Effective communications
for professional services
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How to get on a journalist’s contact list
Have you ever wondered why the same lawyers seem to crop up time and again in the media? Whenever there is a major court judgment, a change in legislation or a legal story dominating the news, certain names appear almost automatically. It isn't necessarily because...
How to get the most out of your PR agency
Bringing in a PR agency or consultant is an investment for any law firm looking to enhance its visibility and reputation. However, success doesn’t come from simply handing over a brief and waiting for results. Here are some practical tips to ensure you get maximum...
The power of a published article
As a PR specialising in the legal sector, a large element of my role involves finding opportunities for clients to write articles for favoured publications. For many, the ultimate goal is a piece in the law pages of The Times or an influential trade title such as...
What journalists really want from law firm pitches
All PR professionals will have experienced the frustration of sending what feels like a strong story idea to a target journalist, only to hear nothing back. The reality is that reporters are busy people, juggling deadlines, commissions, interviews and overflowing...
When project-based PR makes more sense than a retainer
Not every law firm needs ongoing PR support every month. Some firms have an in-house marketing team but need specialist legal PR input for a particular announcement. Others may only have occasional news to share or want experienced PR support without committing to a...
Two’s company: how guest blogging can grow your law firm’s audience
Sometimes the most powerful partnerships come from the most unexpected combinations. Earlier this year, Geordie indie rock star Sam Fender and soulful singer-songwriter Olivia Dean finally reached the top of the UK Singles Chart with their collaboration "Rein Me In"...
Is broadcast PR worth it?
Where is the media prize for professional services PR and comms pros? Once, it would have been a spot on national TV. To see a partner on BBC Breakfast, Sky News or local TV – well that was job done. TV was the pinnacle, putting that lawyer or accountant in front of...
Law firm PR: one spokesperson or a shared approach?
In many law firms, PR activity tends to gravitate towards one or two individuals. They become the “go-to” media contacts - the lawyers who are comfortable speaking to journalists, writing comment and articles and building a public profile. On the face of it, this...
Paywalls and PR: why law firms shouldn’t be wary of paywalled coverage
More than two-thirds of leading newspapers across the EU and US now operate some form of online paywall. The number has grown steadily since 2017 as publishers look for sustainable business models in an era of declining advertising revenue. For law firms investing in...
Sector focus is no longer a marketing option for law firms
For years, many law firms have positioned themselves as being able to act for anyone, across any industry. The reasons are plain. Surely it is better to appeal to anyone who could be a client? Well, it’s definitely safer but increasingly it works...
Five years of my monthly email newsletter – what I’ve learned along the way
February marks the five-year month anniversary of my unnamed monthly newsletter. I did think about a name, Prism and The Edit were the top contenders but, in the end, I decided that monthly newsletter would give new subscribers a...
How do PR agencies manage competing law firm clients?
As a legal PR specialist, I’ve worked with over 25 law firms since setting up my business in 2015. Inevitably, some of those firms offer almost identical services and, in a world where remote working is now the norm, geography is no longer a reliable way of avoiding...
Five reasons why your law firm should work with a specialist legal PR agency
If you’ve decided you want some external support with PR for your law firm in 2026, the next question is how to choose the right agency? In most cases, working with an agency that specialises in the legal sector will be more effective than appointing a generalist firm...
Why PR matters more than ever for law firms in 2026
Reports of the death of traditional media, and with this speculation predicting the decline of PR , have proved to be woefully premature with many print magazines making a vinyl-style comeback. Digital fatigue, concerns about fake news on social media and...
The PR power of an “exclusive”: What it is and why it works
The “exclusive” is a very valuable tool in PR. Used well, it can elevate a story, sharpen its impact and significantly increase its reach. But what exactly is an exclusive in PR and why can work so well for law firms? What is an exclusive? In PR terms, an...
Law firm associates: how PR can help boost your career
For junior lawyers, especially those in the largest firms, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression with partners and clients. Unlike more experienced colleagues, you simply won’t have been around long enough to build strong...
Guidance for fee-earners on using AI to support PR and marketing
While I’m all for using tools that create efficiencies, relying on AI to write articles for the media is a bad idea.Churning out AI-generated content will not only undermine your law firm’s brand but it could also affect your credibility with your target publications...
Top tips on how to make the most of a legal directory ranking
This month saw the publication of the 2026 UK editions of The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. As usual, law firms wasted no time rushing to promote their new and/or improved legal directory rankings in press releases, on websites and on social media platforms....
LinkedIn has moved on, has your law firm kept up?
Last month I read a post by social media expert Richard van der Blom which pointed out that because the LinkedIn algorithm is constantly evolving, you need to keep updating the way you do things on the platform. Richard notes that 87% of LinkedIn posts die within the...
How can I boost my law firm’s AEO?
Last month, one of my blogs provided guidance on SEO to help law firms rise to the top of Google, see link. As I mentioned then, strong SEO not only improves your online visibility, it also strengthens your authority in the fast-growing world of AI-powered search....
How do editors react to articles that may have been written by AI?
With more professionals relying on AI tools to help generate marketing content, we wondered what happens when an editor commissions an article by a legal expert but then receives a piece that appears to have been written by AI? To explore this issue, we...
SEO for law firms: Three simple ways to help you rise to the top of Google
When I first heard the term SEO (search engine optimisation), I immediately saw its potential to help my own legal PR business grow. But I assumed it was a highly technical area that would require specialist support well beyond my modest freelance marketing...
National media coverage for lawyers: is it worth the effort?
For many lawyers and law firms, exposure in a national newspaper or major broadcast outlet is seen as the holy grail of legal PR. Over the years, I’ve heard numerous clients tell me that getting into The Times or appearing on the BBC or Sky News represents...
Five easy tips to keep your PR and content ticking over during the summer slowdown
While the UK isn’t quite on a par with France and its August shutdown when workers leave the cities and head for the coast for the entire month, taking a break over the summer is non-negotiable for most of us. The benefits of rest and recuperation for our mental...
Three reasons why legal directories are as important as ever
Last month, I had lunch with Cameron Purse, an editor at The Legal 500, and three partners from a London law firm. It was a lively, insightful discussion and I left with one firm conclusion: Legal directories are more relevant now than ever before. Here’s why I...
How boutique law firms can use PR to punch above their weight
In today's crowded legal landscape, boutique law firms face the challenge of standing out from their larger counterparts with equally large marketing budgets. Having worked with numerous law firms over the years, I've seen first-hand that size isn't...
Seven ways AI can support your law firm’s PR and marketing efforts
The buzz (or is that fear!?) around AI refuses to die down. Everyone seems to be looking at ways that the new generation of AI tools like ChatGPT can improve their business processes and functions to increase productivity. Despite my initial scepticism, I've been...
How your law firm can squeeze the most out of its PR Agency
Bringing in a PR agency or consultant is an investment for any law firm looking to enhance its visibility and reputation. However, success doesn't come from simply handing over a brief and waiting for results. Here are some practical tips to ensure you...
How to make your quote stand out to journalists: a guide for lawyers
Providing timely comment to journalists on news stories with a legal angle is an effective way for law firm partners and associates to secure media coverage which will help showcase their expertise and build profile. Whether you're proactively commenting on...
Welch PR launches press release service
Not every law firm or chambers has an in-house PR team or a retained agency but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on the chance to share your news with the media in a professional, well-timed way. That’s why I offer a one-off press release...
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