UPDATE:  I just reread this post.  I wrote it while in a very cranky mood and the post is obnoxious and arrogant.  The irony is that I’m writing about having good manners, which of course, would include don’t be a jerk.  I totally missed on this point.  -Conrad

Most of this post is very obvious and therefore very boring; but the example I’m recounting is so bad (and true) its border-line humorous. I’m constantly surprised by the need for social media consultants, helping people “understand” things like Twitter and Facebook, but apparently there is a very real need to scratch this itch. The following exchange may point those of you still flummoxed by social media in the right direction:

It’s called Social Media for a reason – it’s social. And social norms that apply in real life also apply online. To wit . . . a recent painful twitter exchange I endured.  (I have replaced his real twitter address with @guy)

@ConradSaam Who do I talk to to team up to do a webinar?

At this point I have no idea who this guy is, let alone what he wants to talk about on one of our webinars.   I check LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter – no connections.  I go to direct message to privately clarify, assuming he’s a connection who has slipped my mind:

DM @guy sorry – i can’t remember who you are or what you do. What is your interest in webinars?

DM @ConradSaam I work for XXXXX, a cloud content management for legal. We have over 12 years exp in legal SaaS. Is their opps for this?

So I don’t know you at all and I’ve never heard of your company, but you want me to put our company’s reputation on the line so you can pimp your product to our audience?

DM @guy  i don’t mean to be a XXXX, but suggest you work on building a relationship with us BEFORE you ask to do a webiner. $.02

DM @conradsaam  Well that is my question, what is the process to build a relationship so that we can partner to do webinars?

Oh, I get it . . . let me pull out the Avvo Business Development Relationship Building Process Manual. . . let’s see I think its on page 27.  I’m really a nice approachable guy, I’m open to networking and learning about new products, but this just isn’t working.

(Incidentally Page 27 of the Avvo Business Development Relationship Building Process Manual is a very short chapter.  It reads:  Put some social in your Social Media.)

Two years ago Google launched its 10 to the 100th project, a contest to come up with ideas to change the world, where the winners receive a portion of 10 million dollars.  Recently Google announced the winners, and as it turns out, one of them is an idea that’s bad for Lexis Nexis and Westlaw’s (Wexis’) bottom lines.

Law.gov will receive 2 million dollars from Google to help “make all primary legal materials in the United States available for all.”  Free, open access to legal documents? That’s good news for lawyers, educators and every American, but presumably bad news for Wexis.

As you may recall, Google’s first foray into giving Wexis a headache was Google Scholar, which makes a large amount of case law available for free.  And while part of Law.gov’s mission is to make cases available, it strives to do much more, including authenticate legal documents so that readers can trust them.  So it seems Law.gov aspires to be the more sophisticated, game-changing version of Google Scholar.

How will Westlaw and Lexis Nexis respond?

I’m not aware of any official reaction from Wexis yet, but I would imagine they’d take the same stance as when Google Scholar came out with free access to legal documents:

Westlaw

“We provide the breadth of information and technology tools to help quickly zero in on specific cases and the facts embedded within them. We provide the context, expert analysis from our attorney-editors and links to supporting materials to help users find the right answers, faster. And, Westlaw includes workflow tools so that our customers can use this information as part of their client workstream.”

LexisNexis

“They [LN Legal Customers] look to LexisNexis to find needles in the ever-growing information haystack, not the haystack itself. Not only do we provide the most complete portfolio of public and proprietary legal content, but LexisNexis enables legal professionals to conduct their research more efficiently, effectively, and with the assurance of accuracy.”

So it seems that Wexis will continue to argue they’re more than just document providers, which is true.  However, I’m hoping (perhaps delusionally) that one day free, easy, comprehensive and accurate access to case law will eventually give rise to a Wikipedia-style repository, where lawyers and law students share the burden of shepardizing and categorizing the law.

If that sounds lofty, it is, but then again, so was the idea that Wikipedia could virtually replace Encyclopedia Britannica just 10 years ago.

Between now and the end of the year we have several outstanding guest webinars planned, covering a range of legal marketing and management topics.  All are free to attend!

Thursday, September 30 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT: How a Cloud-Based Practice Management System Can Help You Run an Effective, Efficient, and Error-free Practice with Jack Newton of Clio

This webinar will be given by Jack Newton of Clio, a cloud-based practice management system. Topics will cover what is cloud computing, how to use a cloud-based practice management system in your own environment and the why you will reduce common ethics and malpractice related errors using the technology.  Jack holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science and holds three software-related patents in the United States and the EU. He has also spoken at CLE seminars across the United States about how cloud computing can help law practices run more effectively and efficiently.

Sign up here!

