@aligeary
March 22nd, 2011
Today we’re tweeting w/ London litigation anti-fraud, bribery and corruption solicitor @aligeary
- @aligeary, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @aligeary?
I’m an Associate in the commercial disputes group at international law firm @TaylorWessing. Author of http://bit.ly/htQe8e
– - Tell us about your law practice.
my caseload involves white collar crime, fraud, asset tracing, money laundering and corruption as well as tech disputes
– - What type of clients do you represent?
my firm represent lots of large public and private organisations as well as high net worth individuals
– - What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
in my field the Bribery Act is significant. It is also part of a wider trend of increasing regulation
– - I want to talk more about the Bribery Act in a bit. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Great. I ask “Is there anything else I should know?” Knowing all the facts is essential to getting the best result
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
A high point so far was recovering £32 million in connection with one of the UK’s largest ever pension scheme frauds
– - Wow – that’s a lot of money…. Why do your clients hire you?
Indeed. I think our clients appreciate our frank, tailored and commercially focused advice
– - Let’s talk about the Bribery Act then. Why is it so important? How does it differ from pre-existing legislation?
It is a regime change. Most significant is the new strict liability offence for organisations that fail to prevent bribery
– - How will it affect the business operations of companies active in the UK?
It will most affect companies not currently required to comply with similar legislation i.e. the FCPA, however…
all companies will need to reflect on their current policies and internal culture
– - How big of a problem is fraud, corruption and bribery? How widespread is it?
a recent survey of FTSE 100 Co.s by KPMG found 39% had conducted at least 1 internal corruption investigation during 2007-9
– - Finally, is the Bribery Act expected to set the new global standard for fighting fraud and corruption?
We await publication of the government guidance on the Act. This will be a good indicator of the UK government’s…
commitment to fighting fraud and corruption globally
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
That I am lawyer and, if they haven’t already backed away, that I work in the field of anti-fraud, bribery and corruption
– - First part never happens, I’m sure… When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives? Have they changed?
I joined in March 2009. I spent a long time listening at first and slowly started to engage…
there’s lots of talk abt the need to engage but I think some undervalue the benefits of listening to clients &contemporaries
– - Excellent point. What does your firm’s leadership think of your social media presence?
Thx. It’s v.positive. Our Managing Partner sent an email to the whole firm about @22Twts and this interview this morning.
– - Nice! No pressure then…. Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
Absolutely.Next month, I am presenting to the legal team of a large multinational Co- all activated through Web 2.0 activity
– - Congratulations on that. Let’s switch gears now: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Well,the Legal Services Act will change things a lot.I know this is something my firm is investigating http://bit.ly/hN5iMs
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Technology will play a much greater role. I see this as great opportunity….
lawyers will be involved in increasingly creative and interesting work at the earlier stages of their careers
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’d be pointing out the emergency exits on a 747. I wanted to be an air stewardess as a child. They all looked so glamorous
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As a good lawyer who was passionate about her practice and a good bet when looking for a nice cup of tea and a chat
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
As well as the usual, trying new things. Recent projects include cupcake baking, falconry and tai chi – not at the same time
– - Phew. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
I think it’s important to take stock of who you already know in the industry & how they or their contacts might assist
– - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
I would say -make sure you end up working in an area of law you are passionate about and all your hard work will be worth it
That great advice brings to close a great interview. Thank you so much for tweeting with us today; I enjoyed it very much
Me too. Thank you.
@LegalBizzle
March 15th, 2011
In-house commercial / contracts lawyer
Author of The Bizzle blog
Relatively ordinary person with a sense of perspective and a social conscience
Today we’re v excited to be tweeting w/ @legalbizzle, in-house commercial & contracts lawyer who’s been “saving your ass since 1999”
- @legalbizzle thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @legalbizzle?
I’m a commercial contracts lawyer who trained and works in-house. I’m probably not as good as I think I am
– - Can you tell us about your company. What does it do?
We do outsourced customer contact and back office processing for private and public sectors. Service, sales, collections etc
– - How do you describe your role at that company?
I negotiate contracts and provide general advice. I also manage the legal team incl contentious work, reporting to the GC.
– - Beyond the in-house services you provide, what are your company’s typical legal needs?
Specialist contract advice (e.g. public procurement) and also regulatory advice, employment and debt litigation
– - How many outside firms do you generally work with? Is that the right number?
Two each for commercial work and debt lit, one for employment, and ad hoc for specialist. We don’t send much outside, so yes
– - Let’s talk about your selection of lawyers. What type of sales / marketing pitch do you respond well to?
