Media and Press

From law books to LinkedIn, social media is key for solicitors
Thu 22nd Apr 10 - 13:21

LAW students are using social media to get ahead in the legal world.

Publications from Butterworths and Tolley have been the norm in law firms for decades but a new pattern is emerging where law students and firms alike are accessing knowledge from social media sites.

Law student Natalie Healey, 21, contacted Manchester law firm Ralli for help with a media law assignment after connecting online.

She said: “I had been tweeting about a Freedom of Information exam paper I was working on and Ralli tweeted to ask if they could help.

“I responded saying I would welcome any help and they directed me to a specific journal which had the information I needed.”

Natalie, who will be starting at Manchester’s College of Law in September, has now arranged work experience at Ralli to hone her commercial property and construction law knowledge.

She said: “Internet has a big part to play in law and web 2.0 is something law students should make the most of.

“You can reach different audiences through media like Twitter and LinkedIn and it opens up so many opportunities.”

Ralli marketing executive Rob Illidge said social media is a priority, as proved by the firm’s commendation in the 2009 Golden Twitter Awards.

He added: “We are among a minority of law firms embracing a Web 2.0 strategy to share our expertise using digital outlets.

“The advance in social media gives us the opportunity to reach new, untapped audiences and Natalie is a great example of how this can work.

“Too often, lawyers are unfairly judged as having their heads stuck in dated law books but we are redressing this inaccurate stereotype by communicating through online sources.”