@liquidluncher
December 7th, 2010
Today we’re tweeting w/Massachusetts family, estate planning and real estate lawyer who enjoys running, food and beer @Liquidluncher
- @Liquidluncher, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @Liquidluncher?
I am a western MA native. I love eating. I am a beer snob. I run a lot of charity races to burn the calories from both.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I am in Holyoke, MA. I have a general civil practice. Mostly family, guardianship, estate planning, probate & real estate
– - What type of clients do you represent?
I have mostly private clients with divorce/custody cases. I represent a lot of guardians. I love solving probate disputes
– - What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
No one single issue but most have concerns for safety and well-being of loved ones. Many clients are in financial distress
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I tell them I will do the best I can. They make all the final decisions. I will fight hard for them to achieve fair and just
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
There are two (1) Iranian woman with custody dispute. If lost her son would return to Iran and she would never see him (2)…
…(2) I worked on a MA Supreme Judicial Court case regarding child support with same sex couple who had child together
– - That sounds like challenging work. Why do your clients hire you?
I have a good reputation for honesty and integrity. I have been described as a diplomatic bulldog. I truly look for fair
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Guardianship, estate admins and real estate. kind of typical. New Probate Code in MA. I am a bit of an authority on it
– - How has the economic crisis affected your clients? Are you beginning to see signs of recovery?
It has. I do limited representation b/c people cannot afford me to handle their entire case. Not sure about recovery signs
– - Tell us about the Pro Bono Publico Award you received in 2009. What was it for?
I received award from Bar for commitment to providing access to justice to low income people. I volunteer a lot at the Court
– - Clearly you take pro bono very seriously. What types of pro bono do you do? How does it make you a better lawyer?
I volunteer to represent people. Provide free info seminars. I review Guardian reports for Court. I chair vol. lawyer group
– - That must be very satisfying…. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I usually tell people I am a problem solver and that I take care of people who need help before I tell them I am a lawyer!
– - 🙂 How do you generally market your practice? Does social media play a big part in your marketing efforts?
most marketing is word of mouth. I use online marketing including social media to market. I do very little print advertising
– - How long have you been active on Twitter? Has your Twitter strategy changed over that time?
About 6 mths. It has changed. Less direct marketing. It is more about maintaining presence and building relationships
– - Makes sense. Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any referrals or client engagements?
I have had several clients inquire about hiring me through Facebook. At least 1 from twitter. It is hard to track sometimes.
– - That’s a great result for your efforts. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
The intermingling of politics in election of Judges. No elections in MA. Can’t make tough decision when job is on the line
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Probably pretty similar to now, except more online legal filing like in Fed Court. Probably many issues with privacy rights
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I can’t imagine doing anything else. I would probably move to Maine and become a lobster fisherman or start a brewery
– - How do you want to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as someone who was honest and always helped the less fortunate
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I run longer distances working up to ½ marathon. Usually 6-10 miles. I like trying beer I have never had and new restaurants
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
If you can afford to, keep working, even if you have to do more pro bono. There is a lot of Ct appointed work out there too
– - And our last question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
It is obvious that you need to work hard but equally important to learn how to market yourself and build relationships
That’s all very good advice. Thanks for tweeting with us today; was great to learn about you and your practice
No problem. This was a lot of fun! Thanks
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Estate Planning, Family Law, Holyoke MA, Real Estate | Comments Off on @liquidluncher@AKunkel_GPLaw
October 26th, 2010
Commercial real estate, agriculture, and transactional lawyer
Partner, Givens Pursley LLP
Board Member, Sustainable Futures
Today we’re tweeting w/ Idaho RE lawyer, foodie & winie, & Mountain States Super Lawyers “Rising Star in real estate”
- @AKunkel_GPLaw, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @AKunkel_GPLaw?
Second year partner at a mid-size full service firm, in Boise, Idaho, married to a State Appellate PD, 3 cats, 1 dog.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Commercial real estate, ag law and biz/corp transactions, lending, with a good measure of liquor licensing thrown in
– - Everything is better with a good measure of liquor licensing…. What type of clients do you represent?
Entrepreneurs, banks, restaurateurs, business folks, farmers, you name it, no one kind of client, peeps who want to do deals
– - That’s a diverse group. What is the single most important legal issue affecting them?