One that recognises our difference from other clients, in terms of the nature of our business and our legal needs
– - Makes sense…. And what sales talk is guaranteed to send you running? How often do you hear it?
One that ignores our in-house capability and assumes that we need advice on basic issues. Too often, unfortunately
– - Does social media enter into the equation when you’re selecting outside counsel? How?
(1/2) Not historically, but there’s lawyers showing expertise on Twitter that would lead me to them if I had a specific need
(2/2) We’ve done that recently, based on responses to a question that I tweeted. My boss now thinks I’m a social media guru
– - What about fee arrangements? Hourly billing, alternative fees, etc: what’s typical for your company?
We want caps or fixes on transactional work. Firms won’t ditch hourly billing for contentious work – this needs to change
– - Couldn’t be more clear…. How important are perso relationships in hiring process? Do you hire lawyers you never met?
Essential for core work (see my blog). For specialist work expertise has more weight but there’s still a personal dimension
– - What does the Legal Services Act mean for you as a client? Better service? Lower costs? Something else?
Very little so far. But the nature of our business means that there might be conflicts that stop us instructing some ABSs
– - When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
(1/2) In May 2010. My aim was and is to have fun, but it’s been amazing for news, expertise, support, friends and much more
(2/2) It has so many facets, why rule any of them out? So I’m happy to let it take me wherever it leads
– - Great approach…. You blog (http://bit.ly/flEYxg) and tweet anonymously. Why the secrecy? Is it a burden or a relief?
I prefer anonymity because I’m self-conscious about my writing, so it gives freedom in that sense. I try not to abuse that
– - But in spite of your anonymity, your writing is often very personal. Is there a line between public & private? Where?
(1/2) I don’t have much to say about actual law that others can’t say far better, so I blog about my work and my experiences
(2/2) But there is a balance between being interesting and being responsible. I don’t know if I always get that right
– - It certainly seems you do. You give out a lot of advice in your blog. Who is it for? Do you know if they’re reading it?
I write for myself but I appreciate it a lot when people read or share a post. It’s exciting to contribute to a conversation
– - We’re glad that you do….. What would you say is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
It seems there’s pressure on revenue, from legal aid cuts to ABSs. But the in-house sector is somewhat insulated from these
– - What are the biggest legal issues facing in-house lawyers & how do they affect their employers’ ability to do business?
In my work, the rise of coercive procurement practices, which leads to an imbalance of risk between buyers and sellers
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I studied philosophy at university, so if I wasn’t a lawyer I’d probably be sitting at home in my pants watching daytime TV
– - 🙂 How do you want to be remembered?
As a good lawyer, and someone who made a contribution to the success of the business that employs me. And as a good husband
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Sorry, I don’t understand the question… But sometimes I’m allowed out to see bands and spend time with my amazing wife
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Look in-house – we may hire more as we look to cut our external spend. But you need to show the right skills
– - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Read my blog? More seriously, knowing the law is standard, so develop your non-legal skills to differentiate yourself
Solid advice and yes, your blog is very instructive re real life as a lawyer. Thanks so much for the great interview!
Much thanks to @22twts and @LanceGodard for great interview – really enjoyed doing that.
@rbratby
February 8th, 2011
International telecoms and technology lawyer
Partner at Olswang LLP, London
Author of Watching the Connectives legal blog
Today we’re tweeting w/ international telecoms and tech lawyer and recent convert to legal blogging @rbratby
- @rbratby, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @rbratby?
I am a partner in the London office of the international TMT law firm Olswang
– - Tell us about your law practice.
My practice is a mix of corporate and commercial deals with some regulatory advice
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Mainly telecoms and technology companies
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
It differs – for some investment and growth, for others cost-reduction and for some regulation
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I will do everything I can to ensure that at the end of this project you want to instruct me on the next one
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I helped a UK mobile network outsource its fixed voice and broadband business
– - That must have been a complex deal. Why do your clients hire you?
yes – challenging, but great team here and at the client….
…Expertise, experience, enthusiasm, communication, cost-control (and modesty)
– - 🙂 What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
A mix of M&A, commercial (e.g.outsourcing) and regulatory / advisory work. Yes
– - You’re on the board of the Communications Management Association. Tell us about that organization and its objectives.
‘best practice, knowledge networks and government representation in communications, collaboration and cloud services.’…
now part of British Computer Society
– - You’ve written about the Digital Economy Act 2010 on your blog. What is it? What does it mean for your clients?
It is the front line between telecoms networks and rights owners: who takes responsibility for stopping IP piracy
– - How did your experience as a commander in the British Army influence your legal practice? Does it make you a better lawyer?
