@tysonsnow

July 9th, 2009

bw-small Tyson Snow

Employment and labor litigation lawyer

Associate, Manning Curtis Bradshaw & Bednar LLC

Today we’re tweeting with Salt Lake City-based employment / IP litigator and self-described geek @TysonSnow

@TysonSnow, thank you for joining us today on Twitter. Tell us: who is @TysonSnow?
Despite the jokes, lawyers (even @ firms) are people–like us! I’m a husband, friend, goofy, reader, hopefully always smiler
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Tell us about your law practice.
Litigation. Management side employment law. Harassment. Discrimination. Etc. Mix in IP & commercial lit. And I’m at a firm
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What type of clients do you represent?
Employers & business owners; whether big or small. I litigate and consult on employment and/or IP issues they may have.
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What is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
The economy (obviously). Advice on managing workforces, payrolls, benefits, IP, etc, w/in massive state and fed regulation.
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What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
I’m a litigator; I tell the truth: litigation is hard, real hard, but often necessary. We’ll get there but it will tough.
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Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
How about a few: national retailers (Wal-Mart / Sinclair / Smith’s / IHC) – crazy stories and crazy facts – fun cases.
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Hmm. Our collective curiosity is piqued…. Why do your clients hire you?
We left a “big” firm 12 years ago. We do “big firm” work, but w/ better service, more interaction, & Utah billing rates.
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Makes sense. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
Employment law, especially retainer clients; calls for advice & quick answers. More than usual. Also, more employees suing.
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You were News Director at BYU’s news outlet while in college. How does that experience make you a better lawyer today?
Lots of ways: better at managing large volumes of info, delegating, working w/ people, & ensuring that the details get done.
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How do you market your practice?
Sorry for delay — Partners… Sheesh… I do free employment & IP seminars , community involvement, networking, referrals.
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No worries. You blog at The Social Media Lawyer (http://bit.ly/RSvP4i). Why do blog about SocMed rather than labor law?-
My background = computer science. I’m a tech geek. I’m tech support around the firm. Tech / Social Media serve me & clients
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Play to your strengths… Besides Twitter and your blogs, what other Web 2.0 tools do you use?
LinkedIn, Facebook, boosting my MH ranking – http://tr.im/g1u5 – helping clients use online solutions to solve problems
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Was it hard to sell your active Web 2.0 profile to your firm’s leadership?
Our new site just up! http://mc2b.com – featuring pics by our attorneys! Yes, it was/is hard. Legal world is tech challenged
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Congrats on that! What specific impact on referrals and/or client engagements have you seen from your Web 2.0 activities?
Perceived expertise: I refer out more work (employees calling me) = more work (IP, employment, etc.) referred back my way.
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Sounds like the effort is paying off. How much time do you spend each day developing / enhancing your brand?
I spend a couple of hours/day developing my “brand,” legal knowledge, or touching base w/ friends & colleagues – aka playing
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Let’s switch gears. What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
Confluence & divergence. People now know more about law (need fewer lawyers) but law gets more complex (need more lawyers).
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Interesting perspective. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
Similar to today. Same landscape (w/ firms) but new methods: Alternative billing. Boutiques. In-house attnys handling more.
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What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
180 days: tram at Snowbird; 180 days: pro BMX park rider (or race Le Tour) I love writing/reading. Journalism most likely.
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Sounds like a good life! How do you want to be remembered?
Hard ?: Good husband, father (some day), friend, always smiling/joking, nice to all (even plaintiffs). As a lawyer? Maybe.
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You’ve given us some hints already, but what do you do when you’re not working?
I read depos in bed & dictate in my sleep. Read, ride, bmx, longboard, ski, music, watch Jeopardy (I’m a dork), church, etc.
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Busy man…. What advice would you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
Your JD very versatile. You have skills all employers need. Pretend your job hunt = getting onto Law Review. Same intensity
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That’s a helpful perspective. Our final question for you: what advice do you have for people going to law school today?
My advice: enjoy it. My current best friends are law school friends. I met my patent-attorney wife in law school! … (1/2)
… For 3 years, life is about law school, but ultimately, but the rest of life is about life. Enjoy it! (2/2)