Functionality of social media and connectivity are growing on the Internet. Many businesses are creating Twitter accounts and Facebook pages. Direct marketing and relationship marketing thrive with these forms of interactive tools. Another innovative technique lawyers are using to market their firm is Google profile and alerts. These may seem foreign but setup is a breeze.

Google Profile allows anyone to create a personal, searchable page on Google. Once an account is created (if you do not have one already with Google), you begin by entering in data about yourself or business into the form and any links you would like displayed. Google allows users to upload photos and contact information. Click the ‘create profile’ button and you are finished. Here is an example of a Miami firm’s profile.

Google Alerts keeps you updated on stories or people you are interested in. It works by allowing users to isolate key phrases or words they often search for and emailing or delivering via feed new results. For instance, a VP at Pampers may want up to date information about its competitor, Huggies. By creating a Google Alert for “Huggies”, they no longer have to dedicate time to searching for themselves. Google will email them any new developments posted on the web about Huggies.

Other applications for Google Alerts include monitoring what others are saying about your business (or you). By creating an Alert for your name, any occurrence of it in the press will immediately be mailed or show up on a Feed Reader.

To create a Google Alert, first login to your account and go here. Proceed to type in whatever search term(s) you desire. Google gives you the option to search only news, videos, blogs, groups or all of the above (comprehensive). This can be useful as a filtering mechanism. Next, they want to know how often you would like updates. The choices are once a day, as it happens or once a week. Finally, Google needs to know how you want this information sent to you- to either a Google account email or feed.

These two quick and useful tools go a long way to monitor and market. They are both extremely powerful and user-friendly. To get an account with Google and get started go here.

For more information on Canadian Lawyers, Lawyer Marketing, Law firm advertising visit http://www.lawyerahead.ca/

Marketing strategies vary and many tried and true techniques have lost their potency because of changing technologies. Keeping up with the times is necessary. Attracting more clients always seems to be the name of the game and with the power of the Internet, many lawyers find that integrating RSS feeds into their blogs is yet another way of connecting with the public.

Recent surveys show more and more businesses are implementing or plan to implement RSS feeds as part of their lawyer marketing strategy. This is because syndication tools are becoming ubiquitous. This seems appropriate because of the utility of RSS feeds and how easy they are to use.

Ease of use. RSS feeds make it much easier for internet users to follow updates in multiple venues. This Meta tool saves time for the hungry information junky, allowing them to bypass what they have already seen and go right to the new. RSS (XML and Atom as well) add functionality to information by allowing users to access it not only by visiting the blog itself, but through feed readers, portals or email.

Ease of implementation. Many blogging platforms come prepackaged with RSS capability. For those that do not, there are free tools like Feed burner available that create RSS feeds in a matter of seconds. It is a simple process after that to integrate it into the blog with the use of ‘chick lets’ or button with the RSS feed logo on it.

Provoking interest. Although tools like RSS help syndicate information, they do little to bolster content. Content still reigns king and there is no replacement for good quality, interesting content. Content like stories that relate to cases, general guides, interesting factoids, or debunking common legal misconceptions help build a following.

RSS and other similar tools are modern-day word-of-mouth. Integrating feeds into a firm’s blog will definitely spread the word and may increase traffic. Getting the word out there definitely can’t hurt and with feeds being as simple as they are to implement, why not?

For more information on lawyer advertising, law firm marketing in Canada, you may want to check out lawyerahead.ca.

Earlier is better than later. In almost all legal actions, finding and retaining a lawyer early in the process will aid the resolution of the case. The longer you wait, the harder it will be for your lawyer to gather relevant evidence or prevent a misstep. Retaining counsel early may actually save money because witnesses and evidence are easier to track down and preserve.

How do I find an attorney? Although this is the first time you have retained counsel, it is likely that people you know have used the services of a lawyer before. If they had a good experience, ask them who they used. Even if that attorney doesn’t handle your type of case, they will be able to recommend lawyers who do. Failing that, research local law firms and lawyers on the Internet. You will find information about what sort of cases they handle and how experienced they are. Lawyerahead.ca is a great place to start your search for a lawyer. 

When you first meet your attorney, they will ask you some background questions about your case. They are acting much like a physician diagnosing a patient. They will listen to your story and hear it with ‘lawyer’s ears’ – picking out the essential elements both for and against you. Further investigation may be required, since it is unlikely you will know all the key elements and facts.

However, with this background information, your attorney should have a general idea of whether or not your particular case has merit and how to proceed. He or she will question you about what you envision a satisfactory result to be and comment on how realistic your hopes are.

If it appears that you have a valid case, the next part of the initial interview should be about costs. Attorneys understand that fees and expenses are a real consideration in any legal proceeding. They should be quite up-front about what they charge and what other costs are involved. If your case is taken on a contingency fee basis, they should tell you whether or not you are responsible for expenses and what happens if you lose and no money is collected.

