Law and Social Networking

With the rise of social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook, it was only a matter of time before lawyers started using these networks. The latest social network Twitter, allows users to post 2 sentence status updates. Recent statistics show that there are more that six million Twitter users and in the average day, there are more than 225 million tweets.

Dinizulu Law Group attorney Erin K. Russell, Esq. was recently mentioned in the July 2010 edition of Chicago Lawyer. The article " Lawyers enter the Twitterverse" touches on several Chicago lawyers making use of Twitter for marketing, and for their own personal lives.

According to Gina F. Rubel Esq, President and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications INC "Twitter is certainly a useful tool and an excellent way to expand your network, build your reputation, comment on legal issues and trends, and establish a relationship with members of the media and other thought leaders. It is also an excellent tool for you to research public opinion on many different topics."

Experts have warned to be careful for lawyers to not give out legal advice, and to remind everyone that Twitter and Facebook are subject to public scrutiny.

You can follow us on Twitter @dinizululaw

Check out these sites for more information on twitter and legal marketing

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Headlines...

Headlines for the last several days have centered around the idea of the police state.

Arizona's immigration law, which allows police officers to stop anyone they deem to potentially be an immigrant...

Chicago Alderman proposing that the National Guard become a part of the policing strategy as it relates to the increased violence in Chicago neighborhoods...

Red light cameras monitoring intersections...

What does this say about our society? What does this say about our future?

Too far...

Every day, each of us finds ourselves in situations where another person says or does something that goes too far. It's almost as if people don't know how to "edit" themselves, feeling free to say and/or do anything they want. In many ways, this forum, the online forum is responsible for this denigration in values and etiquette. People tend to think that what they say online, stays online, it makes them invisible and that there are no repercussions. That thought process is quickly changing.

In the last week, month or year, has there been an instance where someone has gone too far?

Finish this thought...

I am most __________________ about why people ______________________. If it was me, I would _____________________.

We all are motivated to do things for different reasons. But we often forget that we cannot apply our own logic to others and their actions - because we are not walking in their shoes. That doesn't stop us though from assessing a situation or a person based upon how we, ourselves, would respond.

Communication

What is your preferred method of communication, specifically what type of online communication tool do you use most? Why?

Email, text messaging, VOIP...computers, phones and the internet. Today we have the ability to be connected, stay connected and remain connected 24/7. That being said, how do you prefer to receive information from others? Too, how often are you receiving information but not responding? If you aren't responding, does that mean you are not connected and that you are not communicating?

Weigh in now - respond and communicate!

What motivates you?

We all make choices that impact our lives and the lives of others. Our decision making is often a result of the values we were brought up with, who we looked up to, and our own barometer of what was right and wrong. As children, the demarcation between right and wrong was very clearly drawn. As adults, we often learn that these lines aren't so clear - a lot of grey area exists. It's that grey area that causes consternation and forces us to question our motivations.

What would motivate you to seek legal counsel? Is it the desire to right a wrong? Or is it the need to exact some form of retribution? Revenge?

Health Care Reform

Health care reform - it's here. The bill, signed today, changes health care in America as we know it. What is your take on this historic change? How do you think it impacts you and your family?