Staying cool and calm under pressure with little or no sleep is remarkably good training for law
– - Indeed! How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
International telecoms and technology lawyer
– - You recently began blogging on telecom and tech issues (http://bit.ly/grkaGi). What led you to start? Who do you write for?
I set up a blog for my wife www.lisabratby.wordpress.com, and thought I should keep her company. Still finding audience
– - What does your firm’s leadership think of your active social media presence?
Olswang encourages innovation, so watching with interest.
– - Nice. Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
It seems to me to be much more about contact and (re) engagement.
– - What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
How to deliver greater value at a lower cost
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I wish I knew. But I predict that the global top ten law firms will include at least one from each of India and China
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Gardener
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As decent, kind and fair.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Spend time with my wife, family, friends and dog. Cycle, ski, garden, travel and go to the theatre
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Explore all opportunities. After the dot.com crash I got an MBA – there is always a silver lining
– - That brings us to our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Work hard, but remember to make good friends and enjoy life.
That’s useful advice. Thanks very much for tweeting with us today, and telling us about you and your practice
thank you
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: London, Telecoms | Comments Off on @rbratby@Sobk13
May 5th, 2010
Founder of Divorce Manual, Researching Reform, and Pod It Forward
Ichthyomaniac and crocodile lover
Renegade Lawyer
Today we’re tweeting with renegade lawyer @Sobk13, who mediates between order and chaos.
- @Sobk13 thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @Sobk13?
A mythical gatekeeper to Divorce Manual.In his spare time he terrorises tweeters & takes his pet Goblin Shark for twitstream swims..
– - Tell us about your law practice.
It’s legal research & journalism based, working with families, pressure groups & politicians to help create dialog & offer solutions
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Mothers and fathers with contact or financial disagreements but ultimately I represent the best interests of the children involved.
– - And what is the single most important legal issue affecting all of those clients?
The issues seem interlinked but usually start with a breach of one of the Human Rights Conventions & involve prohibitive legal costs
– - What do you tell your new clients before you start working for them?
Well, there are no explicit by-lines; I just ask what it is I can do to assist and then I try to listen, as carefully as I can.
– - Makes a lot of sense…. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
They’re all significant in their own way; briefs can seem identical at first but all are multi-layered so no 2 cases are the same.
– - Why do your clients hire you?
Usually because they’ve lost faith in the legal system and can’t afford to pay more fees; I work pro bono as a McKenzie Friend.
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Ongoing dialog with pressure groups & families in the system; it’s not typical but really ought to be standard government practice.
– - What’s the hardest part about working with parents and children going through divorces?
Staying focused on the various forms of suffering each party’s experiencing. They’re all relevant & need to be treated with respect.
– - You work with groups seeking reform in the English Family Justice System. What is that system? Why is reform needed?
A legal forum 4 family matters like divorce & adoption; it needs reform because our understanding of the human condition has evolved
– - Interesting notion. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I tend 2 reserve those occasions for a little mischief; one evening I might be a Spanish biologist & another, a secret agent for MI5
– - So perhaps we’ve met and I didn’t know it… When did you join Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
Quite possibly 🙂 & 2009, I think. I’m a Techno Bimbo trying 2 rise to the challenge & learn 2 engage with families on social media.
– - 🙂 You blog at Divorce Manual (http://bit.ly/btNeW7) & 2 other sites. What are your blog objectives? Are you meeting them?
To expose the real problems in the system & to involve lay people & professionals. I really hope the blogs meet these objectives.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I’m grateful to the net for providing me with a platform, it’s very good for referrals but word of mouth still pips it to the post.
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I don’t believe in brands; they make me think of sheep & wool..! I prefer to be open about my views & be myself, for better or worse
– - It seems to be working fine… Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
In Family Law, I think it’s about the working legal culture in place and its need to evolve so that it can offer a relevant service.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
To my mind for UK Family Law, a more humane place, with families beginning to trust the system a little more.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Become a mermaid and play in the sea, eating pralines passing sailors threw me or work for UNESCO on matters relating to children.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I have a lovely son; he is currently learning to Death Roll. When I’m not parenting, I love to swim in pools or ponds.
– - Congrats. How do you want to be remembered?
As a scaly little crocodile with mischievous nostrils.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
For UK Family lawyers, it’s a great time to re-invent their practice. There’s a huge demand for ethical, family-friendly services.
– - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Hold on to your ideals, let go of fear, practice with compassion. And never underestimate the power of the whoopy cushion.
Thanks for that great advice! And for tweeting with me today–it was a real pleasure learning about you and your practice.
Thank you very much for having me on ; it was lots of fun being interviewed and I wish you all the best 🙂