You should not be afraid to lay out all your concerns, even if they seem silly. You are relying on this person to represent your interests - communication and trust are an important part of deciding who to hire.

Your initial consultation should end with a general plan of action. What you should and should not do in the near term. You should ask who is the contact person for your case (it may be an associate or a paralegal – someone empowered to answer general questions you may have and forward information to your attorney). You should be ready to call your contact person with new developments and to get updates on your case.

It is likely that your lawyer will give you a ‘homework’ assignment, perhaps gathering information he will need for your case. You should have a clear idea of ‘what happens next’ when you leave. You should also have a sense that you are in capable hands. Remember, questions aid all concerned. When you are not sure about something, ask. And if you still aren’t sure, ask again.

Open the Yellow Pages and you’ll find page after page after page of legal advertisements. They are generally categorized by ’specialty’, but all of them seem to be specialists in multiple areas of the law. The sheer number of ads is astonishing.

“Well, here’s a nice advertisement. Big letters, toll-free phone number, a nice picture of a classy office and a distinguished gentleman.” Guess what? You’ve just figured out which law firm is good at advertising. You have, in effect, selected the best ad writer, not the best lawyer for your circumstances. And pages of ads, all offering the same ‘free consultation’ doesn’t help either.

You shouldn’t choose a lawyer like you would choose a plumber. Rather, finding a lawyer to take on your case is more like finding a doctor to treat your illness. You are going to develop a long-term relationship with your attorney – a relationship built on trust and communication. The Yellow Pages will not help you here. In fact, they can hurt you.

The advertisements will not tell you how much a lawyer charges. They will not tell you who pays the law firm if you lose your case. Did you know that you might be responsible for paying the attorney fees if your case doesn’t result in a collection? What about expenses related to investigating and pursuing your case? Who pays for those?

All of these questions and more can only be answered in person. You will need more than a phone call, you will need to interview a few lawyers to find one that you trust to handle your matter. Someone you can be confident in and a firm you can rely on.

Put the Yellow Pages away. Take some time to investigate both your type of case and local attorneys on lothe Internet. Lawyer Ahead is a great place to start as it carries the most comprehensive information on a lawyer and only publishes lawyers that meet its minimum publishing standards.  Set up an appointment (usually free) and ask some key questions:

1. Does my case have merit?
2. Who pays if I lose? How much of any judgment will go toward attorney fees and expenses if I win my suit?
3. What is the expected outcome and how will your firm get me there?
4. What is your track record with my type of case?
5. Who else could you recommend in this area of law?

Remember, what you want is someone who can guide you through the legal minefield, someone with expertise and someone you trust who you can communicate well with. Leave the Yellow Pages for when you need lawn service or snow removal.

To get more information on Vancouver Lawyers, Toronto Lawyers, Ottawa Lawyers, Brampton Lawyers and Mississauga Lawyers, please visit www.lawyerahead.ca

Social media forums are growing rapidly. Millions of internet users have accounts with sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, dedicating many hours of week to attend to and build their networks. It is a logical step for lawyers to start using these free sites to market his or her law firm.

Many Lawyers have a website as a formality. These sites tend to go into little depth about the firm, usually with brief blurbs about their history and contact information. In turn, these sites shortchange the firm of potential business. By utilizing social networking sites like Facebook and LawyerAhead, a lawyer connects with millions of potential clients.

Rex Gradeless is a prime example of social media’s potential. Rex is a third-year law student at the St. Louis school of Law. After joining Twitter in November 2008, Rex built his following to six thousand in two months. He attributes his following to his daily link sharing to those that follow him. The potential benefits of social media are shown by what Rex said during an interview with LexBlog. “I send about 15-20 useful, or interesting, links a day to those following me. These links range from topics including (but not limited to) social media, web 2.0 technologies, lawyer tech tips and legal marketing with social media. From there, I began to talk with those in the legal community and build relationships. People enjoyed my links so much that I quickly gained, and have maintained, a substantial following in the legal community.” To date, Rex7, Rex Gradeless’ username, has over ten thousand followers.

Although many will not find their following grow as quickly as Rex’s, Twitter is catching on like wildfire. They say when you first try it you will not get it. Twitter is a mixture of blogging and text messaging, limiting posts to 140 characters. This is still in its infancy yet many people are “getting it” and growing Twitter by leaps and bounds. One would be tempted to cop out and create a generic “firm” Twitter account, but in Smashing Magazine’s article, “8 Useful Tips to Become Successful with Twitter”, Paul Boag makes it clear that you need to keep it personal.

The speed at which one is able to build relationships and connections with the use of these sites is remarkable. As it stands, LinkedIn has 30 million users, Facebook gets 132 million unique visitors per month, Twitter is the fastest growing social network, and Youtube is the second largest search engine. All of these comprehensive services are excellent ways to get a lawyer’s name and the name of her firm out there. 

