Law Firm Websites: Beauty or the Beast?

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By Camille Stell and Monisha Yowell

Have you taken a look at your website lately? I mean, really looked at the aesthetics and functionality of your site? For many firms, setting up a website was something to check off the to-do list and has since been neglected. However, as technology evolves and clients become more tech savvy, firms must ensure that their websites are up to par.

It’s 2016 and if your firm’s site still has Web 1.0 elements, you have some catching up to do. Here are some tell-tale signs that it’s time to update your website:

Dark Colors: While this aspect is not going to make or break your firm’s site, it’s important to have some contrast in colors.

Dated Clip art. “You know it when you see it.” Dated clip art is a website killer and you should avoid using this type of clip art on your website.

Unformatted text. Your website should provide a quick snapshot of your practice. Most potential clients will scan your site before deciding whether or not they should contact the firm. Long columns of unformatted text are difficult to scan.

Link overload. Too many links will make it impossible for users to distinguish between what’s important and what’s not. Imagine a web page that has lots of links, all of which appear underlined like this. It’s very distracting isn’t it?

No variety in formatting. If your website looks like a bunch of rectangles stuck together with pictures inserted in the boxes, it’s time to make some changes. Use different styles and font sizes to make your site more visually appealing and place emphasis on your messages.

No or few images. Images are essential to websites. Your website should include professional photographs of all your attorneys. Including photographs instead of stock photos will help prospective clients connect with your firm. Photographs of attorneys will help build brand recognition.

How does your firm’s site measure so far? In contrast to the dated design elements of Web 1.0; Web 2.0 encompasses the latest style and trends. Web 2.0 sites are more modern and more attractive. Here are some Web 2.0 design elements that will take your firm’s site to the next level:

Keep your site bright. We previously talked about the unattractive dark design of the Web 1.0 format. Website 2.0 formats typically have white or light colored backgrounds. The bright colors help create clean, modern sites that are appealing to clients.

A little pop of color works. While it’s great to have a white or light colored background, it’s fine to experiment with colors. Like most things, be sure not to overindulge. Balance is key. Make sure your design elements don’t take the focus away from the message of your site.

Keep it simple. Keep your website design clean and simple. Overwhelming site visitors with too much information and too many graphics will work against you. Does your website pass the “10 second rule?” It should take your site visitors 10 seconds to look at and understand what is on your web page. While drop-down menus, navigation links and topic headers are all great Web 2.0 design elements, they can cause your site to be cluttered and take away from the site content when used too frequently.

Use Navigation tabs wisely. Navigation tabs enhance the functionality of your website. Navigation tabs lead site visitors through your content. However, it’s important to categorize your site topics in a way that doesn’t lead to too many tabs.  It’s recommended that you keep the number of main category links on your firm’s website to seven or fewer topics. However, you can have more than seven subtopics. You, as the site administrator, provide the categories, however, when subtopics are opened, this action is initiated by the site visitor.

More Flash, more problems. Flash is a widely popular type of animated coding. However, many search engines are not able to “read” the code which makes it difficult for sites that are built entirely of flash to get high search engine rankings. It’s imperative that you choose a website format that translates well on mobile devices. Did you know that flash content cannot be displayed on iPhones? Considering the number of people who have iPhones, imagine what a hindrance relying completely on this design element would be to your website’s reach.

Web 2.0 offers design elements that can greatly enhance your current site. We’ve all seen really great firm websites and we’ve also seen examples that need a lot of work. By now you should be thinking about ways you can improve your firm’s site. Why do so many firm websites flop? It’s simple. Firms tend to build sites that they love, without considering the users—their clients.

Your website is often the first stop a potential client makes before they make a phone call. Make the first impression a lasting one by ensuring your website has a creative design, fresh content and most importantly is client-focused.

Camille Stell is the Vice President of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. Monisha Yowell is the Marketing Coordinator. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or Monisha at monisha@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

The Best Advertising is Free

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(Reprinted from Tom’s LegalMarketingBlog.com dated February 25, 2016)

It’s called publicity. When you or your firm gets mentioned in the media, and better if you are quoted, it’s instant credibility. And it’s FREE (unless you hire a PR agency to help).

Regular advertising is less effective IMHO because you are writing the copy and, of course, it is
self-serving. Further it costs you money. When someone else says things about you and hopefully quotes you, it is more likely to be believed.

