I use "blawg" not because I think it's special, but because it's unique. I don't think uniqueness is a quality to be ashamed of. I haven't had any trouble explaining that there really is no distinction, any more than I have had explaining the terms "podcasting" or "RSS." And if someone thinks the term blawg is "legalese," then that person probably wasn't going to get it anyway.

I disagree with Trevor that we should call them "legal blogs" -- that makes me think that there are other "illegal" blogs, or blogs that are somehow not legitimate. I prefer "law-related weblogs," but as Trevor points out, it's a mouthful. So I'll probably continue to use "blawg," hoping that the public will see the distinction more as a clever turn of phrase than as the typical lawyer ego. At least, I'd like to give them that much credit.

You're right that blawg is a clever play on words. But I think there are folks as stupid as me who are confused by the term. Sure it's easily explained but someone may not always be around to explain it.

I'm just one that would like to see lawyers act more like the man or woman on the street, the person you'd pull up a bar stool next to or shoot a game of pool with at the local tavern. Those folks aren't looking for more clever lawyers - they by and large distrust the hell out of us.

On this one, why not use the same term the rest of the world is using - blog. It doesn't even need an adjective - it's a blog published by xyz etc. But if it does why not law blog or lawyer blog?

Blog is quite a bit less confusing than blog, blawg did not make the cover of BusinessWeek nor is the term regularly reported on by newspapers and other publications.

As far as the poor reputation of lawyers, I'm not being harsh, it's a fact. Americans believe we are greedy, manipulative and corrupt with less than one in five people having any faith in lawyers. This all from a recent ABA study.

The study also finds people do not care what type of lawyer it is - personal injury as you single out or corporate.

I know a blawg is a Web site but when I tell non lawyers who do not know what it is, they ask why lawyers would want to confuse people by calling their blogs a blawg.

Now you've got me wondering again about the prudence of "blawg" in my blog title. I too didn't like the word blawg when I first heard it, but decided to run with it. Perhaps not the best decision, though hopefully not plain stupid.

If you're ever in Europe, let me know. All the best with LexBlog.