Lack of available financing. Deals there, pple want to them, but finding $ is impossible, multifamily sector is strong tho
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
It may seem expensive but it’s a lot cheaper to do the deal right first than litigate about it later. Sorry litigator tweeps
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
BoDo, mixed use prjct w/ enviro, bond, reg, city development participation, finance elements. gr8 exp 4 then baby lawyer
– - Why do your clients hire you?
being dealmaker instead of dealbreaker. Clients don’t want lawyers killing deals, think outside the box to get things done
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
REO properties, smaller one off transactions, business restructuring. No, practice was 80% finance before Gr8 Recession
– - You touched on this briefly: how is the economic crisis affecting your clients? Are you seeing any signs of recovery?
Lack of financing stopped deals. Yes, creative financing helping deals 2 get some traction. Non RE biz and HC pretty strong
– - You’re on the Board of Sustainable Futures (http://bit.ly/bmYue4). How does that experience make you a better lawyer?
Important to realize its not all about making $, but helping people. It humbles you, puts even the bad times in perspective
– - How is real estate law evolving in response to the growing demand for green building and sustainability?
lot of uncertainty b/c of differing standards. Hinders decision making, a great time for RE attys to counsel and advise.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I am a “dirt/business lawyer” with a niche specialty in liquor, liquor licenses that is.
– - How do you generally market your practice? Does social media play a big part in your marketing efforts?
Good wrk, word of mouth, prof org m-ships/r-ships, community involvement. Still getting handle on how 2 best use FB & Twtr
– - How long have you been active on Twitter? Has your Twitter strategy changed over that time?
bit over a yr. Use more actively for info; thought sharing, communication, connection with community, no longer on sidelines
– - Have your Web 2.0 activities led to any additional referrals or client engagements?
some based on website 411, but rly allows me 2 keep in touch w peers leading 2 referrals. Relationships bring clients
– - Indeed. Let’s switch gears here: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Maintaining quality standards in a super fast communication world. Good work still takes time, clients need to understand
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Billable hour will be exception, more flat fees, lifestyle choice will structure practice instead of $ no hard offices
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
independent wealth, no really, I’d love to go to culinary school, or event planning, using management skills I’ve learned
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Prof: a person who gets things done, trustworthy. Personal: the most positive pessimist ever met, more than my job, sincere
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Worry about not working. Seriously, watch a lot of sports (Go UK!), golf (badly), volunteer, garden, search out delish food
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Its just $, don’t get lost in the stress, maintain r/ships, pple survived worse economy. Need to follow own advice at times
– - Finally, what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Think of JD outside of the trad’l practice. JDs open lots of doors, not just law & Econ will get better, always does
Thank you so much, Anne, for your good advice and a great interview. I enjoyed learning about you and your practice
Thanks. This was good fun.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Agriculture Law, Boise ID, Real Estate, Transactional | Comments Off on @AKunkel_GPLaw@paulhajek
February 9th, 2010
Solicitor of the Senior Court of England and Wales
Principal, Clutton Cox Solicitors
Blogger on Conveyancing and the Housing Market, Wills and Probate
Today we’re tweeting with @PaulHajek, Solicitor of the Senior Court of England and Wales and prolific legal blogger
- @paulhajek thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @paulhajek?
A Croatian father, a Belfast Catholic mother, and now a sole practitioner I have been an oppressed minority virtually all my life
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Clutton Cox is a traditional non contentious high street practice with 3 solicitors with emphasis on residential property.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Your average man and woman in the street, and a few company clients
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
In Conveyancing, our legal system from time immorial(1189) is robust enough for clients not worry about too many legal issues
– - Yeah, guess 800+ years of precedent could do that… What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Don’t worry about a thing. Some even take this advice
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
From my sporting background, some Olympic athletes and international rugby stars
– - Why do your clients hire you?
Reputation and repeat business and referral from realtors/estate agents. And increasingly from the internet
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Property or Conveyancing always has and always will be our main focus
– - How has the economic crisis affected your clients? Have you seen any signs of improvement in the UK?
Job loss and mortgage rationing are main culprits. Slight improvement but still uncertainty over strength of recovery
– - You bill all your work on a fixed-fee basis. Is that common in the UK? How do UK clients react to fixed fees?
In Conveyancing and Wills yes, rare in Probate work. My experience clients much prefer it. Total peace of mind and guaranteed
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
Property Lawyer, Home Information Pack Provider and Legal Services Marketer, Internet Marketing Evangelist. Nice Bloke
– - You host ten different legal blogs on your website (http://bit.ly/drlVFK). Why so many? Who are they written for?
