The ethics rules re the use of trade names and letterhead Rule 7.5 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct governs the use of firm names and letterheads. Lawyers are required to ensure that any use of firm names…
I was saddened in 2020 to learn of the passing of Steve Susman of Susman Godfrey. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to suggest that he was known as one of the nation’s top 10 trial lawyers. I had the…
Social media makes trial publicity so easy. Be careful. Public relations professionals play a crucial role in publicizing their law firm clients’ trials, but they must also be mindful of the ethical considerations involved. Publicists have a responsibility to balance…
It’s a minefield. Let’s be careful out there. As legal marketing continues to evolve, it’s important for legal marketers to be aware of the ethical considerations involved in promoting law firms and legal services. Failure to abide by the ABA…
I love a good logo. There have been lots of lawyers on TV. Occasionally, especially in the cartoons, we get a quick glimpse of their logos or business cards. Most of them are comically bad, like these, for “Harvey Birdman,…
I collect hundreds of business cards every year. Under non-Covid conditions, I typically speak at dozens of conferences each year, attend a dozen more, and interview hundreds of lawyers in branding and website projects. So I have the occasion to…
It’s time to move on. To look forward. Many firms need to stop looking backwards at their Proud Traditions or long-dead founders’ historic accomplishments. No client has ever said, “Oh, if I could only find a firm that’s been in…
Giving is nice. Being seen giving is better. A true story. I published this true story in “The Reader” back in 1994. It shows how guilt, ego, publicity, and/or potential embarrassment can significantly increase charitable contributions. Here’s the…
Something for marketers and designers to remember: “You’re not an artist. You solve problems.” At Fishman Marketing, we design lots of marketing campaigns and websites. These days, most of the work, even the branding work, starts off as a website…
[This is the second part of a 2-part blog post regarding lawyers and LinkedIn. Read Part One here.] Here’s a senior lawyer’s “About” section I like. It tells the story of one of the nation’s top trial lawyers, a good…