We Are All Influencers - Hoopla Over WSJ Focus on Law Firms' $2,500 Hour

 There was a posting on professional anonymous network Reddit Big Law about the October 4th The Wall Street Journal coverage of top large law firms billing up-to and above $2,500 an hour. Here it that Reddit post:

"The Wall Street Journal Looks Into the Up-to-$2,500 Hour

"Clients contend this is not sustainable and are searching for solutions. But many corporate legal departments will not take the risk of going with a lower-priced firm which does not have the track record for outcomes as do the top large firms which are escalating fees. https://www.wsj.com/business/rock-star-law-firms-are-billing-up-to-2-500-per-hour-clients-are-indignant-61b248c2?mod=hp_lead_pos8"

What has followed on that Reddit Big Law discussion and this is just so-far are:

76,000 page views

96 comments

60 shares

95% upvote, and

133 likes for the original posting.

All of us who looped in on this - the poster and the responders - are influencers. There was no cute background or someone in front of us with a video camera but our point of view obviously has reach. 

Is that reach more than the reach of Bloomberg Law? Come on, that's apples and oranges.

The latter is establishment media, which is on the way out. We are influencers which brands, organizations and individuals go to for their marketing purposes. There is even the question in public relations firms if getting an op-ed published in establishment media is "worth it." Where's the reach? The impact is usually restricted to a narrow band of constituents.

In this era of influencers, even anonymous ones, there is the offbeat creation of accidental pop celebrities. 

Among them has been the chair of elite law firm Paul Weiss Brad Karp. There is even a mock presence of him, along with photo, on this Reddit post who actually comments. That creation is BradleySKarp. In response to the comments of BradleySKarp there are comments on the platform about him ranging from "so damn cool" to "and handsome." 

During those boring legal-sector awards dinners there can be a spoof of that. A special award can be put together for being "so damn cool" in a line of work with so many grinders who have no life beyond grinding.

In coaching I recommend clients who want insider insight about their profession to make a habit of Reddit, Fishbowl, Blind and Glassdoor. Those professional anonymous networks have evolved into not only reliable sources but caring ones.

Life is hard. Business is even more difficult these days. Get answers – and relief. Jane Genova is a results-driven intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)


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