@mksinghlaw
April 12th, 2011
Today we’re tweeting with Seattle small business / start-up / entrepreneur lawyer @mksinghlaw
- @mksinghlaw thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @mksinghlaw?
I’m an entrepreneur stuck in the stereotype of service professionals…
MK Singh is out there just like any other solopreneur trying to grow and learn from others.
– - Tell us about your law practice.
the practice is about relationships. Relationships is about doing more than just legal work…
We offer educational seminars, invite clients to networking events, make introductions, and even suggest ideas for their business.
– - What type of clients do you represent?
Entrepreneurs, creative professionals, small to medium size businesses, and start ups.
– - And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
Intellectual Property – do they have it? and how do they protect it?
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I don’t believe in billing for the initial time we spend getting to know each other so ask questions or email me later.
– - Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
That’s a tough one. I’ve represented a variety of clients from the window cleaner to the next group buying concept…
right now i’m enjoying helping a client with her new yoga studio. I guess they are all significant to me in one way or another.
– - Why do your clients hire you?
I think its because they feel comfortable with me. I think of myself as an entrepreneur so we have something in common right away…
I always make time to get to know the person and their business so that I can refer business or suggest resources…
The best compliment I’ve received: ‘it doesn’t feel like i’m working with an attorney.’
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Business formation. Yes its typical. People are constantly innovating and i’m thrilled to be part of the momentum…
I can’t tell you how many of my clients are microsoft, boeing, amazon, etc. employees by day and entrepreneurs by night.
– - Hmmm…. How are your small business / start-up clients doing in today’s economy? Are things improving in Seattle?
I think they are doing quite well. They are finding a need or a problem and striving to solve it…
I feel like Seattle is a great place to be a start up. There are endless resources and the vibe is just incredible. Just today…
– - How do the legal needs of your small business and start-up clients differ from those of other companies?
Legal needs for startups and small businesses are more focused on governance, contracts and intellectual property…
while companies tend to have more employment, non-compete and policy concerns
Most of the work is done fixed fee or on retainer. It makes it easier to budget when you know what your costs are going to be..
– - It looks like you offer a number of fixed-fee options. Is all of your work done on that basis? Why?
I’m fairly flexible and its very important to me that legal costs don’t get in the way of building your business.
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
I’m a small business and social media attorney. I work with those who who want to work with a knowledgeable innovative attorney…
offering a new perspective and take on the legal profession.
– - You write a blog, at http://bit.ly/i9LVaf. Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
The blog is for people thinking of starting their own business. I strive to provide practical information in lieu…
of reviews of recent case law. I get suggestions from clients and the community so its tailored for them.
– - You’re also active on Quora. Has that been an effective marketing channel for you? Doesn’t it carry additional risks?
Not as much as I would like. I think quora is bigger in California just based on some of the questions on there…
Quora has done a good job of mitigating the risks by offering lawyers an option to automatically add a legal disclaimer.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
Quite a bit! Its been extremely useful in building relationships and getting found…
People check more than just your website these days and…
if you want to attract the clients you want to work with then you need to make yourself visible I try to accomplish that via web 2.0
– - Indeed. Let’s switch gears here: What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Legal outsourcing. Is it being used? is it effective? why aren’t client costs lower as a result of it? Lots of debate in this area.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Probably a lot of outsourcing which will hopefully lead to more innovation in the profession.
– - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was 12 so I haven’t thought about much else…
I think I would work on some of my other ideas: foodtruck, bags, shared space, phone app, or maybe go to bollywood and try my luck!
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As someone you could truly count on and who you knew was doing their best for you. And as an active member of the community!
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Exploring Seattle. I only moved here 2 years ago from KS so the whole hiking, camping, biking thing is still relatively new for me
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Network with lawyers who practice in the area you want to be in. Network in communities you would like to work with..
I also recommend seeking out contract work and volunteering in the community and with the local bar association.
– - And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
As long as you work hard and make the most of the opportunities available you will do great and you won’t have as much debt!
