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22 July 2010 / James Darley
Issue: 7427 / Categories: Features , Profession
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The power of PR

James Darley proposes a new coalition of wig & pen

The quest for new clients is never- ending. In this, lawyers are no different from any other business. Marketing and promotion are as essential to the running of a firm of solicitors as to a stationery supplier. The vehicle by which new instructions arrive is generally the referral, and encouraging referrers has to become a way of life.

How law firms go about this, however, may take a little more care and creative thought than it would for a stationer. It is not difficult to get things wrong and face misunderstanding and criticism.

The more savvy law firms have accepted the challenge of marketing, defined their branding and distinctive positioning, and refined their online presence and offline materials. Some have sought the specialist external input of graphic designers, ad-men and PR consultants. Others have built up their in-house resources with business development and PR appointments.
The management of relationships and reputation is rightly recognised as a vital aspect of the responsibilities of the practice as a whole, while remaining a personal role also of

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

20 promotions mark major people investment at national law firm, Anthony Collins

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley adds competition litigator Elaine Whiteford in London

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys welcomes Claudina D’Costa as Director of Client Development Marketing

NEWS
The 25th Pro Bono Week begins today until 6 November, with events hosted by law firms, chambers, law schools and charities across the UK
Aggressive sales tactics can add up to fraudulent trading even without proof of a particular deception or financial loss
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
Police powers targeting concealed identities at protests come with procedural conditions that could determine whether prosecutions succeed
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