Lawyers and Legal Marketers: Join us this Wednesday, February 29th at 1PM ET/10AM PT for a free webinar with Stephen Fairley, CEO of The Rainmaker Institute.

Social media is no longer a fad. It’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate and it is quickly becoming a powerful and cost effective tool to market your law firm! Every time you turn on the television companies are asking you to “like them on Facebook” or “follow them on Twitter”—what does that mean and why should you do it?  We have all heard the startling statistics:

• Facebook recently announced they now have over 845 Million active users!
• LinkedIn adds another 1 Million users every 6 days!
• Over 200 Million people have set up a Twitter account!
• YouTube surpassed over 490 Million unique visitors per month!

As a law firm, should you “jump on the bandwagon” and get in before your competitors do or should you “wait and see” if social media really takes hold? If you wait, what will you miss and how do you know if it’s right for you? What are the risks you need to be aware of? What about the ethical rules and regulations? How can you get started? How much time, energy and money should we devote to social media? How do you measure a return on investment? What expectations should you have?

Get these questions answered, and more!

Sign up here!

If you are thinking about attending Avvocating 2012: Legal Marketing in the Era of Social Media, but haven’t yet committed, here are five reasons you won’t want to miss this conference:

1) Get a year’s worth of online marketing ideas–in two days. This year’s agenda will cover how to evaluate different online marketing channels and tie them together in a strategic way. It’s not enough to know about the latest social media tools and tactics, lawyers and legal marketers must understand how to create an integrated program.

2) Meet and network with your peers from around the country. We’re also putting together an outstanding and interactive networking reception that will be unlike the other awkward “meet and greets” you’ve attended at conferences in the past! Stay tuned for more details.

3) Many new speakers, and some back by popular demand. Rich Barton, the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Zillow and Founder of Expedia will kick off the conference. Following you will hear from tech leaders, digital media experts and web-savvy practicing attorneys.

4) Work one-on-one with Avvo team members. Team Avvo will be available to answer questions and listen to your feedback, offer tips to enhance your profile or look into options for advertising across the site. Folks from sales, customer support and marketing will be accessible, as well as the top executives. We value this opportunity to meet you in person.

5) Enjoy everything Seattle has to offer. You can’t beat our waterfront location at the Bell Harbor Conference Center or the Pacific Northwest accommodations of our partnering hotel: The Edgewater. We’re also only steps from the famous Pike Place Market, great shops and the best dining in the city. You can also take the monorail to the Space Needle or hop on a ferry to explore neighboring islands. There’s so much to do, you might as well make it a long weekend!

Register now for Avvocating 2012. We look forward to seeing you in Seattle in May!

We need your help!

Please take a moment to vote for Avvo CEO, Mark Britton’s LexThink.1 speaking proposal entitled, Back to the Future. The conference theme is “Serving Clients Better” and each speaker gets six minutes to share their one big idea about the future of law practice. Here’s Mark’s submission:

Back to the Future

Due to communication innovations of the 21st century (e.g., Internet, social networking, video chat, etc.), lawyers are being forced back to a time of community interaction and leadership.  But the communities have changed.  Many are now online in-part or whole. How does a lawyer identify online communities that are most important to his or her practice?  What are the best ways to engage those communities?

Vote here!

Last week we heard all about LegalTech New York from Andrea Cannavina. She brought us reports from the exhibit floor, education sessions and the evening activities.

In case you missed it, here’s the replay. Great information for solo and small firm lawyers, marketers and legal technology providers!

Have you always wanted to attend LegalTech New York, but just couldn’t get there? Well, this year you’re in luck!

Andrea Cannavina, CEO and founder of LegalTypist, Inc, was there last week and will report during this webinar on the latest news, trends and interesting technologies that were on display at the show. Taking the highlights from the three-day event, she will provide an overview of the keynote addresses, most popular sessions, popular vendors and the conversations buzzing among the hallways. After an hour on this webinar you’ll feel as if you were there!

As the CEO and founder of LegalTypist, Inc as well as an EthicsChecked™ Master Virtual Assistant, Andrea understands the ins and outs of technology for lawyers. She customizes each workflow to the client’s existing technology, equipment and comfort level. LegalTypist offers law firms of all sizes a scalable digital workflow accessible from any telephone or internet connection that is as easy on the staff to implement as it is on the firm budget. We’re looking forward to hearing her takeaways from Legal Tech NY – hope you can join us as well!

This webinar will take place on Thursday, February 9th at 10:00AM PT.

Sign up here!

This month Avvo will be at several different events speaking with lawyers. Let us know if you will be there! We’d love to connect in person:

February 7: Washington State Bar Association: Legal + Business = Corporate Counsel: The Equation to In-House Success

Avvo Founder & CEO Mark Britton will offer his thoughts on being a successful in-house counselor, both from a CEO’s and GC’s perspective. He will offer tips for being a better in-house lawyer and better external counsel representing companies. Tickets are still available.

February 11-15: American Association for Justice:  2012 Winter Convention in Phoenix, Arizona

Held over a five-day period, the Winter Convention features education programs for plaintiff attorneys with a national focus; Section, Litigation Group, Caucus, and Committee meetings; a lineup of political speakers, including candidates, elected officials, and pundits; and social events. The convention offers members the opportunity to earn a year’s worth of CLE, to network, and to return to their practices reenergized and better able to represent their clients.

February 16-19: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: 2012 Midwinter Meeting & Seminar in Ft. Lauderdale , Florida

This 2-day program provides criminal defense lawyers with the best strategies for defending those accused of sex crimes, shed light on modern science to effectively dispute the prosecution’s claims of wrongdoing, and minimize the influence and impact of the media on clients’ chances of an acquittal. Some of the best litigators and communicators in the country will address topics ranging from medical evidence, crossing the “rape kit”, defending juvenile defendants, cross-examining children, SAIN examinations, jury selection, dealing with confessions, and developing theories and themes.