Thursday, October 7 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT: Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients with Lisa Solomon

The ability to write forcefully and effectively is critical to your success as a lawyer. In this webinar, lawyers will learn to write more persuasively by using the same powerful techniques that copywriters have relied on for years. Discover what these techniques are and how to apply them in both briefs and client-focused writing.

Lisa Solomon, Esq. provides comprehensive legal research and writing services for attorneys.  Lisa is also the author of many published articles about appellate practice and procedure. A nationally-known legal speaker, she frequently presents CLE courses about legal writing to lawyers around the country.

Sign up here!

Tuesday, November 9 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT: How to Operate a Virtual Law Office and Deliver Legal Services Online with Stephanie Kimbro

More clients are expecting the cost-savings and convenience that come from conducting business with web-based applications.  Forward-thinking attorneys and law firms are beginning to offer some form of virtual law office component to their clients.  Whether created as a completely web-based office or integrated into a traditional, brick & mortar law office, virtual law practice is being accepted as a form of law practice management that addresses the needs of both the clients and the profession.

In this webinar, Stephanie Kimbro, the founder of Kimbro Legal Services and a 2010 ABA Journal Legal Rebel, will provide a basic introduction to virtual lawyering that will cover the practical aspects of operating a virtual law practice and delivering legal services to clients over the Internet. The session will also include a discussion about unbundling legal services and the ability to use document assembly and automation to streamline the delivery to clients online while maintaining a high standard of quality legal services. Ethics concerns will also be addressed as they relate to the daily operation and best practices for a virtual law office.

Sign up here!

Thursday, December 9 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT: How to Create Loyal Clients and Generate Referrals by Improving your Client Service Skills with Allison Shields

Are you delivering on your marketing promises?

Lawyers make big promises to clients in their marketing materials. They claim to focus on clients, deliver ‘excellent client service’ and top notch legal expertise. But how many of them really deliver? In this webinar, you’ll learn how to take a hard look at your practice to see how well you are delivering on your marketing promises. Is your practice set up to meet your clients’ needs? Are you focusing your efforts on the right clients and the right services? Are you setting clients’ expectations properly and articulating value? Do you communicate with the frequency and in the manner your clients prefer?

Hear from Allison Shields, a 12-year lawyer and founder of Legal Ease Consulting, a firm that works with solo and small firm attorneys to establish higher value practices by developing strategies to increase growth and profitability. She also talks about preventing the Lawyer Meltdown. In addition to providing services to her clients, Allison is a frequent speaker at bar association events and other legal conferences.

Sign up here!

We’ve been posting about the curious case of L. Joe Davis, the sanctioned St. Petersberg, FL lawyer suing Avvo. Earlier this week, our counsel received this email from Mr. Davis (click on image for larger view):

Is L. Joe Davis on to something? Are we not giving him a fair shake? Are we defaming him?

Or is he once again trying to bully Avvo into not talking about the real reasons for his meritless lawsuit?

In the interest of transparency, let’s look at each of the issues Davis claims are “false and defamatory” and see if they’re supported by the record – in this case, the stipulated facts, referee’s report and order imposing discipline on Davis.

1. Was Davis NOT twice found guilty of willfully refusing to pay court-ordered child support? Here’s once . . .

(Consent Judgment, page 2)

. . . and here’s twice.

2. How about court dates? Check; after missing trial dates on two occasions, the court had to issue a bench warrant to get his attention:

(Consent Judgment, page 3)

3. Finally, what about willfully obstructing the Bar? Although the detail of his obstruction is too lengthy to recite in this post (but you can read it all here), here’s how the referee conducting the bar’s disciplinary proceeding against Davis characterized the aggravating factors behind his sanction:

(Report of Referee, page 2)

L. Joe Davis says these “false and defamatory statements made in and to the press are probably more damaging to my reputation than anything else that avvo.com has done to date.” He’s half right – his misguided lawsuit IS calling more attention to his sanction and the circumstances leading up to it.

Mr. Davis can continue his on again-off again libel threats, but we’re not going to be bullied into not talking about the real reasons for Davis’ animosity toward us.

We know you have a million passwords.; bank accounts, online shopping, your blog and now add your Avvo account to the list. So we get that you may forget which password you used last. This short video will walk you through resetting your password on Avvo:

September 23 – 26 in Monterey, CA:  State Bar of California Annual Meeting

Earn up to 19.5 hours of CLE credit at the State Bar of California’s Annual Meeting.   The 157-class schedule features presentations on California Case Management, Social Media Marketing, Ethics, and more.  Avvo’s South Ad Sales Manager, Shawn Burke, will be there to answer questions about online marketing and how Avvo can help you.

