Siskind
Susser http://www.visalaw.com/blog.html Visalaw.com
shows you how to incorporate "the blog" (not the blob) into a firm's
web site efforts. When I created my first web log this year, I
referred to it as the "poor man's web site", meaning that it was an
easy and cost-effective way to develop an Internet presence.
However, in the land of blogs, where people talk about whether or
not they liked the last episode of "The O.C.", the online diaries
are a companion, not a replacement for your regular efforts. Visalaw
has it set up right.
Baron &
Budd http://www.thewaterlawyers.com/ This firm has
its regular web site, which is good as well, at
www.baronandbudd.com. However, for a creative and fun way to look at
a specific niche, visit the water site, complete with sound effects.
Sometimes we forget how creative the web can be, getting tied down
in the practice descriptions. Another example of creating specialty
sites for specialties. I must warn you, though, do not fall asleep
at the computer. With that running water sound, accidents could
happen. Like at camp, when you would put some kid's hand in a warm
cup of water. You know what I'm talkin'
about.
Miller Nash http://www.millernash.com/feeds.asp/ Did you
really think Miller Nash would fail to have something new and nifty?
The firm's marketing guru Aaron Douglas has moved on to films and
other (much more) exciting fields. However, the site is keeping up
with the times. Miller Nash Publications are available as RSS feeds.
Another next-generation item in place ahead of everyone
else.
Sprenger Lang http://www.sprengerlang.com/ Go to "Cases" to
see one of the best examples of case listings out there. The firm
shows you whether a case is active or closed, results, co-counsel,
related web sites and a description. If you are looking for a law
firm that does employment discrimination, you would be hard-pressed
not to be im-pressed by the expertise shown in an uncluttered and
classy manner. I also like seeing firms that show co-counsel info.
My guess is that like many Nifty 50 recipients, this will be stolen,
I mean copied, by a few dozen firms this
year.
Gold, Khourey &
Turak http://www.gkt.com/ Go to the Mountaineer
Baseball Association section to see schedules, results, standings,
field directions and other information about the local baseball
league. What is the value of this, you ask? Well, it is a small
town. This is a consumer-oriented practice. Every kid and parent
involved is coming to this site for this info. You do the
math.
McElroy, Deutsch http://www.mdmlaw.com/ Burning CDs is an
inexpensive way to promote a firm with a colorful, interactive
presentation that might one day put overpriced law firm industry
brochuremakers OOB (out of business). The firm invites you to
request a CD of videos and other firm info, through an online form
on the web site. See the "Client CD" under "About" on the site. I've
seen CDs used in place of recruiting brochures and to order firm
seminars. This is an effective way of using marketing and technology
to help sell services.
Covington &
Burling http://www.cov.com/ The time of day is
different in four of Covington's offices. For firms with offices in
a variety of places around the globe, how nice is it to click on
"offices" and see what time it is right now in London? Useful for
members of the firm and clients of the firm. How often do you try to
remember the time in another locale?
Preston
Gates http://www.prestongates.com/ Virtual office
tours are nothing new to the Nifty 50, but this tour of the firm's
Orange County, California office is especially well done. They tell
you the "open house" tour is 90-seconds AND that I have the right
flash capabilities on my computer. After this tour, I'm ready for a
return trip to SoCal.
Chadbourne &
Park http://www.chadbourne.com/ The list of "TV
Clips" under "News and Events" offered up some actual clips as part
of the listing of C&P lawyers appearing on the tube.
Particularly impressive is DC partner Abbe David Lowell's multiple
appearances on one of my favorite shows, ESPN's Pardon the
Interruption with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. I helped fetch
game notes for the two Washington Post writers in the mid-80s as a
member of the Washington Capitals PR staff. Those were the
days.
Kilpatrick Stockton http://www.kilpatrickstockton.com/ I love the
"Video Vault" on this site. You can search the vault for all sorts
of interesting programs and seminars. If I could get CLE credit
while watching, I'd be really psyched. A collection of web-friendly
materials that adds stickiness to a great
site.
Stroock http://www.stroock.com/ Just when you thought
a recruiting section could show you nothing new, the "Join Us"
features one of the most entertaining pages in the law firm web site
world. Do not miss checking out each of the six features. At a
minimum, you should get a chuckle or
two.
