@russellbesq
September 17th, 2009
Partner and Head of Trade Secret/Noncompete Task Force, Foley & Lardner LLP
Co-author of Trade Secret / Noncompete Blog
Today we’re tweeting with lawyer @russellbesq who heads up the Trade Secret / Noncompete practice of a global firm
- @russellbesq thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @russellbesq?
Thank you. Pleasure to be here. The answer is: Father, husband, lawyer, photographer, law school lecturer, author.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
20 years as commercial litigator, w/focus on soft IP (copyright, trademark, trade secret), especially, noncompete agreements
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I represent clients of all sizes in all industries. Mostly companies, but sometimes individuals, esp. in noncompete cases.
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Hard to say; law is developing in many areas, but…changes to Computer Fraud & Abuse Act and poss change in MA noncomp law
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Despite being a litigator, I tell new clients that litig is last resort. It’s costly, stressful & long. R u sure u need it?
– - That’s a useful perspective. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Over 20 years, there have been lots; 4 me, signif derives frm meaningfulness 2 client. Eg, 2 clients accused of fraud. …
There had been a related case w/their company, represented by other lawyers and lost. Individuals came 2 me 4 their case. …
My clients hadn’t done wrong, but co. had lost & these cases r rarely won b/f trial. But, we won w/o trial. …
It was very emotional for them; I will never forget their joy and thankfulness.
– - That’s a great story! Why do your clients hire you?
I like 2 think that it’s b/c I work to understand the case from their perspective, take a practical approach & hate to lose!
– - All good qualities in a lawyer… What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Trade secret/noncomps (counseling and litigation). Yes typical, but times when more copyright, trademark & commercial lit.
– - You drafted the current bill pending before MA House to define & codify MA noncompetition law. How did that come about?
MA high ct issued decision, after which a state rep, Lori Ehrlich, asked me if I would help to advise on and revise the law
– - That’s a great recognition of your work and experience. How do you market your practice?
Traditional marketing (wrote the book on MA noncompetes, lecture, happy clients, etc) & new media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Blog.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
I try to avoid pitch, instead have fun. If asked, I say that I am a litigator who fixes problems, but prefer to prevent them
– - What led a 20-year partner at a global law firm to embrace non-traditional marketing as aggressively as you have done?
I have a computer science background, and have always been very tech savvy. It’s purely b/c I enjoy it.
– - You write Trade Secret/Noncompete Blog jointly w/4 others (http://bit.ly/12VjKM). Do you recommend that approach? Why?
TSN Blog is new; I started it for F&L’s trade secret/noncomp group (which I run). There r 50+ lawyrs, so more will write. …
I recommend it – more/diverse content & I believe people shld do as much or as little as they wish. I enjoy it, so I do it.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
We r more visible. So, new clients r more likely 2 have heard of us when they r referred by other clients or lawyers. …
For example, just today, someone saw on Twitter that we were doing the web seminar and contacted us to attend.
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Not to be glib, but as much as I have! I do a lot of writing and speaking, and then use new media when I can slip it in.
– - Let’s switch gears a bit. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Cost. Legal services, esp litig, r costly. Lawyers, clients, law makers & courts must wk together 2 make it more practical.
– - That makes sense. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
If I only knew! 🙂 I suspect more small firms & fewer – but larger – big firms. Conflict of interest rules will b relaxed.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I do love what I do, but… (and don’t laugh!) race car driver (but my wife would kill me), so, photographer or astronomer.
– - One of the earlier twitterviewees said he’d race motorcycles…. How do you want to be remembered?
(Hmm… shld add motorcycles!) Loving father, husband, brother, and son. Good friend.
– - What have I started… What advice do you have for lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
(No worries, my wife wld kill me more for that!) Times r really tough. They must market. …
… Market, market, market. After that, market more. But, focus on types of mkting u enjoy. Ask 4 help & find mentors.
– - What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Focus on areas of interest and practical skills. You can learn the rest when needed – and you will for the bar.
– - That’s good advice. Our final question for your today: What do you do when you’re not working?
Is there a time I’m not working?! 🙂 #1 priority: time w/kids & wife (& dog). Then, photog, computer, garden, music, driving
Well, thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions today: this was a great twitterview!
It was my pleasure. Thank you for the thoughtful questions and taking the time to twitterview me!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Noncompete, Philadelphia, Trade Secret | Comments Off on @russellbesq
