This document provides an introduction to social networking and its opportunities and risks for legal professionals. It defines social media and discusses major social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It outlines law-specific sites and how social media can help lawyers connect with clients and peers. The document warns of privacy and ethical risks and provides tips for a social media presence and policy. It concludes with additional resources on using social media for legal marketing.

2. Social Networking: An Introduction Mary Jenkins, Law Librarian & Director Hamilton County Law Library for the Cincinnati Paralegal Association February 25, 2010

4. Intro to general sites

5. Intro to law/lawyer-specific sites

6. Opportunities

7. Risks

8. Getting started

10. What can social networking do for me? Essentially social networking can help you: Increase your odds of being found among zillions of others; Give you a giant platform for enhancing your reputation; Meet others; and Learn about companies and potential openings. [ BUT IT DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR QUALITY OR CONTACT ] Source: Andrea Kay, Make the most of social networking experience

11. http://networkmarketermlm.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/social-media-map.jpg

12. Steven Leckart: http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2009/08/28/the-venn-diagram-of.html

13. Quick explanatory videos: Social Media in Plain English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE Social Networking in Plain English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc

14. “No inherent risk” 50,000 legal professionals are already blogging. Almost 1 million people in the legal profession are using social networking sites to share information and manage their connections. 20,000 legal professionals are using Twitter and other microblogging services to collaborate, communicate, and meet new people. This is not to suggest social media use makes you immune from a state bar’s ethical rules of professional conduct. However, there’s no heightened and inherent risk stemming from using the tools themselves. As a member of the legal profession, you must always be on guard – no matter what the communication device looks like. “A Lawyer Can Have a Facebook Page”, Social Media Law Student, Oct. 4, 2009, http://socialmedialawstudent.com/twitter/a-lawyer-can-have-a-facebook-page/

15. Survey says: New survey data reveals that more than 70 percent of lawyers are members of an online social network - up nearly 25 percent over the past year - with 30 percent growth reported among lawyers aged 46 and over. Networks for Counsel Survey of almost 1,500 lawyers commissioned by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®

17. LinkedIn

18. Plaxo

22. Linkedin

24. Plaxo

26. Twitter

28. Before we move on… What is the value of these sites? How would I make the most of my profile on these sites?

29. Law-specific sites LawLink Legal OnRamp Lawyrs.net Martindale-Hubbell Connected

30. LawLink

32. Legal OnRamp Legal OnRamp is a Collaboration system for in-house counsel and invited outside lawyers and third party service providers. There are lawyers participating from over 40 countries, and a rapidly growing collection of content and technology resources. Basic services are free, so all members are expected to contribute to the community as a whole. If you are a law firm lawyer wishing to participate, please fill out the application questions in full, and specify what knowledge you would like to share with the Community.

33. Legal OnRamp:“Learn, Share Expertise, Collaborate, Succeed”

34. lawyrs.net

35. lawyrs.net

36. Martindale.com

37. Martindale-Hubbell Connected What is Martindale-Hubbell Connected? Martindale-Hubbell Connected is a global online community designed specifically for legal professionals. It enables lawyers to quickly connect, network, communicate and collaborate with trusted and authenticated colleagues. http://bit.ly/3yKIA5

38. Martindale-Hubbell Connected

40. Risks Top 10 Things You Should Not Share On Social Networks 1: Anything You Don't Want Shared 2: Password Hints 3: Your Password 4: Personal Finance Information 5: Your Address and Phone Number 6: Photos of Your Kids 7: Company Information 8: Linking Sites 9: Social Plans 10: Personal Conversations howstuffworks.com

41. Risks Be prepared: write policies -- See examples at http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php 20 things law firms need to have in their social media guidelines Lawyer’s Guide for Engaging in Social Media Firms develop guidelines for attorney social networking

43. Helps lawyers and prospective clients to find each other

44. Raises a lawyer or law firm’s profile in a particular legal area

45. Educates the public through free legal information

46. Allows lawyers to keep abreast of the latest developments

47. Helps lawyers share their information and ideas with their peers

48. Allows the public to share their experiences

49. Helps law firms and lawyers stay “top of mind” with existing clients

50. Creates a two-way dialogue between legal profession and the public Source: Michael Carabash , “Social Media and the Law”, Dynamic Lawyers

51. What were they thinking? Attorney serving as juror blogged about the trial Magistrate tweets about his cases Evidence of partying on Facebook leads to denial of continuance Judge and lawyer befriend each other on Facebook during trial Texting during deposition is the same as passing notes Using a 3rd party to friend a witness via Facebook to solicit info Attorney charged with posting ad seeking ‘secretary with benefits’

53. Decide on your commitment and a schedule

54. Start simply with professional contacts (LinkedIn, M-H Connected)

55. Try social networking on a personal level but be restrained (Facebook)

56. Dip your toe in professionally with Twitter or a blog or a prospective client site

58. In the county law library: Through the client's eyes : new approaches to get clients to hire you again and again KF311 .E92 2008 The 2009 solo and small firm legal technology guide : critical decisions made simple KF320.A9 N45 2009 Smart policies for workplace technologies : email, blogs, cell phones & more HF5549.5.P39 G84 2009 The lawyer's guide to collaboration tools and technologies KF320.A9 M54 2008

59. Contact me For more information or to discuss or do a walk through: Mary Jenkins, Law Librarian & Director Hamilton County Law Library 513.946.5300 mjenkins@cms.hamilton-co.org IM/Twitter/Skype: jenkinscinci LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjenkins Ning: http://lawlibraries.ning.com/profile/MaryJenkins