Law Practice Matters

I got an interesting email the other day.

It was from a North Carolina lawyer asking me my opinion about a facet of LinkedIn profiles. The question was (paraphrasing): do you think social networking profiles that ask users to list their "specialties" could yield potential violations of Rule 7.4 of the Rules for Professional Conduct?

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Hi, I'd like to add you to my professional network.

If you are already using LinkedIn, you'll recognize that message right away. You're also in good company.

Since he first blogged about it in June 2008, Steve Matthews of the Law Firm Web Strategy Blog has kept tabs on how many lawyers are creating profiles at LinkedIn. The growth rate has been impressive throughout and the most recent quarter is no exception. Steve cites that there are 840,000 people in the law practice industry with profiles on LinkedIn as of June 2009.

That is a growth rate of 49% in the most recent quarter, up from 39% the quarter before.

There are a lot of good reasons to create a LinkedIn profile: it helps your search engine visibility, it's free, and it affords users access to lots of vibrant groups, discussion boards and communities. More important than any of these, though, is that it is a low-stress and nearly painless way to begin the process of networking. (Or, re-begin, as is the case for so many of us.) No cold calling, no awkward conversations, no feeling slimy for hitting up contacts for business. In about 10 minutes per week from the comfort of your own home or office you can build and curate a decent LinkedIn profile.

Go on ahead and give it a try. If you like, I'll be your first contact.

I'd like to add you to my professional network.