Whatever takes my fancy. All are property based with Wills and Probate. Written to help and inform clients and potential new clients
– - Besides Twitter and your blogs, what other Web 2.0 tools do you regularly use?
I do not think my demographic is Facebook, but I remain open minded. Have dabbled in LinkedIn. Do a lot of article marketing
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
I am just beginning to get benefits of internet marketing. My client income from the web alone this year should be around $100,000
– - Wow, that’s fantastic! Congrats. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
70% development with 30% fee earning. I have 2 other solicitors in the practice. I research and prepare my blogs in the evenings
– - Sounds like the right mix. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Without doubt Deregulation in 2012, allowing non legal entrants into the legal services market so called “TescoLaw”
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
A few big national and regional brands, with many more sole practitioners than now,after the fallout in2012 and onwards
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I love legal marketing. My company ActionMove, + new company internet marketing for solicitors as a JV with marketer @boydbutler
– - How do you want to be remembered?
Cor Blimey , he was good lawyer. What was his name again?
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
With my wife,2 daughters, Sports,TV(Mad Men, 24) Music. My favs are Spurs, BathRugby ,Chicago Bears and The Who (pre Superbowl!)
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Blog and tweet, better than CV and you will get found. Very few solicitors with social media skills, create your niche.
– - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
If lucky enough to get training contract great, if not, use law degree to open other doors. There is so much more to choose from now
That’s great advice. Thanks very much for the interview today; I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
and thank you, as my Floridian cousin would say it’s been a blast!. Now who’s winning the football?
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Bristol UK, Real Estate | Comments Off on @paulhajek@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!
@tessashepperson
October 13th, 2009
Residential Landlord and Tenant Law Solicitor
Owner of Landlord Law, an online legal information service
Today we’re tweeting w/ UK solicitor @tessashepperson, who specializes in residential landlord and tenant law
- @tessashepperson thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @tessashepperson?
Thank you for twitterviewing me! Who am I? Solicitor, wife, mother, blogger, author, Dr Who fan, the list is endless
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I am a sole practitioner, and work through my website service www.landlordlaw.co.uk – a 1:many service
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Mostly private residential landlords, some tenants and letting agents, occasionally other solicitors too
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Hard to single out one issue. The credit crunch has affected us here, as it has everywhere, & caused problems eg with rent
– - That’s understandable. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
As I practice via the internet I rarely meet clients face to face. I send them my standard ‘client care’ email
– - Interesting; I hadn’t thought about that. Tell us about one of more significant client representations you’ve had.
Alas I have had no big cases. However I am a trail blazer in the delivery of legal services via the internet
– - Why do your clients hire you?
Because I really understand my niche. Although I do less casework now, the subscription service is more important
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Just now I’m doing a lot of writing, blogging, talks at landlord events & wkg towards a web-site upgrade. Fairly typical
– - You offer legal info via subscription for landlords & tenants. What are benefits of this model for clients?
a 1:many service is more efficient than 1:1, so it is less expensive. I help people do to things for themselves
– - How do you market that practice?
A few ads, writing articles for relevant journals, my blog , twitter, but most people seem to find me through Google
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at networking events?
I run an online legal information service for residential landlords and tenants
– - You blog at Landlord Law Blog (http://bit.ly/qLRGh). Who is it written for? Why should they read it?
I started it 3-4 years ago as somewhere I could comment on issues + I thought it wd be fun. Readers can learn a bit & ask Qs
– - Interactive approach (like service). What’s the general sentiment in the UK regarding lawyers using social media?
I recently mentioned Linkedin at a lawyers mtg & got asked if it was an online dating site! A few eg @BrianInkster get it
– - Wow. What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Blog: My stats show that many visitors come to my website from my blog & it has helped raise my profile. Twitter: its early days
– - How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
My husband tells me, too much! But it is always in my mind, say 25/7?
– - 25/8? A lot of time either way…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
In England we have a new Legal Services Act. But above that I think the internet/web 2 will have a profound effect
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
People will expect to do business online as a matter of course. Most legal sources will be freely available online, but …
… people won’t understand it so will still need us. More work than lawyers now care to think about will be commoditised
– - Interesting. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I really enjoy writing so would probably have ended up as some kind of writer.
– - How do you want to be remembered?
