@steigerlaw
June 9th, 2009
Personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Lowell Steiger
Author of Lowell Steiger’s Personal Injury Law Blog
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Today we’re tweeting with Los Angeles personal injury lawyer @steigerlaw, who treats his clients with the respect they deserve
Hi How are you today?
- @steigerlaw, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @steigerlaw?
A lawyer who loves representing injured people, caretaker by nature. Fighting the good fight for my clients :-)
- - Tell us about your law practice.
I represent people who were hurt by vehicles (cars, motorcycles, buses, etc.) defective products, slip/trip & fall accidents.
- - Can you tell us a little bit more about the clients you represent?
Anyone who has been physically hurt by someone else’s negligence (fault). Also rep workers who haven’t been paid OT, meal breaks
- - What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
There are 2 important legal issues/Q’s for injured people: (1) Who was at fault and (2) did this event actually cause the injuries?
- - What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I care what happened 2u, UR not a number. Your job is to get better, I’ll handle the legal part & guide you thru the entire process
- - I’m sure that is reassuring to hear. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Yng motorcycle rider paralyzed when car turned left. We settled 4 just under $8 million 4 lifetime care BUT it was heartbreaking
- - Why do your clients hire you?
Other than the bowl of candy on my desk? Zealous representation, thorough explanations, no BS, respect 4 client as a person in pain
- - People do seem to gravitate toward the desks with candy…. How has your practice evolved since you became a lawyer?
At 1st it was just me. Now I have lawyers & staff working on cases so that clients get all the attention that their cases require
- - What would you say is the most difficult aspect of being a personal injury lawyer?
Insurance companies denying fault or that my client is actually injured! That attitude infuriates me and I FIGHT them to the end.
- - I’m sure your clients appreciate that. How do you market your practice?
Nontraditional marketing. Clients come thru referrals, social media, my blog, word of mouth. I do what I love, that brings clients
- - You blog at Lowell Steiger’s Los Angeles Law Blog (http://bit.ly/3VNJRy). Who do you write for? Why should they read it?
An eclectic group who read it because they’re interested in the topics at hand. I include other points of view, relevant links, etc
- - You’ve been blogging since 2006. What led you to start blogging about personal injury law?
Blogging is #1 way to start a dialogue w/that great big world out there. Personal injury law is my passion, that’s what I blog about
- - Why did you decide to join Twitter? Has it proven to be a valuable effort?
I joined Twitter without a clue and found idea and resource exchanges, professional connections. Twitter is an incredible tool.
- - It certainly is (& you clearly have a clue now). Beyond Twitter and your blog, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use? Why?
I subscribe to a lot of legal and medical blogs and newsletters to keep me current and give me ideas that help me advise my clients.
- - What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements (if any) have your Web 2.0 activities provided?
My clients’ cases benefit from my access to so many incredible people whose ideas and experience help me think & act outside the box
- - That’s an interesting perspective. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Tweet for about an hour with my morning cup of Joe & throughout the day. I guess it’s branding but I think of it as communication
- - It’s both, isn’t it? Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Big business trying to block consumers’ access to the courts through “tort reform” under myth of frivolous lawsuits (see next Tweet)
Frivolous lawsuits are, in my opinion, a myth and the forces stating otherwise must be addressed http://tr.im/nVXi
- - What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Hard to say (no crystal ball). We have to fight to maintain current rights & restore those lost during the last administration
- - What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
That’s tough – I’d write about law (Grisham doesn’t need to worry too much yet) & work w/animal rescue organizations.
- - How do you want to be remembered?
As a loving partner, son and friend, someone who did good for others
- - What do you do when you’re not working?
Spend time with family, friends and dog, write, watch movies, go to open houses, drive around beautiful L.A. (I love L.A.)
- - Our last question for you is: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Find the passion in what you do. If you love what you do, good will follow. Law is a wonderful profession.
Thanks for inviting me. This was a wonderful experience. I appreciate what you’re doing @22Twts !
This was a great twitterview. Thank you very much for answering our questions today
You’re welcome!! Thank you, too. I’ve enjoyed the experience and look forward to reading other Twitterviews. Lowell Steiger
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@barrettdavid
June 4th, 2009
Boston Business Litigation Attorney
Author of the law blog “The Linkedin Lawyer”
World’s Largest LinkedIn Lawyer Network
Our 22nd Twitterview is with a star of the legal SocMed universe: @barrettdavid, Boston biz lit lawyer, AKA The LinkedIn Lawyer
Thank you Lance, I’m flattered.
- @barrettdavid, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @barrettdavid?
Father of 2 beautiful children, Husband, social media evangelist, anti-poverty activist, litigation attorney
- Tell us about your law practice.
Primary law practice is now a legal referral and collaboration practice – all practice areas. New law mkting biz is pre-launch
- Look forward to learning more about that venture. What type of clients do you work with?