We all believe what we read in the newspaper or magazine, right?  “If I read it, it must be true” is what Larry Smith and Richard Levick opined (somewhat facetiously I’m sure) in a meditation contained in 365 Marketing Meditations: Daily Lessons for Marketing and Communications Professionals. For more on that meditation look at my post “Publicity vs. Advertising” for the full quote, and for more about the difference between the two.

Actually, we all know better, but there certainly is more credibility given to what someone else says about you than what you say about yourself. You may ask, how do I get this here free “advertising”? Well, you need to befriend a reporter or editor, as I suggest in my “Top 10 Marketing Tips: No. 8 – Take a Reporter to Lunch.” It’s a start and my post gives some suggestions and cautions on how to go about building a relationship with a reporter.

So, it is better if you spend your time talking to reporters and editors rather than those in the business who sell advertising. Accordingly it’s a good idea to get to know and develop relationships with reporters and editors. Your time and (lunch) money will be better spent.

Herb Falk Society Inducts Fifteen Members for 2015

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The Herb Falk Society honors those members of the Greensboro Bar Association who contribute at least 75 hours of pro bono service annually. The fifteen individuals inducted for 2015 were recognized at the March 17 member lunch at The Empire Room. They are:

Barbara R. Christy — 95.3 hours

Locke T. Clifford — 76.9 hours;

Robert C. Cone — 144.5 hours;

W. Erwin Fuller, Jr. — 145 hours

Richard W. Gabriel- 103.9

A. Holt Gwyn — 93 hours;

Craig P. Hensel — 105.4 hours;

Afi S. Johnson-Parris — 131.4 hours;

Jennifer L. J. Koenig — 97.1 hours;

Phyllis Lile-King — 153 hours;

Eric A. Richardson – 103

James H. Slaughter — 79 hours;

Daniel F. E. Smith — 181.7 hours;

D. Clark Smith, Jr. — 314.4 hours;

Gerald Walden. Jr. — 178 hours

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Honorees Gerald Walden, Afi Johnson-Parris, Locke Clifford; HFS Committee Members Julie Pendleton, Gwendolyn Lewis, Dan Koenig; honorees Richard Gabriel, Craig Hensel, Jennifer Koenig, Erwin Fuller

Beer & Wine Tasting to Benefit Legal Aid of North Carolina

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Please Join the Greensboro Bar Association for a

Beer & Wine Tasting
Benefiting
Legal Aid of North Carolina

Featuring Rioja! A Wine Bar

Saturday April 16, 2016
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Greensboro Science Center

Event Tickets

$50 per person advance
$60 per person at door

Tickets include Beer & Wine Tasting, Dinner, and Participation in our “Guess the Wine” and “Guess the Beer” Contests

Raffle Tickets

$10 per ticket

Prizes include:

1 Weekend-Night Stay at the Proximity Hotel,
including two $25 Gift Certificates to Printworks;

and

1-night stay at The Durham Hotel
and a complimentary continental breakfast

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

Email Diane Lowe at
jd18gba@greensborobar.org and follow the link provided;

OR

Mail a check payable to:

Greensboro Bar Association Foundation

Attn: Diane Lowe
P.O. Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402

**If you purchase ticket(s) by mail, please include the name(s) for the ticket(s) and the number of raffle tickets with your check**

Sponsored by:

BrooksPierce-logo

WardBlackLaw-logo

SML-logo

Lawyers-Mutual

JPM-PLLC-logo

Benson Brown & Faucher, PLLC,
Cunningham & Company Mortgage Bankers,
Elon University School of Law,
ITG Brands,
Jill Wilson & Marc Isaacson,
Nexsen Pruet, LLC, and Senn Dunn Insurance

Grimsley Rugby Club Giving Back

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Patrick Kane, an attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, and Isaiah Ashley, son of Bruce Ashley of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP, are mixing fun, competition, and community service on the rugby field. The result is “ITries,” which raises money for the Salvation Army, a non-profit organization which helps those in need.
Kane coaches and Ashley plays for the Grimsley Rugby Club. Money is being raised for the Salvation Army based on how many points the Grimsley Rugby Club scores this spring.  The club expects to average about 20 points per game.
You can pledge any amount per point.  Assuming that the club plays eight games and scores an average of 20 points per game, below are the donation amounts associated with representative pledge levels:
$0.25 per point: 20 points x 8 games x $0.25 = $40.00
$0.50 per point:  20 points x 8 games x $0.50 = $80.00
$1.00 per point:  20 points x 8 games x $1.00 = $160.00
$2.00 per point:  20 points x 8 games x $2.00 = $320.00
If you want, you can set a minimum level for your pledge,
and you can set a maximum level for your pledge.
As an example, you can pledge $1.00 per point with a minimum of $50.00 and a maximum of $100.00.
If you make this pledge and Grimsley scores less than 50 points during the season, your donation will be $50.00.  If you make this pledge and Grimsley scores over 100 points during the season, your donation will be capped at $100.00 (unless you want to give more!).
Please consider supporting ITries by visiting itries.com and making a pledge.

