Not every day do you read a piece from a South Dakota reporter that captures what publishing by lawyers could mean. But Brian Bloom does just that in today’s Brookings Register.
“My name is Brian Bloom and by title I am the newly-named publisher of the Brookings Register.
I am a newspaperman by birth, the son of the son of a newspaperman in fact. For three generations my family toiled with ink beneath the fingernails, striving to both serve a community and support a family.
….
I remember all I ever wanted — more than being a fireman or a ballplayer, astronaut or scientist — was to be a newspaperman, just like my dad.
My father is long gone now, my mother joining him 13 years ago. I am the last of the 12 decade-long line of wordsmiths, and I hope I hold my heritage with pride.
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As the publisher of The Register, it’s my responsibility to drive the papers forward. And, please understand, this is “our” paper — yours, this staff’s, and mine and all else who peruse our printed pages or view us digitally or through various social media.
These are your stories, your interests that we will strive to present factually, creatively and sometimes humorously. This staff has, and will continue to be, your voice.
Newspapers report news, that is our mission. But we can be so much more. I want to be your cheerleader and your booster, your confidant and your bullhorn. Communities with strong, local newspapers have proven to be more successful, more affluent and more progressive.
Here, we want to honor the region’s past but keep our eyes to the future. In doing so we can continue to be part of this extraordinary heritage.”
Imagine if lawyers embraced their responsibility as publishers. Lawyers aren’t publishers by trade, yet many plaster the Internet with content meant to draw attention to themselves or their firms. They’re not reporters or trying to be news reporters, but what might publishing look like if more approached it the way Brian Bloom does?
- When lawyers publish, they help people.
- They solve problems before a client contacts a lawyer.
- They bring authenticity, accessibility, and trust.
- They demonstrate their passion, care and experience.
- They help people select the right lawyer.
- Through peer online dialogue they advance the law and drive secondary law
- They close the access-to-justice gap.
- They leave a legacy, personally and to benefit peers and the public long after.
Bottom line, I think it means service, commitment and care.
And don’t get me wrong, we have a lot of lawyers publishing in this fashion in their blog posts, articles and insights. There’s just an opportunity for many more to do so.