Learn more about Lawyer Ahead Inc.’s social networking features and see how you can reach many potential clients.

The Alien Tort Statute of 1789, an 18^th century law allowing foreigners to pursue claims in U.S. courts when “the laws of nations” are violated, came into play in late January during the 2^nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding the suit against Pfizer. The claim alleges that Pfizer secretly tested drugs on Nigerian children and other natives during a meningitis outbreak in 1996.  

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The drug in question, Trovan was approved by the FDA in 1998 for adult use only and its application was further restricted to emergencies only as reports of liver failure arose. In 1999, the European Union banned Trovan and the drug is now off the market altogether.

Richard Altschuler, a Connecticut-based personal injury lawyer is representing 58 of the Nigerian families as co-counsel to Nigeria-based attorney Etigwe Uwa. A New York firm, Milberg LLP, is representing the other 30 families involved in the suit.  Altschuler filed suit in 2001. In 2005, a New York district court said the case belonged in Nigeria, not America. This is the decision the 2^nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned in January.  Judges Parker and Pooler stated in the majority opinion, “The administration of drug trials without informed consent on the scale alleged in the complaints poses a real threat to international peace and security… Such conduct fosters distrust and resistance to international drug trials, cutting edge medical innovation and critical international public health initiatives in which pharmaceutical companies play a key role.”

Soon after the decision, Pfizer issued a statement saying the studies were “consistent with both international and Nigerian laws.” Moreover, that any deaths or injuries were “the direct result of the illness, and not the treatment provided to patients in the Pfizer study.” Kaye Scholer LLP, a law firm representing Pfizer, filed a motion for an en banc hearing of the case.  In regards to the decision, Altschuler touted, “We planted the seeds of truth for people to see and it’s just been growing. This decision shows that the U.S. is willing to bridle any immoral, oppressive acts committed by an American company.”

Lawyers for the plaintiffs are seeking $2 billion in damages from Pfizer. Despite the favorable ruling, they are considering switching the suit to Nigeria, where the Nigerian government has a pending $7 billion suit against Pfizer.

Jay Hennick is fronting $3 million in partnership with Osgoode Hall Law School and the Schulich School of Business at York University to create the Hennick Centre of Business and Law.

Hennick, a lawyer who now runs FirstService Corporation, expects the Hennick Centre will benefit both private lawyers and law students by helping them understand the inner workings of the corporate world.

Most lawyers have little to no collegiate business knowledge. Although there are programs to get a law degree and a masters in business, the required courses to receive a law degree does not include a business curriculum. This systemic issue creates lawyers who lack good business judgment.

Ed Waitzer, the first director of the Hennick Centre, says the centre will “focus at the intersection of law, business and public policy.”

The board is comprised of many entrepreneurial ex-lawyers who are now successful in business. Some of the names on that list are James Farley, a lawyer for McCarthy Tetrault, Marianne Harris, the president of Merrill Lynch Canada, Sandra Levy, David Robottom, vice-president of law at Enbridge Inc., RioCan CEO Edward Sonshine, COO of Royal Bank Barbara Stymiest, Rob Wildeboer, and Martinrea International and lawyer Mark Young.

Hennick is passionate about this project saying, “I feel so strongly about this and the opportunity for lawyers to have a business education. I think that lawyers who do have a business education can be fantastic business leaders and bring so much more to the party than just being the traditional lawyer.”

Those seeking to start their own practice may benefit from the Hennick Centre as well. The certificate program offered by the centre will be 11-weeks long with 40 hours of instruction and seven labs. The program will cover managerial and financial accounting, risk management, and marketing and organizational behaviours, to name a few and will cost $7,500.

Although he has a law degree, which he utilized as a Fogler Rubinoff securities law partner, Hennick moved on to become the CEO of FirstService and a businessman. He began a pool service company while attending York and with FirstService, he has grown his business interests into a $2-billion enterprise.

Personal injuries are probably one of the most common things that happen in our everyday life. If you are involved in an accident or just sustain a personal injury, or someone’s negligence or intentional actions result as harm to you, you are always able to fill a lawsuit and receive some compensation. On the other side if you are the one who is fully or particularly responsible for someone else’s injury, it will be good to be aware of the possible consequences. So basically general knowledge about personal injuries is useful for everyone. This article will be about types of personal injuries and the compensations that you can charge or you’ll be charged with.

Personal Injury Damage Points

The compensatory damages you may experience from a tort (don’t worry, tort is a legal term referring to a civil wrong that results in damages to another person, persons’ property or rights) can be general or special. General damages allow you to seek recovery for the non-monetary aspects of you damage and special damages for monetary. The non-monetary aspects can include pain and suffering, impaired ability to live as you did before your accident, loss of a loved one and loss of reputation. It is very difficult to calculate the monetary value of these losses. If the damages include calculations of your loss of ability to enjoy life, it is called hedonic damages. Just like the other non-monetary damages it is hard to calculate the value of compensation, because the initial value of life is not stated in any of the laws.

