@MEKowalski: 'Law Schools’ Fear of Social Media Is a Disservice to Students'

Canadian lawyer Mitch Kowalski (@MEKowalski) explained that law students are failing to use social media with their career in mind because of law schools’ fear of the social networks and online space. http://t.co/Fkf9gsfuCX 

I've written about this many times before including on this blog here: http://thetweetinglawyer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/kevin-o-perils-of-being-law-firm-social.html?m=1 

And on Defero law more recently I explained my Digital Law Student series:

"I wanted to then tell that story through the Digital Law Student series. Especially because, as Brian Inkster, Pat Ellis and Kevin O’Keefe have said (here, here and here respectively), law students and young lawyers are absolutely not using social media with their career in mind.

In fact the blowback is breath-taking. At the recent Bar Conference in Northern Ireland, not a single barrister was using Twitter and all the new pupils were fanatical adherents to the totally out-dated legal doctrine of no risk, no comment, no change.

As Richard Susskind says, this is “irrational rejectionism.”It’s“institutional bewilderment”. To that I simply cite Gary Slapper (@garyslapper) who said“LAWYERS MUST CHANGE” and John Cooper QC who said that lawyers who were once snobbish and dismissive of Twitter are now active tweeters. Oh and Karl Chapman of Riverview Law who said that the days of the legal technocrat are over. Oh! And how they told Richard Susskind he was mad in the 1990s when he suggested that lawyers would us email (see here)!

http://www.deferolaw.com/m/blogpost?id=5999820%3ABlogPost%3A63415

Legal blogging and legal tweeting

Won't be long. But for legal comment follow: @AdamWagner1 @JoshuaRozenberg @carlgardner @Familoo @copyrightgirl @Lyndon_Harris @DBanksy
— Jack of Kent (@JackofKent) January 29, 2014

@NickCohen4 I know! @DavidAllenGreen is just for posts to my own stuff. @Preiskel is simply my law firm's account.
— Jack of Kent (@JackofKent) February 2, 2014

In the first tweet David Allen Green gives his pick of the best legal thinkers online. In the second tweet he explains his multifarious Twitter and online presence.

Paul King reimagines law

Design plans for the 'offices' of Legal Force @LawInspiring How all law firms should be!? Lawsomeness!! pic.twitter.com/deDt9tHFDK
— Paul King (@PaulKingCEO) November 10, 2013

“@jbell_counsel: @PaulKingCEO we can often learn a lot from law firm 'graphics'..... pic.twitter.com/o23vSzrzeo” Quality!! :0)
— Paul King (@PaulKingCEO) September 22, 2013

Adam Wagner - The very definition of a modern lawyer

In his own words:

@tim_forte I am the very definition of a modern full-service barrister
— Adam Wagner (@AdamWagner1) December 11, 2013

Michael Bloomberg on technological disruption driving innovation

Michael Bloomberg delivered an address at Stanford University's 122nd Commencement Ceremony. During the speech, the former mayor of New York explained the critical role of new technology. He said:

"I started as a clerk at a Wall Street firm worked my way up to partner and loved every minute of it – right up until the day I was fired. But getting fired was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I had tried to convince the firm to develop new technology to deliver financial information faster and more efficiently. But companies, governments, unions, and schools tend not to like disruptions to their business models. And that’s exactly why new technology is so important. 

Technological disruption drives innovation. And the more disruption there is, the better markets perform and the harder it is for monopolies to survive. The idea that you can find a way to do something better, faster, and cheaper has driven American innovation for centuries."

Northern Ireland Bar Conference 2013

Richard Susskind with Brian Spencer at Titanic Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Bar Council conference 'Transforming Legal Practice Through Innovation' (preview here) was headlined by the eminent legal futurist Richard Susskind (@RichardSusskind). Ahead of his keynote address, a number of other esteemed speakers addressed the conference. Here they are in order:

Attorney-General John Larkin began by his address by admitting that he had not been at the forefront of transforming practice. He noted two errors that he and others have made:

One: That technology doesn't matter and we can get along with it. 

Two: Some have idolised technology and technological innovation for its own sake. 

John Larkin elaborated. On the first error made, he said: Those who ignore tech advance will soon realise the error of their ways in the exhaust fumes of their competitors. On the said error made, he said: The second is a subtler risk. Technological advancements for lawyers cannot be an end in itself. It can only be better so long as we can use it to better serve our clients. There is little value in wielding a technological masterpiece if we cannot be sure of its reliability. 

He said finally that: "We lawyers should also be solvers of problems. Seek better solutions. I commend this conference heartily as it takes its first step in that direction."

QUB alumnus and Supreme Court Judge Lord Kerr took to the podium. Lord Kerr began by confession. Until recently he said, "I couldn't think without a pen in my hand, I was a complete Luddite." But Lord Kerr is now a convert and advocate of technology as tool for enhancing justice and the work of legal practitioners.

We humans must upgrade our skills as regularly as we upgrade our technology

Ireland's 'Digital Champion' David Puttnam recently said:

"We as humans must upgrade our skills as regularly as we upgrade our technology." 

