A law blog addressing the foci of 3 intrepid law geeks, specializing in their respective fields of knowledge management, internet marketing and library sciences, melding together to form the Dynamic Trio.
I was read that Weil, Gotshal was going to be opening a new Middle East office in January. It got me wondering: how many of the top 50 AmLaw Firms have Middle East Offices?
The most popular location is Dubai, with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi tying for second place.
I speculate this because the ones that do have ME offices are heavily invested in their energy and project finance practices. Although some may be handling corporate work, I would hazard to guess that the work is so specialized that it would require solid ME legal expertise, which is very hard to come by.
Also, setting up office in the Middle East is complicated: it requires assocations with local firms. And don't forget integrating into the rest of the firm's technology.
Recently the NY Times was advocating that employment-challenged lawyers may consider looking to the Middle East for their next gig. Apparently, there is a wealth of vacancies if you are willing to adopt a new culture.
If you are interested in the full list, shoot me an e-mail.
This week, we've been listing all the large law firms that we could find that publicize the fact that they have attorney written blogs. We broke it down into those that were proud of their blogs vs. those that seem to be luke-warm to the fact that these blogs exists. There are a few more categories we could also cover, such as those firms that would ban blogging by their attorneys, or attorneys that have stealth blogs that either haven't been discovered by their firms Marketing Department or Senior Partners, or are just plain ignored by the firm's upper echelon. These would be interesting (but difficult) lists to compile, but what interests me the most is the attorneys that have blogs, but don't necessarily want the firm to have anything to do with them.
There were a few comments on the previous posts that said that they actually wanted to keep their personal blogs, well... "personal." And, they had a number of reasons to keep the firm from taking ownership of the blog:
Personal blogs do not have to be "screened" by anyone in the firm before being posted. This allows for attorneys to post quickly to breaking news, or just whenever the mood hits them.
If I move to another firm, I can take my personal blog with me. It would tragic to have to leave something that you feel is your own and turn it over to others to manage (or destroy) when you move on to another firm.
I've also been thinking of what are the benefits of having your firm taking ownership (or at least promoting and supporting) a blog. So, I came up with this list:
I have a multi-million dollar organization with thousands of clients and a global (or at least national) reach supporting my efforts.
Others in my firm can team with me to work on a specific legal topic blog. Spread the effort of maintaining an up-to-date blog across the Practice Group, thus making the blog more diverse and current.
I feel somewhat less guilty if I blog between the hours of 8-5. Hey, it's for the Firm!!
Hopefully there is someone in Marketing that can help promote the blog. A kind of built in Search Engine Optimizer and editor right on staff.
My blog can lead to me being asked to speak at conferences on specific topics and the firm will see it as professional development, not just personal gratification.
I'm sure there's more, but I thought I'd leave a little something for all of you to leave in the comments section below.
To spruce this post up a little bit, I thought it would be interesting to survey the readership to see what they think about the relationship between a law firm and their attorney blogs.
What Type of Relationship Would You Want Between Your Blog and Your Firm?
Well, the visits to 3 Geeks and a Law Blog shot into the stratosphere this week with our posting of Monday's List of Large Law Firm's "Officially Sanctioned Blogs". With help from the ABA Journal Online and Above the Law, we've had thousands (yes, thousands!) of visits to what we believe to be the best Legal Blog covering Technology, SEO, Competitive Intelligence, and Law Library issues on the web.
In part II of our study on Big Law Firm Blogs, we wanted to see how it "appears" to the casual viewer on what the firms actually think of their attorneys' blogs. As we stated in part I, the firms that had blogs tended to fall into two camps:
Blog-Proud: These firms actually make it very easy to find their attorney's blogs. Either by putting it in the "publications" section of their web page, or listing it in some other very visible portion of the blog.
Blog-Tolerant: These firms look like they would rather bury the attorney's blogs and not have anyone view them. Perhaps that really isn't the case, but if the only place you can find a mention of an attorney's blog is by finding the specific attorney and then searching for the term "blog" or "blawg", then it sure seems to be something that the firm isn't very proud of.
I'm going to go through the list alphabetically, and give my personal observation of whether a firm is "Blog-Proud" or "Blog-Tolerant". But first, let me share a little bit of my methodology with you, so that when you say to yourself "what an idiot for missing this popular blog", you'll at least know why I missed it. I have literally gone through each of the websites for the NLJ 250 to see if they list their Blogs somewhere on the site. I start by browsing the Home Pages and the Publication pages. I'll skim the Practice Group page list to see if it is listed there, but if it isn't obvious, I assume it isn't there. The last process I do before giving up is to search the web site using the firm's search tool (or Google if the firm doesn't have a search tool.) I find a lot that way, but it isn't a perfect research method, so I may have missed some, too. So, if I did miss some, kindly let me know and I'll correct that portion of the list as needed.
So, here we go:
Akin Gump
Blog-Tolerant
The blogs were so hidden that I missed some of the most well-know blogs out there. I even got comments from people that thought I was "absurd" for not listing them. When in truth, the blogs were very, very difficult to find.
