When Boston attorney John Lacey joined The McCormack Firm in January to develop data security services, he knew success would follow the practice, but has been pleasantly surprised by the response to the publication that debuted along with it—his Massachusetts Data Privacy Law Blog.
“I convinced the law firm to start this practice in this area thinking it was going to be a growth area of law,” said Lacey.
Lacey could not have been more correct as this “growth area” of the law—privacy and data security— would end up dominating much of the legal news during his publication’s first few months, aiding in its early success.
“It’s been a very busy quarter for mega breaches,” Lacey said. “There have been quite a few high-profile data breaches this year (and) that’s been great for coming up with the material. That’s been a gift to have those ready-made issues (for) comment.”
The most recent highlight from the blog is Lacey’s appearance on Legal Talk Network’s ‘Laywer2Lawyer,’ which came as a result of one of those “mega-breaches.” The nationally-syndicated podcast co-hosted by attorneys Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams draws over 130,000 listeners per month. Lacey was invited to discuss the Sony Playstation Network data security breach after Ambrogi read Lacey’s post correctly forecasting it was a breach that forced the platform’s shutdown.
“I’ve spent my legal career hiding from the media because I wasn’t supposed to talk to them,” Lacey said. “But being able to fully engage the whole process has been unique for me.”
Lacey’s reason for hiding from the media also belongs on the list of reasons for the blog’s initial success: he’s a former criminal prosecutor who brings a wealth of experience handling complex fraud and cyber crime cases to his practice and, with that, a unique perspective to this publication.
Blogging has added to Lacey’s repertoire and appeal as a rarity in his field. While the firm-branded blog consists only of Lacey’s own work, its formation did not. The success of the Boston ERISA & Insurance Litigation Blog, authored by fellow McCormack Firm attorney Stephen Rosenburg, prompted the firm to suggest that Lacey start a blog to accompany the launch of its latest practice.
“They suggested that I start one since this was a relatively new area of law and it was certainly a new area for the firm,” Lacey said.
And while Lacey serves as the Massachusetts Data Privacy Law Blog’s only author, he isn’t without a little extra help on the editing side, as the last step he takes before publishing a post is having his wife, a law school writing professor, edit his work.
“It’s great to have another set of eyes,” Lacey said. “I’m not trying to write for lawyers but, I want it to be legally accurate without sounding like it came from a lawyer.”
Timing, perspective and a little bit of help have combined to create a unique tool for Lacey.
The Massachusetts Data Privacy Law Blog has garnered attention from the local media and prominent industry professionals, including a national bank security expert who met with Lacey and connected him with the Massachusetts Bankers Association, which represents all the major banks in the state.
“That is a connection I never could have made on my own,” said Lacey.
Although he never saw himself as a blogger, Lacey has found it to be a good way to be creative with the law.
“It’s not a burden if you enjoy it,” Lacey said. “Find a way to present it that’s fun and you’ll do more and you’ll do better.”