February 24, 2012 nº 1,146 - Vol. 10


"You can't be a duck until you learn to quack!"

In today's Law Firm Marketing, An overlooked way to grab media attention and become an industry expert.

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  • Top News

UK court OKs legal claim to be served via Facebook?

A High Court judge in England has approved the use of Facebook to serve legal claims. Lawyers in a commercial dispute were last week granted permission to serve a suit against a defendant via the popular social networking site. Justice Nigel Teare permitted the unconventional method of service during a pretrial hearing into a case which pits two investment managers against a brokerage firm they accuse of overcharging them. The lawyers in the case had been trying to track De Biase in order to serve him with legal documents. They didn't have his email address, so they applied for permission to send him the claim through Facebook. Ordinarily, British legal claims are served in hard copy — either in person, by mail, or by fax — although unconventional means are occasionally employed if the people involved are hard to pin down. In December, a British judge made headlines for filing an injunction against London-based protesters from the Occupy movement via text message.

Google and Facebook in White House web privacy sights

The White House has called on internet firms to develop stronger privacy protections for consumers. The move comes amid worries that browsing information is being tracked and given to advertisers. State attorneys in 36 states recently sent a letter of concern over Google's plan to share personal information across its products. As part of the announcement, the firms' ad networks said they would support a "Do Not Track" browser option.

Supreme Court rules officers entitled to qualified immunity on defective warrants

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Tuesday in Messerschmidt v. Millender that police officers continue to have qualified immunity if a search warrant is later found invalid. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, noted that the bar set in United States v. Leon is a high standard, where officers cannot be reasonably expected to question a magistrate's writing of a warrant. Roberts stated that the breadth of the search, and the officers following that edict, was not sufficient to defeat qualified immunity: “The question in this case is not whether the magistrate erred in believing there was sufficient probable cause to support the scope of the warrant he issued. It is instead whether the magistrate so obviously erred that any reasonable officer would have recognized the error. The occasions on which this standard will be met may be rare, but so too are the circumstances in which it will be appropriate to impose personal liability on a lay officer in the face of judicial approval of his actions. Even if the warrant in this case were invalid, it was not so obviously lacking in probable cause that the officers can be considered "plainly incompetent" for concluding otherwise.

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  • Crumbs

1 - Strauss-Kahn civil case hearing brought by NY maid take place on March 15 - click here.

2 - Godfather sequel shown no respect by Paramount Pictures - click here.

3 - Megaupload's Dotcom released on bail - click here.

4 - TNT express to refocus on Europe operations as losses mount - click here.

5 - Driver's "no tags" vanity plate leads to $20,000 in tickets - click here.

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  • MiMIC Journal

Apple wins iPad dispute in China

Apple can for now continue to sell the iPad tablet in Shanghai after a court ruling over naming rights was suspended on Thursday. Chinese firm Proview had called for the courts to prevent Apple - who it accuses of infringing its trademark - from selling the device in the city. A local court agreed to Apple's request to suspend the decision until a bigger case is heard later this month.

  • Law Firm Marketing

An overlooked way to grab media attention and become an industry expert

by Tom Trush

Over the weekend, I was lurking around LinkedIn and came across a discussion in a local business owners group.

A business development manager wanted ideas on how to get customers for his start-up. He stated, "Companies do not want to talk to you unless you have established a customer base ... even though we have services that are needed and great staff."

The way his statement was phrased I couldn't help but wonder if he would have an easier time attracting customers if his attention was on his prospects. Statements such as "established a customer base," "services that are needed" and "great staff" are dead giveaways that his focus is on his company.

From a marketing perspective, these traits do little to set you apart from your competition. "Services that are needed" and a "great staff" are especially common claims any company can make.

But by focusing attention on delivering value and educating prospects, you can provide proof for these types of claims -- even if you own a start-up. Furthermore, by demonstrating and distributing knowledge that addresses prospect problems, you meet people's desire for information without human interaction.

One overlooked marketing piece that gives you a perfect opportunity to share knowledge is a press release. Now, you may believe press releases are only for corporate giants. Worse yet, you might be hesitant to write a press release because you believe you have nothing newsworthy to announce.

Get over these misconceptions immediately!

Prior to pursuing my business full-time at the end of 2004, I worked as an editor and newsroom supervisor at a newswire for nearly 6 years. I've edited and distributed thousands of press releases -- and many were not-so-cleverly disguised pitches from companies hoping to land a feature article or segment on the news.

Although features are always a possibility, here's a little-known secret that will increase your chances of appearing in the media as an expert:

Make yourself known as someone who shares knowledge.

Simply pay attention to writers/editors who cover topics related to your industry and volunteer yourself as a source You can do this by contacting them or regularly sending out press releases that describe tips or strategies you can offer to their audiences.

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© Trey Ryder

FREE LAWYER MARKETING ALERT: If you'd like to receive Trey Ryder's weekly Lawyer Marketing Alert, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Write "Subscribe LMA" in the subject line and write your name and e-mail address in the body of the message.

