How many of you know that before Lawline.com was an online CLE provider, Lawline was a television show on a local New York cable station?  The following is a post about the beginning of Lawline and the emergence of legal broadcasting.

In 1983, Alan Schnurman, senior partner of Zalman & Schnurman, was looking for a new way to market his law firm. The idea he came up with was a television show in which he interviewed prominent attorneys on current topics and trends in the law. And just like that, Lawline was born. And now, 25 years later, Lawline is the longest running legal television show seen in the greater New York metropolitan area.

The show features knowledgeable guests who answer the commonly asked legal questions in their field of expertise. With an audience reach in the tens of thousands, it has become clear that many people look to this form of media for the answers to many of their questions. It is a way to learn about the law without paying a lot of money to meet with an attorney.

In addition, many public relations firms have seen the value of having their client do a guest appearance on Lawline. Past guests on the show range from Chief N.Y.S. Administrative Judge Judith Kaye to celebrity criminal defense attorney Ben Brafman, as well as CEO’s, judges, and motivational speakers. Topics covered over the last two and half decades have included all aspects of real estate, divorce, high profile criminal trials, estate planning and taxes to mention a few.

Lawline is currently seen on New York City’s local PBS station WNYE which covers the tri-state area, as well as Manhattan, Brooklyn and Bronx cable and Cablevision of Westbury and Riverhead.