Thank you! I really enjoyed this tweet-erview (we need a better word for this).
Thank YOU very much for tweeting with me today. I enjoyed learning more about you and your practice.
@douglasreiser
May 14th, 2010
Today we’re tweeting with LEED AP @douglasreiser, a Washington state construction lawyer and blogger
- @douglasreiser thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @douglasreiser?
So glad to be here today, thank you for having me on…..
1st a husband, then a worker, idea monger, brewer, sportsman & worst of all – a Cleveland sports fan. these define me from 12 to 12
– - Well this just might be your year…. Tell us about your law practice.
a 24 hour shop in my head. i built a remote practice that follows wherever i go. goals = access, comm., efficiency & understanding
……and i hope you are right about the Cavs (presumably you didnt mean the Browns or Indians!)
– - Very interesting. What type of clients do you represent?
those inundated w. construction concerns. the focus is on the business, their risks & protection. I also rep breweries, my hobby
– - Nice hobby…. What is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
Risk. businesses dont understand its extent; it comes at all angles, in all they do. I locate those risks and eliminate/reduce them
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
That im here when you need me. you can find me 24hrs/7 days a week. i’ll clear my table to help you, because i love the challenge.
– - Am sure they appreciate. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
significance is in the eye of the beholder. i think its green builders that i help wade through liability. new challenge for all.
– - Why do your clients hire you?
im a person, like everyone. im tangible; im understood. i lived/breathed construction on & off the job. people feel comfort in that
– - What’s the busiest area of your practice right now? Is that typical?
public contracting. today’s only fish in the pond 4 builders. i help obtain jobs & preserve rights. its atypical; recent explosion
– - Tell us about your LEED AP certification. What does it mean? Why is it important to your clients?
LEED AP isnt a gold key 2 green building; attys should never hide behind it. A step to learning what should be uniform in building
– - What’s the next big legal battleground in green construction law? How is it expected to play out?
field is set to determine performance liability + GBCI LEED challenges & the Int. Green Const. Code could spawn work for attorneys
– - How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
im myself. lawyers drink wine – i drink beer (Stout/IPA). Im approachable in that image. sports are the best icebreaker in building
– - You blog at The Builders Counsel blog (http://bit.ly/aWm9R8). What’s your strategy? How do you decide what to write?
i heard @kevinokeefe say “listen” is key word in social media. 100% agree. I found the best group of talkers; i listen + add my bit
– - Indeed. Besides Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use to market your practice?
I have two blogs + @Avvo, @LinkedIn, @legalriver, Plaxo, Justia, @consupo, LawyerLink, Legal Guru, etc. – i try & be everywhere.
– - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements, if any, have you realized from Web 2.0 activities?
People want an answer. Any atty can say you should consult an attorney/I need to see more. we’re transparent online; people like it
– - How much time do you spend each day developing and enhancing your brand / marketing your practice?
way too hard to quantify; its all the time. i try to listen to the online community all day & respond when i have a worthy thought.
– - Understood. Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
progression v. ethical restraint. A lot of attys are afraid to go Web 2.0. They are missing out and i feel its not fair to them.
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
trans. tasks by legal biz’s w/o malpractice, billable hr., the office & a suit. Court battles: less formal, less paper & less fight
– - Interesting perspective. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
your easiest question. own a brewery, create a web of distribution 4 craft brewers around US & fight the 3 tier system. retirement.
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
go outdoors w/ my beer writer wife (@beerblotter). travel around the world. check out new buildings in SEA. agonize over CLE sports
– - How do you want to be remembered?
As a worker. someone who worked hard to find answers & innovate. dont need my name in gold; dont need a plaque. just happy clients
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
reinvent what you know about law. be innovative. find something you know and advocate for it loudly. people will find your voice.
– - Our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
dont look back at law, look ahead. At school, find a job/opp that gives you a 1st hand look at practice. go Web 2.0 now! dont wait
good advice, Doug. Thanks very much for tweeting with me today; I enjoyed learning more about you / your practice.
Thanks so much for having me on today. Your questions were great!
