PR push needed to combat public cynicism over solicitors

Solicitors can be their worst enemies when it comes to putting across a good image of themselves. They are increasingly recognising this. However... how should they deal with it?

The demand for a public relations campaign to improve the bad perceptions held about solicitors has been highlighted this month by a new survey. It showed people only use legal help because they have to, and not because they trust the profession.

www.interactive-law.co.uk has a panel of more than 400 solicitors across the UK. Over the last two months, it has asked 150 members, and prospective members what they think of the situation.

70% (105) said the profession should work on building up a better public opinion of them.
30% (45) believed the problem was not serious.
Of those seventy percent who believed the problem DID need dealing with:

37% (55) believed the profession should be more transparent about how it works by courting the media;
14% (21) claimed the bodies that should be representing the profession needs to do more to raise awareness;
11% (17) said individual solicitors should make more of the media;
8% (12) did not have an opinion on how to change the situation.
Interactive Laws Adrian Miles said some solicitors can be their own worst enemies:

Interactive Law is one of the few legal companies online who take a proactive stance on courting the press. One of the problems we come up against, is how few solicitors are good at creating a positive impression of themselves and dealing with marketing issues. The profession needs to take a good long look at itself to see how it can make itself more friendly."

Obviously we cannot generalise all the way, because there are some very good examples of media friendly solicitors. Possibly, it is time for the profession to look at some media training."

ENDS.

Further details from Matthew Clarke 01209 822060 matthew@spinoffice.co.uk