September 25 in Palm Springs, CA: California Attorneys for Criminal Justice Seminar

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice proudly announce “Rules of the Road XIII” at the Hilton Hotel in Palm Springs, and Avvo’s Phil Andrews will be there offering advertising expertise and marketing packages for legal specialties across the range of Criminal Defense, including DUI/DWI representation.  This seminar is family friendly and tailored to Criminal Defense Attorneys.

October 4 – 6 in New York, NY: SMX Search Marketing Expo East

Avvo’s Conrad Saam, will contribute his insight at the SMX East Conference in New York, NY with three presentations geared toward optimizing an online presence and making the most of internet marketing.  The premier search engine marketing conference highlights “20 Metrics for Online Marketing Success” and “How to Kill Your SEO Department (and Why You Should),” and “Tony Soprano, Barbra Streisand, Yelp, Lawyers, and User Generated Content.”

October 14 – 16 in Las Vegas, NV: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 14th Annual DUI Seminar

The NACDL presents the 14^th Annual DUI Seminar in Las Vegas.  Avvo’s Director of Sales, Jason Rasmussen, and Account Executive Allen Cameron will man the Avvo exhibit, providing premier advertising strategies and campaigns for Criminal Defense across the nation.

October 20 – 24 in San Diego, CA: DRI Annual Meeting

Get some sun and brush up on your litigation legal network and business forum at The Voice of the Defense Bar’s Annual Meeting.  Avvo presents “Social Networking for Litigation and Business Development” alongside CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and NPR’s political correspondent, Mara Liason.

October 21, 2010 in Washington DC: MyLegal.com – The Case for Social Media

Just about every attorney in the United States has an Avvo profile –you need to know how to optimize your Avvo presence, maximize your results, and reap the benefits.  Conrad Saam speaks on “Getting the Most out of Avvo.”

October 29 – 30 in Las Vegas, NV: PILMMA Fall 2010 Summit

Come to the Wynn in Las Vegas for the Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing & Management Association’s Marketing Summit!   You’ll learn strategies to get referrals online and offline, how to outperform your competitors, website and Google tips, education based marketing, how to keep your law firm “financially fit,” and much more.  Who should attend?  PILMAA invites Personal Injury Lawyers, Disability Lawyers, Marketing Directors, Office Managers, Law Firm Creative Personnel, Law School Student, Law Firm Marketing Staff, Communications Managers, Consultants, Legal Assistants, Paralegals, and Firm Administrators.  And, of course, Avvo will be there.

November 5 – 6 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico: NACBA Members-Only Fall Workshop

The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys’ Fall 2010 Members-Only Workshop is in beautiful Puerto Rico.  Avvo’s Advertising Sales Managers Shawn Burke and Bryan Jones offer inside access to the world of Avvo Advertising at this beach resort legal workshop.

November 18 – 19 in Las Vegas, NV: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Defending the Drug Case Workshop

Catch a show and 19 hours of CLE credit at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer’s third annual workshop on Defending the Drug Case.  Topics to be addressed will include: wiretaps, cutting-edge drug defenses, drug searches and K-9 dogs, ethical considerations in setting & collecting fees, sentencing, and much more!  Improve your criminal defense arsenal and stop by the Avvo booth the improve your marketing!

December 10 in Greeley, CO: 19^th Judicial District Bench-Bar Committee 7^th Annual Nuts & Bolts CLE

Called “a great program at a bargain price,” the 7^th Annual Nuts & Bolts CLE also offers 9 CLE Credits, including 3 Ethics Credits.  Don’t miss the opportunity to participate, meet Avvo experts, and contribute to the coinciding 3^rd Annual Food Drive.

Refer to the Avvo Blog event page for our dynamic, comprehensive list of Avvo events!

Someone get me a neck brace because, sadly, L. Joe David is swerving all over the legal road.  For those who just joined, L. Joe (not to be confused with J. Lo) sued us a couple of weeks ago alleging we defamed him.  Even though he had twice been found guilty of willfully refusing to pay court-ordered child support, failing to appear for his court dates and willfully obstructing the Florida Bar’s disciplinary process, L. Joe still felt our Avvo Rating of 3.7 “Caution” was not warranted.  As confusing as that may sound, wait: it gets better.

Only weeks after filing his original complaint, Larry Joe is suddenly feeling that maybe Avvo isn’t defaming him, but rather we are now invading his privacy and violating the Florida adverting rules.  And, possibly best of all, L. Joe is still complaining about things like Avvo getting his address wrong.  I wonder if he has ever sued because Burger King forgot to hold the lettuce. 

 You can read L. Joe’s latest legal masterpiece here. 

 Mark

p.s.  You can read Avvo’s press release here.

Avvo is hosting a half-day Online Marketing Training session for lawyers on Wednesday, September 22 at its headquarters in downtown Seattle.

The session is FREE and open to the first 20 people who sign up!

