Smaller and Midsized Law Firms Need Formal Social Media Policies for Lawyers and Staff

Now is the Time to Act if Your Firm Does Not Have One in Place!

In an ideal world, common sense should prevail. But, as we all know, it's not an ideal world and we continue to read and hear about embarrassing -- sometimes even disastrous -- situations involving lawyers and their use if the Internet. In this day and age, it's way too easy to divulge confidential information, create an unwanted client/attorney relationship, run afoul of bar advertising rules, or do something foolish that you later regret.

By now, almost every Amlaw 200 law firm has developed and implemented a formal set of social media policies and procedures regarding the use of the Internet - including blogs, listservs, and social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook - by its lawyers and support staff.

We've observed, however, that most smaller and midsized firms don't yet have such policies in place. For example, we recently presented to a group of 100 firm administrators at an ALA Conference in Charlotte and asked, by a show of hands, how many had a social media policy. Three hands. We then asked how many thought their firms should have one. Nearly every hand in the room. It's one of those things that firms recognize the need to do, but never seem to find the time to actually do it.

If your firm does not have a social media policy, the time has come to get one. To assist in that regard, we've searched the Internet and found three examples of thoughtful and well-written policies created by some of the top consultants to the legal industry.

Click here to take a look.