Futurelawyer

Social Media - The Death Knell Of Civilization.

Thousands of years of human development, and we are back to communicating in images. Our kids can't write a sentence in cursive. Some of them communicate by taking photos and posting to Instagram. Where will it end?

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Worry About Making Employee Mistakes After The Pandemic.

Bosses Mistakes Upon Return To Work After Pandemic. We are already treated like children by our spouses and significant others. Employees will not react well to being treated like a child after sampling the independence of work at home. The ship has sailed, and affects all employees, not just millennials. Since I am my own employee, I only have to deal with one boss, and she makes my food. Many of you don't share my penchant for solo practice. So, read this article and remember that your employees are adults. Treat them as such, and you will succeed.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Get To Decide How To Market Myself.

Modesty Can Go A Long Way. Okay, I agree that there is a line between marketing oneself and unctuous braggadocio. As a solo, you have to get your abilities and personality out there somehow. Social media provides a great vehicle. The greatest lesson my mom taught me was her advice: "Son, if you don't toot your own horn, no one will". Yes, you risk being too out there. But, in my experience, honest expression more often elicits the response: "I wish I had said that" or "I feel the same way". You will find that there are groups of people and individuals who like you, and want to hear what you have to say, and others who don't. Never dwell on those who don't. Speak your mind. Tell your truth. Say what you need to say. False modesty will often not get you where you want to go. You want to market yourself; but, not take any risks? Good luck. Now, get out there and show your true self to the world. What do you have to lose?

In An Internet Age, It's All About Social Media Marketing.

Marketing really hasn't changed a lot. The immediacy of Internet media has made marketing decisions more complicated; but, the reach can be extensive. It's the media, not the message, stupid.

Are You Worried About Your Privacy On Social Media?

We all want privacy in our personal communications. So, it is somewhat disingenuous of us to complain about the lack of privacy in social media, when we choose to post our secrets on the public wall of Facebook, and in other places. Of course, we all want to be loved, and respected, and cared about, so that is the intended goal of the things we put out there. But, the opinion of others should be the last thing we worry about. The Stoics tell us that the only thing over which we have control is our own actions or reactions to events. That said, there is a way to protect yourself from the problems engendered by membership and use of social media, and Facebook in particular:

Leave Me Alone. I Just Want A Cup Of Coffee.

The good news is that we still have a choice which businesses to frequent. The bad news is that they all want our personal data. Expert tip. Never take surveys. Never answer questions about your favorite things. Never respond to Internet memes that want to know your personal history. Your information is being collected, analyzed, and used to sell you stuff you don't want, or need. It may even be used to harm you. Be careful out there.

Florida Passes Landmark Free Speech Legislation.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Anti Censorship Bill. Big tech companies that censor, silence or deplatform users on social media will have to contend with an Amendment to Florida's Consumer and Unfair Deceptive Acts or Practices Act, as it is now illegal in Florida for Social Media Platforms to "unfairly" or "in bad faith" censor or deplatform candidates, users and others from expressing their views. It will be interesting to see whether the Courts find the act unconstitutionally vague; but, anyone who is concerned about Big Tech's influence on free speech will be following the cases closely. When a single corporation can bar a citizen from the biggest megaphone in town, it is fair to argue that free speech is in danger. Long time readers know that I am an advocate for free speech, even speech that is uncomfortable or unpleasant to hear. The only alternative is a slippery slope to a future in which we are afraid to speak our minds. With cancel culture and other modern forms of censorship on the rise, it is fair to say that we are already sliding down the slope. What do you think? The statute will permit private legal action, as well as action by the Attorney General.

First, Lawyer, Don't Harm Yourself.

The Internet is Forever. Behave Accordingly. Nikki Black has some sound advice for lawyers who want to join the Internet and Social Media party. Be careful. I remember, in the early days, a favorite meme was: "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog", referring to the ability to be anonymous. But, these days, IP tracking, video cameras, surveillance advances, stupid people posting photos and other foolish actions, everybody knows everything. And, once it is on the Internet, it will NEVER go away. I realize that some have been cancelled for things they said or did many years before the Internet existed. The modern penchant to cancel or castigate someone for every word or phrase uttered since birth is not a good thing. However, let's not compound the problem by putting stuff out there that will come back to haunt you. My mom always told me to act as if everyone was watching, and never to say anything out loud that I wouldn't mind seeing on the front page of the newspaper. While I have occasionally not taken that advice, I have tried to be careful. Are you being careful out there? 

How Big Was It?

Large Boulder Blocks Colorado Road. In a tweet that could have come out of a Captain Obvious commercial, one year ago today, a Colorado Sheriff's Department employee said the following: "Large boulder the size of a small boulder is completely blocking east-bound lane Highway 145 mm78 at Silverpick Rd." The inevitable Twitter firestorm caused the Department and the hapless employee all sorts of embarrassment, and widespread laughter at its expense. However, one year later, the Department has corrected its error, and has published the following about a new boulder road invasion: "A large boulder the size of a large boulder is blocking the southbound lane Hwy 145 mm28 in Stoner Creek area of Montezuma County." Now that we have that cleared up, I hope that we will all go back to posting about weird stuff on the Internet and Social Media. Because, what's a good boulder story without a followup?

 

Four Years Later, Are Lawyers Using Social Media More?

Four years ago, I was using a Smartphone and other tech to cover the Florida Bar Tech Show. I have been touting the use of technology in the practice of law for over 30 years, and the recent need to use it to practice law remotely during the Pandemic should be a wake up call to any lawyers who have resisted the trends. Lawyers and clients and Judges and court personnel now routinely hold meetings and hearings and trials online. Lawyers, however, still aren't using blogs and social media as much as they should. Are you engaging with clients and prospective clients online? Are you beginning conversations with your legal constituency? Are you becoming expert in Zoom and other videoconferencing methods? Are you storing your files online in digital form? Are you scanning everything that crosses your desk for later use?