Real Lawyers Have Blogs : Law Blogs, Social Media, Twitter

If success in legal blogging were measured by the author's ability connect with and relate to readers, Jeff Nowak's FMLA Insights would be the standard.  Employing techniques that resonate with those seeking guidance, the Chicago attorney's publication is well on its way to finding its place among the best blogs in the labor and employment law community.

"Every article I write has to have some sort of practical impact for employers," said Nowak, a partner at Franczek Radelet.  "Some kind of message they can take and apply to their own workplace to maximize their business objectives and ultimately minimize legal risk."

Insightful, colorful and engaging, FMLA Insights has helped both employers and employees better understand matters associated with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which is why the blog's increase in popularity is no surprise.

One of the most popular features on the blog has been the 'FMLA FAQ' segment where Nowak blogs about questions posed by clients.

"In the FAQ, I choose issues that my clients commonly face in their daily business and that I think would be of value to a larger group of employers," said Nowak. "It has certainly raised my profile in the labor and employment social networking community."

Nowak's increased web presence brought about a major career opportunity, as he was recently named employment counsel for a private company in the airline industry after being introduced to a FMLA Insights reader who happens to serve as in-house counsel for that airline.

"The blog provided me instant credibly with a potential client, something that I otherwise would have never been able to obtain without the blog," said Nowak.  "It provided an opportunity to hold myself out as an expert on an area that was of value to this particular employer."

Though a major milestone for Nowak's career, the recent appointment to employment counsel for the airline has added to Nowak's laundry list of duties—which includes being co-chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Franczek Radelet, serving as an elected official in his local government,  and of course,  the blog.  All this begs the question of how Nowak finds time to produce such a high quality blog on a regular basis.  His secret is that he finds time to focus on blogging at the beginning or end of the day.

"The first hour of my day is business development. It's reviewing social media, It's staying up-to-date on issues in my profession, it's connecting with current and potential clients and it's also time spent on my own blog," said Nowak.  "So it's something that I tackle either late at night or first thing in the morning before I jump into my actual legal work.  I found that it works pretty well for me."

Amidst all the duties of a lawyer with a full plate, Nowak finds time to blog, but what makes it easier for him to post with such regularity is his passion for labor and employment law.  His advice to bloggers who may lack of inspiration is to write about topics of interest, as it makes for a more enjoyable experience.

"If you want to jump into blogging, it really has to be an area that you're passionate about because it's a pretty significant time commitment," said Nowak.  "While you might love to do it now, you have to love the concept two or three years later because the longer you blog, the more difficult it can be to stay motived so it's particularly important to pick an area you are interested in and passionate about and run with it."

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If the oft-uttered statement "you are what you eat" applied to blogging, Washington, D.C. attorney Steven Berk would be what he writes.  As the publisher and author of The Corporate Observer, Berk sees his blog as not only his online writing portfolio, but his virtual business card.

"If someone's looking for a whistleblower lawyer (online), 30 or 40 different people will come up and they're sort of looking at a stack of business cards and mine is more interesting and more thoughtful so they might call me," Berk said.

With over twenty years of litigation experience under his belt in federal prosecution and with large law firms, Berk decided to start his own firm, Berk Law, in the spring of 2009 and soon after created The Corporate Observer as a means of developing his new practice.

"When I shifted over to doing more consumer and class action work, I needed a platform that allowed me to build a presence a lot quicker than in the olden days," Berk said.

Berk's presence is becoming increasingly established through the use of his blog, as his firm has gotten many calls from new and potential clients.

"People (are) willing to hire me as their attorney based on what they may have seen on the blog, and then due diligence after that," said Berk.  "It's sort of a digital business card, and even more than that, it's interactive and has information.  So in that sense it's been very successful and we are going to keep pushing that."

The success of the blog on the retail end has prompted Berk to reach out to thought leaders to promote his work and lead him to important career and networking opportunities, such as speaking engagements and media appearances.  Berk realizes that blogging is a two-way street and in order for him to gain such opportunities he must engage others and promote their work as well.

"What I've learned slowly is that writing a blog is only step one," said Berk.  "It's certainly an important step, but it's only step one.  I think you also have to take steps two and three, which are responding to people's blogs and engaging in conversation with others to really get the big bang for your buck."