Message from the President – April 2016

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Afi Johnson-Parris Headshot

I’ve always loved history, but I’m partial to oral history, the kind that comes in the form of a story. When it’s told in the words of those who lived it and witnessed it, that’s what makes history come alive to me.

Since childhood I’ve been fascinated by the simple daily lives of my family members and tales of the times as they experienced them. I would beg for stories about what I called, “the olden times.”  My 97-year-old grandmother would indulge my early cross examinations with an exasperated, “here you go again with all your questions!” Bless her heart for her patience. I would ask her to tell the same stories over and over again, correcting missed details and teasing more stories out of her as I discovered new lines of questioning.  Perhaps I’m raising future litigators as my children now do the same thing. I’ll admit it was a little humbling to have my son make the same request to hear about “the olden times” from when I was in college.

Sometimes a story is the only connection you have to those who have gone on before us. I’ve reached a point in life where the parents and grandparents of my peers are starting to pass away at an increasing pace. It’s not uncommon to know very little about the deceased, even as you might know the family member quite well. It can be strange and awkward to talk about their loved-one or attend the funeral but nothing cuts through those feelings and sadness like a good story about the deceased. It’s a relief to be able to not just cry but laugh when people share their memories. The best stories are normally reserved for the time after the funeral. In my church, that time of food and fellowship is called the repast and it’s something akin to a funeral after-party. For those few moments over a meal, people visit with old acquaintances and connect over stories of the departed.  It’s a reminder that although no one is here to stay, everyone can remain with us through a good story.

Law makes for good stories and lawyers, notwithstanding areas of practice, are often reliable sources of the very best yarns.  My favorite times with members of our Association are spent in the back halls of the courthouse, or killing time in someone’s office listening to stories about their cases. I also enjoy the memorials that are read at Association member meetings. Most of the lawyers I don’t know, but I love to hear how they were a part of the legal community, the funny anecdotes, how they will be missed, and the impact they made on the profession.  Beyond all of the biographical and academic data that is shared, the very best memorials contains nuggets of good stories that make these departed colleagues come to life.  I strive mightily for that good story of good family, good friends and good work.

In order to tell the story of this Association, for the past seventeen years the History and Archives Committee has quietly and diligently collected the oral history of our older, distinguished members. This project, initiated by former president Larry Moore, videotaped interviews with nearly forty longstanding members of our Association who were lions of the Greensboro legal community.   Many are still living, and some are departed, but through this project, their stories endure.

The importance of the committee’s work was too great to keep it on a shelf in the Association office. Now the committee has endeavored to share pieces of these stories with the membership in a short film during our next member meeting.  Our very special speakers for the April meeting will be the best among us who have shaped our Association and our community.  I’m sure each of us can find value in the stories that were shared in the committee’s interviews.  Join us for an opportunity to learn more about our Association history in this presentation of voices from the past and present.  If you too love a good story about “the olden times,” you’ll want to be there.

Afi Johnson-Parris ajp@wardblacklaw.com practices Family Law and Veterans Disability with Ward Black Law

Fifteen Members Inducted Into Herb Falk Society 2015

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The Herb Falk Society honors those members of the Greensboro Bar Association who contribute at least 75 hours of pro bono service annually. The fifteen individuals inducted for 2015 were recognized at the March 17 member lunch at The Empire Room. They are:

Barbara R. Christy — 95.3 hours

Locke T. Clifford — 76.9 hours;

Robert C. Cone — 144.5 hours;

Erwin Fuller, Jr. — 145 hours

Richard W. Gabriel- 103.9

Holt Gwyn — 93 hours;

Craig P. Hensel — 105.4 hours;

Afi S. Johnson-Parris — 131.4 hours;

Jennifer L. J. Koenig — 97.1 hours;

Phyllis Lile-King — 153 hours;

Eric A. Richardson – 103

James H. Slaughter — 79 hours;

Daniel F. E. Smith — 181.7 hours;

Clark Smith, Jr.– 314.4 hours;

Gerald Walden. Jr. — 178 hours

Judicial Performance Evaluation Results Now Available

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The Judicial Performance Evaluation is done in each election cycle to collect the input of members of the bar that practice before the judges. The collection of this information is meant for gaining insight on the judicial candidates.

