July 23, 2013 – In the combined July/August issue of Wisconsin Lawyer magazine, available online and in mailboxes soon, Wisconsin’s high-profile case between two law firms is the backdrop for discussions on Internet marketing and privacy.
Cannon & Dunphy S.C., a personal injury firm, purchased keyword advertising with search engines Google, Yahoo! and Bing so Internet users would be directed to the firm’s website when those keywords were entered.
Interestingly, the purchased keywords were “Habush” and “Rottier,” partners in the competing firm, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. As one can imagine, attorneys Habush and Rottier took offense, and sued Cannon & Dunphy for violations of privacy.
In his cover article, “Internet Keyword Advertising: Not a Violation of Right to Publicity,” Madison attorney John Gentry explains privacy law, the case, and the outcome, including what the case means for law firm Internet marketing in Wisconsin.
Fiedler Seizes the Moment
Patrick Fiedler, a former judge now practicing law at Axley Brynelson LLP in Madison, started his one-year term as president of the State Bar of Wisconsin this month. Writer Dianne Molvig caught up with him to learn how his varied legal career will help serve him as president.
“He acknowledges that if he were to take one of those pop-psychology stress quizzes, he’d earn a high score,” Molvig writes in “Patrick Fiedler: Seizing the Moment.”
“Leaving the bench and shifting into private practice wrought change enough. Still, he couldn’t pass up the chance to run for Bar president, on top of everything else, when that chance came along.”
Creditors, Debtors, and the UCC
If you deal with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code – which governs the creation, perfection, priority and enforcement of security interests – be sure to catch “Revised UCC Article 9: Compliance Tips for Creditors and Debtors.”
“This article provides an overview of Article 9, explains the recent amendments, and offers tips for attorneys who must comply with Article 9 now that the amendments have taken effect,” write Madison attorneys Norman Farnam and Krista Pleviak.
Choosing a Limited Liability Entity for Your Law Firm?
If so, then Madison attorneys Joseph Boucher and Jennifer Knudson have you covered in their 101 article, “Choosing a Limited Liability Entity: Which Form is Best for Your Law Firm?”
The article explains what limited liability entities are out there, the mechanics of forming one, and the advantages and protections they afford. The article also includes a helpful chart with tax comparisons between C Corps, S Corps, and Partnerships/LLCs.
“If you’re thinking about going solo or forming a firm, you can protect your business by organizing as a limited liability entity,” they write.
What Else is Inside the July/August Issue?
An On Balance column by Paula Davis-Laack on “7 Ways to Manage Stress and Thrive in the Law.” Top Tip? Get out of the weeds with habits, rituals, and systems to be more efficient.
Dean Dietrich’s Ethics column titled, “Airing Your Laundry: Don’t Use Social Media to Respond to Clients’ Negative Comments.” Dietrich, former chair of the State Bar’s Professional Ethics Committee, notes the potential pitfalls of using social media in your practice and the unethical temptations involved.
Tom Watson’s Managing Risk column explaining the risks of going solo to find legal work. The article notes the challenges for new law grads these days, and provides advice on what to consider for those thinking of hanging out a shingle.
A Technology column titled “Tech Game Changers: Tips, Trends, and Lessons Learned,” in which four lawyers and a law firm IT professional share what they learned at the 2013 ABA Techshow, including lessons learned.
A Marketing column by Michael Moore titled “Building a Law Practice in a New Location.” A daunting task, but Moore gives some insight for success.
A Final Thought from Kevin Palmersheim, who practices business law in Madison. In “Red Velvet Jacket or Navy Suit? Be Yourself (Within Reason),” Palmersheim explains how being yourself can improve happiness, but lawyers must temper their originality to legal situations that demand formality.