An innovator who pioneered the online delivery of legal services for ordinary people
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I enjoy reading detective novels, cooking, watching Doctor Who, and spending time with my lovely family
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Decide what you really want from life, then work out how to achieve it. There is usually a way, you just have to find it
– - And our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Try to get some wk experience in a law office first, if you find you enjoy law, then go for it, otherwise do something else
That’s valuable advice to close this interesting twitterview. Thanks so much for staying up late to tweet with us!
It was a pleasure! Best wishes from across the pond!
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Real Estate, United Kingdom | Comments Off on @tessashepperson@jeantien
August 26th, 2009
Today we’re tweeting w/NYC immigration lawyer @JeanTien, who strives to develop lasting partnerships with her clients
- @JeanTien, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @JeanTien?
Thx 4 hvg me. I am a fun-loving Wife, Daughter, and idealistic Lawyer w/high hopes of making a difference in the world.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
I hv a NYC-based practice that focuses on immigration law. I also do real estate transaxns & help businesses w/their legal needs.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Both individuals & businesses. I have clients nationwide and outside of the US too. It’s great!
– - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Eligibility 2 become perm. res & US Citizens. W/o proper identification…
immigrants can’t get jobs, health care, or any other benefits that we enjoy…
and it’s impt that they hv access to the same benefits.
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That I’m their biggest advocate & they can trust me with their case.
– - I’m sure they appreciate hearing that. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
I worked on an asylum case, where I tried 2 protect the wife from being deported back 2 China where she wld be prosecuted…
4 violating the 1-Child policy & separated from her Husband & baby daughter here in the US. It’s significant bc families shld…
be allowed to stay together in an environment where they can live w/o fear.
– - Wow. That’s powerful stuff. Hope it turned out well. Why do your clients hire you?
They trust me & kno I am here 2 protect their best interest. I help them thru the immigration process …
which is a very personal experience & can take a major toll on their emotions/lives.
– - What’s the most active area of your immigration practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Currently, it’s family-based petitions, which I heart bc I’m helping families stay 2gether. Yes, it’s typical 4 my practice.
– - You started your career at Goldman Sachs. What led you to leave that culture and set up an immigration law firm?
I felt unfulfilled @ GS & wanted 2 do sthg more rewarding. Luckily, I was downsized & took the opp. 2 follow my dream…
of becoming an entrepreneur & helping others thru my immigration practice. See, I told u I was idealistic! LOL.
– - What’s the status of immigration law reform? Is it still perceived to be a priority for the President / American people?
Unfortunately, it’s currently on hold. Obama’s admin has communicated 2 the public that it’s a priority…
but so far, it feels like a big “tease”. More needs 2 be done, esp. w/current economics…
Some still think it’ll happen this yr but I doubt it.
– - How do you market your practice?
Networking & Web 2.0 activities. I’m also planning on hosting a seminar soon, so stay tuned for that!
– - You recently started a Facebook fan page for your firm (http://bit.ly/tj3GO). Would you recommend others do the same? Why?
Good ques. My fan pg is pretty new (about 2 wks) so it’s hard 2 say if I wld rec others 2 create 1…
So far, it has been helpful w/informing ppl I kno of my practice.
– - Sounds like recommendation to me… What are the strategic objectives driving your Web 2.0 activity? Are you meeting them?
My obj. this yr is 2 create permanent relationships & brand recognition. Oh & 2 generate revenue! LOL. So far, so good.
– - Luck w/both! What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities so far?
Thanks! So far, I’ve landed an engagement & a number of serious inquiries from these activities, esp. from Avvo.
– - Congrats – you’re moving in the right direction. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Omgosh. A significant pt of my day. I am my brand, so I am developing/enhancing it by meeting w/other attys…
attending CLEs, volunteering, & marketing. activities
– - Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Re: immigration, our policies need chg. Fear cannot dictate policies & excuse the mistreatment of illegal immigrants in this ctry.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I think lawyers will catch up & adopt (maybe embrace?) technological advancements, resulting in a few less trips to court.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Hmm…philanthropist & bakery owner. I wld LOVE 2 open my own cupcake shop & animal rescue shelter. What a mix, right? 😀
– - That makes THREE 22 Tweets interviewees who’d like to be bakers… Hmmm. How do you want to be remembered?
LOL. I guess we all hv a creative side yearning to escape. 🙂 …
I’d like 2 B remembered for my sincerity and passion, especially to help those who can’t help themselves.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
I am currently immersed in house renovations. Other than that, I spend time w/family & friends & watch lots of reality tv!