While working on engaging others in his work, Berk is employing the craft of letting his writing show readers his personality, skills, and advocacy for class action.  Berk feels that many law blogs are "mercenary" and are subject to narrow focuses, which is why his informative, interesting and timely prose-style writing makes his work stand out from the crowd.

"Since I was a trial lawyer for some time, I'm pretty good at being a generalist and explaining things in a way that people could understand, and that's kind of the key I think," Berk said.

Something Berk has learned in his blogging endeavors is that the art has no strict formula or rules to adhere to, but he believes it is essential to be true to his nature and character. His advice to other bloggers is to let their personalities shine through their work.

"Go with your style.  If you're funny, make it funny.  If you're serious, make it serious.  I think people just have to be comfortable and willing do with what they think they're good at."

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth a million, and Southern California attorneys Keith Davidson and Stewart Albertson have recently started using video commentary on their blog, California Trust, Estate and Probate Litigation, in a unique way that effectively demonstrates that the art of blogging nowadays is more than just words on a page.

"Not many lawyers have blogs on trust and will litigation because there aren't that many lawyers who do it; and the ones who do, don't have blogs with videos," said Davidson.

Having started their blog just over a year ago, Davidson and Albertson's blog has quickly become an effective outlet for the duo, as they have been establishing themselves as experts on issues regarding trust, estate and probate laws in California. Not to mention picking up new clients along the way.

"(The blog) has helped with our visibility," said Davidson. "People can find us and when they call, they already assume we're experts in the area because they've read the blog."

Perhaps the reason Davidson and Alberston's blog is attractive to readers is because it conveys information in a way that is both conversational and easy to understand. Adding to the allure of the blog are the video posts, which feature Davidson and Albertson speaking in-depth about important issues pertaining to trust, probate and estate law. As a relatively new feature to the blog, the videos have not gotten much response, but they have helped Davidson and Albertson establish a visible web presence.

"(The videos) are fairly new so we haven't gotten much feedback, but I think it's going to be good to show who we are and our personality," said Davidson. "But I can tell you they've shot up our rankings on Google even more."

Though the blog is continuing to gain success, it comes with a time commitment. As partners of their own law firm, adjunct professors at Chapman University School of Law and family men, Davidson and Albertson find time to blog in between the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Davidson writes on weekends and quiet nights, using his iPad to reflect on interesting topics he sees from clients, the classroom and various social media outlets of which he follows.

"I find that trying to sit at my desk and come up with ideas is impossible," said Davidson. "But if you get away from it a little bit you can come up with better ideas."

Coming up with blog ideas is difficult at times, which is why Davidson suggests having the desire to write is a key component of successful blogging.

"You have to want to share information," said Davidson. "If you are doing it because you feel like you have to you, wont get really far."

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When LexisNexis talks, people listen.  And when the premiere electronic legal research service in the world publishes a "best of" list, it is a big deal to be on that list.  The recently compiled "LexisNexis Top 25 Labor and Employment Law Blogs of 2011," features 13 blogs from the LexBlog Network.  Below is a list of all the blogs in the network that made the list, along with the reactions from a few of the authors about making the list and what it means to be part of such a distinguished company in the labor and employment law community. 

Blogging veteran Daniel Schwartz of Pullman & Comley has set a standard for legal blogging with his Connecticut Employment Law Blog.  Though it has been on many elite lists, the thing that is most important to the Hartford attorney is that readers still find his blog valuable and relevant after all this time.

"It's always nice to be recognized by your peers and by others and having appeared on list like this in the past, it's nice that four years into my blogging, people still recognize the value that the blog can bring.  I read several of the other blogs that are on the list and there's a number of high quality law blogs that are out there, particularly on the LexBlog Network."

Columbus, Ohio attorney Brian Hall considers his blog, Employment Law Report, being on the list as a sign of the high quality of his work and credits the blog for giving his firm, Porter Wright, industry recognition beyond the Buckeye State.

"If you look up and down that list of blogs, there's a lot of impressive lawyers and law firms that put out those blogs and just to be considered one of them is really an honor.  Being considered among that high quality a list validates what we're doing as well.  When we got started, all we were really looking to do was make sure we were communicating legal developments to our clients as best we could and we were hopeful of getting a little more name recognition outside of the state of Ohio, but did not really ever expect that we would be getting this kind of recognition."

Anthony Zaller of Van Vleck, Turner & Zaller recognizes the difficulties associated with keeping a blog current and interesting while also facing the pressures associated with a hectic work schedule, which is why he considers it an honor that his blog, California Employment Law Report, is one of the top labor and employment blogs, as well as a testament to his ability to handle both a blog and a practice.