Wolf Block http://www.wolfblock.com/ Three little words
toward the bottom of every page on the site…keep me posted…opening
up an online form to request further information. One of my web
developer friends recently lamented the lack of a "call to action"
on law firm web sites.
Jackson
Walker http://www.jacksonwalker.com/ I love the
"featured attorney" on the home page. My notes told me it was
"featured alumni", so I'm not sure if they sometimes do that too
(which is even better). An outstanding "changing feature" on the
home page.
Robins Kaplan http://www.rkmc.com/jury.asp/ Are you looking
to have a little fun? Of course. Try playing the "hung jury" game at
the resource center. It is like "hangman". During visits, I also
found a con law quiz and another time a quiz on legal contracts.
Creative, fun and educational.
Ice
Miller http://www.icemiller.com/ "Our Services"
features one of the most helpful listings of practice areas and
industries you will find. Just scroll down either the "legal
services" or "industry focus" to see all the relevant practice areas
(hyperlinks, of course).
Fulbright &
Jaworski http://www.fulbright.com/download I did not
find this nifty use of the web site on the web site. Instead, it
stood out while perusing an issue of Corporate Legal Times. The
Fulbright ad offered an outstanding publication for interested
readers, telling you to come to this special "download" link to get
it. Great integration of traditional print advertising with use of
the web site. You can also see how many people come to a particular
link, helping get better ROI on
advertising.
Simpson Thacher http://www.simpsonthacher.com/ The Recruiting
section has different slightly irreverent black & white cartoons
throughout, adding a little spice to the data. The one that shows an
interviewer saying, "You seem to know something about that law. I
like that in an attorney" was my favorite. If you've been through
the law firm interview process, it is even funnier. STB combines so
many nice photos and images to a site that was always (and continues
to be) content-rich.
Lowenstein
Sandler http://www.lowenstein.com/ I clicked on an
icon for Forbes Sky Radio (www.skyradionet.com) to hear an interview
by one of the Lowenstein attorneys. These are the same interviews
you hear on those business channels while flying the friendly skies.
The firm combines the in-flight magazine promotion, in-flight
program, the Sky Radio web site, the "Forbes" brand name, and uses
it as fodder for the firm web site as well. The Sky Radio program is
an interesting business development tool that more and more law
firms are trying out.
Ruden
McClosky http://www.ruden.com/ Check out the "Ruden
Rolodex" to look up firm offices and phone numbers in a pinch. How
often do you race to a web site home page to find something as
simple as a phone number…and then search and search for it! Man,
does that piss me off. Not a problem here with the home page
rolodex.
Bullivant Houser http://www.bullivant.com/ This IMA Platinum
recipient has one of the most unique tools I've seen this year. The
"Web Notes" feature allows the firm to put the equivalent of yellow
sticky notes on particular pages of the web site. Check out "My
Assistant" for personalization taken to another level. This
basically allows an attorney to jot a note and send it online with
an article or invitation. Awesome. A double-nifty as well to the
"Media Center", a customized, yet integrated web site that makes a
journalist's life all the easier.
Goulston
and Storrs http://www.goulstonandstorrs.com/ For a
crafty way of promoting recent firm "deals", check out the home
page's "done deals" area, showing the icons of high-profile
companies, with a link to learn more. A good way of promoting the
great work a firm is doing. An excellent part of a well structured
home page.
McGlinchey
Stafford http://www.mcglinchey.com/ You have to know
and love New Orleans to know the importance of "publications"
offering up a restaurant guide (in pdf) for visiting attorneys,
clients or prospective hires. Come to town armed with this and a
bunch of beads to throw at girls…and you will have the full city
experience. The web is about offering things that make your firm and
city stand out. Everybody loves
food.
Gardere http://www.gardere.com/ You know in Beverly
Hills Cop when Eddie Murphy goes "deep undercover", well this site
offers "deep practice areas", as opposed to the regular kind. For
those that want to go, deeper, deeper into a particular practice.
Now, I'm sounding like a porno site.
