@rushnigut
February 5th, 2010
Today we’re tweeting with Iowa business, franchising and employment lawyer @rushnigut
- @rushnigut thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @rushnigut?
Thanks for the opportunity. My son says I am a “lovable, sporty guy, that can’t cook.” That’s a direct quote.
– - Hmmm. Tell us about your law practice.
I’m a shareholder with Brick Gentry, P.C., a 25 person law firm in West Des Moines Iowa. I’m primarily a business lawyer.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I represent a wide range of business clients as outside general counsel and handle business litigation cases.
– - And what is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Employment claims and lawsuits are the number one issue faced by most of my business clients.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I represent Lloyds London in defending a $100 million claim to pay for the clean up of old manufactured gas plants in Iowa.
– - Significant indeed…. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I am not going to bill you for each and every phone call. If you have a problem, call me. Clients can’t be afraid to call.
– - Smart policy. Why do your clients hire you?
I hope they recognize I am passionate about going above and beyond to provide value and obtain excellent results.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Currently business litigation is taking up most of my time. Not typical but may be this way for a while.
– - What major regulatory changes can your clients expect from the Obama administration over the next three years?
I am hopeful his recent $30 billion small business loan proposal spurs employment and growth with business clients.
– - How has the economic crisis affected your clients’ ability to do business? How are they adapting to survive?
Many business clients are really struggling to obtain credit and funding. They cut costs at every corner. It’s rough.
– - Let’s talk about your marketing efforts. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
It’s better to be interested than to be interesting. I try to focus the conversation on the person I am talking with.
– - You blog at Rush on Business (http://bit.ly/9U5YNy). What are your blogging objectives? Are you meeting them?
I provide info about business legal issues in an easy to understand format. I want to improve the image of lawyers. It’s working.
– - How are your Web 2.0 activities perceived by your firm’s leadership? Are there others in your firm as active as you?
My firm is incredibly supportive. My success has helped. Others aren’t as active as me but a couple are blogging routinely.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
It’s been amazing! Too many referrals to count over the past 3-4 years. The blog has helped to elevate my reputation.
– - Congrats for that. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Recently not as much due to the demands of certain cases. But I usually try to spend an hour or so each day.
– - Sounds like you’re getting real ROI for it. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Accounting firms beating law firms to the punch. Business lawyers need to develop methods to serve clients more effectively.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Lawyers from nimble boutique firms will have the most success. Intellectual property law will continue to explode.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’m looking to take Tony LaRussa’s job if he doesn’t win the World Series so there’s still a chance I’ll be a MLB manager.
– - Good luck with that! How do you want to be remembered?
That I was a positive role model for my children, loved my wife and gave it my all in my endeavors.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I spend time with my wife and kids. I coach baseball and football. We’re home bodies on the weekends with no games.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Think creatively. A law degree is useful in many ways besides practicing law. Explore options outside a law practice.
– - And our last question for you today — what advice do you have for people going to law school now?
Consider your reasons for going to law school. Is it to make lots of money? You might be sorely disappointed upon graduation.
Wise advice…. Thanks very much for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
Thank you very much for the interview today. I enjoyed it! Keep up your great work.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Business Law, Des Moines, Employment | Comments Off on @rushnigut
