SBOT Computer & Technology Section

The name of the first topic is “Ethically Using Social Media in Legal Practice”. There were supposed to be three speakers, but only Ms. Debra L. Bruce (Lawyer-Coach LLC) and Ms. Sophia Lisa Salazar (Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.) showed up.

Debra had given the same presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Texas Bar this last summer. She discussed how a local attorney (Thomas Fox) used Twitter to gain a following and become known as a “go to guy” on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). Retweating was the trick for him. Getting friends to retweat what one had tweeted promted a network-effect and garnered a disproportionate amount of media attention. In military terms, it can be a “force multiplier.”

As Ms. Salazar noted, “there are people to know, and people to follow” on the social networks. The cost of entry is low (free, after you’ve paid for the device and electricity). Debra also noted that newspaper reporters (including the Wall Street Journal) are monitoring the social network sites and call to get comments. In short, social networking can be a springboard to other media.

Ms. Bruce cautioned that twittering a potential client can run afoul of Texas Disciplinary Rule (“DR”) 7.03(a). Definitely something to consider in the interative character of Twitter and even Facebook.

Ms. Bruce also highlighted a website called “Avvo” which rates lawyers and other professionals. It seems (appears?) to Ms. Bruce that how active you are on Avvo has an effect on your rating. By posting articles on Avvo and participating in the discussions, you can get more points. Avvo has been sued by some professionals (but the subsequent media attention for a rating-based lawsuit may be unwelcome).

Ms. Salazar went over the newest major social network: Google+. She went over the “circle” feature in Google+ where you can make discussions among circle members discreet, and thus solve to some extent the problem of mixing business with extra-firm activities on the same social site such as Facebook.

Ms. Salazar also identified another social site called “Huddle” where you can post teaching presentations online (for free).