Today I came across a well-written article that deals with these questions, and provides some practical tips for lawyers who tweet. It’s by Gina Rubel and was published online in the Legal Intelligencer Blog.  Here it is, reproduced in full:

Monday, March 14, 2011

There are many benefits of lawyers using Twitter. In fact, I know many lawyers who have met both referral sources and new business contacts using Twitter.

As far as having a plan to engage in Twitter communications, I recommend taking the following approach: Define Purpose > Follow > Listen > Create > Engage. Here’s how:

1. Define your purpose in using Twitter. Identify what you want to accomplish by using Twitter as a vehicle for communication.

2. Follow: Identify the target audiences you want to reach: business and community leaders, referral sources, colleagues, experts, media, prospective clients and other thought leaders. Research those within your target audience who are using Twitter. Search for them by name, company name, topic, hashtag, etc. Start by following those people who are thought leaders in your industry.

3. Listen: Pay attention to what others are saying online. Add each person you follow to a defined list. Keep the lists private. For example, you can have lists for colleagues, legal media, experts, etc. Be careful, however, how you name your lists, as nothing is every truly “private” online. For example, I don’t recommend naming a list “clients” or “referral sources.” Consider that T.M.I. (too much information).

4. Create: Create and or share content and information of value, such as breaking news, important news stories, upcoming events, resources, interesting observations, industry trends, articles, blogs posts, valuable website content (articles, practice area information), etc.

5. Engage: Engage in two-way conversation by direct messaging, mentioning others and retweeting information of value to your target audiences.

Twitter is an excellent tool to add to the mix of communication vehicles that you are using to build or reinforce your brand, increase referrals, build community relations, share information and build your network. Other benefits include crisis management, issue advocacy, marketing, public relations, media relations, reputation management and thought leadership. Just be smart about using social media, encourage the implementation of a social media policy in your firm and always be sure to adhere to the rules of ethics proscribed by the states within which you practice law. 

Gina F. Rubel is the owner of Furia Rubel Communications Inc., a public relations and marketing agency with a niche in legal communications. A former Philadelphia trial attorney and public relations expert, Rubel is the author of “Everyday Public Relations for Lawyers.” Rubel and her agency have won numerous awards for legal communications, public relations, media relations, strategic planning, corporate philanthropy and leadership. She maintains a blog at www.ThePRLawyer.com and is a regular contributor to The Legal Intelligencer blog. You can find her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ginafuriarubel or follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ginarubel.  For more information, go to www.FuriaRubel.com.

I was recently asked the following question on the legal answer website AVVO.COM.  My answer was chosen as “best answer” by the questioner.

Question: My father wants a copy of my parent’s trust. He wants to request this in writing as it is difficult for him to get around. My mother claims she has misplaced the trust. My father would like to get a copy of the trust for me, but he is partially paralyzed and we had to hire full time help to assist him with his daily activities.

The trust attorney told me I would have to write a letter requesting it with the signatures of both of my parents. My father would do this, but my mother refuses. Is there any other way to get a copy of this trust? My mother constantly threatens me, telling me she is going to change the trust.  If my dad is a Trustee, can the Trust attorney legally refuse to do so? Would my dad’s request have to be notarized?

Answer (after another attorney had stated that the questioner’s mother would have to approve): I disagree. Your father, as a settlor and trustee, has a right to a copy of the trust that he and your mother hired the attorney to draft, assuming the attorney still retains a copy in the file. The request does not have to be notarized; in fact, he should simply be able to pick up the phone and call. If the attorney is skeptical about your father’s identity, then he should go to the office himself to pick it up, even if it is difficult to get around.

However, if I were you I’d talk to an estate planning attorney about this, and the underlying family issues that seem to be present. Where is the original? Was it destroyed? Lost? Is there in fact any property still in the trust? Is there a pending divorce?

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If you want to pose legal questions anonymously and have them answered by a handful of attorneys practicing in the field, consider coming to AVVO.com.  Or, just call me directly at (858) 740-4370, and I’ll answer your question myself or find someone who can.

March 23, 2010 at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: 401 K Street, San Diego, CA 92101. (619) 231-4040. 

9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

This is an intermediate level seminar designed for those specializing in estate planning and administration. Seminar led by: Meredith G. Alcock, Esq.; Audrey J. Grossman, Esq.; David P. Jones II, Esq.; and, Daniel K. Printz, Esq.

6.0 units of CLE for Attorneys and Paralegals. 6.0 units of specialization in the area of estate planning for the California Board of Legal Specialization.

Cost: $339 first attendee; $329 each additional. Audio Recording: $339. Manual only: $99. CD and Manual only: $199.

Enroll at: http://www.thelegacylawyer.com/first

To update your information, visit the My State Bar Profile section of the State Bar Website.