Reid My Blog!

Legal Podcast Pioneers Ambrogi and Williams Hit Six Year Mark!

Congratulations to Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams on the sixth anniversary of their landmark podcast program, Lawyer-2-Lawyer! Not only was their podcast among the first, they have been able to sustain the podcast by covering an amazing array of interesting topics and engage their audience each week for six years! They even had me as a guest a few years back!

Congratulations guys, and here's hoping for six more!

Carolyn Elefant Takes a Final Bow at Legal Blog Watch

After 1,680 blog posts at Legal Blog Watch, Carolyn Elefant has decided to take a well-deserved break from the daily grind of blogging. Blogging consistently is not easy, but Carolyn and her blog partner Bob Ambrogi have not only done it consistently, but have achieved consistent excellence in the information they provide to the legal profession. Bob will be continuing the tradition with a new blogging partner, but I want to say "thank you" to Carolyn for being one of the first and one of the best bloggers within the legal profession. 

As you can see from Carolyn's farewell post, she is still plenty busy, but just needs to slow the pace a bit. (Boy, can I relate: I've been an absentee blogger of late because of the press of other business.) She is not going to disappear, just spend more time with her kids and her law practice,  as well as doing a new edition of her book. Solo by Choice. 

Congratulations to Jim Calloway

A tip of the ol' blogosphere cap to Jim Calloway, whose Law Practice Tips Blog won the 2005 Technolawyer @ Award as the Favorite Practice Management Blog.  Jim's blog is a terrific resource for lawyers in any firm or practice area, especially his Website of the Week series.  Jim is my blog mentor and friend, who has spent many, many hours explaining the benefits of blogging and RSS feeds to the legal profession.  His blog is his personal example of how blogs can and do work to benefit lawyers, law firms, and the legal profession. I can't think of a more deserving person to win this inaugural technology award!

Congratulations, Jim!

Blogging Strengthens Professional Networks

One tangible benefit to being a blawger is that it encourages distant friends and acquaintances to communicate more often.  This additional communication strengthens relationships and solidifies professional networks.  Four recent examples:

I had not met Rees Morrison of Law Department Management and Hildebrandt until he called me several weeks ago.  Rees is a prolific blawger, not to mention a nice guy.  I'm glad we had a chance to meet and compare notes on blogging.

Neil Squillante of Technolawyer fame e-mailed about my recent effective writing post, and introduced me to the writing concept of E-Prime and Finnegan, Henderson grammar guru C. Edward Good.  I also note Neil has joined the blawosphere with his Technolawyer Blog. Congratulations on a great addition to the Technosphere!

My friend and favorite Indiana lawyer, Steve Terrell, recently e-mailed that he had made good on his promise at Techshow to start his blog, Hoosier Lawyer.  A perfect launch, Steve! 

D.C.-based health law expert, Alan Goldberg, with whom I've become acquainted over the past several years, is thinking of moving from his website to a blog.  I've invited him to lunch, something I might not have done if he hadn't contacted me after visiting my blog.

It pays to Write My Blog!

Great Blogger Story in Washington Lawyer

The April 2005 issue of Washington Lawyer, published by the District of Columbia Bar is now on-line, and features an in-depth story of legal blogging written by veteran reporter, Sara Kellogg.  She does a nice job of introducing legal readers to the world of blogging with help from such pioneers as Dennis Kennedy, Amy Howe, Ernie Svenson, among others.  The article also highlights the potential benefits and ethical pitfalls of blogging, so be sure to check it out!