"Why Her & Not Me?": How You Can Be the Attorney Reporters Call Without Losing Your License

When you see another attorney with a practice similar to yours quoted in the business press or trade media, do you wonder why you were not asked for comment? Reporters call the people they know; they don't call an attorney they have never heard of. How might you introduce yourself to a reporter as a source on a specific area of the law? And when a reporter does call you, where do you draw the lines to ensure you stay within bounds, either as an experienced professional and third-party observer or when speaking about your own case?

In this course, Patricia Werschulz of Werschulz Patent Law and Janet Falk of Falk Communications and Research establish the requirements and ethical boundaries for speaking with the media. They also review sample documents that will help you connect with reporters at the business and trade press your clients and prospects read.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the ethical issues involved when you present yourself as a source to reporters
2. Grasp the ethical boundaries of speaking to reporters about a case filed by your own firm
3. Prepare brief biographical materials to introduce yourself to reporters as a credible source on legal and business issues
4. Compose materials to announce the status of a case filed in court