We know many lawyers who want to give back to their communities in meaningful ways that go way beyond writing a check.
As a guest on Publio’s SMarketPlace™ Live, CMO2Go Founder Erika Steinberg was recently asked how lawyers can leverage their community involvement to create news and thought leadership content that benefits their firm’s business development.
Here’s what she replied –
“When I talk to lawyers about dovetailing their community involvement with their business efforts, my number one piece of advice to them? Pick something you’re passionate about. And, don’t go into it thinking that it’s going to get you new clients. It needs to feel authentic and genuine in order for it to resonate.”
Here are two powerful examples of lawyers who authentically give back to their communities simply because they want to make a difference.
Kevin Horbatiuk, partner at Russo Gould LLP in New York City, is well-known for his involvement in Billion Oyster Project and the City Island Oyster Reef. Both organizations seek to restore oyster beds, building new reefs in New York Harbor and Western Long Island Sound in order to clean the water, minimize storm surges and flooding, and build an environment where marine wildlife can thrive.
This work has nothing to do with his practice. It’s just truly important to him. His firm shares news about it, and people recognize him for his efforts. But he does this because he genuinely believes in the work.
Andrew Singer, managing partner of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP, spoke with Erika about how both her father and his father were veterans. He purposefully sought out veterans’ organizations where he could contribute his expertise in meaningful ways. And that led him to the Veterans Advocacy Project, an organization that provides free legal services to low-income veterans and their families. VAP’s services provide access to health care and benefits, keep families in their homes, and empower veterans by removing barriers to recovery and success.
Are there business development benefits when lawyers get involved in their communities? Yes, there can be, especially over time.
But that’s not why you should get into it.
Come at community involvement authentically, and your audience will respond.
Check out the video on our LinkedIn page.