We often talk about how a savvy law blogger can be viewed an authority and a thought-leader by smart blogging, using their expertise to share knowledge in a readable, user-friendly way.
Aviation attorney Mike Danko, who blogs at Aviation Law Monitor, has done just that.
"My phone rings as soon as an aviation accident makes the news," Mike says. "People want the skinny. ‘How is it possible that these two aircraft could collide?’ ‘What really happened?’ Typically, callers are looking for insight that the mainstream media can’t provide. That’s what I blog about."
Mike started his blog because he wanted to create a resource for victims of aviation accidents, as well as promote his own practice — but without a sleazy marketing facade. His blog now provides a wealth of information on the area of aviation law, presented in a clear and useful way.
We caught up with Mike for this LexBlog Q&A to discuss how he comes up with ideas for blog posts and what his philosophy is when it comes to sharing information on aviation law.
See our email exchange with Mike, after the jump.
Lisa Kennelly: Why did you decide to start a blog?
Mike Danko: I wanted to develop a website that would serve as a resource for victims of aviation accidents. There just weren’t any good ones out there. Of course, I wanted the site to promote my aviation practice, too. But I was dead set against the marketing crap I saw on a lot of other aviation lawyers’ sites: "If you or someone you love has been injured in a helicopter accident, call us today!" Yech.
I had a vision, but I was having a hard time pulling it together. Every website I sketched out seemed to crumble under its own weight. I started looking for help on the internet. Kevin’s blog kept popping up on the search engines. I didn’t know what a blog was, really, but I saw that his contained a lot of useful information in bite-sized pieces. I came back to it again and again. Then, suddenly, the light bulb went on — I wanted a blog, not a website.
Lisa Kennelly: What has been most rewarding about blogging? What has been most challenging?
Mike Danko: Most rewarding: When other aviation lawyers say they are "blown away" by the blog’s content. That really surprises me, because most of what’s on the blog is just the nuts and bolts of aviation law, stripped down to its barest form. Simple stuff, nothing brilliant. I’m gathering that the blog as a whole must be greater than the sum of its parts.
Most challenging: Controlling the time I spend on the blog. I figure a post should take 30 minutes, from start to finish. But if I’m not careful, I get sucked into it and 30 minutes turns into a couple of hours. I’ve learned never to start a blog entry close to bedtime.
Lisa Kennelly: Do you ever struggle to come up with ideas for posts, and if so, how do you get inspired?
Mike Danko: My phone rings as soon as an aviation accident makes the news. People want the skinny. "How is it possible that these two aircraft could collide?" "What really happened?" Typically, callers are looking for insight that the mainstream media can’t provide. That’s what I blog about.
When there is nothing in the news, I write answers to common questions clients ask me. "How does the Warsaw Convention impact my case?" "Should we wait to hear what the NTSB says before filing suit?" "Can you sue an air traffic controller or do they have some sort of immunity?" The general public may not always be captivated by these particular topics, but I know from experience that those who have suffered a loss are vitally interested and are always grateful for plain-English answers.
So, to answer your question, coming up with ideas has not been a struggle at all.
Lisa Kennelly: Do you feel having a blog sets you apart from other attorneys in your practice area?
Mike Danko: Yes, but it’s not so much having a blog that sets me apart as it is having a blogger’s mindset. Some aviation attorneys jealously guard what they know, as though they possess some sort of state secret. Or they tend to make answers to common questions as complex as possible to show how smart they are. My approach is different. I think it would set me apart even if those attorneys had blogs too.
Lisa Kennelly: What are some of your favorite blogs to read/follow, and why?
Mike Danko: Eric Turkewitz’s New York Personal Injury Law Blog. He takes people head-on. From ambulance chasers to tort reformers to Supreme Court nominees. Watch out. He’s hard hitting, but thoughtful, fair, and never shrill. And generally entertaining. I admire his work.
Or, see our full list of legal blog interviews.
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