Bottom line: A preemptive strike is one of the few ways defense attorneys can turn the tables on plaintiffs attorneys and prosecutors in high-profile legal disputes. Defense attorneys are typically at a disadvantage in the Court of Public Opinion because they’re always playing defense. But what if there was a way for defense attorneys and their clients to flip the script in the Court of Public Opinion and actually take control and lead the news…

Bottom line: In 2020 and beyond, PR campaigns around high-profile legal disputes are likely to feature aggressive public statements, creative uses of technology, and defendants playing offense One of the largest and most profitable law firms in the world is currently embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute with one of its female law partners. Interestingly, the aggressive public relations campaigns that both sides are employing in the dispute are indicative of five trends for 2020…

Bottom line: When attorneys get wind of breaking news that is unfavorable to an adversary in one of their clients’ cases, they should newsjack that breaking news by going to the media and making their client’s case in the Court of Public Opinion. Pop quiz! An adversary in one of your clients’ cases is in the news for alleged misconduct outside of the claims you’ve raised in that case. Do you go to the media…

Bottom line: In high-profile cases, introductory paragraphs and preliminary statements must be written for audiences OUTSIDE of court: the media and the public. Most attorneys are already using preliminary statements and introductory paragraphs in their court papers to provide a roadmap to the court and opposing counsel of the factual arguments and legal arguments that the attorneys are making in those court papers. But when an attorney is involved in a high-profile case, he or…

Bottom line: An attorney should never waste an opportunity to publicly tell a client’s side of the story—even when a reporter calls them seeking comment mere minutes before the reporter’s deadline. What to do when a reporter calls you for comment at 5:00 pm regarding a new complaint or other court document that was just filed against your client but that you haven’t even had a chance to review?  It is not uncommon for a…

Bottom line: Generally speaking, the longer the public spotlight shines on a plaintiff’s lawsuit, the better If you’re a plaintiffs’ attorney working on a high-profile case, you need a Day 100 Strategy for that case.  What the hell is a Day 100 Strategy? I’ll tell you in a moment. But first, let’s take a step back. If you’re a plaintiffs’ attorney working on a high-profile case, you want to keep that case in the media and…

Bottom line: Op-eds are an underutilized tool that attorneys and their clients can use to tell their side of the story of their legal disputes to local audiences in order to persuade the Court of Public Opinion. If you’ve ever read a newspaper, you are familiar with an op-ed.  An op-ed is an opinion piece written by someone not affiliated with the media outlet that runs opposite the editorial page in that media outlet — thus the…