@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!
@jonathanlea
May 19th, 2010
Business lawyer, adventurer, communicator and relationship builder
Solicitor, Follett Stock Solicitors LLP
Today we’re tweeting with Cornish corporate and commercial lawyer, adventurer, communicator, and relationship-builder @jonathanlea
- @jonathanlea thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @jonathanlea?
An enterprising lawyer based in the UK south western extremity that is Cornwall. Used to work in big law firms in London and Dubai
– - Tell us about your law practice.
We are Cornwall’s leading law firm for businesses with a new second office in Exeter, Devon (county next door) – rapidly expanding!
– - Congratulations. What type of clients do you represent?
SMEs, IT entrepreneurs, family run businesses, start ups, subsids of foreign parents. Increasingly from ‘upcountry’ (non Cornish)
– - And what is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
With new govt there is lot of talk abt increasing capital gains tax which will start people thinking how to protect their interests
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
To look at my web profile and testimonials + that won’t get billed anything unless they’ve agreed to the work in writing beforehand
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
As a trainee in Dubai I found myself advising largest French oil exploration company on a JV with Saudi state oilfield services co
– - Now that’s trial by fire…. Why do your clients hire you?
Bright, take interest in client’s biz, advise not just on law, responsive, don’t over-complicate things, see humorous side of life
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Asset and share sales and investments are still what I do most of, but seen rise in angel investors + also deferred consideration
– - What’s the mood in the UK? Is capital continuing to flow in spite of the European financial crisis?
No, clients are still scrapping around for capital, but hopefully with a new government their policies will bring confidence back
– - We touched on this but what does the recent change in government mean for your clients?
In the short term, more pain, with public sector cuts and tax rises, but over time consensus is they’ll rebuild UK economy again
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I make people successful (grabs attention!), then say something along the lines that I structure, negotiate and document biz deals
– - When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
I registered in Feb 2009, but only really started using it abt 6 months ago. Now use it to learn and network/socialize more widely
– - What does your firm’s leadership think of your Web 2.0 activity? Was it difficult to get their buy-in?
They are gaining an interest in the potential. As a small(ish) firm, its easier. We are now going to establish a facebook page!
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I have received client instructions on facebook and have had a few interesting calls and emails that have led from twitter use
– - Interesting. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Probs average 1-2 hours, but this also inc. planning seminars and attending events etc. Twitter and FB fun for otherwise downtime
– - Time well spent… Let’s switch gears now: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Globalisation – outsourcing legal work to cheaper labour markets (hopefully gd for Cornwall!) combined with IT use + fee certainty
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Very different! More small firms, hybrid models, outsourcing, diff owners/investors, commoditization, social media, online delivery
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Thought abt journalism, teaching, army and investment banking (in no order), although hope to develop non-law interests in future!
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who was positive, embraced newness, helped a lot of people, achieved things, had fun and enjoyed an interesting life
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Play tennis and soccer (correct word = football), surf, spend time with family and friends, read, travel off beaten track and tweet!
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Keep busy + network, offer to work on freelance basis, do volunteer work. I don’t necessarily see value in further formal education
– - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Do your research and fully! Do lots of work experience and make sure you develop your interests and skills widely, not just in law
thanks very much! I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice. Good luck with that Facebook page.
Many thanks to @22twts and @lancegodard for interview – hope is of interest..
@beej777
February 11th, 2010
Today we’re tweeting with corporate solicitor, social media enthusiast & the 1st 22 Tweets interviewee from the Wirral, UK
- @beej777 thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @beej777?
My pleasure…Corporate lawyer, husband & father, Apple geek, real ale fan & outdoors enthusiast (not necc. in that order)
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I help my clients buy, sell and invest in businesses and companies and advise them on company law and commercial contracts.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I act for a wide range of business clients from sole traders to listed companies, but mainly Wirral and Merseyside based
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Managing tension between a seller (who wants a clean break) and a buyer (who wants seller to underwrite their legal risk)
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
the exact scope of the work I will do and what it will cost them. Sounds obvious, but many solicitors don’t.
– - That certainly makes sense. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
To me they are all significant – for the clients I represent their deal is usually a huge (or once in a lifetime) event
– - Good point…. Why do your clients hire you?
According to their feedback because I am “personable, trustworthy and cost effective” & give “professional, creative” advice
– - You spent several years at a top global firm before joining a small regional firm. What led you to make that change?
At @LeesLLP we focus on <£5m transactions so my clients are owner managers, not acquisitions directors. It’s more rewarding…
… and it is easier as a smaller firm to embrace social media & web 2.0. The big firms over here frankly don’t understand it.
– - Interesting. How is the economy affecting your clients? Are you seeing any signs of recovery?
Instructions are up, but lack of credit from banks is stifling transaction volumes and forcing more creative deal structures
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Web 2.0 st/ups (Wirral = silicon peninsula?!) and businesses sold 2 management instd of trade buyer. V diff fr 24 months ago
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I usually say that I am a corporate solicitor. Most people don’t know what I mean and we move on to something more exciting!
– - Another good point…. You blog at Peninsulawyer (http://bit.ly/cbqPp). Who do you write it for? Why should they read it?
Hopefully not just lawyers! For inside view of how social media & tech are changing legal practice (& my sparkling prose!)
– - Besides Twitter and your blogs, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use?
LinkedIn, Facebook, FourSquare, StumbleUpon and Delicious mainly. Can’t see Google Buzz making the list at the moment!
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
We have gained new clients from Twitter and LinkedIn, but the biggest benefit is in relationships, authority and reputation
– - Indeed. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
At least an hour, but much of it slots into spare moments throughout the day and evening. More than that today!
– - And we greatly appreciate that! What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
in UK, a perfect storm:- recession, 2012 deregulation under LSA (http://bit.ly/bzHg2X) and enterprise 2.0 / legal tech
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
To answer that I will (loosely) paraphrase Bill Gates:- …
in 10 yrs the way solicitors work now will be obsolete. Only question is whether we make it obsolete or if someone else will
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I nearly became a soil scientist b4 I chose law, but if money was no object ski bum in winter, liveaboard sailor in summer!
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Not necessarily for my legal career or as first Wirral solicitor on Twitter! Hopefully as a good father
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Try and spend time with Leo (our little boy), run & sail when I can (but promised my wife no marathons this year!)
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Focus on relationships w/ clients and other lawyers – when the market improves those networks will be critical
– - And our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
You have to call where the profession will be in 10 years and how you will fit. Focus on this as much as your law books.
Very valuable advice. Thanks very much for tweeting with me today.
thank you – it’s been great fun. First interview I have done with a beer in one hand!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Corporate Law, Wirral UK | Comments Off on @beej777
