pp add to (adopt), protect (plan for disability & death), & move (homes) their families in empowering, friendly way.
– - You blog at MA Wills, Trusts, and Estates (http://bit.ly/SXyj1) What objectives drive your blog? Are you meeting them?
I aim to educate & motivate in easy nonthreatening way to plan NOW/spare families later & believe I’m meeting those goals.
– - Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
FB Fan Page where I regularly interact w/others & also post items related to real estate & adoption. http://bit.ly/4ArcgA
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve had a # of clients via FB & met wonderful colleagues nationwide & found great referral partners locally via Twitter…
referred to me or Googling, Clients often say they checked out my website & blog & “liked my vibe”
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I enjoy connecting w/pp on deeper level, find my friendships on & offline personal & professional in origin lead to the best…
word-of-mouth “brand enhancement.”Also 1 day/wk on my biz & mkting plans, learning what they didn’t teach in law school!
– - It seems to be working well. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Mistrust of lawyers nothing new, but fear of being “taken” financially exacerbated right now. Disconnect I’m seeing w/…
clients who feel can’t afford all legal services need, so gamble instead trying DIY approach or w/less comprehensive plan…
don’t like it but I get it. Something’s better than nothing, so I do what I can to make high quality affordable & accessible
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
not clairvoyant but I’d love to see more respect for less conventional e.g. dedicated home offices & flex hrs enabling more…
atty-parents to be happier being w/their kids & continuing to serve pp as we worked so hard for so long to learn to do.
& lots more DIY legal attempts – yikes!
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Spanish Literature Prof. at forward-thinking U. teaching a series of classes from El Quijote! Makes me happy just thinking about it!
– - How do you want to be remembered?
positive role model/loving, safe harbor for daughters; still-fun-to-hang-out-with wife & friend; clients’ trusted advisor for life
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
5yo 3yo 5mo 2 cats house & DH, but we make time for great TV (recorded to watch when we can), friends & family. I don’t sleep much.
– - I can imagine…. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
As Mama Odie tells Princess Tiana u gotta dig down deep/figure out what u REALLY want, then work hard to make THAT happen.
– - Wise words. Our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Make sure heart’s really in it/know why or don’t go. Do what’s always worked for U. Avoid fearful dramatic competition like plague.
Thank you for a very interesting interview; I enjoyed learning about you and your practice very much.
It was my pleasure – thanks so much!
@leannahamill
October 29th, 2009
Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney
Co-founder of Women Attorneys Network of the South Shore
Today we’re tweeting with Massachusetts Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney and aspiring yogi @Leannahamill
- @Leannahamill thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Leannahamill?
She is the woman you are interviewing – Auntie, yogi, dog owner, attorney, business dev. manager, among other things.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I have a 4 yo estate & elder law firm in a small town south of Boston. A solo practice, but I share space w/ another attorney.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
People who want to plan for the future, or need help dealing with a crisis.
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
The ability to protect their choices about their health care, their family, their property, & end of life wishes.
– - Important issues indeed. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That they need to pay me before I start working for them. And that they made the right decision deciding to put a plan in place.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
One of my first clients – helped her write her estate plan, a few years later met her at the hospital when she fell…
…helped her friend serve as health care agent & power of attorney, helped her sell her condo to pay for assisted living…
…made sure her last wishes were honored & went to her funeral after she passed. She was an amazing woman & great client.
– - That’s a great story. Why do your clients hire you?
I think I make them feel comfortable, they feel confident that I know what I’m doing & usually someone suggested that they hire me.
– - That’s a good reputation to have… What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Right now lots of guardianship matters. Not typical, but not usually something that can be put off if it’s needed…
And lots of estate planning, which is more typical. Mostly folks nearing retirement age.
– - How are your clients managing the crisis? Is it a matter of meeting financial needs or are consequences much greater?
Some laid low, put off planning for a bit. Younger families held onto their money. Probate work & Medicaid planning continued….
Most clients came through ok, although those who were saving for retirement in stocks have less than they had planned on.
– - That’s good to hear. How do you market your practice?
Mostly through my blog, which brings about 50% of my business. Also thru seminars, quarterly newsletter & mentions in the media…
I also have clients who act as my own little marketing dept, telling their friends & family about me. That is my favorite way to mkt
– - Absolutely! How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
I don’t have an elevator pitch. I usually just say “I’m an estate planning & elder law attorney”…
Networking events are my least favorite & least productive way to get clients. But I go to the fun ones & where my friends are.
– - You blog at MA Estate Planning and Elder Law (http://bit.ly/nq4wv). Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
I write for potential clients, their children, other attorneys & professional. They should read for useful information.
– - Besides Twitter and your blog, what Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use to market your practice?
I am on Avvo, JDSupra, Justia, Linked In. I have a Facebook Fan page: http://is.gd/4HtFg.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’ve gotten at least 1 client from each. Blog brings about 50% of my business & media inquiries. Twtr strengthens relationships.
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Hopefully the whole time I’m at work I’m strengthening my brand…keeping my name out there & doing great work for clients.
– - Well it seems to be working! What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Having to adjust to clients wanting new types of billing & having to learn to market beyond yellow pages & newspaper ads…
I think we forget that many attorneys still rely on those old ways of marketing & don’t use blogs, and other online tools.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
smaller firms, more “virtual” services, only those people who really want to be attorneys will go to law school….