Alston Bird
Blog-Proud
Blogs were easily found on the Home Page under “Resources”
Baker & Daniels
Blog-Tolerant
I needed to find an old press release in order to uncover the BenefitsbizBlog.The B&D Consulting link came from a comment.
Baker Hostetler
Blog-Tolerant
This blog was mentioned on Paul G. Karlsgodt’s bio page.I had to use the search option and then skim through the results to find it.
Balch & Bingham
Blog-Proud
Found it very easily under the “News, Events & Publications” drop-down menu.Took me straight to the blog.
Bracewell & Giuliani
Blog-Proud
Listed right under the “Highlights” portion of the home page.In fact, somehow I missed their Financial Industry Task Force Blog the first time I visited the page.I’ve since added it to the list.
Butzel Long
Blog-Tolerant
Had to search for the blog and found it under Christopher B. Hopkins’ Bio page.
Carlton Fields
Blog-Proud
Class Action Blog Logo listed right smack-dab on the home page.
CooleyGodwardBlog-Tolerant
The blog was listed under the Practice Group page rather than under the publications tab.Again, I had to search for the blog and weed through the results to find it.
Davis Wright Tremaine
Blog-Proud
No problem finding the blogs here.Found it easily under the aptly named “News, Blogs & Awards” Section on the firm’s home page.
Dechert
Blog-Tolerant
With Dechert, I actually had to do a Google search using “Blog” site:dechert.com to find the results as the firm doesn’t seem to even have a search tool for its own site.
Dewey & LeBoeuf
Blog-Tolerant
To find the blogs from Dewey, you have to search the site, and then go through the bios in order to find them.Michael C. Dorf and Lyle Roberts blogs were not easily found, which is too bad.
Dorsey & Whitney
Blog-Tolerant
Dorsey surprised me because I hear they are launching some new blogs in the near future.At this time, however, you have to search and find Roy A. Ginsburg’s bio to find the existing blog.
EdwardsAngell
Blog-Proud
The blog was pretty easily found under the Newstand link on the home page.Listed in the types of publications was a “Blog” list.
Foley Hoag
Blog-Proud
Very Blog-Proud in fact. Big and bold under the firms “News & Resources” link there is a “Blog” Section all to itself.
Fox Rothschild
Blog-Proud
Fox Rothschild puts its link to the Blog section right on the home page, top-center.This is one of the easiest blogs to find out of all the firms listed.
Frost Brown ToddBlog-ProudJust like Fox Rothschild, Frost Brown Todd puts the blog information right on the home page with a link in the “Resources” drop-down.Very Blog-Proud.
Holland & Hart
Blog-Proud
H&H also list their blogs on the home page under the “In Focus” area.
Howrey
Blog-Proud
Howrey lists its blog directly under the “Resources” drop-down list.Very easy to find.
HughesHubbardBlog-Tolerant
In order to find the blog on HughesHubbard, you have to search for blogs and sift through the results to find the blog.
Ice Miller
Blog-Proud
Ice Miller’s blogs are listed directly on the home page.
JacksonWalker
Blog-Tolerant
JacksonWalker really surprised me that they promote their Twitter micro-blog, but make it difficult to find their “macro”-blog.
JefferMangelsButler & Marmaro
Blog-Proud
JefferMangels lists their blogs on their “News/Blogs” section of their home page.
Jones Day
Blog-Tolerant
The blog that is linked to one of their partners, isn’t even linked on the page that it is listed.Seriously blog-tolerant.
K&L Gates
Blog-Tolerant
In order to find the list of blogs, you have to find the RSS feed option then backtrack to the blogs themselves.
Lathrop & Gage
Blog-Proud
Lathrop & Gage posts a large icon linking directly to their blog directly on their home page.
Lindquist & Vennum
Blog-Proud
Lindquist lists the blog on the home page under the Practice Groups News.I’m afraid that once it falls off the news section, it will be hard to find.
Luce Forward
Blog-Tolerant
This was another firm that buried the link to the blog in the attorney’s bio.This time I had to search until I found Eric L. Lane’s bio to find the blog link.
McGlinchey Stafford
Blog-Proud
McGlinchey lists the blog in two places on its home page.Once under the News\Resources drop-down, and again as an icon at the bottom of the page.
McKenna Long
Blog-Tolerant
The blog is not easily found, which is a shame (since I’ve been researching RFID for years.)To find, you must search and dive into the results.
Morrison Foerster
Blog-Tolerant
Buried deep on David M. Lynn’s bio page.Search and sift.
NixonPeabody
Blog-Proud
NixonPeabody is attempting a full-blown Web 2.0 experience.Listed prominently on the top of the home page.Very Proud!
Pepper Hamilton
Blog-Tolerant
You have to search and go through the Practice Group page to find this blog.
PerkinsCoieBlog-Proud
While not listed prominently on the home page, the blog is easily found on the News\Publication page.
Porter Wright
Blog-Tolerant
Although the blog was announced in a press release, once the release drifted off the headlines, it made it difficult to find.