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  • Historia Verdadera

Acuerdo

Los gobiernos de México y Estados Unidos suscribieron un acuerdo que pretende asegurar jurídicamente los hidrocarburos de los yacimientos transfronterizos en el Golfo de México, evitar la explotación unilateral y fortalecer la seguridad energética de la región. (Presione aquí)

Negocios

La minera canadiense Kinross y el Régimen buscan subsanar sus diferencias con una reunión de alto nivel que se llevará a cabo en Quito, Ecuador, para definir los parámetros de la exploración de oro.

Justicia

Corte de DD.HH. de San José, Costa Rica admitió demanda contra el Estado de Perú un proceso agilizado por familiares del grupo subersivo MRTA que en 1997 tomó la embajada de Japón en Lima. La querella hace referencia a que estos fueron eliminados después de haber sido presos. (Presione aquí)

  • Brief News

Wikileaks accused enters no plea

The US Army private accused of leaking classified documents to Wikileaks has chosen not to enter a plea at the start of his court martial. The 24-year-old was read the 22 charges against him at a hearing at Fort Meade, Maryland. If found guilty of leaking and "aiding the enemy" he could face a life term.

Gulf oil spill trial--Let the finger pointing begin

A massive trial over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill heads for a New Orleans federal courtroom on Monday, to determine how much BP Plc and others should cough up for the worst U.S. offshore oil spill. The case is perhaps the most complex environmental lawsuit in history, and could leave companies on the hook for tens of billions of dollars in fines and payments to the U.S. government, Gulf Coast states, and tens of thousands of workers and businesses claiming economic damages from the spill. Absent broad-based settlements, the trial will assign blame for the April 20, 2010, explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The disaster killed 11 people and unleashed an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil from the mile-deep Macondo well for 87 straight days.

Tech companies agree on mobile app privacy policy

Major tech companies including Apple, Google and Microsoft have agreed to improve mobile app privacy protections. Developers will be required to include a privacy policy with each app, specifying how your data is accessed and used. Will people actually read the privacy policies?

Google also tracking Internet Explorer users

Microsoft claims that similarly to Apple's Safari browser, Google is also bypassing security settings in Internet Explorer to track users. The tracking cookies being installed on users' computers helps Google serve you ads and customized content. It's very probable that Google isn't the only company doing this.

Obama seeks to change US corporate tax code

Obama is proposing cutting the US corporate tax rate from 35% to 28%, and closing loopholes, as part of a larger push for tax reform. Announcing the plan, the US treasury secretary called the tax code loopholes "fundamentally unfair". Republicans also propose lowering rates, but Mr Obama's plan is thought to have few chances of becoming law. The president is using the plan to spark a debate on tax reform in an election year.

EU court to rule on Acta legality

The European Commission said Wednesday that they will seek guidance from the ECJ - European Court of Justice before moving forward with the ratification of the ACTA - Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a controversial international anti-piracy agreement. The ACTA has been criticized by rights campaigners who argue it could stifle free expression on the internet. Several key countries, including Germany and Poland, have backed away from the treaty amid protests in several European cities. Acta is set to be debated by the European Parliament in June.

Supreme Court clarifies 'aggravated felony' for immigrant removal purposes

The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Tuesday in Kawashima v. Holder that, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the making of false tax returns is a crime involving fraud or deceit, which can result in deportation, when the government suffers a loss of more than $10,000. Petitioners Akio and Fusako Kawashima are natives and citizens of Japan who were living in California as lawful permanent residents. Petitioners were charged with, and pleaded guilty to, filing, and aiding and abetting in filing, a false statement on a corporate tax return. An immigration judge ordered the deportation of the petitioners, after determining the convictions were "aggravated felonies" within the meaning of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Board of Immigration Appeals affirmed the decision, which was ultimately upheld US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

France says adieu to 'mademoiselle'

The term "mademoiselle" is about to disappear from French paperwork. Under pressure from campaigners, the government has decided that women will not have to choose how to describe themselves on official documents. Unlike men, women have been forced to choose between a married "madame" or unmarried "mademoiselle".

Obama apology for Koran burnings

Obama apologizes to the Afghan people for the burning of Korans by American troops at a US base outside Kabul. In a letter to President Hamid Karzai, he expressed his "deep regret" and said the incident earlier this week was a genuine mistake. Demonstrations against the desecration have continued for a third day across northern and eastern Afghanistan.

Limited moves on EU flying charge

Countries opposed to the EU climate levy on aviation agree a limited package of countermeasures, but no immediate legal action.

Mexico arrests riot prison guards

The director of a Mexican prison and 28 guards are arrested on suspicion of helping a mass breakout and the murder of 44 other inmates.

Egypt judge sets Mubarak verdict date

An Egyptian judge on Wednesday scheduled the verdict date for former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak for June 2, with Mubarak declining to address the court before the sentencing and verdict are set to take place. Mubarak could be put to death if convicted in what could be the first guilty verdict by the leader's own country in Arab Spring uprisings. Mubarak, who spent almost 30 years in power, is accused of assisting in the killing of protesters during the 18-day uprising that led to over 800 people being killed, mostly by security forces.

