Legal Marketing Blog: Legal Marketing & PR

Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal Marketing & PR Blogs

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Legal Marketing & PR

Legal Marketing Blog

By Tom Kane

Post Frequency: 3.6/day

Last Entry: March 29, 2011 at 13:55:00

Are You Interviewing Your Clients?

Posted on April 08, 2008
Since I started interviewing law firm clients in 1990 (even used a film crew to capture five of them on a VHS tape – I’ll bet you remember what those are), I have never waivered from the belief that it is one of the most important things a firm can do to retain clients...

It Really Is All About Satisfied Clients

Posted on March 27, 2008
Okay, every lawyer knows that, right? It’s so basic, so common sense, so elemental, so essential, so basic (alright, I’ll stop with the synonyms). Why then are clients unsatisfied even when the result is good? Because some lawyers don’t: Understand clients’ businesses and/or personal situation, Return phone calls or emails promptly, Keep client informed so as to avoid surprises, Meet deadlines Treat client with respect, Meet client expectations as to how matter will be handled, Respect clients’ time by keeping them waiting without explanation, Keep clients informed as to the process or status of their matter, and Keep a handle on costs and fees...

Decide on Ideal Clients by Identifying Clients You Don't Want

Posted on March 25, 2008
Lawyers are happier when they are doing the work they like for the clients they like working for. As my long time readers know, I have sung and preached that mantra many times (here, here, here, here, here, and here). Furthermore, your law firm marketing will be more efficient and cost effective, if you focus your business development efforts on narrow market niche(s) that set you apart from the competition...

How To Be a Strong Marketer in a Weak Economy

Posted on March 20, 2008
Does anyone really think that the downturn in the nation’s economy is or will not impact law firms? Of course not, we have already seen that it is having a profound effect on large firms. A few include: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (35 lawyers), Thacher Proffitt (“about 50 associates”), Dechert (13 associates), and Thelen (26 associates and 85 staff – I’ll bet there a few marketers in that number)...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

Which is Better: Advertising or Public Relations?

Posted on March 18, 2008
Law firms have asked me whether they should undertake an advertising or public relations campaign. My response can be both or neither. The reason is that until a firm has done the basics involving strategic marketing planning, either or both could be a total waste of money...

If You Are Breathing, You're Marketing!

Posted on March 13, 2008
Okay, that’s another of my infamous generalizations. But stick with me a second. I really do believe that everything a lawyer does – at least as s/he interacts with another human being – is marketing.I was reminded of this basic, fundamental principle when it comes to developing business in any personal services arena when I came across my friend Dan Hull’s post “When you work, you are marketing” over at What About Clients? blog wherein he refers to Rule 6 (his favorite) of his 12 Rules of marketing...

Secrets to Small Firms' Successes

Posted on March 11, 2008
Well, “secrets” may be a bit strong, since what makes small to medium size law firms successful isn’t exactly rocket science. Prosperous smaller firms have very successful lawyers who never practiced in BigLaw, as well as those who did, but left because they no longer cared for the environment or life style in larger firms...

How is Your "Working Relationship" With Clients?

Posted on March 06, 2008
Often I seek out ideas from the non-legal world that I think will be applicable to lawyers and law firms. One of those sources that I have used before is Michael McLaughlin over at Guerrilla Consulting. Although his audience is primarily made up of consultants, his advice is regularly useful in our world...

Is Your Marketing Budget Keeping Up?

Posted on March 04, 2008
I’m not referring to keeping up with the Jones’ or with large firms for that matter. What I am referring to is whether your firm is keeping up with the needs of your marketplace in terms of marketing and business development. Times change and competition is increasing...

PowerPoint and Kicking Butt

Posted on February 28, 2008
As a follow up to my last post “PowerPoint: The Good, The Bad and The Awful,” I wanted to report on feedback from Peter Darling. It’s obvious he knows a lot more about these presentations since he teaches workshops on the subject...

PowerPoint: The Good, The Bad and The Awful

Posted on February 26, 2008
Last fall I made a presentation on lawyer marketing at a plaintiff’s bar association conference. I worked very hard at minimizing the number of PowerPoint slides I used and the number of words on each slide, because I really do believe that less is more...

Business Development: You Gotta Do It!

Posted on February 18, 2008
I hate to exercise. I don’t care what anybody says. Maybe hate is a little strong, but I sure as heck don’t enjoy it. It ain’t fun. It’s work. “They” do refer to it as “working out” after all, now don’t they...

Has Your Firm Tamed That Damn Billable Hour Yet?

Posted on February 14, 2008
Thanks to a reader, I was alerted to an article entitled “Taming the Billable Beast” by David Gialanella in the February issue of the ABA Journal. The article discusses how three firms are doing just that. How? you many ask: Harrison & Ford out of Atlanta has eliminated the billable hour requirements for first year associates, AND doesn’t charge clients for their time on a matter...

Being Nice is Nice,... and Nice for Business

Posted on February 12, 2008
Have you heard the sales axiom that goes “All things being equal, people buy from people they like?” I certainly believe that because that drives my purchases. The other adage I don’t remember hearing before is “All things not being equal, people still buy from people they like...

How Convenient is it for Clients and Prospects to Reach You?

