Social media ideas for lawyers #AusLaw

Being new to Twitter, I have started to follow people who appear interesting, and then follow the people who those people and so on exponentially.

The clever thing is that they start to follow you back.

Then if you start to use key words in your tweets such as “social media” or “Melbourne Property Lawyer”, you pick up more followers. 

I came across Dan Toombs of http://growyourfirm.com.au/  His website is clean and crisp, with a mix of text, videos and podcasts.  He has lots of ideas for lawyers dabbling in social media.  Hope you find it inspiring.

Lleyton Hewitt sues his Agent for negligently managing his affairs #AusLaw #in

Tennis star Lleyton Hewitt is being sued by his agent Octagon in a Supreme Court of Victoria for unpaid commissions.  A related company Octagon Financial was involved in the management of Hewitt’s affairs including providing financial services to Hewitt “such as maintaining an interest bearing account, collecting his earnings, converting foreign currency, transferring money, paying his bills, managing his insurance needs, preparing United States federal income tax returns and such matters”.  Hewitt counterclaims for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. 

The Judgment of His Honour Associate Justice Mukhtar deals with an appliction by Hewitt for further discovery of financial documents.  Lawyers will be interested in a discussion of the new Civil Procedure Act. 

His Honour allowed the application, stating: “ In any discovery application, the Court needs to ensure that discovery is not being used as a tactical weapon or as a means of harassing or weakening an opponent by putting them to labours and expenses which are not likely to result in the provision of information truly enabling a party to understand how to advance its case or impeach its opponent’s case. Closely related is the modern notion of proportionality which involves a judgment by the Court whether the extent of discovery being pursued is disproportionate to any possible gain that might be had from discovery. This is combative litigation, but I do not conclude that the tenacious request for discovery is overreaching or disproportionate. Hewitt is being sued for commission on his earnings. He is counterclaiming saying that his earnings were carelessly or improperly invested. The person making the claim and resisting this claim is his fiduciary. Hewitt is entitled to know by discovery how his money was dealt with in more precise terms than has been given so far. And he is entitled to know, from his agent, if there are more documents concerning the guarantee payments. “

The case continues. 

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2011/138.html

Getting Started

…but it takes longer to have something to say.

First about me.  I am a commercial property lawyer based in Melbourne.  My focus is on residential, commercial, industrial and recreational developments.  I also have an interest in clients building small and medium businesses.  Some of my work deals with deceased estates and resolving disputes through mediation and sometimes litigation.

Lawyers love disclaimers.  So just to state the obvious, my opinions are mine alone, and not the opinions of anyone or any association that I work with.  If you have a question, consult a lawyer for advice specific to your situation.

I was inspired to start this blog following the recent annual conference of the LIV Law Institute of Victoria.  Like most conferences you go away with a stack of notes, but rarely put anything into action.

So let’s start small, by adding an new entry, say once a week.  Something about the latest in property law; something about lawyers; and something about life.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.  It doesn’t take long to get going.