Internet Networking Guru Says North Carolina Lawyers Are Poised for Social Media Leap
LexBlog founder and attorney Kevin O’Keefe conducts workshop hosted by state’s top lawyer insurance company.
Cary, NC - September 28, 2012 – Lawyers in North Carolina have all the necessary tools – education, technology and a progressive business climate – to make a major splash in social media, according to Seattle attorney and LexBlog CEO Kevin O’Keefe.
All that’s missing is a smart strategy for marketing their practices through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, he told a September 26 gathering of attorneys in Cary.
“Lawyers who grow their network of relationships and their word-of-mouth reputation will win,” said O’Keefe, who practiced law in Ireland and the United States before founding LexBlog, a company that helps lawyers design and implement social media strategies. “The Internet is an accelerator of both of those things.”
O’Keefe is a pioneer in ushering lawyers into the world of social media. More than 7,000 lawyers worldwide are blogging and networking on his LexBlog Network.
“Forty percent of law firms say blogs and social media bring in new business,” he said. “Fifty-five percent of in-house counsel use blogs to hire new employees.”
The program, titled “Internet Networking for Business Development” was sponsored by Lawyers Mutual, the state’s leading provider of liability insurance for lawyers. It was one of a series of educational events the company offers throughout the year to help lawyers boost their practices and avoid trouble.
Camille Stell, Director of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual says, “This one-of-a-kind event gave the lawyers we insure a unique opportunity to meet a major personality in the social media field face to face. We are delighted to be in a position to make these kind of connections happen. And we think it makes our insureds better lawyers as a result.”
Despite his new media credentials, O’Keefe said growing a law practice requires the same old formula.
“It’s all about relationships,” he said. “That hasn’t changed. Ninety-five percent of people turn to someone they trust to get the name of a lawyer. The Internet simply accelerates that dynamic.”
Next on the Lawyers Mutual agenda is a 3 hour CLE, free to insureds, “Wrestling With Ethical Dilemmas: We Have Met the Enemy . . .”. This program is approved for 3 hours of NCSB CLE credit, 2.0 hours of professionalism / ethics and 1.0 hour of substance abuse / mental health. Visit our website for online registration.
About Lawyers Mutual
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company was the first insurance company in the country formed by lawyers for lawyers. It is the largest legal liability insurance provider in North Carolina and the only company that has served the state bar continuously since 1977. For more information, call 800.662.8843, follow us on Twitter at LawyersMutualNC, connect on our LinkedIn page, like us on Facebook or visit lm2014.gethifi.com.
About Kevin O'Keefe
Kevin O’Keefe is a nationally recognized authority on emerging social media issues and focuses on the strategic use of technology in building your legal practice. A former trial lawyer, in 2003 he founded the LexBlog Network. From its beginnings as a self-funded venture, LexBlog has grown into the world’s largest professional blog network, with more than 7,000 lawyers.
Media Contact
Camille Stell, Director of Client Services
800.662.8843 or Camille@lawyersmutualnc.com
