Talk of The LexBlog Network : Seth Borden of Labor Relations Today

New York attorney Seth Borden brought more than a wealth of legal expertise with him when he joined McKenna Long & Aldridge two years ago. The co-author of Labor Relations Today also carried experience as a labor and employment blogger that predates his tenure as a partner at the AmLaw 200 firm.

Joining McKenna Long & Aldridge’s Employer Services Group in 2009 along with fellow blogger and partner from a previous practice Richard Hankins, Borden worked with his new team to develop a viable method for promoting the legitimacy of the firm’s latest discipline of legal practice.

"McKenna did not have a labor relations practice," said Borden. "It was important to us to do something that helped announce that we now had an expertise in this area, and our goal was to use the blog to help us establish that profile."

Through a combination of original commentary, insightful analysis on prominent labor developments and content curated from credible sources, Labor Relations Today tactfully shows the breadth of knowledge held by Borden and his colleagues.

"We had a partner join our firm recently," said Borden. "In (an) email to the head of our litigation department, (he said) he’s familiar with (our) blog and noted how it really has differentiated itself. That’s the kind of feedback that blows you away."

Borden’s reputation, highlighted by being known as the first lawyer to negotiate a collective-bargaining agreement under a Native American tribal labor statute, has certainly differentiated him from the crowd and led to exciting career opportunities.

The latest opportunity Borden’s expertise and versatility in labor and employment has awarded him is a contributing writer and editor spot in an upcoming book titled HR and Social Media: Practical and Legal Guidance.

"(This) was definitely an out-growth of the blog," said Borden. "(In) the more recent cases that the National Labor Relations Board has (been) involved in, involving social media, we were out in front of that."

In HR and Social Media, the brain-child of Ohio employment and labor attorney Jon Hyman, Borden will contribute a chapter dedicated to social media and labor law. Borden is excited that his knowledge and passion for employment and labor law has been acknowledged and will be featured in a book with fellow experts.

"We were writing extensively about it on the blog," said Borden. " That is where some of those connections were enhanced and when this opportunity came up, it just made sense."

Although blogging has brought positive attention to both Borden and McKenna Long & Aldridge, it is an aspect of business that requires attention and care.

"The key is you need to be dedicated to it," said Borden. "I think it’s pointless when you go online and see a blog and someone has posted something monthly. I think we are so past the point in time where that’s going to be something of value."

Labor Relations Today keeps readers in the know, as it is updated multiple times weekly. Borden believes social media to be an adept tool for legal professionals to communicate with their target audience on a regular basis. When it comes to utilizing blogs effectively, his advice to fellow lawyers is to use any and all available resources that add value to the publication.

"I think you have to not be afraid to involve other voices in the discussion," says Borden. "(They) may even be your competitors. But I think that enhances the quality of a legal blog."