"It's definitely hard to keep up on blogging and business and to keep your practice going. A lot of these other writers do a better job of keeping focus than I do, but I think blogging is something that is important to keep in mind and I try to do my best and I'm definitely honored to be in the company of these other bloggers.  I don't know how I come up with ideas, it's kind of just keeping it in the back of my mind in day-to-day activities.  Whenever I come across something that might be a good blog topic and once I have it in the back of my mind, I just go with it.  I don't think getting the ideas for the blog post is the difficult part, it's actually just sitting down and doing it and making the blog post."

Cozen O'Connor's Mike Schmidt explains that a key element to blogging is being able to reach an intended audience and his blog, Social Media Employment Law Blog, shows that the Philadelphia attorney is making good on that element of success.

"I am certainly honored that the blog has been recognized among the best with a certainly impressive group of other labor and employment blogs.  I think it's important to not only provide good content but also to provide the content in a way that offers some value to the intended audience; in my case, employers looking for information on the impact of social media on employment law.  I'm happy that it's been recognized and hopefully that's an indicator of showing that I've been doing what I have meant to do so far."

As the lone international nominee on the list, Toronto attorney Lisa Stam is thrilled that her blog, Employment & Human Rights Law in Canada, made the list and credits the blog design as a big reason that her readership has increased.

"I was surprised because it's an American list and usually Canadians are not on the radar in the first place and there are a lot of great Canadian blogs that were not on that list.  I am pleased.  I have no doubt that a lot of that has to do with the professional look of the blog that LexBlog puts out.  Our readership has expanded because of LexBlog, so that's has a large contribution to it all.  To be in the company of some of the other blogs, it is a big deal for me, there are some big players there."

When Chicago attorney Jeff Nowak started FMLA Insights last year, neither Nowak nor his firm, Franczek Radelet, could have predicted the blog's success.  Nowak is humbled to be on the same list as some of the great bloggers he has followed over time and hopes to learn from them and continue to grow as a labor and employment blogger.

"I am humbled and honored to be among some great labor and employment blogs.  I regularly read a number of them.  Those by Daniel Schwartz and Robin Shea come to mind.  There are some great blogs out there, particularly offered through LexBlog and I'm honored to be part of that group.  One year after going live with our FMLA Insights blog, I would never imagine, at this point, being among such elite company, but obviously I am excited about it.  I'm still learning more and more with every blog post and picking up on things that other bloggers do, which is always helpful."

Other blogs in the LexBlog Network that made this LexisNexis list include:

• The Labor & Employment Law Blog by Sacramento's Weintraub Genshlea Chediak
• Texas Employment Law Blog by San Antonio attorney Christopher McKinney
• Stoel Rives World of Employment by members of Stoel Rives' Labor and Employment Law Group
• Smooth Transitions by Dallas attorney Rob Radcliff of Langley Weinstein
• Labor & Employment Law Perspectives by Milwaukee attorney David Froiland of Foley & Lardner
• Employment Matters by members of Mintz Levin's Employment, Labor and Benefits Practice
• Employment & Labor Insider by North Carolina attorney Robin Shea of Constangy, Brooks & Smith

Voting for the "LexisNexis Top Labor and Employment Law Blog of the Year," ends Friday. With the LexBlog Network dominating the list, it is highly possible that one of our labor and employment bloggers is considered to be the new standard for the industry, according to LexisNexis.  Though there can only be one winner, we are endlessly proud of all the authors in our network who made the list, as well as all the other bloggers in the LexBlog Network who continue to pave the way for legal marketing through blogging.

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After establishing herself as one of the top family law experts in Massachusetts, Boston attorney Nancy Van Tine now has her sights set on establishing her expertise nationally and internationally and has chosen her blog, Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor, as a means of reaching the world at large.

"Divorce is a very local business and the laws are state-driven, but some of the general things are nationwide and it's interesting to see how (others) cope with the same things we do." said Van Tine.  "Some (laws) are the same and some are wildly different."

As chair of the Divorce & Family Law Group and co-chair of the Private Client Group at Burns & Levinson, Van Tine has undoubtedly experienced a variety of issues in her 30-plus-year career as a family lawyer.  The issue that concerns her most are the general misconceptions about divorce law.  This notion was the driving force behind VanTine's decision to create her blog two years ago.

