Break in!

The other night my house was broken into. Back door lock barrell was snapped in half and knocked thru ( a process which takes 30 seconds apparently) but they failed to release the lock and so instead threw a brick through my kitchen window.

My pooch was in the next room happily snoozing whilst I got robbed. Good job I love the bitch

Never encountered this situation before and so absolutely shat myself on the night. Its pretty scary stuff when you are the ones affected. Apprently they saw my car keys hidden behind the fridge - you can see them from one of the kitchen windows. How stupid am I?

Ive since learned that the average lock on the average door is useless unless it is of a specific design and unless your door also has secondary security accessories such as sash jammers or mortice type locks.

I dont want to worry anyone (and its not a well read blog so the ripple this causes will be modest to say the least!!) but the chances are that your house is pretty vulnerable.

These tossbags do not care about alarms. They will break in and risk capture without a second thought. They will kick your door in or break the lock and Ive seen how easy it is to do the latter. Then they'll run for the hills and you either smack them or let them escape.

Its a terrifying ordeal

There are two things I would recommend to anyone who might wish to improve their security

1) Fit "snapsafe" lock barrells which cannot be snapped in half like the standard lock. Instead they break in layers so that the internal lock remains intact. http://www.squirelocks.co.uk/html/cylinders_snapsafe.htm

2) Fit Sash Jammers - even if the fuckers get thru the lock they wont get in with these babies fitted.
http://www.sasshop.co.uk/catalogue/products/BW0501.htm

Its the doors that you should worry about not the windows. Start with the door and then fix the rest. Dont be a victim like I very nearly was.

Here's some more tips from relevant webpages:

http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/burglary/


Oh - and a merry christmas to all!!

(I feel better already now Ive blogged and got this off my chest)

The Christmas Party

Your average law firm xmas party is an event not to be missed. I speak from experience having enjoyed around 20 previously. They never disappoint.

You can profile most people as follows:

The senior men
The Men with power generally stay sober
They ogle / letch
They swap private jokes with "safe" peers about other partners, subordinates or big breasts
They keep an eye on the free bar tab
They prepare their 1 minute "thank you for all your efforts this year" speech

They watch

The Middle ranking men
This is a confused bunch - some are aspirant, others are on the way down
The aspirants work hard at greasing the main players whilst staying cool with their peers
Those on the way down couldnt give a toss and are looking for a) Beer b) Totty c) both
Some will have niggles about pay rises, poor bonuses or lack of recognition
Others will be cockahoop having just been handed an associateship or decent bonus
Most will not enjoy the party - they cant - too much to lose if they over do it
This is by far the worst group to be in


The Juniors
This is by far the best group to be in
They dont give a toss because theyre young, free and horny
They dont care if things go pear because they will just move on - theyre young and will survive
There is free beer on offer and they are going to enjoy it
There are women (or men) on show and they are going to select who, how and where
They may make a move on a senior, they may not
They are unlikely to make a move on a middle man because - whats the point


The Trainees
Poor sods - they get abused all year and tonight is no different
Some clean up
Some carry bags or walk round with champagne topping up glasses
The lucky ones can let their hair down
But beware the predators - Trainees are ripe for harassment and are less likely to react
Most will be on duty first thing tomorrow but theyre too daft to go easy on the booze
Law school doesnt prepare you for this but you will survive and most have a whale of a time


The support staff
My favourite group
They just dont give a shit
Short of punching a senior bod - they have nothing to lose, nothing to gain
Theyre in a safe job, probably like their boss and have no intention of rocking the boat
That said they are here to enjoy themesleves
Theyve worked hard all year and tonight is payback time


This year we had 3 arguments in full view of everyone. One punch thrown (it missed the target)
4 people vomiting, 3married men leave with women who were not their partners (sharing a taxi home? who knows) and one God awful speech.

And that was just the senior men.

A Christmas "Personal Injury" Carol......

Im feeling quite festive today, mainly because I unwittingly discovered my secret pressie from the missus hidden in the wardrobe. It was poorly concealed under a mountain of ironing, three cardboard boxes and behind a secret panel. It only took three hours to dig out and Ive told my other alf that she really shouldnt leave things lying around like that.