Switzerland to curb bank business with tax evaders

The Swiss government on Wednesday outlined a new 'clean money strategy,' which will make it harder for banks to accept money from foreign tax evaders. Switzerland is currently involved in disputes over tax evasion with several countries, including the United States and Germany.

Affirmative action heads to US Supreme Court

For the first time in nine years, the US Supreme Court will hear a case that confronts the issue of race in university admissions. The court will hear an appeal brought by a white student denied a place at the University of Texas. The Supreme Court upheld the use of race in admissions to the University of Michigan law school in a 2003 ruling. If the Supreme Court makes a broad ruling in her favor, it could have far-reaching consequences for programs at universities around the US.

Ex-SEC commissioner on Dodd-Frank: 'This is not a recipe for strong regulation'

Dodd-Frank isn't stopping this baby from going under once again. That's according to one former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Roberta Karmel said hat Dodd-Frank financial reform isn't strong enough to stop another financial crisis. "This is not a recipe for strong regulation," said Karmel. "We not only did nothing to change the balkanization of the regulatory system; we actually made it a little bit worse by creating FSOC."

With banks as landlords, some tenants neglected

Big banks and other large investors are buying up tens of thousands of foreclosed rental properties across the country. According to tenants and regulators, they're not model landlords. Some fail to follow housing codes, leaving tenants to live without even a number to call in the direst situations.

  • Daily Press Review

'Friends of Syria' to discuss crackdown
Al Jazeera, Doha, Qatar

We will target US embassy and military headquarters in future – Taliban spokesman
Asharq Al-Awsat, Pan-Arab daily, London, England

21 militants held over Yemen killings?
Egyptian Gazette, English-language, Cairo, Egypt

Israeli Arab students are learning the hard way
Haaretz, Liberal daily, Tel Aviv, Israel

UN: Assad committing crimes against humanity
JPost, Conservative, Jerusalem, Israel

World conference to meet on Syria
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

Anger continues as Obama apologizes for Quran burning
CNN International, London, England

US to complete Tappin extradition
Daily Express, Conservative tabloid, London, England

Care quango chief is forced to quit over a catalogue of failures
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

Whitney Houston's resting place under armed-guard watch as grave robbers target GBP 300,000 jewels singer was buried with
Daily Mail, Conservative daily, London, England

Disunity in Reunion over cost of living
EuroNews, International news, Ecully Cedex, France

SYRIA: Wounded journalists make video plea to leave Syria
France 24, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

Uzbekistan deports eight Turkish businessmen
Hurriyet Daily News, (Liberal, English-language), Istanbul, Turkey

Pope warns Church to resist temptations of power after moves to canonise Don Luigi Giussani
Independent The, London, England

Populist promises
Moscow News The, Independent, Moscow, Russia

MPs should abandon lengthy party conferences and sit for longer in the House of Commons, John Bercow says
Telegraph The, Conservative daily, London, England

My Space: celebrities at home
Telegraph The, Celebrity news, London, England

SET up 0.34% at opening
Bangkok Post, Independent, Bangkok, Thailand

Lin leads Knicks to another victory
China Post, English-language daily, Taipei, Taiwan

WFP to End Emergency Food Aid to N.Korea Next Month
Chosun Ilbo, Conservative daily, Seoul, South Korea

Kofi Annan named envoy as pressure mounts on Syria
Hindustan Times, New Delhi, India

Woman sets her husband on fire, attempts suicide
India Times, Conservative daily, New Delhi, India

Disappointing delay in vote reform
Japan Times, Independent centrist, Tokyo, Japan

'Pre-planning' in Beets murder
New Zealand Herald, Conservative daily, Auckland, New Zealand

'Like a bomb explosion:' Argentine train crash survivor
People's Daily Online, English-language, Beijing, China

Johannes Jutting: The Middle Class Goes Global
Straits Times, Pro-government, Singapore

Gillard v Rudd: the numbers
Sydney Morning Herald, Centrist daily, Sydney, Australia

World Bank sees high food prices easing
The Economic Times, Business, Mumbai, India

Truth commission's interim report leaked
Canadian Broadcasting Centre, Toronto, Ontario

Nations meet to prepare ultimatum to Syria
Globe and Mail The, Centrist daily, Toronto, Canada

Australia's Iron Ore Eyed by Brazil's Vale
International Business Times, Business news organization, New York, U.S

EL SALVADOR: Military Commission to Investigate Army Abuses
IPS Latin America, International cooperative of journalists, Rome, Italy

Wall St rises, nearing 4-year highs
Reuters, Business News, New York, U.S

'Friends of Syria' to demand ceasefire, aid access
Reuters, World News, New York, U.S

Alleged clinic schemers face $1.5M lawsuit
Toronto Star, Toronto, Ontario

Leaders back Somali terror fight
BBC News, Centrist newscaster, London, England

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