U.S. News - Best Lawyers List Debuts

Almost 9,000 law firms in 81 practice areas in 171 metropolitan areas and 7 states are included in the latest entrant in the law firm ranking races. U.S. News and Best Lawyers, the leading survey of lawyers worldwide, have partnered to produce a list aptly named "Best Law Firms."

View the selection methodology here. National first-tier rankings will be featured in the October print issue of U.S.News & World Report, which will go on sale September 27.

San Bruno Fire Solicitations Draw CalBar Warning

Citing "potential criminal and unethical  conduct by some attorneys," the Office of the Chief Trial Counsel of The State Bar of California issued a strongly worded attorney solicitation advisory notice on September 10th.

Fire victims, family members, and health care professionals are reminded that unsolicited direct contact with a prospective client by phone or in person is forbidden. Attorneys or their agents who violate this prohibition will very likely be reported to the Bar for disciplinary action.

One legitimate legal marketing approach to fire victims is to draw their attention to a law firm's website through the use of Internet marketing techniques like search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing. The use of event-related keywords, custom webpages, and even subject-specific mini-sites will attract the attention of potential fire victims who are actively seeking information on their legal rights. Information on legal services can then be provided to the potential client on an "on request" rather than an unsolicited basis.