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Course Details

Course Information
  • smart_display Format

    On-Demand

  • signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level

  • work Practice Area

    Class Action and Other Litigation

Date & Time
  • event Date

    Thursday, April 29, 2021

  • schedule Time

    1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT

  • timer Program Length

    90 minutes

Credit Information

  • This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.

$297.00
CLE
ALL

This CLE course will discuss the immense importance of how publicity and media attention can influence litigation and public opinion and how attorneys acting as counsel or as commentators in these cases can maximize the advantages while avoiding jeopardizing their standing and reputations while advancing the interests of their clients. The program will also cover the role of public relations professionals and related legal issues.

Faculty

Daniel M. Gilleon
Partner
The Gilleon Law Firm

Mr. Gilleon focuses his practice on personal injury law, wrongful death, employment law, business litigation and civil rights. He is a an experienced plaintiff's civil trial attorney, and a recipient of the “Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award” given to him by peer attorneys. His extensive trial experience has led to several significant verdicts. He is often called on as a legal analyst and commentator by ABC, NBC, CBS and the Fox Network, where many of his cases have received expansive coverage.

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Jay Jones
President & CEO
AlwaysON PR, Inc

Mr. Jones is the President & CEO of AlwaysON PR, INC., a boutique, intellectual, entertainment talent and public relations firm with a laser focus on media exposure, branding and marketing through different mediums. 

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Description

There has been an explosion of interest in court cases both on a national, regional, and local level. Attorneys who never anticipated that their case would generate coverage must prepare to deal with press coverage to mitigate any adverse effects for the client.

Media interest and coverage of a case change the case's dynamics, whether anticipated or not. Reputations are at risk for well-known companies and individuals. Coverage of a case in the media impacts many different stakeholder groups--shareholders, creditors, rating agencies, customers, suppliers, and employees. Negative publicity can affect a business and its value.

Media coverage presents both risk and opportunity. Attorneys must stay aware that the media's interest in the case is a means to end. Bringing on a public relations professional to offer the media management strategies for when, how, and what to communicate, depending on the outlet. In some cases, it may be necessary to coordinate with the court regarding security, cameras, jury pools, and access to media, decorum, gag orders, and more.

Listen as our experienced panel discusses how to deal with high-profile matters in the press and the media's impact on the case.

Outline

  1. What to consider before accepting a high-profile case
    1. Advantages
    2. Risks
  2. Understanding the media
    1. Professional journalists
    2. Amateur bloggers, influencers
    3. What the media wants from attorneys
  3. Managing and delivering the message
  4. Access to the client by the media outlets
  5. Ethics issues
    1. Conflicts with other clients
    2. Fair and impartial hearing
    3. Publication rights between client and attorney
  6. Social media/pandemic

Benefits

The panel will review these and other issues:

  • Are communications with public relations, media strategy firms hired, and litigation consultants privileged?
  • What are the risks and benefits of media attention?
  • What should attorneys know about how each form of media operates and its motives?
  • What are the legal ethics challenges facing counsel in a case with heavy press coverage?
  • How can the defense mitigate negative publicity?