Given by Mark Britton, Avvo founder and CEO; Josh King, Avvo General Counsel and Conrad Saam, Avvo Marketing Director – topics will cover the fundamentals of building a successful law practice by utilizing free and easy tools on the web. It is ideally suited for solo/small firm attorneys and marketing directors at mid-sized firms.

Agenda:

• Web Strategy: Managing Social Media and your Online Reputation – Explore the myriad social media options available to attorneys and build a Core Web Presence strategy that prioritizes social media opportunities for maximum effect. The web is a huge open publishing platform on which almost everyone can share an opinion. How can lawyers monitor and utilize the web to advance their personal reputation. What are best practices when responding to negative information on the web?

• Search Engine Optimization Best Practices for Lawyers – Understand the fundamentals of SEO so attorneys can adopt SEO best practices to for their own online search strategy instead of relying on expensive consultants.

• Google Website Analytics for Lawyers – Track the success of your online marketing initiatives and investments through mastery of Analytics, the free, easy-to-use tool from Google.

• $20 and 60 Minutes – A fast-paced, presentation covering how to set up a website, add blogging functionality, set up profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, claim an Avvo profile and tie them all together, for less than $20 and 60 minutes.

• Ethical Issues in Online Legal Advertising & Social Media (1hr CLE) – One Hour CLE on how the ABA Model Rules and specific state rules are implicated by rapid changes in technology.

Date: Wednesday, September 22
Location: Avvo HQ, 1218 Third Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98101
Time: 1PM-5PM PT
Cost: FREE (only 20 spots available)

Sign up here!

This month the ABA Journal announced its 2010 Legal Rebels and they are all sole practitioners.

With a range of experience across various practice areas, much can be learned from the success they’ve achieved and how they got there. It’s also interesting to see how each lawyer has embraced technology – whether it’s a blog, savvy website or virtual assistants – without losing touch of the fundamental keys to growing a business: client service, relationship building and good ol’ fashioned hard work.

The ABA Journal is also posting in-depth articles and video interviews from each lawyer throughout the month.

Today Google unveiled its new instant search, which makes the “search” button unnecessary and instead instantly brings up results as you type.  More than just a visual change, Google’s instant search predicts what Google thinks you want.  Google has calculated that this will save the average person 2-5 seconds per search.  But what does the “new” Google really mean for lawyers and marketers?

Rather than guessing what impact Google instant search will have, we’ll be closely monitoring data in the coming months to find the real impact, if any.  In the meantime, here are six ways instant search could affect attorneys and legal marketers:

1) Will long tail searches drop?

It’s possible that fewer people will type in long queries like “deed in lieu of foreclosure California” when Google will start returning results at “deed in,” which produces different search results. This could be bad news for websites or blogs that depend heavily on long tail searches.

2) Will Google local results become less important?

Playing around with the new Google, I’m noticing that the local results box doesn’t often appear when you type in “geo+practice area,” but it does appear when you type “geo+practice area+ lawyer.”  For example, when I type in “Seattle DUI” no local box appears:

However, when you type “Seattle DUI lawyer” the local box does appear:

If more people stop typing at “Seattle DUI,” then fewer people will see the local search results.  This is good or bad depending on how well you place in local results.

3) Will Google’s predictions shape keyword popularity?

Let’s say that in Tierra Del Fuego slightly more people type in “lawyer” than “attorney.”  That means Google will probably predict that people are searching for “Tierra Del Fuego DUI lawyer” vs. “Tierra Del Fuego DUI attorney.” If Google’s prediction is influential enough, it could turn a slight edge in one keyword into a huge edge, making less popular keywords irrelevant.  This could mean websites ranking for slightly less popular keyword variants will take a big hit.

4) Will keyword research become more difficult?

For people who do keyword research, it used to be pretty clear what the number of searches meant, but with people not necessarily using the “search” button anymore, the concept becomes less clear.  Will keyword data become less reliable from the Google Keyword Tool and others? If so, that could make keyword research even more difficult than it already is.

5) Will people actually change their behavior because of instant search?

It’s possible that this is all much ado about nothing.  If someone goes to Google with the intent of typing in “deed in lieu of foreclosure California,” he may still do that regardless of instant search returning results as he types.  Who knows.  Maybe the faster you type, the lower the likelihood that you will stop and look at instant results as you’re typing.

6) Will a large number of people opt out of instant search?

Google does allow you to turn instant results off, which many people might decide to do.

What’s more, Google’s predictive search ability is nothing new, and it hasn’t always been the most accurate.  In fact, errant Google search predictions often spread virally, as people take screen shots of them and pass them around for laughs:

What do you think of the new instant search?

Will it change your search behavior? And do you think there will be other potential effects not mentioned above?