Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. I am the partner in charge of marketing for our 12 attorney firm located in the Dallas suburbs. We are an estate planning/estate administration firm exclusively. We have a pretty good website with attorney bios and photos, articles, practice area descriptions, client testimonials and a blog that is updated weekly. We have been discussing the pros and cons of adding videos to the site. I would appreciate your thoughts.A. I believe that videos can add to the quality of the site if done properly. A quality video can help you showcase your personality and bedside manner and help a potential client "get to know you." What you say may not be as important as how you say it. However, unless the video is a quality video and well done - it can do more harm than good. Here are a few thoughts:1. Consider a video introduction by the managing partner introducing the firm linked off the home page.2. Consider a video by each attorney linked off their bio pages.3. Consider your audience - mom and pop individual clients as well as potential referral sources. Since your clients are individuals - dress and set your tone accordingly. Be a little less formal - speak to your client concerns. Think about their concerns.4. Smile and be friendly.5. Hire professionals to help you script and film professional quality videos. (Quality lighting and sound separates professional looking quality from homemade looking videos.)6. Provide on-camera training and have your attorneys - Practice - Practice - Practice before live filming.7. If you don't have anyone that looks good on camera - don't do it.

Attorneys representing small to mid-size business that need access to investor capital need to be aware of the various multifaceted legal issues that can arise when funding a business, including the securities laws, rules and regulations that may affect the transaction, Don’t miss this opportunity on April 3rd to update your knowledge on a number of key areas, including: an overview of Regulation D; the changes to Regulation D brought about by the JOBS Act; crowd funding as an alternative option when Regulation D doesn’t work for the offering being contemplated; the steps to a crowd funding offering, including issuer requirements, funding portal requirements, and when an offering can commence; how monetary limits change based on the investor profile; the risks associated with crowd funding; the type of malpractice insurance necessary before engaging in securities work, as well as how insurance will be affected in the future; the necessary due diligence when considering potential securities clients; the Illinois state law considerations that should be taken into account when considering an exempt offering; and much more! For those unable to attend the on-site program in Chicago, the seminar will also broadcast via the Internet as a live webcast.The seminar is presented by the ISBA Business and Securities Law Section and qualifies for 2.25 hours MCLE credit, including 0.50 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register.

Since Illinois voters have the responsibility to elect judges, the Illinois State Bar Association feels it has an obligation to share with the public information about qualifications of judicial candidates. The lawyers who practice alongside candidates for judicial office are in a unique position to assess the professional qualities that are necessary for good judges.

ISBA President Paula H. Holderman interviews 1st District Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes. They discuss the importance of diversity in the bench and bar and why community outreach to inspire youths to join the legal profession is so important.)