So after using my new superduper braun multi functional shaver I sat and thought about what xmas means to your average web hungry PI lawyer. I stress the web hungry bit because those that operate on the internet and rely on same for business tend to have a slightly different outlook to those gifted work from "traditional" sources. Here's what December usually holds in store for those with a high ranking PI website (and no doubt a million other business websites):

The first 10 days of December are pretty normal - business as usual you might say. Silly season gearing up but not yet in full swing. Enquiry levels are at usual levels and everythings hunkydory

Come the middle of the month and things start to slow. Less phone calls, less online forms being completed. You still get your nutters who want to sue their employer for a slip on a greasy floor 20 years ago but generally there is a tail off.

So you get your team to dig out their diaries and do a bit of housekeeping. There is a lull in CFA discussions and advice on how we dont charge a client but have to say in writing that we will charge because otherwise we breach the indemnity principle which has to be the biggest load of bollocks ever cooked up even by lawyers. I could go on about the CFA and all its failings but wont.

Come the 20th of the month you really are scratching your arse and trying to keep busy. Post slows down so you have less to browse thru and respond to. Less letters going out, less coming in = less to do across the department. The cunning members of your team look busier than they actually are. The numpties dont know any better and sit there messing around until you clip them. By now youre ready for the final bell

You then crawl towards xmas eve, still a trickle of enquiries and the usual "didnt know lawyers worked on xmas eve" comments - dont worry pal were off for a nice ten day break anytime soon

As the final bell approaches you break the news to the poor sod who is manning the helpline during the holiday. The face drops, the eyes roll as they realise they have been handed a job that will totally screw their holiday. But its necessary and as luck would have it - there will be two hand picked individuals selected for the task. So the poor guy (or gal) can gain a crumb of comfort in the knowledge that some other sucker also has a fcked up holiday.

You hand the mobiles containing the main office redirects to the lucky twosome and then you sod off on your holidays - grinning as superiors often do to themeselves knowing they just dealt a savage blow to a junior. Ok its not savage but it aint nice and they wont be thanking you for it (not until next year when they realise it was a learning experience and they gained some vital brownie points)

xmas day comes and goes and with web traffic down to a trickle - usually oddly enough - an American trickle. Boxing day equally neutral.

Now the 27th comes and THINGS START TO GET INTERESTING. Here's why.

The poor sods looking after the helpline suddenly get busy. I know theyre busy because I got MI - thats management information to you unitiated folks out there and its bleedin good. I know when they fail to respond to a call over a period of time and even when they take a poo. Our website says open for christmas and we most certainly are. Or rather THEY are

The phones go mad because there is no other firm open and the guy that fell on boxing day just has to deal with his case now. He cant wait one week for the new legal year to begin.

I kid you not - there is absolutely huggins of legal business to be done around the 27th - 30th December yet for some reason few firms bother to open or have a skeleton staff on to accommodate the prospective clients. These people are so damn happy to get a lawyer over the phone during the holiday that youve nailed them. They aint going anywhere else.

By the time the 30th comes around the support staff are so pissed at how busy theyve been that they start ignoring a few calls and delay responding to emails / forms etc. Only I know theyre doing it so I send a mail. They have one more miserable day before finally on the 31st Dec it all goes quiet again.

New years Eve and New Years day are dead. This year I see we are back on the 2nd Jan so once these poor guys get to 31/12 theyve made it through to the other side.

So the moral of the story is:

PI on the internet dont stop for christmas - nor do most other legal business areas in my experience. The difference is you probably dont know how much your missing out on.

Go on - be a scrooge - have a junior work xmas for you. It will be an experience they will never forget and they will hate you for life. But believe me you WILL get business and give your New Year volumes a much needed boost

more xmas ramblings to follow - its our party next week.

Dont you just love this time of year?!!

Bankruptcy - shark infested waters

Miserable subject for a saturday night but its blogging or X factor and I definitely aint watching that crap.

Our practice is moving into the insolvency field and I am leading a team putting our marketing strategy together.

