State Bar of Wisconsin

Ask a Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee member

How can I use my Web page to connect with the public?

At least one Wisconsin attorney we found allows the public to post questions about legal issues on her firm’s Web site. General information about state law is provided in response, but the attorney wisely ends each answer by noting, “This is not legal advice, but general information related to the topic since I do not know all of the facts of the situation and you have not retained me as your attorney. To get exact legal advice please contact and retain an attorney of your choosing.”

How do I respond to clients upset at how long their work or case is taking?

Tell your client in advance how long something is likely to take and advise him or her  that often you are not in control of the timetable. Try explaining that sometimes delays are appropriate but that sometimes things fall through the cracks so the client should never be hesitant to call to ask what progress is occurring. Sometimes they save you by reminding you. One Wisconsin attorney notes that, “It has been my experience over many years that clients will accept almost any delay from their attorney if they believe that the attorney has been communicating regularly with them. On the other hand, if the communication has not been good even reasonable delays are resented.”

How can I start to blog when I have limited time and don’t know where to start?

After the 2008 Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference, attorney Sean M. Sweeney launched a blog designed to have contributions from attorneys from all over Wisconsin The advantage is that with multiple attorneys participating, each one only needs to blog once or twice a month to keep the content fresh and useful for members of the public seeking information on Wisconsin law. Sweeney promises those attorneys participating that the interface is easy and intuitive, and he will be available to answer questions.

You can see if the joint blog is a project of interest to you by visiting http://www.Wisconsin-Lawyers-Blog.com or contacting Sweeney at sms@hallingcayo.com.

Do you have questions for the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee? Email Chair Nancy L. Trueblood nancy@ntruelaw.com