JD Journal » Second Life

Saturday Morning Attorneys

julie — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:10:06 +0000

Last year we reported that Santa Clara University Law School was holding open houses in the virtual world of Second Life. Attorneys will soon be able to get their Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits there as well. Jones Walker , under the guidance of Carol Thomas, has established a presence in the ViO office park located in Second Life. Thomas, who is the firm’s Chief Marketing Officer, has this to say about the new project: ”There is no end to the opportunities that could be explored in this space. We just need to be willing to rethink the usual assumptions, and look at ways to use the tools offered in Second Life to reach new markets, new clients, and reduce the costs of being physically present in the real world.”

The physical appearance of a law firm office has some impact on how much a client trusts and is willing to pay his attorney. One wonders if clients will be willing to pay exorbitant legal fees for meeting with attorneys who look like cartoons.

Simpson Millar Expands, Purchases Smaller Firm

Erik Even — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:52:50 +0000

Birmingham, UK law firm Simpson Millar has expanded with the acquisition of a local firm.

Simpson Millar purchased Peter Maughan & Co. for an undisclosed sum, and managing partner Peter Watson says there were more acquisitions in the works. He believes the acquisitions will be good news for struggling firms.

Peter Maughan himself will become a partner at Simpson Millar. He has worked in law for more than 30 years, and specializes in clinical negligence. He did not say how many employees would move with him.

Simpson Millar, which wasa founded in 1850 and has 170 employees, is currently recruiting. The firm maintains an office in Leeds and a virtual office in Second Life.

Law School to Hold Open House in Second Life

Erik Even — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:44:35 +0000

Santa Clara University School of Law is holding an open house in the virtual world of Second Life today.

Visitors to Second Life, an Internet-based universe where users create characters and interact in virtual, user-created locations, will travel virtually to Santa Clara Island to see the school.

The event is designed to attract potential students and emphasize the law school’s close ties with the technology industry in the Silicon Valley area of California.

Hosting the two-hour event, that begins at 6 pm PST, time is Jeanette Leach, dean of admissions. She will attend as her own self-created avatar, Penny Canucci. Second Life residents can tour the school and see a video of Dean Donald Polden as himself, not an avatar. Visitors also can ask admissions staff questions and get information about applying to the school.

Second Life was created in 2003, and enables its “residents” to socialize, and to buy and sell virtual property for real cash as avatars.

Second Life. Also this.