I Heard About Blogging on NPR…

By Nicole Black

(I apologize, at the outset, for what may appear to be a navel gazing post to the n-th degree. But, my task was to blog about a great piece of advice that I received. And, as you know, from good advice comes good results. Otherwise, it would end up being bad advice, no?;)

It was in 2005 that I received a piece of advice that made all the difference. At the time, I was contemplating a return to the legal field after a brief, self imposed, two-year hiatus. During that two-year time frame, I had my second child and tried to re-group, hoping to find a legal career path that would inspire me and provide me with the flexibility to be both a good parent and a good lawyer.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I knew it was time to do it, in part because I’d just read an article explaining that for women who “opted out,” three years was the magic number. Any longer and I’d lose confidence in my abilities, as would future employers.  After reading that article, I knew in my heart that if I waited any longer to re-enter the workforce, the odds were against me.

So, in late 2005, I decided to set up shop as a contract attorney. My target market was other New York lawyers. I used my technology know-how to create a website, hung out my virtual “shingle,” and hoped for the best.

Shortly thereafter I had lunch with my cousin, David Rothenberg, a well known Rochester lawyer and one of my long time mentors. He gave me words of encouragement, told me he’d keep me in mind for future research and writing projects for his firm and then mentioned offhand, just as we were leaving the restaurant: “Oh, and you might want to look into starting this thing called a ‘blog.’ It’s like an online journal but you can write about whatever you want–so, in your situation, New York laws or cases. I heard about it on NPR this morning. It sounded interesting.”

And, it was that one piece of advice that changed everything. On November 21, 2005, I started my very first blog, Sui Generis–A New York Law Blog. I blogged regularly about topics of interest to my target readers: New York lawyers. I discussed new cases as they were handed down, new laws and lawyer advertising rules as they related to blogging and other online interactions.

Blogging served me well in so many ways.  It allowed me to network with other lawyers from across the country, many of whom I still keep in contact with even to this day. It also showcased my writing skills and showed that I was up to date on changes in my field despite my time off from the law. I always tried to blog about topics that interested me and, because I did so, I very quickly found a voice. And from there, readers, and business, followed.

Through my blog, I created a body of work that helped me obtain new clients, a regular column with The Daily Record, an opportunity to co-author Criminal Law in New York with Judge Karen Morris, and, eventually, in late 2006, I was offered an of counsel position with Fiandach & Fiandach, the law firm with which I continue to be associated.

Since then, my social media presence and my various blogs have been the key to every opportunity that comes my way. Because of my online presence, I am frequently contacted by potential clients in need of an attorney. If the matter is not a DWI-related offense, I refer it out to other knowledgeable attorneys in my area. Other benefits arising from my online presence include opportunities to author books and articles, speaking engagements and getting quoted in mainstream media.

It was that one brilliant, off-the-cuff piece of advice from my cousin that made all the difference in my career. My first blog was instrumental to my success and without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Sui Generis allowed me to create the strong foundation upon which I built an endlessly interesting, fulfilling and flexible career.

So, if there’s a lesson to be learned, it’s this: listen carefully, be creative, be open to new ideas and trust your gut instincts. And, make sure to follow that one good piece of advice that comes your way–you never know where it will take you!

3 Comments • Login or Sign Up to comment