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The best one who can help you with defining the type of your damage and the corresponding charges is a personal injury lawyer. In most of the cases, it doesn’t matter if the damage was emotional of physical or you suffered financial difficulties, there are always some minor things that are obvious to any experienced lawyer. See our previous article on things you should know about before hiring a personal injury lawyer for more details on lawyers and Law related to the subject of personal injury.

In this article we will take a general look at some important things that every Canadian employer must remember regarding Employment Law and Employment Lawyers. 

1. Employment contracts. A contract is an important document that regulates everything between you and your employee, be sure to have a good contract that is based on the latest labour laws. A good contract includes everything from all the important things like trade secrets to holidays and working hours. The better the contract, the less time you will spend in courts.

2. Discrimination. An employer cannot hire or fire employees on the basis of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or equivalent belief, or age. Employer Discrimination can not only lead to the employee hiring a lawyer for lawsuits from the employees, but can also create a bad image of your company. Of course this has nothing to do with hiring people who are below or above the legal working age.

3. Harassment. Most of the people are used to the word harassment along side the word sexual, but it is not always true. There are different types of harassment ant they can come from anywhere, not just from bosses or fellow workers, but also from customers and even suppliers. A good employer must ensure that the worker has no verbal or physical abuse on his working place. If not you can have a difficult lawsuit that will most probably have a bad ending for you. The number of lawyers filing harassment lawsuits for their clients in the last years is rapidly growing and at least one of them even resulted in a jail sentence.

4. Changing the terms of Employment. Modern business is a very fast changing thing and it needs fast solutions and changes. Some Employers think that they can change the terms of employment just after a prior notice, but that’s not true. Every change in terms must be made by a negotiated agreement, except if the contract allows making such changes or the changes lie outside the contract. Be sure to remember this point in the contract, because any illegal changes in the employment contract will lead to lawsuits against you.

5. Consulting. While the first employment contracts wire simple and had nothing about discrimination or human rights, today we have huge employment laws that regulate all the possible things concerning employment. It is a normal thing for a truly democratic society, but an ordinary employer will need month to understand all the details of the employment law. So don’t be afraid to contact some labour law specialists firm in case you need to understand some parts of the law or need a consultation for a trial.

6. The five things that were presented above were written based on the general Canada Labour Code and it works only for about 10% of all the Canadian workers. The rest of them is covered by provinces labour laws, so be sure to check out your local laws concerning employment. The can be fairly different in British Columbia and Quebec.

This week we will also pay some attention to the rights of employees. In this article we will examine a situation when the employer wants to use a lie detector to determine if the employee, who is suspected in some kind of violation, is lying. We will try to look from both sides of this conflict. 

The cornerstone that protects the employee and limits the employer is the Employee Polygraph Protection Act. This act states that the polygraph test can be used only by Federal, State and local government employers. Private employers can use the test only if their business is security or they are authorized to manufacture, distribute or dispense controlled substances.

The employer cannot even suggest that the employee (prospective employee) takes a polygraph test without a serious reason. The Act defines the following reasons - theft, embezzlement, misappropriation, or an act of unlawful industrial espionage or sabotage. In general it can be grouped as investigations involving economic loss or injury to the employer’s business. If one of the situations has occurred and the employee is one of the suspects, then the employer needs to do few things before requesting the test. First of all he needs to be sure that the employee had access to the property that is the subject of the investigation or he is related to the occurred accident. The employer also must inform the suspected employee about the test, employees’ rights and provide a document, which has a basis for requesting the examination. The document must be signed by an authorized representative of the company.

The Act allows the employee to terminate the test anytime. The person who is providing the test must be a qualified and licensed polygraph examiner who is bonded or carries sufficient liability insurance. The results of the test have a limited disclosure. The employee can’t be asked about his personal life, political or religious beliefs and legal activities involving unions or labor organizations. If any of the employees’ rights were violated during the test, he can sue the employer for the violation of the Act.

So basically we see that an employee is full protected from the evil machine called lie detector. But if we look at it more seriously the employee seems to be a bit overprotected. A lie detector is helping to determine only if the employee is lying to certain questions, not his personal life or some hidden secrets. Basically if and employee has made a mistake or committed fraud and he wants to cover himself in court with lawyer, there is no way to make a lie detector test simple. He can terminate the test and the case will go up to the court where the prosecution will demand such a test. The protection of the employee can turn a simple procedure into a few months of courts. But if we take a deeper look into history of the working class in general we will see decades of lawyers on employees’ behalf fighting for the rights of the working people. So this small overprotection today is a direct result from the greediness and cruelty of the first employers.