what type of lawyer do i hire for social media

by Angus Senger 3 min read

Whether you're a small business owner, influencer, or independent contractor who works in the social media industry, you should most definitely be working with a social media attorney ⚖️.Sep 9, 2020

Full Answer

Should lawyers use social media?

Even still, social media for lawyers has many benefits, from helping you connect with potential clients to advertising your legal services. By following these best practices and creating a strategy to stick to, you can harness the power of social media for your firm. Should Lawyers Use Social Media? Want to Get In Front of Potential Clients?

Is it legal for employers to use social media to discriminate?

Federal law prevents employers from discriminating against an employee because of their personal social media, and employers can legally terminate employees for a number of reasons that they may not truthfully disclose. "Employers may also use these platforms as informal background checks on a potential employee.

Should employers use social media in the hiring process?

Over the past decade, employers have commonly used social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to gather information about prospective employees as part of their hiring process.

What is social media law?

“Social media law consists of both criminal and civil laws at the state and federal level. Some examples of social media laws are those that protect or prohibit the posting of content and those that broaden or restrict privacy rights for employees," Chen added.

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What is a social media lawyer?

A social media lawyer is an attorney who has experience representing clients in internet-related cases. This practice area can overlap with other types of legal representation, such as intellectual property, business, criminal, and personal injury law.

What is a digital media lawyer?

Individuals and companies that produce, license, and distribute digital media content require the specialized expertise that Gamma Law's digital media lawyers can deliver.

Do lawyers check social media?

Lawyers can review publicly available social media content of unrepresented and represented persons, but they may request permission to review restricted content only if they properly identify themselves and ask permission from a represented person's lawyer.

Do law firms care about social media?

3: Attract prospective clients Social media is highly effective for law firms to attract new clients. The American Bar Association found that 35% of lawyers who use social media professionally have been able to gain new clients as a result.

What does Digital Media and Internet lawyer do?

The lawyers leverage their understanding of the market, regulatory and political environments to develop practical and creative solutions to business issues around the globe. The group represents clients in all areas of the industry, including: Antitrust. Development, procurement and implementation of technology.

What is the Digital Media Law Project?

Founded in 2007 as the "Citizen Media Law Project," the Digital Media Law Project (DMLP) works to ensure that individuals and organizations involved in online journalism and digital media have access to the legal resources, education, tools, and representation that they need to thrive.

How do you get social media evidence?

If you don't have a warrant or court order for obtaining private social media evidence, you may only be able to access and document a user's public information. In most cases, a simple screenshot is no longer enough to convince a court of the authenticity of a piece of electronic evidence.

Can social media posts be used in court?

Can those comments be used in court? Whether it's Facebook posts and comments, Instagram pictures, Twitter tweets or YouTube videos, the short answer is yes: both public and private social media content can be admissible in litigation.

What is social media evidence?

The term “social media evidence” simply means any data housed within a social platform, like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter, that needs to be preserved to support litigation. If you want to use that evidence in court, the guidelines in the Federal Rules of Evidence (also known as FRE) 901 will apply.

Do lawyers use Instagram?

According to a 2019 survey by Attorney at Work, 25 percent of lawyers use Instagram as part of their legal marketing efforts. That puts it firmly behind the more popular LinkedIn, Facebook, and even Twitter in industry usage rate. However, that number is bound to rise in the next few years.

Why is social media important for lawyers?

Social media marketing can help lawyers build an online presence and generate leads that convert into paying clients. When using social media, it's important to remember your goals and create consistent content that is targeted towards the right audience.

Why law firms should be on social media?

Social media gives clients another way to find your law firm Social media profiles can drive people to your law firm's website—where potential clients can find the information they need to hire your firm. It's a tactic that consumer brands have perfected.

1. Norton Rose Fulbright – Crowdsourcing employee content to build its brand

Number one in the index for overall social media engagement, as well as number one for Twitter use and thought leadership, Norton Rose Fulbright has leveraged social sharing among its employees to generate authentic content that tells its global brand story while still resonating with local audiences.

2. DLA Piper – Targeting social media content to the right audience

With thousands of lawyers in more than 40 countries, DLA Piper sits at number two overall, due in part to its cohesive digital marketing strategy. DLA Piper achieves brand consistency by educating its lawyers about good social media practices.

3. Baker McKenzie – Employing social media listening to better understand clients

The top-ranking practice for Twitter use, Baker McKenzie created its Twitter presence over a decade ago. Since then, it has been steadily evolving its social media strategy, transitioning from merely broadcasting information to actively engaging with its followers and presenting a consistent brand voice.

4. White & Case – Leveraging video, ads, and employee content to attract followers

White & Case has worked hard over the past year to improve its presence on LinkedIn, moving up 47 positions from its place in the 2017 index. As a result, it currently ranks at number four overall and number one for LinkedIn.

5. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe – Engaging followers with interactive content

Named the “Most Innovative Law Firm in North America” three years in a row, Orrick serves the global finance, technology, and energy and Infrastructure sectors. What puts it at number five overall in The Social Law Firm Index is its use of interactive content.