Click on http://www.electncjudges.org to view the results.

Ronald P. Johnson Receives 2015 Centennial Award

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The North Carolina State Bar Association along with the Greensboro Bar Association chose Ronald P. Johnson as the 2015 recipient of the Centennial Award for community service. Martha Peddrick presented the award to Ron at the January 21, 2016 membership meeting. The full text of her remarks can be found at Centennial Award Remarks.

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Pictured (left to right) is GBA President Afi Johnson-Parris, Ron Johnson, Board Member Martha Peddrick

GBA Trip to US Supreme Court Planned for Nov. 28

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The GBA is sponsoring a trip to the US Supreme Court November 28 for a group admission.  We are limited to 12 applicants as we are going on an argument day for the Court.

This is an EBGTW (early bird gets the worm—first come first served) process.  We’ll have hard copy applications at the January 21 bar meeting, or you can download the forms from the Supreme Court website at www.supremecourt.gov.  Bring or send your completed application (including certificate of good standing and check) to the superior court judges’ chambers on the fourth floor of the Guilford County Courthouse.  Judges Susan Bray and Patrice Hinnant are leading the trip.

On the last trip, we also had a reception at the Court, a visit to Howard Coble’s office and lunch at the Congressional dining hall.  Howard set this up for us.  We are confident that Alma Adams and Mark Walker will assist us in something similar for this trip.

You are responsible for your own transportation and lodging.  Please keep in mind that November 28 is the Monday after Thanksgiving.

2015 Pro Bono Award Goes To The Clifford Division

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The Clifford Division of Clifford Clendenin & O’Hale, LLP was awarded GBA’s 2015 Pro Bono Award at the October 15 member meeting. According to the local Legal Aid office, the Clifford Division has accepted 15 expungement cases over the past year and many more in previous years, adding that team is “always willing to help and to go the extra mile for the clients we refer.” Members of the expungement team are Locke Clifford, Andrew Clifford and Daniel Harris, who are ably assisted by Lynda Clifford, Lyn Howell, and intern Rebekah Shanaman.

 

Swearing-In Ceremony/Bridge The Gap Nov. 6

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Attention all newly licensed attorneys. The Young Lawyers Section of the Greensboro Bar Association is sponsoring a Swearing-In Ceremony for the admission of newly licensed attorneys to the state and federal courts on Friday, November 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room located on the second floor of the Old Courthouse (301 W. Market Street). This ceremony is also open to newly licensed attorneys (who have already been admitted to state and/or federal court) who simply want to participate in the ceremony and be introduced to the Greensboro Bar Association.

A reception serving complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be held in honor of all newly sworn-in attorneys immediately following the ceremony at Churchill’s on Elm.

Click on 2015 Swearing-In Packet for more information.

In addition to the Swearing-In Ceremony and reception, the Young Lawyers Section of the Greensboro Bar Association has also organized an optional event on November 6th known as Bridge The Gap, which gives new attorneys in Guilford County an opportunity to become familiar with the local court systems by touring the Federal, State, and Bankruptcy Courts. This program starts at 9:00 a.m. on November 6th at the U.S. Federal Courthouse. Newly licensed attorneys are invited and encouraged to attend.

“Save the Fox” Bone Marrow Registry

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At the GBA Monthly Meeting on September 17, 2015 the Health and Wellness Committee held a Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive in conjunction with Delete Blood Cancer DKMS, which is the world’s largest bone marrow donor center.  The Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive was conducted to show GBA’s support of Superior Court Judge Carl Fox, who is in need of a bone marrow transplant.

To register, a registrant provides a cheek cell sample by swabbing the insides of their cheeks after rinsing their mouth with water.