Our marketing initiatives are predominantly online (we are very good at securing free traffic) and so that is where our research has focused.

Our products relate to straightforward bankruptcy cases and the odd IVA (Individual voluntary arrangements)

Bankruptcy is a simple procedure - once a client gets their head round the concept and the stigma, the benefits can be enormous to someone heavily in debt. In the UK we treat bankruptcy as the ultimate sign of failure whereas in the US its is seen as a sesnible measure allowing someone to start afresh. In typical UK style we dont give people much sympathy and like to kick when someone is down.

Whilst delving into this murky new world I was gobsmacked at the lack of regulation in the "Debt" industry generally. Somehow you think that this area has to be controlled because its focused on peoples livlihoods and their future is at stake. If you need to be regulated to buy a life policy you may never need - surely you would expect regulation for big money consolidation loans, voluntary arrangements etc. Not a bit of it!

There are some real shady bastards out there charging the earth to people who could and should be opting for a safer, cheaper route.

If you are struggling with debt (and Im talking real debt not failure to pay a debenhams card) - the best advice is to see an insolvency solicitor. It doesnt mean you become bankrupt overnight but it might just save your bacon by giving you the best advice possible at the right time.

The majority of the firms out there are sharks - plain and simple. They will kick you when you are down, they will shaft you from behind and they will absolutely not let go until they have finished you off. Dont let them bleed you dry - get the best advice you can.

No links, no publicity for our new initiative, no blurb - just good advice. Stay away from the sharks.

Moving office

What a pain

First comes the arguing over which office you would like to have. Youd be amazed how petty this can get - heirachy dictates the size of your workspace. The more clout you have the bigger the office and the snazzier the furniture.

Some poor sod got placed next to a well used toilet. Plasterboard walls - thin as paper - you get the picture

The further up the ladder you are the less work you do when it comes to the shifting and organising - this bit is nicely delegated

Moving day is a day to arrange meetings - lots of them. Keep out of the way and let things happen around you.

Make sure you take the coffee machine with you - the one that makes those nice lattes and espresso's

If youre a trainee - try a sickie or book a well timed holiday because otherwise your in for a bloody awful time. They dont prep you at Uni for the demeaning task of carrying a tub containing a partners bits n pieces up five flights of stairs. (Removal men are used sparingly in our place!)

One last thought:

When your in the meeting that decides on the move - DO NOT VOLUNTEER to lead the organisation. You will always have a bad experience - makes no difference how adept you are - the shit will at some point hit the fan. Its one thing getting shafted for making a legal error (it can happen to the best of us) but its entirely another to lose career points as a result of the phones or network being offline on the day the move completes.

If it can go wrong - it absolutely will where office moves are concerned

10 legal likes and dislikes

Ok its injury claim oriented but there again I am an injury lawyer - what did you expect!

I hate>>

1) Dithering partners
Shall we take this case on? Shall we sue now or give the other side more time? I dont want to worry you but have you considered the worst case scenario here? Confidence right when you need it most

2) Dithering clients
"I might take the offer but would like to think about it a while". "I need to ask mummy whether this sum is agreeable". "Is that all Im getting?"

3) Dithering medical experts
There are plenty out there - most experts are so keen to stay middle of the road that they fail to execute even the most basic of prognoses. Ive seen a huge rise in the usage of the term "aggravation of pre existing degenerative changes" or similar wording - in other words its possibly a permanent injury but the expert doesnt have the balls to say so.

4) Insurer claim monkeys and costs "draftsmen"
Ive mentioned these muppets before. Basically this relates to your average low paid, overworked insurer claims / costs personnel who are poorly trained, inarticulate and aged about 18. Try talking aggravation of degenerative changes with them and see how far you get! In the old days you would have some tussles with real hard nosed negotiators - its makes me almost nostaligic.

5) Defendant Solicitors.
They are on easy street. They have no one but the supervising partner to worry about and a client / principal with massively deep pockets. Lodge silly money - or if you fancy a scrap - dig in for a while and then lodge silly money. Its like civil lit for pussies.