Other things you need to do to get social media right

Those are some of the best examples out there, but what if you’re unsure how to get started? Noted social media attorney Scott Malouf suggests that those new to social media do the following:

Can you disclose the fact that you are representing a client?

The fact that you represent the client is a matter “relating to the representation” and covered by RPC 1.6. Unless the client okays it , you can’t disclose the fact you are representing him/her/it.

Is it ethical to ask happy clients to leave reviews?

It’s ethical for you to ask your happy clients to leave reviews, and to perhaps not mention the idea to others. But coaching the individual on the content could be seen as directing a misleading communication about your service. See RPC 7.1. At the close of the presentation, I mentioned “net promoter score.” The idea is to identify which of your clients are likely to recommend you to a friend or family members. There are fun tools – I use Get Five Stars – that allow you to ask your clients to rate your performance privately. If the client gives you a good rating, then they’re asked to write a public review. So you’re using the tool to screen and collect good reviews from your biggest fans.

What's the Best Social Media for Lawyers?

Our mode of communication and connectivity has definitely involved with the establishment of social media. Social media platforms have now become integrals of our day to day routines. The world has been globally connected and updated with each other.

You are Required to be on It

Nowadays, colleges and schools urge you to create a LinkedIn profile. The social media platform has been specifically created to cater to your professional communications. The basics are easy to learn and one job or the other is going to ask you to join it, if you haven’t done so already.

Lawyers And Law Firms are on It

Whether or not you have joined it yet but chances are, your colleagues have beaten you to it. Your colleagues are constantly sharing their new content and ideas. Same is the case with your competition and you need to be fully aware of their actions and what is new in the market.

It is a Blogging Platform

You have the option of writing new and fresh content about your professional services without having to create a separate profile at a separate social media platform. You have the option of sharing your opinions in a professional manner and you can do your bit by handing out tips to new-bees.

450m possible connections

There are more than 450 million possible connections on LinkedIn. LinkedIn allows you to connect with professionals from all kinds of fields. You are able to socialize online and to keep yourself updated with your current sources and contacts.

What are the laws of social media?

Social media laws relating to who owns the content being shared, when and where sharing is appropriate, and what limits may be imposed on sharing often raise issues relating to trademark infringement, copyright infringement, social media marketing, labor relations, and more. Here are five tips that may keep you from finding yourself in trouble ...

Is social media a part of marketing?

Social media is becoming a vital part of marketing strategies in businesses bothlarge and small. Connecting with customers is the new expectation.But how this trend affects both the creators of original content and those who choose to repost or retweet something that wasn't their creation—remains to be seen.

What are the rules for lawyers on social media?

Some other rules for lawyers from the ABA regarding social media include: Lawyers must avoid social media comments or responses that could later indicate the establishment of an attorney-client relationship.

Why should lawyers not engage in ex parte communication with judges on social media?

8 and Rule 8.4, lawyers should not engage in ex parte communication with judges on social media or accept them as social media contacts in order to create an appearance of judicial partiality.

Can a lawyer be fired for a social media post?

An inappropriate post or activity can lead to a lawyer getting fired from their job or facing bar discipline or sanctions. The American Bar Association has set new guidelines on the ethical use of social media for its lawyers. Some of the most recent include:

Is social media advertising?

On social media, it can be difficult to determine where the line exists between posts and advertising. According to the ABA’s rules on solicitation of clients, any communication discussing a lawyer’s services through any media may be considered advertising—regardless of whether or not those communications were in a traditional advertising format or on a social media platform.

Is social media ethical?

Social Media Ethics. Social media is an excellent tool for legal marketing, staying abreast of current affairs, and researching cases. But attorneys need to know that nothing on social media is completely private.

Should lawyers think twice before posting?

Hypotheticals. It might be tempting to toss out an interesting case on social media, with names, dates, and a few details changed to protect the privacy of those involved. However, lawyers should think twice before they hit “post.”.

What are the most common social media sites used by employers?

Use of Social Media in Hiring. Over the past decade, employers have commonly used social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, to gather information about prospective employees as part of their hiring process.

Which states do not require employees to disclose their social media passwords?

Other states that provide protection to job applicants and employees so that they do not need to divulge social media passwords or provide account access are Maryland, Virginia, and Illinois. However, employers can still conduct searches of information that is publicly available on social media. While employees may be concerned about employers ...

What is targeted advertising?

When an employer posts a position with its company by using targeted advertising, it may violate federal statutes such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. It may also run afoul of state or local laws. This can give rise to claims of disparate treatment or disparate impact.

Why do employers use third parties?

This is to avoid obtaining information about a protected status so that the employer is shielded from certain legal claims.

Is social media a word to the wise?

Social Media - A Word to the Wise. If you are active on social media, it’s wise to always keep in mind that many employers will look at / search for public social media posts of a prospective employee. Be mindful in particular of anything you post publicly about your job or job prospects.

Can employers ask for passwords?

Around half of the states have enacted laws to stop employers from asking for password and username information from prospective employees or otherwise accessing portions of a prospective employee's social media accounts. For example, California law prohibits employers from asking for the social media passwords of their current or prospective ...

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