He continued: 

"Digital technology has fundamentally reshaped the world in which people of all ages make sense of, connect with and engage with society each other. Although the pace and speed of change can be bewildering the need to up our game is absolute."

More: 

"We are and always have been change resistant. This is troubling because I believe the world is shifting on its axis and because of the impact of digital technology this is happening significantly faster than most people seem to be prepared to acknowledge."

Rocket Lawyer UK loves art

Talk about being different and letting your personality shine through.

RT @LDN: (on the) street art in #Shoreditch http://t.co/3lPXeymWvB pic.twitter.com/d1HVovgADh
— Rocket Lawyer UK (@RocketLawyerUK) August 30, 2013

Ben Wilson cheers up our street in @TechCityUK on a rainy day with his chewing gum @UKStreetArt. Thanks Ben pic.twitter.com/bvB8nDQjZb
— Rocket Lawyer UK (@RocketLawyerUK) August 22, 2013

 

Kevin O'Keefe - The Perils of being a Law Firm/Lawyer/Law Student social media holdout

Kevin O'Keefe, attorney and head of LexBlog, spelt it out in plain English why lawyers not only should be on social media, but why they can't afford to not be on social media:

"How do you appear, as a lawyer or law firm, if you fail to embrace the methods other businesses are using to network, nurture relationships, and build reputations? Not only are you making it difficult for those whom you’d like to do business with to connect with you, but you are also looking old and behind the times.

If every lawyer in your law firm lost their cell phone today, you’d have them replaced by tomorrow, no questions asked. I’d act with the same sense of urgency in getting your lawyers using social. It’s just as important for long term success as a cell phone."

Pat Ellis of Michigan State School of law responded with a slant on how it is for law students, he said: 

"This idea applies with equal weight to law students. Sure, we don’t have to worry about being the “go to” lawyer (yet), but we must be tuned in to what is happening in our industry; now more than ever. Ultimately, students need to assess their own situation and the opportunity-cost of forsaking social media and blogs. For me, the cost is too high and it is a risk I am not willing to take."

Kevin O'Keefe responded here:

"Powerful position. The cost of forsaking social media and blogs is too high, a risk this law student is not willing to take."

In order, here, here and here. My previous post on the low uptake of career-minded social media use among students is here.

Timeline of social media articles, essays and blogs

-          2008: Northwestern University Law Review

The Impact of Computers on the Legal Profession: Evolution or Revolution?

-          2010: Conscious Marketing - Top 100 law firms websites (2010)

Top 100 UK law firms websites

-          December  14 2011: Lexis-Nexis - Global Social Media Audit of Law Firms

 Global Social Media Use in the Legal Industry and overview.

-          December 14 2011: Martindale-Hubbel Blog on social media Audit

Think social media is a waste of time? Your competitors don’t…

-          December 20 2011: Law Society of England & Wales, Social Media Guidelines

Social Media Guidelines for Law Practice

-          December 2011:  Visibility and LexisNexis

“Use of Social Media in Legal Marketing,” (summary graphic) and Lexis Nexis blog.

- Jan 5 2012: Law Society of England and Wales practice note

- Jan 6 2012: Law Society of England and Wales says be careful when adding clients on social media.

-          February 2012: the International Bar Association (IBA) report –

‘The impact of online social networking on the legal profession and practice’

The report addressed the impact of social networking on six groups of legal actors, namely lawyers, judges, jurors, journalists, law students and professors, and legal employers. Read the IBA survey on the impact of online social networking onthe legal profession and practice, here. The IBA is the global voice of the international legal profession.

-          February 23 2012: ALM Legal Intelligence Report

“Fans, Followers and Connections:Social Media ROI for Law Firms”

-          March 11 2012: Washington Post

“Law Firms get into the social media game”

-          March 29 2012: Top 200 UK Law Firms on Twitter (Calista Marketing)

Top 200 UK Law Firms on Twitter

-          June 20 2012: Law Society of Scotland, Social Media Guidelines

Social Media Guidelines for Law Practice

-          September 18 2012: Social Media Today Article

“Social Media: UK Law Firms Lag Behind US”

-          November 2012: Southern Africa Legal Information Institute

A communication shift: Be prepared rather than left behind

- March 2013: survey by Core Legal research finds that many solicitors are still avoiding social media:

http://www.corelegal.net/solicitors-scared-of-social-media-new-survey-results/

- March 13 2013: Law Society of England and Wales publishes practice note on protecting your online reputation.

- June 2013: Law Society of England and Wales publishes 10 social media tips for lawyers.

Further Reading:

Legal Week confronts what is required of a lawyer or law firm interested in building a social media presence.

"It will take a least an hour a day of their time and it will take six months to a year before you build any kind of momentum. If you're prepared to accept that, then it's a nice communication tool to have, but it's certainly not yet essential or any kind of magic bullet." Here.

Legal Week refers to "social media puff".

Thomson Reuters Social Media Guidelines. 

Individual lawyer marketing on Bright Fire.

Lexis Nexis approaches law firm strategic planning.

Social media for law students.

