A member of my law firm web site “hall of fame”. Clever, unique, detailed. One of the first (if not the first) law firm to offer the ability to customize your home page, based on your individual interests. Sign up for legal news by e-mail. Pay for seminars with your credit card. The site’s news-style home page makes it an added-value component to clients, and a free on-line resource to any interested party.
Few firms “got” the Internet, seemingly from day one. MW did. From generation to generation, each re-do of their web presence has been a constant improvement, following the ever-changing rules of the web. Just a sampling of the strengths include a unique legal ethics opinion database (for Virginia), a homemade extranet demo and program for clients, separate sites for consulting and capital group businesses, the right way to show representative clients (linking out) and e-mail subscriptions.
Glad to see a redesigned look to go with some unique Mofo features, such as talk radio and an excellent press room. The revamped site lifts it to the elite status among law firm web sites. One of the best “related content” organizers out there. It offers the best of everything among law firm and web site content types. Clean, quick, easy to use, pleasing to the eye. Kudos!
An outstanding mix of information, interactivity, and design, making the Hale Dorr site one of the strongest in the Northeast. The home page is fresh with current news. The site uses clever images, rather than worn-out clip art. Every type of end-user should be able to find what they are looking for. Good use of on-line forms for e-mail alert registration, events and surveys.
When I first saw the home page, my first thought was all design. Boy, was that wrong. I could write a few pages on this site’s virtues. However, I’ll just say that the media kit, e-alerts and searching mechanism were particularly good. Worth a visit for any firm, prior to developing something new.
So often in law marketing, I ask firms to think about what the client wants, not what you wish to offer him or her. The layout, design, interactivity and components are perfect for the individual or company seeking workplace law guidance. The firm points the user, first, to the appropriate location. Then, you have area events and informative publications. The e-mail subscription form provides strong intake info to the firm, and good complimentary services to the visitor. No points are lost for the bios linking out to the appropriate page on Martindale, because this is a rare instance where those credentials do not play the same selling role that accompanies most practices. And a great nifty touch, offering up a button to “bookmark this page” or “add office to address book”. Why not?
The firm continues to have a strong web presence, with numerous specialty sites to choose from. You can see the struggle on the home page of what to highlight, because there are so many options. I still prefer navigation to be more consistent, especially with so much to choose from. I would love to be able to do searches throughout all the MB sites, but also see where that might take away from some of the ability to not fall into a boiler-plate rut. Not all practice areas on-line are created equal, and that is fine as well. For those departments that wish to develop further on the web, nobody seems to be stopping them. Better yet, it is clearly encouraged. Antitrust, e-commerce, pro bono, securitization, venture & technology and appellate are among the many uniquely domained sites. They bit off a lot to chew, and are doing it well.
What a treat! Smith Gambrell manages to use the best part of “the web” and incorporate its traditional marketing materials in putting forth a unique Internet presentation. Even the flash “recruiting” site is the right combo of bells, whistles and usefulness. Live news from Yellowbrix. Lots of interactivity. A tool that would be found helpful by all end-user audiences. Believe it or not, the weakest link was the home page itself. It simply does not do the rest of the site justice. You have no idea there is that much good stuff inside. Let people know what awaits. It would be nice, too, if the practice areas provided access to related materials elsewhere in the site as well. But, one thing we’ve all learned is you usually can’t have everything.
The correlation between the firm’s web site and its Silicon Valley location and clients such as Google and Blue Mountain are no accident. It is clear that this firm knows how to market on-line, and attract clients that do the same. The look is different, yet very user-friendly. The scrolling navigation bar, on the left-side, with options for printing, e-mailing the page and turning off the frames, increases its friendliness. Everything is well organized, from the publications section to recruiting, and solid case studies and testimonials. A home run.
Few areas of practice have been more positively affected by the Internet than those handling class actions. The Web is a better way to post updates, find people to join in, and organize matters and materials. Cuts down on mailings, phone calls, and increases your audience base. For a consumer audience, attorney bios, recruiting and firm overviews take a back seat. But, make no mistake; Milberg goes to great lengths to show expertise in a multitude of areas, from Enron to Big Tobacco. Detailed forms allow you to sign up for class actions report fraud, or request info. No e-mail addresses or phone numbers for attorneys. Or e-mail for specific offices. They know what they want, from whom, and how. Impressive use of the web.