"I started the blog because I felt there was a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of people think certain things about (divorce) that aren't true," Van Tine said.

Conversational, insightful and clever, Massachusetts Divorce Law Monitor contains Van Tine's original thought and commentary on an array of important divorce issues relevant both in the media and in the lives of people she encounters on a daily basis.  In typical New England fashion, Van Tine's posts are quick to the point and her passion for divorce law shines through her writing.

"My blog tends to be more personal than many lawyer blogs," said Van Tine.  "I thought it would be a good forum to talk about the (divorce) process itself and the ordinary bits and pieces that somebody out there looking for the information to do a divorce can get the information they need."

Van Tine's credibility has kept her practice busy over the years, but her ability to deliver important and useful information to readers on her blog is what has brought recent success that has extended her network beyond Beantown and the Old Colony State.  Thanks to her blog, Van Tine has taken on many huge clients, including cases involved with the Hague Abduction Convention, an organization that handles international child custody and kidnapping cases.

"Initially, (blogging) would get me a client a month but now I probably don't see anybody who hasn't read the blog, which is really good because they feel like they know me when they come in," Van Tine said.

In addition to exposure to new clients, Van Tine has become a regular contributing writer for both the Huffington Post and Women's Forum and has been mentioned in various publications and blogs.

"I feel very connected to a number of bloggers who quote me on their blogs and I quote them on mine and we link to each other periodically," Van Tine said.

With the recent slew of major clients and syndication writings, one might wonder how Van Tine finds time to blog.  She credits her support staff, comprised of younger lawyers under her wing who occasionally write posts in her absence, and her business development manager, Scott Katz, for keeping her multi-laterally focused.

"(Scott) keeps my nose to the grindstone, "  said Van Tine.  "If he doesn't see anything going on for a few days on the backend, he'll nudge me and its very good to have that."

The support to keep her publication regularly maintained has helped Van Tine tremendously, though she admits it can be tough at times.  Her advice to bloggers is to simply be consistent.

"Even if you don't feel like it, get something up there at least once a week," Van Tine said.  "It really makes a difference for your readers."

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 When Florida criminal defense lawyer Michelle Estlund started the Red Notice Law Journal earlier this year, she was looking to simply add depth to the resource-shallow canon of discussion surrounding a very specific area of international criminal law, but has quickly found blogging essential for her professional development.

"(The blog) has been helpful to me because it (has) forced me to stay abreast of all new developments regarding particular issues, which plugs me into information and people I might not typically come across without it," Estlund said.

The Red Notice Law Journal focuses on issues and news related to INTERPOL, the world's largest international police organization, with particular attention to international extradition and Red Notices.  The individualized nature of each Red Notice case combined with the small number of lawyers who specialize in Red Notices leaves many unanswered questions regarding Red Notices.  The Red Notice Law Journal provides a platform for those affected by Red Notices and their attorneys to engage in discussion and to raise the general awareness of issues associated with Red Notices and related  extradition proceedings.

"I noticed when I first started doing this (blog) there was not much in the way of communication between lawyers who did this kind of work," said Estlund.  "There was very little in-depth treatment (on) the issue of INTERPOL or Red Notices that I could find on the internet or print media so I wanted to start something that would generate that conversation and act as a spring board for discussion."

Though resources are few and far between, Estlund makes the most of what is available to her by talking to Red Notice recipients and experts, keeping regular communication with INTERPOL and examining all available research studies, news articles, and INTERPOL press releases.

Estlund knows that followers of her blog have a genuine interest in Red Notices, but they may be intimated by a lack of knowledge on the subject, which is why she writes in a manner that clearly explicates information that can be easily comprehended by a broad audience.

"I'm not trying to be overly witty or provide water cooler conversation," said Estlund.  "I'm trying to be accessible to people who might not have English as their first or second language and who are affected by Red Notices and INTERPOL."

Taking a complex concept and making it universally understood is unique skill that Estlund possesses and it has not gone unnoticed.  Her ability to reach readers and help them absorb Red Notice and extradition material has brought about new clients for her solo practice.

"(Blogging) has been extremely helpful in bringing me clients," said Estlund.  "Without the blog, a majority of my clients wouldn't know that I do this kind of work or feel any sort of personal connection to me to the extent that they do."

Blogging has helped Estlund build connections with not only clients, but readers as well.  Many people respond to her by email, instead of posting comments, since most responses accompany privacy and frustration.