I help lawyers find other lawyers for referrals. For marketing I help lawyers leverage new media and traditional marketing.
- What is the single most important issue affecting the lawyers you work with?
Attorney fee sharing issues in compliance with the ethical rules of the particular jurisdiction – and effective use of social media
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I tell referral attorneys that I’m interested to remain involved in the matter as a practicing attorney ….
I show social media consulting clients my social media testimonials … as many have their own social media philosophies already
- Tell us about one of the more significant representations you’ve been involved with.
Deposed Bill Gates’ former money manager as a new solo for a former Mass. corp against 3 big law firms. I passed Bar in ‘06.
- Wow. Why do lawyers come to you for referrals?
lawyers are more interested in my lawyer network than they are interested in me really …
my network attracts referrals because finding the right lawyer nationwide is a pretty hard thing to do really
really really really … haha I guess I tweet like I talk …
- How do you market yourself?
Networking, networking, networking. I am a “networking giver” to build quality relationships and I share my expertise.
I use LinkedIn to initiate relationships and other soc media to enhance the relationship – better phone and in person mtgs.
- You’re clearly a strong supporter of lawyers using Twitter for biz dev. Is it right for every attorney? Why / Why not?
Yes but attorneys need to deeply understand Twitter. It isn’t right for many do-it-yourself-ers ….
Twitter is a great way for lawyers to get started with blogging (by microblogging) and to stay abreast of their field ….
Lawyers need a marketing plan and a social media marketing plan … just spending all day on TW isn’t a good use of time
Lawyers can build relationships with interactive media – the better others know you the more likely they are to do biz w/you
Lawyers are also a pretty closed group … Twitter is more effective than cold-calling for lawyer relationship initiation
- Agreed. How do YOU use Twitter for business development?
Microblogging and building relationships ….
I like to grow the relationships that start on LinkedIn on interactive media before phone and real meetings.
Twitter can maintain relationships – even during contract negotiations … hey I’m still interested – retweeted you today
- You claim to have the “largest Linkedin lawyer network.” How many connections do you have? What’s the value of that?
Currently 9385 direct LinkedIn connections of which 4600 are attorneys. http://tinyurl.com/ot3umw …..
The network is valuable in all aspects of law practice … rainmaking … finding a colleague to share expertise …
The network is valuable in all aspects of law practice … learning about how other lawyers work and position selves …
The network has also allowed me to branch into practice areas I couldn’t have handled on my own
Non-lawyer clients also find me on LinkedIn – pretty frequently really
- Why did you decide to write a book about Web 2.0 for lawyers instead of using Web 2.0 to transmit the same knowledge?
Many asked for a book. I use my blog and Twitter and I have a new webinar series upcoming – http://tinyurl.com/obo377
Many lawyers use my social media activity as a model … which is flattering
- I’m sure it is. You blog at The Linkedin Lawyer (http://bit.ly/YTEf7). How do you decide what to write about?
I use social media to listen for hot topics, and I do a lot of speaking, webinars, interviews and media …
Many topics come to me … lawyers often ask how I have time to do this and practice … so I put together a webinar …
With the blog I try to stay focused on social media and the legal profession
- It’s full of useful advice. Other than Twitter and LinkedIn, what Web 2.0 tools add the most value to your practice?
The power of web 2.0 is viral marketing. My new biz with @StephenFairley will inspire …..
… inspire individuals to be marketers of our clients … if anyone has forwarded an email to their friends you know ….
if anyone has forwarded an email to their friends they know what viral marketing is about …
Facebook is also really underutilized … Facebook has great multi-media potential.
Web 2.0 tools for lawyers are powerful … but lawyers have to move past some of the tired imagery used for years
Web 2.0 has transformed me from a lawyer who just passed the Bar into a lawyer with a national reputation …
- You’ve answered this in part, but what’s the real impact on referrals/client engagements from your Web 2.0 activities?
The real impact in terms of referrals has been to move from getting referrals into becoming a nationwide referral ntwk …
Now clients want to engage a “lawyer of my stature” for matters that may be media-friendly or otherwise newsworthy …
Its pretty amazing, and I’m not sure this journey would even be possible without Web 2.0
- And you are transforming it as well. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Everything we do affects our brand. If I’m litigating, talking with clients …
… writing articles or building relationships it is all brand. So I guess all my waking hours … unless I’m fishing.
- Depends on who you’re fishing with…. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
I think the most significant issue facing the legal profession is transparency …
As consumers get more sophisticated, we need new ways across the understanding gap between lawyers and non-lawyers …
Of course there have been great lawyers forever … and we could videotape them all day and clients would get value ….
