Your Attorney Search profile lets you tell the lawyer-seeking world all about you and your firm. It is more than just a simple directory or phone book—it’s YOU, online! Paint a picture of who you are, what makes you unique, and what makes you the best choice to handle a potential client’s legal need.
Your Biography – Helping you get hired!
Your biography takes center stage when it comes to telling potential clients who you are. Remember, you have one chance to make a good first impression and that counts for online impressions as well. Writing a biography needn’t be scary.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Writing Style
- Know your audience. You are writing for consumers, not other lawyers.
- Keep your content concise.
- Avoid the use of industry jargon.
- Most biographies are written in third person, but it is acceptable to write in first person, if desired.
Biography Basics
- Make a list of the things you think a potential client should know about you and your firm. Think about how to best emphasize and support those ideas in your profile:
- Do you have a marketing tagline or slogan?
- In which types of cases do you specialize?
- Have you been involved in any notable cases?
- What is your education history and employment history?
- What is your approach to practicing law and how does that make you unique?
- The first one or two lines of your biography are vital. It is here that you must get the reader’s attention and entice them to continue reading. Many biographies begin with the attorney’s name, tenure at their firm, and education history; however, there is much latitude when it comes to writing a biography and a unique opening statement can help you get noticed. Ideas:
- A personal story about why you chose to practice law
- How your hometown or background influenced your practice area choice
- Why you love the legal profession
- What makes your practice unique
- Describe your passion for the legal profession
- If not already incorporated, other items to include in your biography may include:
- Education and employment history
- Practice area focus
- Notable cases
- Group affiliations
- Accomplishments
- Speaking engagements
- Awards received
- Supported charitable causes
- Hobbies
- Family status
Other Things to Include in your Profile
- Photos – plural. A headshot is a must, but adding other photos gives consumers a glimpse of your personality. Include pictures of you at meetings and events or participating in hobbies and even pictures of your office.
- Specify all of your practice areas. The results of consumer lawyer searches are presented by best match to the practice area and ordered by the geographic proximity of the location specified. Being thorough here can help you appear in more searches!
- Speaking engagements
- Languages spoken
- Do you offer free consultations?
- Payment options
- Blogs