It won’t be the “get rich quick” career it was.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Live in a cabin in the mountains, sew, cook, raise goats & have a couture clothing line for children.
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As a fabulous Auntie, wonderful sister, great friend & fantastic attorney. Hopefully I won’t need to be remembered for a long time.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Cook, knit, sew, hike, swim, read, yoga, & chant kirtan when I can find it around here. Hang out with my family.
– - Busy…. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Don’t settle or wait for something to fall in your lap. Be proactive and market yourself, and ask for what you are worth.
– - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Don’t worry about your friend’s study habits. Find what works for you & stick w/ it. Not everyone needs to be at the library @ 1am.
That’s very useful advice. Thank you very much for tweeting w/me today; I enjoyed learning about you and your practice
Thanks for having me!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Boston, Elder Law | Comments Off on @leannahamill@HealthBlawg
September 8th, 2009
Author of HealthBlawg: David Harlow’s Health Care Law Blog
Cancer survivor and six-time rider of the Pan-Mass Challenge
Former Deputy General Counsel of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Today we’re tweeting with health care lawyer, consultant and cancer survivor @Healthblawg
- @Healthblawg, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Healthblawg?
I’m David Harlow, Boston-based health care lawyer, consultant, blogger, tweep & escaped New Yorker
– - Tell us about your law practice.
As a lawyer, I help #healthcare clients navigate the maze of business & regulatory issues unique to the industry…
this includes structuring relationships and running interference w regulators …
as a #healthcare consultant, I help clients define goals and develop structures and systems to achieve them…
I also work with folks implementing #healthcare #socialmedia strategies See http://bit.ly/uxjg1 and http://bit.ly/4cLNub
– - Wow – sounds like you’re the guy to know! What type of clients do you represent?
#healthcare providers, vendors and payors – ranging from small MD practices to imaging centers to academic medical centers
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Reimbursement & regulation drive the business of healthcare; we tie ourselves in knots trying to maximize $ & compliance …
These days, everything is done with one eye on the (unknowable) future shape of federal #healthreform
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I put my publc & privt sector exper, & my virtual netwrk (vs my fmr downtwn firm) to work for you, effectively & efficiently
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Diag imaging and cancer trmt provider dealing w st CON laws and fed antikickback & self-referral laws thru many transactions
Had a healthy dose of business and regulatory issues in every bite
– - Sounds very complex; hope it turned out well. Why do your clients hire you?
Not my boyish good looks … Expertise, experience, efficiency, effectiveness
– - What’s the most active area of your practice right now? Is that typical?
Diagnostic imaging & anything touched by HIPAA and what I call Son of HIPAA (from ARRA) from perspec of providers & others
There’s always some new reg du jour that generates a lot of heat
– - Makes sense. You touched on this earlier, but what do the proposed Health Care reforms mean to your clients?
Saving $ for society means taking it away from healthcare providers They must learn to be more efficient and effective …
Innovations like patient-centered medical home http://bit.ly/HUHaj and value-based purchasing http://bit.ly/urdru are key
– - Clearly there are significant changes to come. Has the econ crisis affected your clients’ ability to do business today?
Sure: access to capital issues delay construction projects, uninsured folks defer elective care
– - How do you market your practice?
On line and in person: blog, tweets, LinkedIn, Fcbk (cf http://bit.ly/smlaw); also good old fashioned speaking, schmoozing
– - Tell us about your blog, Health Blawg (http://bit.ly/ixjIo). Who do you write it for? Why should they read it?
It’s for folks in the healthcare thick of things; I try not to repeat news but to analyze developments, put them in context
– - Why did you decide to become active on Twitter? Are you achieving those objectives?
1. Connect w folks w related professional interests & see what develops 2. Channel for blog – Seems to work for me
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from your Web 2.0 activities?
Broader reach locally and nationally; clients, referral sources & collaborators find me &/or validate their choice online…
for example, my 3 newest clients & my current biggest client all found me via web 2.0 activities
– - That’s great! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Probably averages out to 1/2 to 1 hour a day or so, through blogging, tweeting, speaking, press interviews, etc.
– - Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Top issue for profession: Communicating value of services to clients; alt billing and implosion of BigLaw are symptoms
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
More fragmentd & more consoldated, w commodity work & bet-the-farm work split up even more than today; decline of BigLaw…
Big oppty for small firms to move in to the great middle
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Things I almost did: get a PhD in history & literature; become a professional photographer or photography curator
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Smart, funny guy w perfect work-life balance, & legal & healthcare chops
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Family: off-grid last wk camping. Biking, incl the PMC http://bit.ly/PMC2009. Photography http://bit.ly/12CmbJ Love jazz too
– - Congrats on raising $4667! What advice do you have for lawyers currently under-/ unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Thanks … Be flexible. Go out on a limb. Do something you love in your free time. Network, network, network.
– - And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Your future clients are businesses & running a law practice is a business; you need to understand business, not just the law
That’s great advice. Thank you very much for answering our questions today
Thanks Lance – My pleasure
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Boston, Health Care Law | Comments Off on @HealthBlawg