I love>>

1) Being a claimant lawyer.
Your a tiger. The predator. You dictate the pace (most of the time), you lead rather than follow. You can plan tactics to get say a result on liability and you can prepare you can aim for the stars on quantum in the knowledge that (most) clients are happy with whatever you get them so long as they dont have to pay you any fees.

I also think that the claimant side of the fence attracts the more able people in the profession. Its tough to do well and to do well you have got to be tough.

2) The rewards
There is no way on earth that a defendant lawyer will earn more than a good claimant lawyer. Unless you reach the dizzy heights of partnership in a def firm you are in shit street pay wise most of the time (this assumes you are not a big city guy or gal who knows their onions - im generalising here for effect)

Taking home a % of your winnings is damn near perfect as an incentive. You dont get that on defendant street

3) The Clients
To be honest I like most of the people I come across. This sounds pathetic but having a nice deep authoratitive voice tends to help persuade and coerce where necessary. Dont get me wrong - Im not saying that I sound like Ian Mc Shane but perception is everything and rarely will a client disagree with me or argue against my advice. Its easy to build healthy relations when your client is passive

4) The security
There will always be a never ending supply of claims. As long as your firm can get the business (and here it is up to you to judge their effectiveness OR get off your ass and get your own work in) you will have a job for life. Good lawyers will always find work.

5) Insurer claims monkeys & costs "Draftsmen"
Theyre so bad they make great results easy to acheive more often than not. Though it can be massively frustrating dealing with them, in a perverse way they actually help you reach your targets.

Web Rage???!!!
Story doing the rounds today :

"POLICE warned internet users to protect their real identities after a man was convicted yesterday of Britain’s first “web rage” attack.
Paul Gibbons, 47, of Bermondsey, southeast London, attacked John Jones with a pickaxe handle and knife, slitting his throat, after tracing Mr Jones to his house after an argument in an online chat room. " http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,20411-2409469.html (The Times)

Here we go with the latest bandwagon - some poor guy gets nailed by a fellow blogger or chatroom "pal" after they had a disagreement online. Can you believe the daft sod put his address online?

Makes you wonder whether there will be legal moves to outlaw dangerous activity on the web. I can see it now, Charlie Falconer bringing in "The Dangerous Blog Act"

The legal perils of running a junior football team

I coach a junior soccer team and recently was asked about the benefits of setting up an accident book to cover any injuries suffered during games by our young players.

The idea was that the club could record the events and treatment provided in order to protect them if anything went wrong and a parent of an injured child became a litigation friend.

At first I thought it was a good idea but then I thought hang on - what would I do professionally with an accident book of this kind. There is no obligation to keep one but in the knowledge that there might in fact be such a book what damage could this cause? Well here's a few things that crossed my mind:

- You are creating a record that isnt legally required and yet might do untold damage if a claim is ever submitted.

- You would have to retain the record for up to 15 years or until the child reached 21 (Some kids start playing at the age of 6)

- You could potentially reveal flawed procedures or problem areas not dealt with properly by coaches or first aiders

- You might reveal a pattern of poor practice or negligence (past performance can be a feature of accident records which fall in favour of the claimant)

- What are the benefits of keeping such a book? Arse protection? If so the opposite effect might be the reality

You can probably guess that my opinion was negative when discussing this at the club committee. I sounded cynical and overly cautious but I actually meant well and said what I felt needed to be said.

They went with the idea anyway because of the fact that it looks good on the website and in club literature. Its a touchy feely kind of idea that goes down well with liberals

Lets hope the club doesnt live to regret it

Professional negligence

I have the task of setting up the prof neg unit in our firm. God awful job

I am old enough and wise enough to know that this really is the shitty end of the market as far as the legal world is concerned. Raking over the coals looking to slaughter your erstwhile bretheren for a mistake that may possibly have been one you might make yourself. No one is infallible - definitely not in this game.

You do get the odd case though where you simply stare in disbelief at the client whilst they relay the miserable story to you.

