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The following is an excerpt from a blog post from Kevin O’Keefe’s Real Lawyers Have Blogs from Monday, November 8. You can read the full post here.

In August 2009 the American Bar Association announced the formation of the ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20. The Commission was formed to review legal ethics rules and regulations in light of technological advances and globalization in the legal profession.

Over a year later, on September 20, 2010 the Commission issued a Paper announcing that the Commission was examining a number of legal ethics issues arising from lawyers’ use of technology, including issues arising from Internet-based client development tools.

The goal of the Paper was twofold.

1. To describe several issues that the Commission has identified in this context.
2. To elicit comments by December 15, 2010 on possible approaches that the Commission is currently considering.

The Commission made clear that it was taking no positions in this Paper. The Commission merely wanted to elicit comments on the issues in order to facilitate the development of reports and proposals that the Commission plans to draft during the next two years.

That's it. A Commission. A Paper. No positions taken. Comments requested. We'll hear more in 2013.

Furthermore, neither the ABA nor the Commission have any authority to promulgate ethics rules governing lawyers behavior. That's the province of individual state bar associations and state supreme courts, depending on which governs lawyers in respective states.

Two years from now the Commission could suggest that the ABA's Model Rules of Professional Conduct be amended. Amendments which presumably would take a year or two for the ABA to adopt. Before any lawyer would be impacted by any such amendments, individual states would need to adopt the amended Model Rules.

Even if new ethics rules are passed regarding blogs, and that's no sure thing, we're likely looking at four or five years before we'll see them.

It's true that the Commission is examining lawyer's use of blogs. But the issues the Commission is considering relative to blogs are minimal. The proposed amendments relating to Blogs the Commission is considering are also minimal.

Even if there are ever amendments passed regarding lawyers use of blogs, and that's no sure thing, lawyers current use of blogs is not going to be impacted in any significant way. More on this point in an upcoming blog post.

Again, you can read the complete Lexblog posting here.

Until next time,

Robin

Welcome to the new Raising the Bar blog. I’ll be answering your questions here and offering comments on topics that are relevant to your business development success so let's get started!

Clients often ask if they should be blogging. This is what I say about that.

Blogging requires both a real commitment to posting on a regular basis and to pushing out content that goes beyond serving your own PR goals. If you are ready to say yes to both, then you'll be sharing information and connections to others that can help them reach their objectives and help you reach yours, as well.

Could you be missing opportunities by not blogging? If your best work comes by word-of-mouth, then blogging (and other social media initiatives) expand the possibilities for that. Blogging can enhance your reputation, demonstrate professional competencies and build trust in you as an authority in your practice areas. It can also showcase you as self-serving and myopic, so check your motives before committing to a blog.

What should you do?

• Study and follow other blogs.
• Look for what’s common among the blogs you like.
• Build a blog strategy around what you like and benefit from and then, use it.

But Robin, what about time?

Time is not an excuse unless you want it to be. Kevin O’Keefe (Real Lawyers Have Blogs) talks about that in his discussion of the new business bestseller, Rework. If you “don’t have enough time” it’s because you don’t want it enough.

Should you blog? Only if you want what blogging can do for you enough to do it right.

Do you have a question about business development? Ask it here and I'll answer in a future posting.

Until next time,

Robin

Dip your toe into blogging the easy way by leaving a comment for the blogger. Agree or disagree, state your opinion, offer encouragement or add to the conversation. It’s an easy way to get started and commenting has an extra bonus. It can get you noticed!

How to comment on a blog

Most blogs give readers an opportunity to comment or reply by sharing their thoughts. I’ll use this blog as an example of how to comment. (Of course, if you feel you want to comment on this post or others, please do so!)

1. Look for a “Comments” or “Reply” box on the blog. This is usually at the bottom of the posting. Scroll down now and you’ll see a box that says, “Leave a Reply”
2. Fill in the information requested and type in your comment. This is a great opportunity to show off your knowledge or experience but be sure to keep it brief.
3. Click the “Submit Comment” button. Your comment will be reviewed by my blog moderator for content and appropriateness. Once the moderator (often referred to as the “mod”) has reviewed it, your comment will be posted.
4. If you have included a website when writing your reply, blog readers scrolling down to your comment will see a pop-up window with a link to your site when they click on your name —a quick and easy way to promote yourself and your business.
5. Get started now by posting a reply. Hey, your blogging!

Your comments are welcome! Have you ever used “Comments” or “Reply” to showcase your expertise? Tell us about it.