Wilentz
Goldman http://www.wilentztv.com/ Forget LA Law. Try
Wilentz Law. The special TV site offers online programming that is
useful for consumers, clients and co-counsel. You can even sign up
to watch live broadcasts. If you are a lawyer that always thought he
or she should be on TV, this may be the firm for you. An original
undertaking that hits the mark.
Javerbaum
Wurgaft http://www.jwhz.com/ Under "Resources", check
out the crafty "7 Stages of a Lawsuit" presentation. This tutorial
is just what people need to know what to expect from a trial lawyer.
This is the plaintiff side. For the defense side, you can stick with
the cartoon we've all seen, "bill, bill, bill…settle" which is so
funny because it is so true.
Amber
Golding http://www.agh-attorneys.com/ There is
nothing funny about driving drunk. Innocent people get killed by
drunk drivers every day. However, people do it every day and get
caught. And need lawyers. So, regardless of the state you live,
there is a DUI Directory to help you find counsel. Being nifty is
sometimes about offering content that people on the web inevitably
need. This is an example, from the no-design, lots of content
site.
Clark Wilson http://www.bcrelinks.com/ Developed by the
firm's commercial real estate group, the "deal maker's toolbox" is
one of the most clever and creative "links" sites you'll find. Of
course, if you are not checking out the firm's main site, at
www.cwilson.com, you are only hurting
yourself.
Simmons &
Simmons http://www.elexica.com/ Who does not like
"checklists"? They are so user-friendly. Simmons & Simmons
provides a boatload of checklists at their incredible resource site.
You'll find a few other nifty components on this site as
well.
Abbey Legal Group http://www.cybhr.co.uk/ While on the subject
of checklists, check out the interactive, very cool online health
check from CyberHR for human resources folk. Yes, they have
employment law problems in the UK that match those here in the
USA.
Brooks Kushman http://www.brookskushman.com/ Another of
those great "little things" that make life on a home page a happier
place. Besides the now-traditional printer-friendly and e-mail to a
friend options, BK offers it your way…font size that is. Click on
the font size that best matches your
vision.
Judith Silver, Esq. http://www.coollawyer.com/ It seems so
appropriate to have a "cool lawyer" site as part of the cool "nifty
fifty". This technology and business law practice has taken the web
and turned it into a little business, offering up forms and
services, along with info and links. Judith Silver
(www.silverlaw.com will also bring you here) has built a law
practice on the web, in a way that many larger firms have tried and
failed. Great site. Totally cool.
Roetzel
& Andress http://www.ralaw.com/The attorney bio db offers
up "Associations" as a search category. Besides the drop-down of
choices showing an impressive listing, the category also serves as
data for the "in the community" section. People love to use people
involved in similar organizations. This increases the odds of
finding like-minded attorneys. More firms should offer up this
search function.
Ernie The
Attorney http://www.ernietheattorney.net/ Now I could
probably do an entire Nifty 50 list of top-flight blogs. And I may
do just that at some point. In the meantime, I point to one of the
original lawyer blogs. Always current and interesting, this site is
often recognized for the amount of traffic Ernie has drawn online. A
good place to start if you are a solo or small firm interested in
the practice of blogging. Ernie is searching for truth and justice
in an unjust world. Amen to that.
McKenna
Long http://www.mckennalong.com/ Not necessarily
visible to the human eye, but the McKenna site offers multiple bios
for individual attorneys, depending on the practice. The multi-bio
concept has been much-discussed for years. Most web site developers
struggle to incorporate this feature. Others have said that it is
dangerous, since someone might read the wrong one and get the wrong
idea of a specialization. If it is something attorneys at your firm
clamor for, here is an example of the concept in
play.
White and Lee http://www.whiteandlee.com/ Another good use
of the home page for promoting clients (and their logos). Clients
love to see their brand promoted. Prospective Clients like to see
"who else are you working with" examples. Everybody
wins.
Parr Waddoups http://www.parrwaddoups.com/ What could be
niftier than having a name partner (Clayton J. Parr) use his
photography throughout the site? Even before I noticed that he was
the photographer, I thought the photos were gorgeous. After
realizing that he took them, they became all the more impressive.