I had one like that today. Client had an employment matter and was quoted £2500 to take a case to a tribunal (low by anyones standards) only for this to increase to £15000 on the day before the hearing. The solicitor tried to shaft the client at the eleventh hour and guess what - no client care letter "estimating" costs.

Swines.

I'll happily rake over these coals because the bastards deserve it

Found another decent blawg

Check out the-twentysomethings blog - some great graphics and content, definitely knows how to use an image editor. Just starting out on a career in law (I hope I got that right)

http://thetwenty-something.blogspot.com/

Turkey Twizzlers - Jamie was right about the ingredients

Had a claim passed to me today - propsective client was a little cranky demanding s senior guy etc etc.

His claim involved his son nearly chocking on a turkey twizzler. Now my first impression was that this being a child of 6 years of age, its possible for them to choke on a grain of rice let alone a whole god damn twizzler (have you seen these things - theyre similar to lightly spiced innards). But then the guy dropped the bombshell that his son spat out a 2 inch length of wire.

The kid was ok and quite honestly the claim has no potential for us to win any costs so we couldnt take it on. I gave the guy some advice on the right way to complain and how to kick ass with a bit of bad publicity for the company concerned.

You can forgive the odd quality control mishap which this undoubdetly was but you cant forgive the fact that this product is a disgusting twisted hunk of junk that even your dog would refuse to eat. Metal wire or no - its the worse food on the planet.

When I was a kid we only ate quality food like steak n kidney pie, liver and onions, black pudding, mashed turnip - all washed down with a large glass of full fat milk.

Kids nowadays dont know what they're missin!!

A client you can call a friend

Or maybe that should be EX friend.

Why friends and acqaintances do not make good clients

If a friend or acquaintance (worse still an old colleague) asks you to handle a case for them - take my advice gently tell them to take their business elsewhere. Dont fall foul of the "client you can call a friend"

This rant relates to PI claims in the main but you can apply the thought process to any legal sector.

Heres the scenario
The pal approaches you and says "Ive had a bump in my car - your an accident lawyer - please help"

You are indeed a lawyer - (cant really be arsed with an RTA but...) you think you know best and can help the poor guy.

He's guy you think like and you dont want to let him down, even though you dont know him too well. The last thing you want is him saying to people that you fobbed him off or worse still were clueless and couldnt help him "That guy knows shit....." etc

So you play the legal eagle and wax lyrical about his right to certain head of damage he never even knew about and already youve raised the bar of expectation. First mistake

But it looks a simple case and you think yep I'll walk thru this and take my predictable fee

Then you get your first bad vibe - the client is pushy and rings you twice a day every day. Now remember its a predictable fee Im getting here so that means there'as about £1250 ish to the firm and 30% to me. Not exactly a retirement fund, but still he's in your face twice a day asking the same things over and over - is he trying to trick me you wonder to see if I give a different answer? Or is he just being a "client you can call a friend"

Youre not sure but you are annoyed and slightly worried

Then liability is disputed - shit! Its like IVE denied negligence not some insurance claims monkey (see rant below) somehow its my fault that he was on a roundabout and that two cars bumped. I warned him of the risk of an issue but no - its down to me.

3 months later youve pulled it from the fire and got the full admission that the guy expected anyway. You didnt really work for it in his eyes - he damn well deserved it and your his pal so a 100% admission is the least he would expect. Remember - hes a "client you can call a friend"

Then we get to quantum - the supposedly fun bit of the job. Now because he's youre pal - he wants not just top dollar but a bit extra. After all I know him and so should use every trick in the book to get an EXTREMELY GOOD settlement. Well f*ck that, by now Im so pissed at him I just want rid because:

a) There's never been a damn thing wrong with him and to call this an injury claim is an insult to every decent insurance claim monkey out there

b) He's confirmed my initial view by now that he is a complete money grabbing, low paid, low grade plodder who never worked a minute past 5pm in his entire life

c) Remember im getting peanuts for a fee in this claim and like most honest grafters, time is money and when you record time that you know you aint going to see again you always feel flat and somehow cheated. But I cant whinge because its part of the job and remember - he's a "client you can call a friend"

Anyway you finally get to the end game - part 36's to and fro and then a stalemate. Now the pal thinks hey didnt you promise me that you would get me minimum £3k for the injury (that never was)? Well actually no I didnt but he'd checked on the web and spotted a daft figure for a two month whippy on a crap legal site and thats where he pitched his settlement.