O & go see @britneyspears in concert! 😀
– - There’s gotta be a story there! What advice can you give lawyers currently under- / unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Take this opportunity to explore other careers & interests. Don’t be afraid of change. Also, make sure to network!
– - And our last question of this twitterview: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
1. Ur GPA doesn’t define u; 2. BIGLAW is not 4 everyone & that’s ok; 3.trust ur instincts – don’t B afraid 2 set ur own path
That’s valuable advice. Thank you so much for answering our questions and making this a great twitterview!
This was fun! Thank u so much for the opportunity to share my story & thanks to everyone who listened! 😀
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Immigration, New York City, Real Estate | Comments Off on @jeantien@BrianInkster
August 11th, 2009
Solicitor of the Year: Law Awards of Scotland 2006
Founder of Inksters Solicitors, the first Scottish Law Firm to Twitter
Today we’re tweeting with @BrianInkster, the Law Awards of Scotland’s 2006 *Solicitor of the Year*
- rianInkster thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @BrianInkster?
Thanks for inviting me. The 7th child of a Shetland fisherman, a solicitor, businessman and husband to Nicola of @pagepark
– - Tell us about your law practice.
Inksters (@inksters): Based in Glasgow, 10 years old, doing: http://ow.ly/jJgA with a great team: http://ow.ly/jJhf
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Individuals, small businesses, builders, farmers, crofters, fishermen, salmon and mussel farmers, a local authority etc.
– - That’s a very diverse group. What would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
The legal processes involved. Much could be done by Govt. to streamline these: e.g. as done with ARTL: http://ow.ly/jJo7
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
What our terms of business and basis of charging is, as required to do at the outset by The Law Society of Scotland @lawscot
– - Can you tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had?
Moncrieff v Jamieson: The House of Lords recognised that there is a servitude of parking in Scotland: http://ow.ly/jJrY
– - Why do your clients hire you?
Because we mix “good old traditional values with an innovative approach to delivering legal services” (Donald Findlay QC)
– - Makes sense…. Will the reforms of the Legal Services Act affect your practice and firm? If so, how?
We are seeking to combat it by becoming the first Scottish member firm of QualitySolicitors.com: http://ow.ly/jJxO
– - That’s an interesting tactic. What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing in a jurisdiction like Scotland?
A small country with laws distinct from England/Wales. That size/uniqueness provides advantages that can be disadvantages.
– - Your firm, Inksters Solicitors, is known for being “just that little bit different.” What exactly is that difference?
All will be clear from a short (6min) film I made earlier: http://ow.ly/jJFn – I will make a cup of tea while you watch it.
– - Nice story. Clearly that style and approach benefit the firm. How do they benefit your clients?
Clients get added value to the services we provide and nice little extras: like the ability to pay their accounts online 🙂
– - How do you market your practice?
Good service, the web (with SEO), 6 Twitter streams, direct mail, press releases, lectures, articles, events, sponsorship
– - Besides Twitter, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use?
LinkedIn, 3 websites: http://ow.ly/jJVm including TV & Radio: http://ow.ly/jJVn (YouTube next – you heard it here first!).
– - Can’t wait! What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
22% of new clients have emanated from www.inksters.com since November 2008. We did not get new clients from our old website.
– - That’s a great result! How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Almost every waking moment and perhaps some sleeping ones: if I manage to tune my subconscious mind in correctly 🙂
– - A true social networker.. Let’s switch gears: What’s the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
The recession. Law firms must accept that it is here and adapt to survive through it.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Maybe not quite “The End of Lawyers” (@RichardSusskind). But there will be less of us doing more (with technology).
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
A modern day Alan Whicker with a television series called, of course: “Inkster’s World”.
– - Perhaps we’ll see the beginnings of that on your YouTube channel…. How do you want to be remembered?
As a lawyer who made a difference to his clients, staff, law students, other lawyers and to the development of Scots Law.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
As revealed on podcast to @Charonqc I am taking Tango dancing classes with my wife. I like to travel: next stop Argentina.
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Develop an expertise in the area of law you are interested in: write, blog, tweet and lecture. Embrace technology.
– - And our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Be prepared for the potential of a career outside law. Study, if you can, at Strathclyde University, where I lecture 🙂
Two valuable pieces of advice to close this great twitterview. Thank you very much for answering our questions today
And thank you, Lance, for twitterviewing me. I enjoyed it.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Crofting Law, Glasgow, Property, Real Estate | Comments Off on @BrianInkster
