The most blogged war? Message for lawyers

Neville Hobson points to a Reuters report about bloggers on the front lines in Israel and Lebanon hiding in bomb shelters and watching from rooftops trading terrifying experiences, bitter barbs and words of sympathy.

The report discusses Lisa Goldman, an American Jew in Israel and publisher of On The Face, who suggests it may be the most blogged war.

It looks as though the Israel-Lebanon are-we-calling-it-a-war-yet of 2006 is the first conflict to be blogged from day one. Bloggers from both sides of the border – some of whom were already aware of one another before this tragedy began – have been providing live updates, commenting on one another’s blogs and sometimes linking to posts by bloggers on the other side of the border. Will this turn out to be the first time that residents of “enemy” countries engaged in an ongoing conversation while missiles were falling?

Her post is drawing comments from Arabs and Jews in multiple countries.

If blogs can impact communications between countries at war, and maybe, just maybe, get people in these countries to talk to each other, you would think lawyers with no risk of bombs dropping on their heads could use blogs to make a positive social contribution.

Imagine the following:

• Family law blogs for every state and metro area providing practical information and communication to assist, among others, abused mothers and children fleeing their homes.
• Employment law blogs for each of those areas with information and discussion to benefit victims of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
• Law practice management blogs not letting up on certain large law firms until their was real diversity in law firm partnership and leadership.
• Lawyers championing causes such as net neutrality, stem cell research, tax relief and others.

I understand lawyers in large firms have their hands tied. But 75% of lawyers are in firms of 3 lawyers or less. Many of those law firms are spending marketing and advertising dollars far exceeding the cost of blogging and get marginal returns from such marketing.

Why not start blogging on a legal topic you have a passion for? Share your expertise. You’ll help the public. You’ll increase your business. You’ll be making a social contribution. If for no other reason, dedicate your efforts to those who have it so much harder.

That’s what being a lawyer is all about.