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Dave Rein of Owners, Borrowers & Thieves 2.0: LexBlog Q&A

December 1, 2009

Intellectual property attorney Dave ReinIntellectual property attorney Dave Rein figured it was about time he got web-savvy when he realized his kids’ elementary school was blogging and he wasn’t.

Now, the Husch Blackwell Sanders attorney uses Owners, Borrowers & Thieves 2.0 both to meet new clients and potential clients, and to stay on top of intellectual property issues

“Blogging and reading for the blog has been one of the ways that I keep up with all of the changes that are happening in the intellectual property area,” Dave says.

Most notable have been the conversations and connections he’s built through the blog.

“The blog has led to some work, but even more important has been the way it has helped me meet and develop an even greater network of photographers, creatives and companies with their own stables of patents, trademarks and copyrights,” he says.

We caught up with Dave for this LexBlog Q&A to learn more about his cast of changing co-writers and how Twitter complements his blogging.

See our email exchange with Dave, after the jump.

Lisa Kennelly: Why did you decide to start a blog?

Dave Rein: It was time to enter the 21st century! You know that you’re still in the 20th century when your kids’ elementary school is blogging and you are not. Actually, I didn’t start the blog. The founders did a great job creating the blog and generating interest in it, but when they started running out of steam, they passed the torch, so to speak, to me.

I had never blogged before, but I love to write and litigate intellectual property cases so I knew that I would be writing about an area that I enjoy. It didn’t hurt that the blog was already up and running with LexBlog ready to help if I needed it. I’ve been writing since February and have been having a great time with it!

Lisa Kennelly: What has been most rewarding about blogging? What has been most challenging?

Dave Rein: Blogging and reading for the blog has been one of the ways that I keep up with all of the changes that are happening in the intellectual property area. With at least two cases before the Supreme Court, a busy Federal Circuit and changing technology that questions what were once established concepts, trying to keep up with the intellectual property scene is a little like trying watching the stock market ticker streaming at the bottom of the television screen!

But the most rewarding part has certainly been that the blog has helped me meet more people who create and manage intellectual property as well as other lawyers who are also passionate about intellectual property.

The most challenging part of blogging is setting aside time to write!

Lisa Kennelly: What has the response been to your blog from lawyers, clients, or anyone else?

Dave Rein: The incredible feedback has been a great motivator to keep writing. One surprise has been that most of the “conversation” has not been through comments left on the blog, but rather through Twitter (@daverein) and direct contact. LexBlog has been helpful in making the leap into Twitter although I need to do a better job in making use of the resources it offers.

The blog has led to some work, but even more important has been the way it has helped me meet and develop an even greater network of photographers, creatives and companies with their own stables of patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Lisa Kennelly: You have gone from having multiple authors to being, at the moment, the lone author for the blog. What are the differences between blogging solo and blogging with other authors?

Dave Rein: Not to worry. I won’t be wandering alone for much longer. I’ve enlisted a few more attorneys with some fresh perspectives. I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say beginning next year.

Lisa Kennelly: Do you feel having a blog separates you from other attorneys who don’t?

Dave Rein: Definitely! Most importantly, it is another way for me to get in front of our clients and prospective clients. Some may not be interested in blogging or social media sites, but for those who embrace them, blogging gives me another way to talk to them. If I can’t stand next to a client or potential client and talk to them about different intellectual property issues, then blogging is the next best thing.

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