Thomson Reuters says "fish where the fish are". 

Lexis Nexis social media service here, here, here, here and here. 

Coffee with Tech Lawyer, Tim Summers

I recently caught up over coffee with Tim Summers (@TimSummersUK), the plain speaking technology lawyer and co-founder of the exciting Temple Bright law firm. This catch-up came 3 months after our Zero-140 encounter of March 4 2013 – and coincidentally, 3 months since his firm’s move into Tech City, London. And thanks to a lot of intensive work and acclimatisation, a lot has changed for the good for Tim and Temple Bright in the 3 months past.

And of important note, Tim has made it clear that a lot has changed and developed by his way of thinking. I began (my questions are in bold):

"So Tim, back in March you appeared keen on social media as a tool for the modern law practice. Asked if social media played an important role, you said: “Yes, as in every other kind of business.  As with anything, you gain in proportion to how much effort you make."

How have things been on the social media front since our last chat?

“ Since opening our London office in Silicon Roundabout, I have become a convert to the use of social media and blogging for business purposes (although, as I now appreciate, the idea of having separate “business” and “personal” identities/aims is increasingly in question.).”

'Tweeting in Convoy', Ctd

I've discussed the idea of 'tweeting in convoy' on this blog before here. And as is my habit, the idea has been growing and seeking out new avenues.

The latest musings have come from a great a post entitled: "Empowering your law firm employees to be social media ambassadors". There were two highlights.

One:

"Claim the law firm. Encourage your employees to proudly fly your firm name and link on their Facebook wall or Twitter bio."

Two:

"Promote re-sharing. Once an employee has opted in to your firm’s social media networks, they’ll be exposed to regular updates. Empower them to share and retweet updates from your brand that they are excited about and moved by. Doing so you’ll connect with those on their networks."

Interview with Lee Pacchia

[This interview was originally published on Elephant Creative and can be seen here]

The Zero to 140 interview series has been on a truly global tour de discourse, picking the minds of some of the leading legal heads in the UK and America.

The latest up to the #ZeroTo140 interview table is Lee Pacchia (@leepacchia) of Bloomberg Law, a man who regularly sits down with the people that set the agendas and direct the future of the industry. We’re delighted to be able to include him in our series.

Brian John Spencer (BJS) : So Lee, what’s happening today?
Lee Pacchia (LP): Booking guests, writing scripts, taping programs and posting a video a day. Welcome to my world.

How Free is Our Speech? - Radio 4 Discussion

Clive Anderson recently chaired a discussion on Radio 4 that asked a simple question: how free is our speech in Britain today? The discussion also took the time to considered specifically how speech on social media should be controlled or otherwise.

Billed as 'the programme that gets behind the legal issues of the day,' it certainly did that. You can listen to the episode in full here.

Clive Anderson kicked things off with a nice overview of the legal history as it exists in law in Britain to date and how this contrasts with our love of freedom:

Must Lawyers Be on Twitter?

Felix Salmon, blogging editor for Reuters.

[This post was originally produced as an opinion piece for Charle Christian's blog on Legal Technology. You can see the original here.]

Felix Salmon, one of the most esteemed bloggers writing online recently asked: ‘must investors be on Twitter?’

Northern Ireland Law Society Talks Social Media

Compared to the Law Society in England and Wales and the one in Scotland, Northern Ireland's solicitor regulatory body has been pretty quiet on the matter and question of social media.

However it hasn't gone without mention and it appears that the Law Society in Northern Ireland is at least open to the idea of solicitors and law firms in Northern Ireland using and getting to grips with social media. How do I know this. Well because of an advertisement I found on Google that referred to a social media seminar for law firms to be hosted by the NI Law Society in June 2012.

The June 11 event was advertised here, and was hosted by the Law Society's Communication Officer, Paul O'Connor and Tim McKane of Belfast digital media agency, Novajo Talk.

From Zero to 140: the Law's Fastest Interview with Charles Christian

This is the law's fastest cross-examination where the respondent has to give up an answer between Zero and 140 characters. Today's interviewee is barrister, Reuters correspondent and Legal Tech blogger Charles Christian. Here it goes:

Brian John Spencer: What are you up to right now?
Charles Christian: Right now I'm in a cocktail bar in downtown St Paul, Minnesota

From Zero to 140: the Law's Fastest Interview with Anthony Lyons

This is the law's fastest cross-examination where the respondent has to put up an answer between Zero and 140 characters. Today's latest interviewee is legal tweeter Anthony Lyons (@ParalegalTony). Here it goes:

Brian John Spencer: What are you up to right now?
Anthony Lyons: Studying for LPC exams this week. Got a long few nights ahead of me!

From Zero to 140: the Law's Fastest Interview with Pat Ellis

This is the law's fastest cross-examination where the respondent has to posit an answer using between zero and 140 characters.

Today's first ever interviewee is Pat Ellis who tweets from @Sparty_Legal. Here it goes:

Brian John Spencer: What are you up to right now?

Pat Ellis: Monday morning in law school: lots of reading, writing, and coffee. It is also very cold here in MI today... so I'm trying to stay warm.