"I get responses from people who have already been through the ringer and spent so much money and time trying to show their innocence in the countries that request the Red Notices," said Estlund.  "I think I'm able to help them because I can appreciate what they've been through and because I enjoy this work so much."

Having incorporated blogging into her practice only six months ago, Estlund has been enjoying the benefits of blogging and advises bloggers to simply sit down and commit to writing for the ideas to come.

"Even if you think you don't have anything to write about, the moment you sit down and start your thought process, something's going to come to you," said Estlund.  "So I think the idea is just putting yourself in the chair on a regular basis and writing."

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In a criminal law blogosphere saturated with recycled nonsense and distasteful commentary, only the strong survive--and there are few more fit for survival than a Marine. Former United States Marine and current Phoenix criminal defense attorney Vladimir Gagic's blog, Arizona Criminal Law & Sex Crimes Post, has garnered attention that has translated to success for his practice.

"What some lawyers do is just report what others are saying and won't offer (an) opinion," Gagic said. "If you want exposure or publicity I think it's important to have a take. You have to have strong opinions so you're not just repeating facts."

The aptly-titled Arizona Criminal Law & Sex Crimes Post covers stories that involve criminal matters such as major felonies and DUIs, but also subjects related to dangerous sexual crimes against children and the vulnerable. Gagic's ability to tastefully assert an original and authoritative voice on such sensitive material is a distinct quality that sets him apart from the blogging masses.

"You have to be persuasive as a lawyer and it's a good skill to have when it comes to writing," Gagic said. "I think people like to see, especially (in) criminal law, that you're not just a hired gun, but a person who really cares about the profession."

Though Gagic started his own firm over five years ago, he created his blog in February. Gagic's passions for justice, politics and his community shine through on his blog and have been constant, driving forces for both his professional and blogging careers.

"As a public defender I'm more aware of social issues and tend to write about them more because I don't think someone can be a criminal defense lawyer and not concern themselves with social issues and the political environment," Gagic said. "I think those two go hand-in-hand."

Just as Gagic believes social awareness is complementary to the law, he finds Twitter complementary to blogging. The popular form of social media has given Gagic exposure to news and information that is typically void of his daily occurrences and has increased his awareness of important criminal law issues in his community.

"I use Twitter a lot," said Gagic.  "I like that I can check it while I am waiting at court or during commercial breaks while I'm watching (television)."

Mixing business and pleasure may not be the most typical business ally, but it has worked to Gagic's advantage. A sports-related Twitter response to a popular local news anchor landed Gagic's blog some crucial on-air time that has given way to business benefits in the form of new clients.

"I was following (the reporter) on Twitter and she asked a general question about the NFL Draft and then started following me (on Twitter)," said Gagic. "She saw the blog and after talking to her a few times she mentioned, on-air, that she reads my blog all the time and it has helped."

For Gagic, the road to new and exciting professional opportunities has been paved by blogging. He advises bloggers to key into their senses of originality and creativity to build a strong web presence. 

"(Blogging is) the way to market yourself online," said Gagic.  "I try to make sure my view point always comes across in my writing."

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Many lawyers find it difficult to maintain blogs amid hectic schedules, but Chicago personal injury attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld believes blogging is a good opportunity to cultivate both his practice and his social network; and the success of both his blogs, Nursing Homes Abuse Blog and Child Injury Laws Blog, are testaments to Rosenfeld's professional growth.

"(Blogging) has been the most important professional tool I've had as a lawyer," said Rosenfeld.  "It (has) opened the door for a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't have had without it."

In 2007, Rosenfeld started the Nursing Homes Abuse Blog while practicing with Chicago firm Strellis & Field. The popular blog helped establish Rosenfeld as a nationally-recognized legal expert on elderly care and was the catalyst for a busy 2010 in which Rosenfeld started his own firm, Rosenfeld Injury Law, and tested the blogging waters at the opposite end of the life spectrum with the creation of the Child Injury Laws Blog.

"There are a lot of similarities between children and infants and the elderly," said Rosenfeld. "They are all very vulnerable groups, and I represented a lot of children at the time and saw a big crossover that I wanted to engage as well."

While the topics of Rosenfeld's blogs draw similarities, it is his blogging abilities that set him apart from other personal injury attorneys.