His claim was worth £1250-1500 at a push but he wants £3000 and as "t' internet" said it was worth £3000 who was I to disagree.

He eventually settles for a sum in excess of my target (which was a good result) and reluctantly closes his claim. His parting shot was to ask how much of a wedge I got out of it - "no doubt double the compensation" the cheeky tw>t even asked for a cut of profit costs.

That was it for me - id held back long enough and despite inviting a possible complaint I let rip and called him a whingeing money grabbing low paid, low grade plodder who never worked a minute past 5pm in his life. Shove it pal.

I never got the complaint

But the lesson is - dont assume dealing with friends is going to be an easy ride. A "client you can call a friend" could be a client made in hell. A client who knows your friends and colleagues or god forbid your family. Delivering bad news to these people just isnt easy to do and the one thing in the legal world you cant always avoid - is bad news.

Next time refer them on to a colleague and tell them your on a project or secondment. You dont need the heat - trust me.

Legalspy

The Diaries of UK Law students

There are not many decent UK law blogs around at the moment. But heres one that looks the business and reads really well. Check out http://uklawstudent.blogspot.com/

On the subject of law blogs or Blawgs if you prefer - why arent there more of them in the UK? The vast majority are US based and whilst thats entirely predictable, I am quite surprised that we dont embrace the blogosphere more in our industry.

Europe thump US in Ryder Cup

Not really a golf fan but the Ryder Cup always stirs something in me. There have been so many close finishes over the years that it is essential vieiwing for any sports enthusiast. I am half irish and so had an even keener interest in this years event.

Would the irish cock things up on such a global stage? Well you did half wonder

In the end after some awful weather - the sun shone, the irish twinkled and Europe danced to victory winning 18 and a half to 9 and a half. A record equalling win.

Watching the closing ceremony just now it all looked fantastic.

Well done Ireland and well done Europe

Settled a claim today involving an accident at work

The insurers insisted on messing around for months on liability raising daft questions about daft issues and refusing to concede primary liability.

In the end they did but by then costs had escalated considerably.

Net result - we ended up with three times the clients damages in legal costs. I dont say this with any glee - sure you are always happy to see money coming in and a healthy cheque is all the more pleasing. However you have to say that in many of these cases, insurers are tossing around on liability with low paid poorly trained claims handlers making frivolous defences almost to justify their existence.

Well here's some tips for insurers to help them save a few bob:


1) Train your staff - make sure they deal with claims they can handle. Some of your people arent fit to deal with a windscreen claim let alone PI

2) Dont hire muppets - theyre only any good when theyve got a hand up their arse.

3) Re-learn the Protocol - do you remember this - it was quite big 7 years ago when you all thought it was flavour of the month. Then you realised how much work it involved, you got backlogged and now the only bit you remember is the PART 36 rule. I received a part 36 on a special damage claim for an excess the other day. What the f*ck*!!

4) Only argue the toss when there is an argument to be had. If you know youre beat - hold your hands up sooner rather than later.

5) The longer a claim goes on the more it costs - thats your own mantra that the ABI reel out every time they are asked about the burgeoning compensation culture (dont get me started on that) so why the hell dont you remember it.

Dont delay - just pay (I like that one - might use it next time I part 36 on liability)

Now with that off my chest Im off to watch "Lost" so that I can forget how frustrating it is to have to deal with claim monkeys.

legalspy

The compensation Bill

More and more claims management companies(CMCs) are starting to look over their shoulder regarding this piece of legislation.

Our firm has been receiving calls from CMCs looking to jump on board as an "affiliate" using our name and regulatory protection. In principle this is probably a sensible idea but the difficulty is that any CMC who hasnt got their act together at this late stage is probably not one we wish to do business with.

