Most legal writers would agree that publishing relevant, informative content on your firm’s website is valuable for business development. It’s an excellent way to establish thought leadership and build trust with clients. However, it’s often challenging to come up with interesting legal news on a consistent basis.
All good news writers, novelists and lawyers understand the importance of hooking their reader. They have to catch their audience’s attention in order to convince them to keep reading and perhaps hire the writer to solve their problem. The part of the article where they do that is called the lede, and writing a good one requires talent, science and craft.
Legal blogs (also known as blawgs) can be great resources for finding topics to write about. Many law firms, legal associations and scholars have blogs focusing on specific areas of law. The SCOTUS Blog, for example, tracks all Supreme Court cases and significant petitions for certiorari.
The most common legal issues are related to consumer, business and criminal law. For example, it is illegal to shoplift, trespass on private property or use an expired prescription drug. States also have laws regulating the sale of firearms and prohibiting the transportation of illegal drugs.
For lawyers, it is important to stay up-to-date on legal issues by subscribing to newsletters and following industry blogs. It is also helpful to follow local news outlets and events that may impact your practice area. For example, if you’re a family lawyer, keeping up with divorces, custody disputes and adoptions is essential to staying informed about current legal issues in your community.