GBA registered more than 30 individuals and collected more than $500.00 in donations which helps off-set the costs incurred by Delete Blood Cancer DKMS to register potential donors.  The GBA Health and Wellness Committee would like to thank Committee co-chairs Lisa Arthur and Martha Peddrick for their leadership in this endeavor as well as registry drive volunteers Adam Arthur, Janet Ward Black, Gerard Davidson, Afi Johnson-Parris, Megan Kunz, and Manisha Patel for their hard work in making the Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive a success.

Jim Bryan Recognized for GBA Service

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Jim Bryan, Immediate Past President, was recognized at the September 17th member meeting for his dedicated service and commitment to GBA during his tenure in 2014-15. Current president Afi Johnson-Parris presented Jim with an engraved plate… and tennis balls that are sure to be put to good use in Jim’s newfound spare time.

Election of State Bar Councilors To Be Held October 15

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TO:                  Members of the 18th Judicial District Bar

FROM:             Afi Johnson-Parris

President, 18th Judicial District Bar

208 West Wendover Avenue

Greensboro, NC 27401-1307

Email: ajp@wardblacklaw.com

RE:                  Election of State Bar Councilor

DATE:             September 15, 2015

The terms of our State Bar Councilors, Barbara R. Christy and Robert C. Cone, expire on December 31, 2015. Barbara Christy and Bob Cone have each served two consecutive terms and each is eligible for one additional three-year term. I am having this official notice sent to you pursuant to Section .0800 of Subchapter 1A of the Rules of the North Carolina State Bar. Take notice that an election will be held as follows:

EVENT:           Annual Meeting of the 18th Judicial District

DATE:             October 15, 2015

TIME:              5:30 PM

PLACE:           Starmount Forest Country Club

Any member of Judicial District 18 who desires to submit a nomination for State Bar Councilor may do so by mailing a written request to me, at the address listed above or by emailing me at the address listed above, any time prior to the day of the meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor the day of the meeting. Election must be by a majority of votes cast by those present by secret ballot. Use of proxies is prohibited.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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Jones Elementary School Book Project Begins

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Each year, the GBA collects generous donations from our members to purchase books from Scholastic at a significant discount.  We collect enough money to buy a book for each and every child in the traditional program at Jones Elementary School in grades K through 5.  Right before the holiday break, GBA volunteers wrap each book and then hand deliver the books to the kids in their classrooms wearing Santa hats and other festive attire.  The look on the children’s faces is what the holidays are all about.

So . . . we are asking you to consider:

(1) making a donation to this project by writing a check made payable to the “Greensboro Bar Association  Foundation”;

(2) wrapping a book while attending the GBA’s annual holiday party on Thursday, December 18th at Elon Law School; and

(3) volunteering to distribute the books at Jones on Friday, December 19th.

Donations need to be received by December 10, 2014 and can be mailed to the GBA at Post Office Box 1825, Greensboro, NC 27402 or hand-delivered to either Diane Lowe or Sarah Roane at the November 20th membership lunch meeting.  Please include “Jones Elementary Book Project” in the memo line of the check so we know what your donation is for.  All donors, both individual and firm, will be recognized in a subsequent GBA newsletter.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and holiday spirit!

Herb Falk Society Induction

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The Herb Falk Society honors those members of the Greensboro Bar Association who contribute at least 75 hours of pro bono service annually. The eleven individuals inducted for 2013 were recognized at the September member dinner at Starmount Forest Country Club. They are:

Barbara R. Christy – 118 hours

Locke T. Clifford – 79.1 hours

Robert C. Cone – 160 hours

Richard W. Gabriel – 98 hours

A. Holt Gwyn – 102.35

Eloise M. Hassell – 89.25

Jennifer L.J. Koenig – 220.4 hours

Emma C. Merritt – 80 hours

Parrish L. Peddrick – 92.8 hours

Eric A. Richardson – 122.35 hours

James H. Slaughter – 96 hours

 

 

 

 

 

A nice entry

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Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim.

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A nice day

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Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate eget, arcu. In enim justo, rhoncus ut, imperdiet a, venenatis vitae, justo. Nullam dictum felis eu pede mollis pretium. Integer tincidunt. Cras dapibus. Vivamus elementum semper nisi. Aenean vulputate eleifend tellus. Aenean leo ligula, porttitor eu, consequat vitae, eleifend ac, enim.

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The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by the Greensboro Bar Association and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, members, legal professions featured or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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Physical Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
122 North Elm Street, Suite 805
Greensboro, NC 27402
(336) 378-0300

Mailing Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
PO Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402

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