@vbalasubramani 2.0
April 22nd, 2010
Founder, Focal PLLC
Author of Spam Notes
Today we’re tweeting with @vbalasubramani, Seattle-based internet-tech lawyer and author of the blog “Spam Notes”
One of our first twitterviewees one year ago, @vbalasubramani has returned to 22 Tweets to help us celebrate our first anniversary
- @vbalasubramani thank you for joining us again on Twitter. For those who weren’t here a year ago: who is @vbalasubramani?
thanks Lance, and good to be back! I’m a Seattle-based lawyer, and blogger @ blog.ericgoldman.org & @ spamnotes.com
– - What does your practice look like today? Is it different from last year? How?
it’s similar – covers the range of online issues. I did start a firm (w/a partner)..this has been great
– - Congrats! How have internet / spam laws changed over the past year? What does that mean for your clients?
online rules are fluid .. privacy is a looming issue, as it was last year; platforms (FB) are becoming more relevant
– - What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that (the new) typical?
online disputes have been particularly active, content scraping, cybersquatting/domain name issues, the usual
– - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
litigation is uncertain, time consuming, and often unfair – always explore a business solution
– - That clearly hasn’t changed over the past year…. Why do your clients hire you?
because I am a prolific twit? kidding .. quality work, efficient, responsive, creative & interested in the space?
– - How do you describe your work to someone you meet at a cocktail party?
tough ? (not many cocktail parties in Seattle that I go to) I represent internet/media companies in disputes & advise them on risk
– - You need to get out more…. How has the economic crisis affected your clients?
ha! most are doing ok .. everyone is trying to save $$, but this has resulted in more work coming my way
– - How have your marketing objectives evolved over the past year? What’s driving that evolution?
I enjoy blogging, but I’d like to create more client-friendly content..the social web has helped me see how this may be useful
– - What do you consider to be the biggest change in the legal profession over the past 12 months?
law firms finally realized they don’t hold all the cards vis a vis clients..also a basic change in the young lawyer’s place
– - Indeed. If you had last year to do all over again, what would you do differently? Why?
turn away more work and be much more selective – the intangible (non-monetary) effects of the work you do are significant!
– - Interesting. You recently blogged about making a “clean break” from your blog to start a new 1. How did that end up?
I’ve been blogging at Prof. Goldman’s blog, which rocks (hope to continue that) .. I may launch another blog as well
– - You touched on this earlier: how has your social media and social networking activity evolved over the past year?
lots more Twitter! I’m pretty unstructured about SM, I’ve tried to regulate it, but that’s not my personality
– - Have you seen any impact on referrals and/or client engagements coming from your Web 2.0 activities?
no direct retention or referrals, but that’s not my goal – I do it for fun, to stay informed, and chat with folks
– - Last year “a loss of confidence in the system” = most sig issue facing legal profession. Still true? Why or why not?
fair statement, the client/firm/associate/billable hour dynamic has (unresolved) issues..the basic structure needs tweaking
– - What’s the next big frontier of technology for the legal profession?
telepresence? – inexpensive technology that ‘simulates’ face-to-face?..minority report?..there’s always the iPad 🙂
– - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
for starters I may be retired 😉 .. types of matters that typically go to a lawyer may narrow, lots of private resolution
– - Retire? Sounds like a set-up for the next question…. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
own a restaurant, or a B&B, maybe have a cooking show or magazine (better yet a blog – I hear this pays!)?
– - How do you want to be remembered?
as a contributor and a positive force
– - What do you do when you’re not working?
Travel, yoga, enjoy family, food and cooking
– - What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
opportunities always exist in downturn..get experience..blogging is a great way to immerse yourself & demonstrate commitment
– - And our last question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today
be wary of echo chamber advice, focus on the fundamentals (esp. writing), enjoy life outside of the law – thanks Lance!
Great advice. Thanks again for coming back for a follow-up twitterview. It was a pleasure to tweet with you again.
Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Blawger, Internet, Seattle | Comments Off on @vbalasubramani 2.0