In all honesty I think CMCs are given a hard time by the industry. They have taught us a hell of a lot in terms of how to market your business and promote legal services. Most law firms until recently have been stuck in the mindset of hiding behind their brass plate on the wall outside the office expecting the hoi poloi to simply walk in off the street.

Well in todays world - that just isnt enough. You have look elsewhere for niches, tap into mediums that previously you would have completely ignored.

On the one hand I welcome the Compensation Bill because it is well overdue and the demise of some of the lesser advanced and capable CMCs will not be something to grieve over. On the other hand these firms have taught us an awful lot about business promotion and we should (begrudgingly) have some gratitude for that.

Now bring on the Bill and lest nail the sonsabitches.

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful www

My niche - in case you havent worked it out - is the ever controversial world of Personal Injury Law.

Its the one area of law that has really embraced the web in terms of adapting to it as a new medium and marketing platform. A few years ago most law firms had no concept of the power that the web can bring to a (savvy) business. It doesnt matter what field / business or niche you work in the web can make or break you and if you get it right - there are rich pickings.

In the PI world most firms have now had their lightbulb moment and switched on to the business volumes available on the net. There are websites galore offering all kinds of free advice and NO WIN NO FEE contracts.

My firm has long since dipped its toe into the fast flowing river of personal injury online custom - if any of you mugs out there havent done so you and your management team want a check up from the neck up (copyright Peter Jones Dragons Den)

Here's a few tips:

Get a website (believe it or not some firms dont have even a corporate touchy feely website)

Make it user friendly and make sure you have a staff IT guy who can upload changes and page content. Dont have a staff IT guy? Get one and preferably one who knows a little about the web.

Make your site content rich - ie lots and lots of info and plain speaking advice pages. A site can still look good with a little detail on it. DONT just do a fancy graphics based site. It will bomb

Get some links to the site - use all your legal contacts - links equal authority on the web (although this is now subject to much debate following the new google rules which devalue reciprocal links to a degree). Try your damndest to get some high quality links from heavy hitting legal directories and affiliates.

Make sure there is a good "contact" facility on the site - leave space for an enquiry form or a FREE helpline tel number.

Get traffic - you wont get any web visitors "naturally" for a while so instead PAY for your traffic. Learn about Google Adwords and Yahoo online ad products. Be prepared to spend at least £1000 a month to start with.

The PI business online is huge. But so are other areas of law (employment law being the most voluminous in my opinion)

If you are a senior partner in a firm with no website WAKE UP to the reality that you are out of touch and falling further and further behind the competition

If you are a budding assoc or low ranking partner - make a suggestion to your supervising partner in time for the next partners meeting.

You wont be the first to arrive at the party but better a late arrival than a non attendee

legalspy

Just got this weeks email from thelawyer.com

Is there ever anything for them to "reveal" other than stage managed press released merger and acquisition nonesense that I read each week.

These kind of issues dont mean diddly to your average hardworking lawman. We'd rather hear about sex, scandals (particularly those involving senior staff), drugs and rock and roll. Now we all know there's plenty of that going on, dont we chaps.

First let me give you a little background

I love Law
Law has been good to me providing a job for life and a decent salary from the very start of my career.
Law provides comfort and protection for each and everyone of us
Law deserves its place at the very heart of society
Law really is KING as far as I am concerned.

So why am I starting a blog with the intention of spilling the beans on the profession giving the world a view of the legal profession from the inside? What beans could there possibly be to spill and why do they need spilling?

The only answer I can give is pure mischief! This legal world of ours is far too fluffy and perfect. Everything has its place and never is a word said or written without careful consideration and checking by your common or garden senior partner.

Well nothing in life is perfect and lets be honest the Law in the UK certainly aint.

So rather than publish earnestly profound and extremely meaningful debate on the various challenges and issues facing the legal profession - I thought sod it, there's enough crap like that in the Gazette. Ive been around long enough to form my own opinion on life behind the legal (iron) curtain and its about time that there was a law blog out there that people actually found interesting to read and one that poked a stick in the eyes of convention.

All Ive got to do now is think of some controversial comments to fulfil my own hype.

Well here goes........................

Legalspy