As I follow people back on Twitter I enjoy reading the diverse profiles. If they’re intriguing I click thru on the link. (Hint: Make your bio information on Twitter interesting! State what makes you unique!).
A third year law student that had followed me caught my attention. Bio for @Rex7
His About page on his blog is very interesting. Rex is doing more than building community on Twitter, he’s advocating for lawyers to use social media tools. His About page says:
This website was created with the purpose of connecting lawyers to new technologies in hopes of making the practice of law easier – both inside and outside of the courtroom.
We need lawyers online. I’ve blogged about my experience with Intellectual Property. Vickie Pynchon, an IP lawyer commented. I really appreciate that! She blogs on the IP ADR blog. My location in rural Minnesota doesn’t give me ready access to IP lawyers. I generally use resources online so it’s awesome to connect with people here. (I was just browsing one of her posts & it has many links to other law blogs)
On a recent contract I learned that I had signed a unilateral contract (meaning that conditions were stated for the company to withdraw early, but none for me). Note to self: make sure that I sign a bilateral contract in the future so there is a safety valve for me to leave the contract if needed. Is this important? absolutely – if it’s your business & your reputation (professional & personal brand) at stake.
Are there professional communities online for lawyers? Probably…
Here’s my contribution to connecting lawyers online:
Twitter: Rex7 – 3rd year law student; Pitzi – law student in Israel;
If you want to build your community of Twitter followers in the legal field:
- Twellow.com shows 450 (in searching bio’s for ‘lawyer’)
- go thru Rex’s list of friends on Twitter too & find many lawyers. :)
And as you build community (no matter your niche) you’re welcome to use my resources. I’m in the process of launching a new site, CommunityStrategist.com that brings out the best of my blog.
What are your thoughts on lawyers building community online? If you know of online communities for lawyers, feel free to link to them in the comments to help others connect.
Update: It’s good to see someone monitoring – within minutes of posting @AlisonLaw followed me. She’s offering consulting to law firms.
And @Rex7 is looking for a job. He’d be a stellar candidate I think!
I love the ripple social media makes – @barrettdavid followed me on Twitter -his Bio reads: Boston Business Litigation Attorney – World’s Largest LinkedIn Lawyer Network
and from David’s blog -a link to Twitter 101 for Lawyers
@MillerMosaicLLC did you see my post on Lawyers & communities? fun stuff :) http://tinyurl.com/5tebws
Lawyers are Building Community Online, don’t miss the boat! – http://bit.ly/OCwv
Adrian Lurssen of JD Supra has put together a list of lawyers on Twitter at http://scoop.jdsupra.com/2008/09/articles/law-firm-marketing/145-lawyers-and-legal-professionals-to-follow-on-twitter/.
The list started at 145 names, but is up to 503.
Also, lawyers have been building community online for quite some time. Solosez, the ABA’s most popular listserv (with over 3,500 members) could be considered the illegitimate love child of Twitter and blogs – that is, if its existence didn’t pre-date Twitter by about 10 years. Like Twitter, the list is open to any and all subjects. Since posts aren’t limited to 140 characters, however, some posts are more similar to blog posts than to tweets.
The ABA describes Solosez as: “an on-line resource for lawyers to share and obtain information on a wide range of personal and professional subjects: legal questions, client referrals, topical issues, practice technology problems and solutions, travel information, jokes, or just to gloat about a court victory or vent about a local judge. Hosted by the ABA General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division, this Internet tool is changing the way many solos practice law.”
Twitter, its value to lawyers, and how to use it, have been popular topics of discussion on Solosez of late. I try to help list members understand Twitter by pointing out the similarities between Solosez and Twitter.
You can find out more about Solosez at http://Solosez.net.
Thanks Lisa for all of that helpful info! You’re doing a great job of spreading the word :)
And I’m glad to hear that there’s a ‘twitterpack’ for lawyers too.
Thank you very much! You are amazing!
Actually Rex, it’s social media that’s amazing! I am just connecting the resources using the collective wisdom of your existing legal community.
And if you get a job via this method, I want to hear about it. :)
You know, the focus here is connecting lawyers to each other as a resource, but I think connecting lawyes to clients is a high value way to approach the professional application. The most obvious example that comes to mind is a large class action suit. Law firms sometimes handle suits involving hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs, all of whom have questions that need to be answered, absorbing large amounts of time for the office personnel. An online community dedicated for the members of the suit would allow them to communicate with each other and the firm, and let the firm answer each question as it comes up, instead of reanswering it for each individual. the comunity would also allow the members to support each other during the months and years the suit is being litigated, so everyone benefits.