Lawyers are often called upon to speak through the public media about issues that affect their clients and/or the general public. Lawyers also try to control the public relations aspects of disputes, business deals and/or the perceptions of client behavior. Legal academicians appear on radio and TV as "public intellectuals."
There are legal and ethical rules as well as communication skills involved in appearing in the public media. Moreover, as blogs, email, and electronic social networks become more available as communication methods, lawyers must be aware of their implications for clients and for their business potential for the business of law. This seminar will look at how lawyers use media and how the law regulates lawyers' use of radio and television as well as blogs, email and other new forms of communication technology. This course will use judicial opinions and secondary materials and visit radio and television studios. Local public relations and media experts will join us as speakers.