"For some reason, personal injury law tends to attract people who are more aggressive or more entrepreneurial," Rosenfeld said.  "It's part of the business and the one thing you have to do is differentiate yourself in some respect and there are only so many different things you can do.  When you have the opportunity to blog, it translates a lot about who you are not just a lawyer, but as a person."

A consummate professional by nature, Rosenfeld has found both personal and professional growth through blogging, as he has become a more active and informed reader with a broadened perspective.

"Before blogging, there was no way that I was actively engaged in areas of law that I am practicing now," said Rosenfeld.  "When you're maintaining a blog and looking for material all the time you're reading more material and on a more regular basis."

Creating original, concise and informative posts almost daily, Rosenfeld starts his workday with less than an hour of blogging. Sticking to a strict schedule allows him to focus the rest of his day on building his practice.

"It comes down to where your priorities are and it almost (becomes) second nature," Rosenfeld said.  "I have found that people who are really interested in blogging have their finger (on) the pulse of new developments particular to their area of law."

Having content posted on the important developments in personal injury law relative to children and the elderly is what makes Rosenfeld's blogs popular with readers, as he regularly receives calls from not only clients, but readers with various legal questions and inquiries.

"The people who tend to contact me are the people who have read my blog(s) and have done a lot of research themselves before they initiated contact," Rosenfeld said.

Rosenfeld admits that blogging is a lot of work, but staying committed makes things come together in the long run.  His advice to bloggers is to remember that blogging is a process and patience is essential for success.

"You have to be patient and work hard and try to be yourself," said Rosenfeld.  "Sometimes it can be frustrating, but you're going to improve.  It takes a while to find your voice and where you're at, but it comes."

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Leaving the comfort and safety of a career with established law firms, Florida appellate attorney Dan Bushell recently started his own practice, and his blog, Florida Appellate Review, has been a brilliant tool for networking and client development.

"I wanted to focus more exclusively on appellate work and I wanted to be my own boss and start my own thing rather than be a cog in a larger organization," Bushell said.

After spending more than eight years litigating multi-million dollar cases under the clemencies of sizable firms, Bushell went solo in March and his coinciding blog, which launched April, has been a major focal point for building a rapport with locals. 

"I (am) good at what I do but I wasn't so well known in local communities because I had been litigating cases around the country," Bushell said. "Getting my work out on the Internet for people to see would help to grow my reputation locally."

Though Bushell is new to blogging, his blog-savvy wife and reading the blogs of other lawyers have taught him the importance of utilizing the medium for business development.

"I'm familiar with the concept of the blog network and how (it) can be a very important marketing tool," Bushell said. "I had followed blogs for a while and seen how they had helped certain practitioners really grow their practice." 

As the sole attorney of his firm, Bushell has to be twice as creative when it comes to marketing, and his ability to connect with fellow bloggers and lawyers has added clout to networking in his target communities.

"Whenever I'm reaching out to someone on the person-to-person level, I refer them back to my blog so they can see who I am and what I know and what I can do," said Bushell, "so the two really go hand-in-hand for me."

Florida Appellate Review features Bushell's fresh analysis on issues of interest that arise from various Florida courtroom cases. The blog is the "heart" of Bushell's web presence--and his presence has been felt throughout the legal blogging community--as his unique writing style has garnered attention from online publications that include Overlawyered and the Daily Business Review; which has created client meetings and lawyer referrals.

"I've used (blogging) as a social networking tool to try to directly engage other people who are active on the Internet to start developing relationships," Bushell said. "(The) relationships (have) resulted in business for me."

Maintaining a professional blog can be a full-time job in itself. When added to the pressures of running a start-up firm, work quality can become jeopardized, but adherence to a schedule keeps Bushell on top of his game. He devotes the work week to cases and client development and prepares for the upcoming week with Sunday blog posts.

Bushell's regimen may intimidate some, but the same drive and focus that goes into his entrepreneurial legal pursuits are what allow him to give serious time and consideration to blogging.

"You have to put in the time that you need to put together a blog post that you can can be proud of," said Bushell, "(it) goes a long way."

In the short time he has been blogging, Bushell has certainly produced a body of work he can be proud of. He advises fellow bloggers to have intent and passion to keep blog posts interesting and engaging to readers.

"Everything I've written about is something I could get passionate (about) and really dig into," said Bushell, "and I think that's where the blog can really add something to the knowledge of what's out there--when you're able to invest yourself in what you're writing as opposed to just reciting facts."

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