ProskauerRoseBlog-Proud
Loud and Proud right on the home page.Somehow it was in such plain sight, that I missed one of them.
Quarles & Brady
Blog-Tolerant
Another “search and sift” firm.
Reed Smith
Blog-Proud
Although not listed directly on the home page, it is easily found on the Publication page.
Reinhart
Blog-Tolerant
You’ll need to search to find this one.
SaulEwing
Blog-Proud
Found on the Publications page.
Sheppard Mullin
Blog-Proud
The Blog link is listed right at the top of the home page.
Shook Hardy & Bacon
Blog-Tolerant
I had to search and then read through Kevin Underhill’s bio to find this blog mentioned.
Sonnenschein
Blog-Tolerant
This one was listed on the Practice Group page, but not very easily discoverable if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.
Stoel Rives
Blog-Proud
Easily found on the home page tool bar as “BLOGS”.
SutherlandAsbill & BrennanBlog-TolerantI needed to search until I found the Practice Group page to find this blog listed.
The Cochran Firm
Blog-Proud
Listed directly on the home page.
Thompson & Knight
Blog-Proud
Easily found on the home page under the Publications drop-down.
WallerLansdenBlog-Proud
Listed directly on the home page as “Visit Our Blogs”.Not much easier than that.
Williams Mullen
Blog-Proud
Blog link is placed at the top of the home page.Although it could be a little bit bigger, it is still front and center.
WilmerHale
Blog-Tolerant
You have to search for these blogs.And, the results seem weird because these are recruiting blogs, not legal topic blogs.
WinsteadPCBlog-Proud
I’m giving Winstead a pass here because they have a press release on the home page announcing the start of this blog.I hope they continue to keep it listed where people can easily find it.
WombleCarlyleBlog-Proud
Womble displays the link to the blog section prominently on the home page.
Recently I posted on the User Agreement for LinkedIn. And now LinkedIn has decided to make some changes to this agreement. The first curious thing (a.k.a. red flag) was the site let me know when I logged in that changes had been made to the User Agreement. This is not normal. The second thing - apparently France has some laws that presented some issues. Here the changes are in their full glory:
Summary of Changes to LinkedIn User Agreement
LinkedIn has revised its User Agreement as of November 14, 2008. LinkedIn did not materially alter the user agreement, but revised it to provide more detail and clarification in certain provisions and added certain disclosures required by French law. This summary page is intended to facilitate your review and understanding of the changes to LinkedIn’s user agreement. However, you should read the full user agreement, as you will be bound by its terms when you view, access or otherwise use LinkedIn.
Following are highlights of the revisions to the user agreement:
In Section 1, under the heading “Your Obligations—What You Must Do: License and warrant your submissions”, you agree to inform LinkedIn of changes to your registration information and to inform LinkedIn if you believe someone is misusing or otherwise appropriating your information. We note that we do not independently identify users when they connect to the site or supervise the content provided by users. Finally, we remind you that information you reveal on LinkedIn is available to its entire community of users.
In Section 1, under the heading “Your Obligations—What You Must Do: Privacy”, we recommend that you read our full privacy policy before deciding whether to become a user of LinkedIn. In Section 1, under the heading “Your Obligations—What You Must Do: Export Control”, we make certain required export control disclosures.
In Section 4, under the heading “Disclaimer”, we explain that we do not have any obligation to verify the identity of persons subscribing to LinkedIn services and we remind you that we are not responsible for the actions of other users. We further advise that we do not make any guarantee that our services will function without interruption or error and so we disclaim all liability in that regard.
In Section 11, under the heading “Claims Regarding Copyright Infringement”, you consent to our use of the content you submit for display on LinkedIn.
At the very end of the document, we added certain disclosures which apply only if your country of registration is France, you are using LinkedIn from France and you are using the French language version of LinkedIn. In that case, you have certain rights of retraction and agree to refrain from “snowball” sales or services.
In my never ending EULA search, I came across this interesting and entertaining EULA language. Now instead of reading EULA's I'm going to start writing them.
There are a number of large law firms that have officially sanctioned blogs, and we've compiled a list of those that we could find. Out of the National Law Journal 250, we found 136 141 blogs from 53 56 firms.
Now, let me explain what we mean by "officially sanctioned blog." We are stretching this phrase to mean that the blog was mentioned somewhere on the firm's website. Some of the blogs are featured jewels of the firm, and are proudly displayed. Others, are hidden so deeply, that you might think that the firm tolerates some of their attorneys having personal blogs. We'll follow up with some additional blog postings to break out the firms that are blog-proud vs. blog-tolerant. [click here to see Blog-Proud v. Blog-Tolerent Firms]
NOTE: We looked at each of the firms' websites to see if they listed any blogs in their publications or other obvious places. We'd also use the search function to see if we could find any blogs listed by the firm. If we missed some blogs, please let us know.
NOTE 2: Kevin O'Keefe just put out an AmLaw 200 blog list that is great.
