The Foley site continues to be an outstanding presence, contrasting a soothing design with easy-to-use features and timely information. The home page is near-perfect, with just the right amount of graphic element and “news you can use” showing what is hot. The changing billboard-like design advertises programs and highlights. Even the personalization “briefcase” is easy to use and handy. The personalization feature on many sites proves too burdensome to utilize. The toolbar and searchability is excellent. The careers section offers sub-sites for each of the hiring audiences. In building a new site, you have to take a look at this one.
I like it when “Legal Resources” is a list of useful web sites—and they are all Hunton ancillary sites! The relatively new site has done an outstanding job mixing content and design in a way that pleases the eye and is user-friendly. The structure and usability is consistent throughout. Definitely a well thought out and produced presence. Last time around, I said the key word was “streamline”. Mission accomplished. For interesting video viewing, see the “diversity” section. And one of my favorite young practitioners—Alison Monroe—is in the Richmond office. An IMA shout-out to Alison.
IMA is still a big fan of J-Lew (as opposed to J-Lo, who I’m not too fond of). While other employment law firms have done a good job playing catch-up online, this is still a superb site. Granted, it should be easier to be successful when you essentially practice in one main area of the law. Yet, somehow people still screw it up. Not here. The home page is still outstanding, with just enough design and a focus on delivering information. On this day, there is a small banner ad on the top, promoting a program on “how to stay union free”. The office pages are excellent (except for not having a real directions page, vs. a mapquest or yahoo map). And the online training section shows (see the demo) that they know how to maximize the web beyond the typical site. Still a winner.
Don’t even think about opening up a law firm in the Pacific Northwest without a big time web site, because you’ll be a laughing stock. And firms like Lane Powell continue to operate online at such as high level that a site that might look awesome in Chicago or New York would look like a poor man’s version out here. This site is still outstanding from top to bottom. Yet another one for people to “take a lesson.”
The site is way, way, way improved—taking a former liability in the home page and making it a strength. The practice area pages are clever, with a design that I have not seen before. This time around, the firm puts its best foot forward online, and they have a site that can stand next to anyone else without concern.
This firm has always had its act together online. I even liked the little sound bytes as I surfed through the careers section. They’ve got the short bio/long bio thing going. One thing that stood out was the way so many things went from web-brief to “longer if interested”. There are two printer buttons on most pages—one to print the page; the other to print the section. Resourceful. They know how to present information in a way that you’ll read it. There is a difference between how you present yourself in hard copy, in person and online. They have that down.
For many firms, I see or hear little from one IMA review year to the next. However, the excellent weekly corporate communicator e-newsletter from POGO means I’m constantly reminded of the firm in a positive manner, and “forced” to re-visit the web site. For those that love fancy design, this is not the stop. If you love lots of noteworthy information, the home page is a plethora of news, events and alerts. Among other highlights is the interesting “our clients speak” page. I also particularly like the components of the “people” sections (not just bios). Still one of the most functional sites out there.
I’m sure Saul Ewing is oh-so-psyched to see a new web site review posted. While the “new” site has been up and running for some time now, on “review day”, the firm’s all new advertising campaign has been integrated into the home page design. Yes Virginia, the animals have been euthanized, replaced by the likes of cleverly intertwined historical references. Speaking of historical, the firm’s timeline, commemorating 85 years is a nice touch. The site is loaded with content, including promotion of upcoming webinars. In the firm’s home city of Philadelphia, a bunch of others who shall remain nameless (Fox, Dechert, Cozen, etc., etc., etc.) could take a lesson. Excellent integration of design, data and the firm’s brand. And about 1,000 times better than the firm’s previous site.
I’m still getting the “Trust the Leader” magazine in the mail, and like the approach. How did I get on the list? Online subscription registration, of course. Just one of many things that help the firm and the site stand out. Loved the “legal limelight”. How about offering an archive of those? Also was fond of the use of streaming video and powerpoints from past events. A few little flaws with some content that needs updating, but otherwise, a firm that has mastered the rare trifecta—paint a nice picture, back it up with facts, show you are not just like all the others. Always near the top of the IMA heap.
Nothing like that new car smell. In this case, it is the brand new Stoel.com. I could feel the freshness as I surfed through. The Northwest has been a microcosm of good law firm web sites for a long time. The original Stoel site was an IMA award-winner. Except than others around them raised the stakes. And now Stoel is back with a vengeance. Stylish without overdoing it. Love the web tools, the RSS feed, the ability to find what I want without feeling like I’m in a maze. Welcome back to the top-tier.