Combined with a well-structured and user-friendly site, it makes the
whole experience that much stronger.
Parker
& Waichman http://www.injurytalk.com/ Lost in the
hub-bub of blogs are the good old-fashioned web bulletin boards.
From the IMA favorite www.yourlawyer.com" target="_new"> comes
the injury talk site. I'll give you a topic…why do they call it
whistle-blowing? There are no whistles involved.
Discuss.
Dickstein Shapiro http://www.dsmo.com/ The firm overview
section features an entire subcategory devoted to "Quality of Life",
ranging from flex scheduling options to "bring your kid to work day"
info. Many laterals are looking for just that. It is a category
worthy of depth, as DSMO has provided here. From the "puzzle firm",
I provide this Jeopardy answer to "Dickstein Shapiro" - "What is the
answer to 'will I still have a life?'"
Jones
Day http://www.jonesday.com/ "At Jones Day, we
speak your language." Literally. They have translated the web site
into seven languages, going "above and beyond" in terms of providing
data for readers of different nationalities. Effectively mirroring
sites is not easily accomplished.
Weil
Gotshal http://www.weil.com/ Under "What's New", the
firm's listing of "Quotables" effectively shows off the impressive
Weil caseload and all the interested worldwide publications seeking
information about them. Detailed and search-friendly. Not making a
virtual library of press clippings is just plain dumb. This is
well-structured and up to date.
Cleary
Gottlieb http://www.cgsh.com/ You might want to
refresh the browser a few times on the home page and see more of the
firm's art collection, complete with a brief description of the
piece. Each matches up with one of the firm's office locations. So
much nicer than clip art or lobby photos. Very
classy.
King & Spaulding http://www.kslaw.com/ Grab a brown bag lunch
or race to the cafeteria, but what better way to "lunch and learn"
than in the K&S e-lunch series. CLE is even available to some.
The third Tuesday of each month at 12:30 pm EST. Great topics. No
charge for joining. A previous Nifty recipient for training
offerings, the e-lunch is an outstanding
addition.
White and Case http://www.wcuniverse.com/ White & Case
Universe is an online, interactive resource that enables its users
to access the knowledge, experience and global network of White
& Case LLP as they implement and coordinate their business
strategies around the world. In other words, the firm web site is
one thing. The WC Universe is quite another. The next step for large
law firm tie-in of web, e-mail, extranets and work
product.
Morrison &
Foerster http://www.mofo.com/ It would not be a Nifty
50 list without a MoFo contribution. This year, we highlight the new
"Webinar" section, with firm sponsored programs that you either
missed, or simply did not receive an invitation. Now, consider
yourself invited. The web is such the all-inclusive
world.
Jones Walker http://www.joneswalker.com/ Under "about the
firm", see the "giving back" page, featuring the logos of lots and
lots of organizations the firm has contributed to in some way, shape
or form. Click on the logo to get a little more info. Click on the
logo on that page and go to the institution's web site. The "50" has
featured examples of using corporate client logos to further
marketing efforts. Using logos of charitable endeavors is another
good use of the web site space.
Miles &
Stockbridge http://www.milesstockbridge.com/ You've
probably seen one of the Matrix movies. This is better than those
sequels. Click on the "Industry Experience Matrix", an interactive
chart that combines industries and practices. Who needs Keanu
Reeves?
Dewey Ballantine http://www.deweyballantine.com/ Check out the
"client programs" in the "media center" to learn how you can get
your CLEs online from the DB library. While you do need permission
to take part, the firm does provide an online form, program titles
available and instructions. A reminder that client CLE programming
is best put on by the firm directly. Why are some of you buying
speaking slots instead? DB shows you another good example of
combining biz dev with the web.
Mintz
Levin http://www.mintz.com/ Mintz's home page
offers a user-friendly "locator" box. Choose from either the
"expertise" or "attorney" selections and surf away. Excellent
organization, making it easier to find what you are looking
for.
Bracewell &
Patterson http://www.bracepatt.com/The "Articles and
Speeches" archives moves anything six months or older off the shelf
and into the archive. For those of you that still have items from
the '90s under "What's New" or "What's Hot", this is the polar
opposite.