Posted on February 07, 2008
When you look at your “To Do” list, do you always do those things first that are important, necessary and urgent? Heck no, if you’re a talented procrastinator like me. I’m more likely to attack what is easy, uncomplicated and will result in instant gratification...

A Great New Resource for Solo's

Posted on February 05, 2008
Whether you are just out of law school or have been a solo practitioner for a while, or if you are thinking of leaving a larger law firm to go solo, there is a great new resource available to you.Carolyn Elefant, long time solo and blogging pioneer of MyShingle...

Is Your Firm Ready for a Leader from Outside?

Posted on January 31, 2008
Although there are some large law firms that have hired non-lawyers as the firm’s “managing partner”/COO/CEO or the like, I know of no small firms that have done so. Skadden Arps was probably the first to do it in the realm of BigLaw over 20 years ago , and other large law firms have followed suit more recently...

Guarantee Client Referrals With Good Client Relations

Posted on January 29, 2008
Every law firm should know by now that the best sources of new business are existing clients (in the form of new work or referrals) and other referral sources. Often called word of mouth marketing.Miriam Lawrence at Automatic Referrals has a recent post where she advises financial professionals on how to get referrals in what she calls an “ugly market...

7 Costly Marketing Mistakes

Posted on January 24, 2008
Being aware of those mistakes to avoid can improve any law firm’s legal marketing, obviously. I ran across an article by consultant Robert Moment that appeared on RainToday.com that was written for service businesses generally; but can be helpful to lawyers as well...

Interview: What Coaching Is All About

Posted on January 22, 2008
Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed about coaching and other business development topics by Cole Silver for his Expert Audio Series. It was a lot of fun. So, for those who care to listen to the golden vocal cords of yours truly, give it a go...

Marketing for Law Firms - Hiring a Marketing Person and a Trend

Posted on January 17, 2008
Here is the final installment of my responses to questions by freelance writer John Egan for an article to be published in CPAmerica International’s newsletter relating to “marketing for law firms.” The first three questions related to suggestions and mistakes, and budgeting...

Marketing for Law Firms - Budgeting

Posted on January 15, 2008
This is the second installment of my responses to questions by freelance writer John Egan for an article to be published in CPAmerica International’s newsletter addressing “marketing for law firms.” Last time I dealt with suggestions and common mistakes...

Marketing for Law Firms - Suggestions and Mistakes

Posted on January 10, 2008
It’s a good time, as we begin a new year, to consider some basics when addressing legal marketing. I was asked this week by a freelance writer for CPAmerica International’s newsletter to respond to five questions for an article about “marketing for law firms...

Procrastinators Unite

Posted on January 08, 2008
Okay it's now 2008. Have you done your marketing and business development planning for the year? Well, it's not too late. It’s late mind you, but never too late. However, it would be a good idea to pull your act together soon, if you hope to have a successful year...

New Year's Resolution: Get Off My Duff!

Posted on January 03, 2008
Mark Herrmann, a partner in Jones Days’ Chicago office called my attention to his post on Drugs and Device Law blog, where he suggests four “New Year’s Resolutions for Basic Legal Marketing.” I like his suggestions very much. They are simple...

Clark: 2007 Holiday Gift

Posted on December 20, 2007
Stacy West Clark wrote an article entitled “My 2007 Holiday Gift: Advice From Top Marketing Consultants” that appeared in The Legal Intelligencer on December 18. What she did was ask 10 marketing consultants for a marketing or business development idea she could provide to her readers...

Work Your Network During the Holidays

Posted on December 18, 2007
It’s a good idea to touch base with contacts within your network during the holidays. It’s even better than sending holiday cards. Pick up the phone and reach out to everyone you know (okay, if you are THAT popular, not everyone) and wish them a happy holiday season...

Again, Sign the Holiday Card!!

Posted on December 13, 2007
As I sit here signing holiday cards, and yes including a note, I remembered my post of December 8, 2006. I thought the advice was just as appropriate for this year, so here it is again:“Sign The Damn Holiday Card!“There was an interesting discussion yesterday on the The Law Marketing Listserv (free trial membership available) that was unanimous regarding the need to sign holiday cards and not just send out cards with the firm’s name on it...

Year End Collections - Does it Help or Hurt Your Marketing Efforts?

Posted on December 11, 2007
It’s that time of year that really made me laugh when I was in-house as a marketer. It’s the December to remember …to collect those outstanding fees before the 31st. It really was madness, and quite frankly I don’t know of any BigLaw firms (and others) that don’t still do that, even though it infuriates clients...

Are You Late in Budgeting for Marketing in 2008?

Posted on December 06, 2007
You are late, if you haven’t already budgeted for marketing and business development for 2008. Most large law firms start their budgeting process in early fall for the following calendar year. Of course, there are firms that still do not prepare a formal marketing budget at all, so anything I say here would be a waste of time for those firms...

Previous | Next

Related Law Bulletins

Update on AILF's Legal Action Center Visa Bulletin Litigation (Updated 7/10/07)
The following is the latest update from AILF regarding its pening ...

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center Legislative Forecast
The ILRC Forecast on Immigration ReformJudith Golub, Executive Dir...

The Christian Legal Society and "discrimation": Response to Susan
In response to Susan's post, I'm inclined to think that, yes, the ...

Stacy Scnheider Legal Commentator Apprentice

Catholic Legal Theory and life and death
Tom Berg’s question regarding the propriety or not of capital pu...