But now we are in a new era of transparency … and there are a lot of areas in the profession where light has yet to shine
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
In 10 years – much more transparent, much more specialized, more smaller firms and a harder look by clients at billing …
“Partnering with clients” and social media trends will change how firms interact with clients … at least I hope so
- You’re helping bring those changes about…. What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
I would spend more time on anti-poverty and international development work, like http://greennamibia.blogspot.com/ …
I am honored to be a lawyer however … and working with the tools of law and policy is where I want to be
- How do you want to be remembered?
I’d like to be remembered as a kind teacher and a willing listener …. as someone who loved his kids passionately
- You mentioned fishing. What else do you do when you’re not working?
I played college baseball and I’m really into coaching my son (8) in Little League when I’m not working …
He has a Japanese windup and 4 pitches … I’m a recovered vegetarian and I just got 100% on my hunting license exam.
- We’ll look for him in a few years… Our last question: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
I’d tell law students to develop biz skills and legal skills. Learn how to make rain. …
Students should understand we are all entrepreneurs, even if we work at a firm …
Students looking for jobs are more likely to find “of counsel” relationships and will likely “eat what you kill” …
Rather than stepping off the graduation stage into a super salary – smaller firms are leery about spending time training …
and students will have a better time of it pulling their own weight. In their fist job and throughout their careers.
That’s great advice. Thank you very much for giving us a great 22nd 22 Tweets Twitterview!
It was my pleasure Lance. Thank you for the kind words, and I’m very flattered to be part of 22 Tweets.
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@bmarler
June 2nd, 2009
Personal Injury and Products Liability Attorney
Managing Partner of Marler Clark L.L.P., P.S.
Food Safety Advocate
Author of Marler Blog, as well as Botulism Blog, Campylobacter Blog, Cryptosporidium Blog, Cyclospora Blog, E. coli Blog, Enterobacter Sakazakii Blog, Food Poison Blog, Hepatitis A Blog, Listeria Blog, Mad Cow Blog, Norovirus Blog, Salmonella Blog, and Shigella Blog
Today, we’re tweeting w/ @bmarler, Food Safety Advocate, MP of Marler Clark, Food Poisoning Lit Lawyer, Blogger, Husband, Father
- @bmarler, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @bmarler?
I am a trial lawyer who focuses on food safety issues.
- Tell us about your law practice.
For the last 16 years I have been involved in every major food borne illness case in the US.
- That’s an impressive elevator speech! What type of clients do you represent?
Primarily children sickened by food they consume.
- What is the single most important legal issue affecting your clients?
Proving causation – what food item made them ill.
- What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
Great question – I tell them I am there 24/7 for them.
- Under circumstances imagine that’s reassuring. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
Tough question – probably the $15.6M I got for one girl sickened in the Jack in the Box E. coli case.
- Why do your clients hire you?
other than my good looks? I think because of our knowledge of the subject, our experience and results.
- Maybe it’s all four…. What would you say is the most difficult aspect of representing victims of food poisoning?
Certainly dealing with the death of a child. I have three daughters and simply can not imagine it.
- Why did you step in to get Michael Pollan’s book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” back on the curriculum at Wash State U?
Couldn’t help myself – It was the right thing to do. It is a book that should be read at WSU and all colleges.
- Indeed. A couple of months ago you offered $25K to charity if you got 25K Twitter followers. Are you still pursuing that?
I got to 2,500 followers and donated $2,500 to cancer research. I am waiting on the next 2,500 followers and have a growing list.
- Hope this helps… You are one of the–if not THE–country’s food poisoning law experts. What’s the secret of your success?
I work hard, very hard (some say too hard) – I am focused, organized and passionate.
- How do you market your practice?
Frankly, by always putting the client first and doing quality work.
- Your primary blog is Marler Blog (http://bit.ly/xeenE). Who do you write it for? Why should they read it?
In part I write it for myself –somewhat like a diary. I hope I give some insight into an aspect of the costs of food poisonings.
- You have 10+ blogs on food illnesses. Are issues so unique as to require disease-specific blogs?
They are, but I think they are a useful place to put our spin on the news about bugs.
- For victims imagine it’s very useful. Have your Web 2.0 activities had an impact on referrals or client engagements?
I think it is a way to show that we know what we are doing.
- How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
Honestly, I just try and do my job and the rest takes care of itself.
- Let’s switch gears: what is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Maintaining high legal standards for ethics while experiencing more and more competition.
- What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
I think it will be more fasted-paced and more competitive. I’m clearly over 50.
- What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
Flip of the coin – USDA Undersecretary of Food Safety Inspection Services or US Senator from Washington State.
- You clearly like a good challenge…. How do you want to be remembered?
Frankly, as people know me now – hard-working, straight-forward and truthful.
- What do you do when you’re not working?
LOL – is there something other than working? I love what I do so much that it seldom feels like work.
- That’s great. Our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
Do not be lazy. Work hard to make yourself invaluable to your clients and your community.
That’s great advice. Thank you very much for a very interesting twitterview today
No, thank you.
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