Quick and Legal: How to Make Social Media Less Scary for the Legal Dept


TOPIC QUESTIONS
Q1) How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement?
Q2) Should you train legal in SM and what does it look like?
Q3) How do you create SM policies / strategies that legal will accept?
   Event Details
Event Date:
     2010-05-25
Event Time:
     12PM - 1 PM EST
Participants:
     50
Tweets:
     563


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Lucretia Pruitt
twitter:
web: http://thesocialjoint.com
BIO: An ex-programmer and CIS professor, in early 2003 Lucretia M. Pruitt left the glamorous world of academia for the fast-paced world of being a stay-at-home-Mom. But once a geek, always a geek. Her blogging habit started back in 1998 and she's had one or more ongoing blogs since. After years wading about in Social Media she discovered Twitter and the unique environment enticed her to jump into Social Media both feet first. Around the same time, ...more
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  • RT : A little less than 30 minutes out till todays #socialmedia tweetchat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:31:02 AM
  • I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming? Add to the mix!
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:41:01 AM
  • RT : I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal,12 ET #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming?
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:42:02 AM
  • RT : I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming?
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:42:02 AM
  • RT : I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming? Add to the mix!
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:45:02 AM
  • RT : A little less than 30 minutes out till todays #socialmedia tweetchat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:45:02 AM
  • RT : I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming?
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:50:02 AM
  • RT : I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming? Add to the mix!
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:57:01 AM
  • Gearing up for today's #socialmedia chat about SM & Legal using TweetGrid http://tweetgrid.com/ #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 11:59:01 AM
  • RT : is getting ready to kick off #socialmedia chat on bringing #Legal to SM table. Follow along on #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:00:05 PM
  • is getting ready to kick off #socialmedia chat on bringing #Legal to SM table. Follow along on #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:00:05 PM
  • Okay guys... let's get this ball rolling!! Today's #socialmedia chat is all about bringing SM & Legal on the the same page. Ready? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:01:02 PM
  • RT : is getting ready to kick off #socialmedia chat on bringing #Legal to SM table. Follow along on #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:01:03 PM
  • All set for Legal Social Media (#sm61) discussion....
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:02:03 PM
  • Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:02:03 PM
  • Ready! #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:02:03 PM
  • Okay guys... let's get this ball rolling!! Today's #socialmedia chat is all about bringing SM & Legal on the the same page. Ready? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:02:04 PM
  • I've been watching the struggle of Legal depts to adapt to realities of SocMed while still dealing w/ antiquated liability laws #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • A1. Is that really the goal? Shouldn't we be pushing products to support regulatory requirements? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • RT try following chat on http://hashtagsocialmedia.com/live for unique Twitter chat experience #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • try following chat on http://hashtagsocialmedia.com/live for unique Twitter chat experience #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • All set for Legal Social Media (#sm61) discussion....
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • Ready! #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:03 PM
  • Q1: As a starting point maybe come equipped with some solid examples of social media success. Real dollars, real ROI #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:49 PM
  • 1st Q RT Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:03:49 PM
  • "Quick" and "Genuine" are antithesis of how legal dept. wants you to respond/act, yet SM requires it #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:04:12 PM
  • sounds somewhat backwards though...? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:04:12 PM
  • - perhaps regulations isn't the right word - maybe we mean tort law? What's your opinion? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:04:12 PM
  • RT : "Quick" and "Genuine" are antithesis of how legal dept. wants you to respond/act, yet SM requires it #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:05:08 PM
  • No doubt that some laws need to be revisited. However, #sm, as another channel, needs to play within the rules IMO #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:05:09 PM
  • RT : RT : hosts 2day's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:05:09 PM
  • RT : is getting ready to kick off #socialmedia chat on bringing #Legal to SM table. Follow along on #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:05:09 PM
  • 1st Q RT Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:05:09 PM
  • RT Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • So guess we'd have to look at just why it is they want you to act that way. #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • therein lies problem RT : "Quick" & "Genuine" are antithesis of how legal dept. have U respond/act, yet SM requires it #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • RT Q1: As a starting point maybe come equipped with some solid examples of social media success. Real dollars, real ROI #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • - good point - current example for me is the P&G reactions to this http://bit.ly/cHQaWB #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • RT : "Quick" and "Genuine" are antithesis of how legal dept. wants you to respond/act, yet SM requires it #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:06:03 PM
  • Is social media "just another channel"? Or is it a fundamental shift in communication culture? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:02 PM
  • Yet we cannot ask legal to not uphold its mission. Balance is required #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:02 PM
  • Same boat we r in..RT : A1. Is that really the goal? Shouldn't we be pushing products to support regulatory requirements? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:02 PM
  • Join us! RT : is is kicking off #socialmedia chat on bringing #Legal to #SM table. Follow along on #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:02 PM
  • A1: use risk analysis to determine what can be done quickly, and what requires more thoughtful approach. #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:03 PM
  • Q1 Is it a matter of less regs or of corps taking hold, setting policy & directing both legal & SM people? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:03 PM
  • - aren't the "rules" (read: laws) ever changing to meet the needs of current society? #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:07:03 PM
  • The Legal dept. #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:08:03 PM
  • Can't be part today. Gotta run. #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:08:03 PM
  • Definitely agree with you. However, society has not changed much, #social still niche play. [more] #sm61
    Posted by: - 05/25/2010 12:08:03 PM
    • Load 20 More
Moderator
I get to host today's #socialmedia chat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61 http://bit.ly/9XNxUE Are you coming? Add to the mix!
RT : A little less than 30 minutes out till todays #socialmedia tweetchat on Blending SM & #Legal dept @ 12 EST #sm61
Gearing up for today's #socialmedia chat about SM & Legal using TweetGrid http://tweetgrid.com/ #sm61
Okay guys... let's get this ball rolling!! Today's #socialmedia chat is all about bringing SM & Legal on the the same page. Ready? #sm61
Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
Okay guys... let's get this ball rolling!! Today's #socialmedia chat is all about bringing SM & Legal on the the same page. Ready? #sm61
I've been watching the struggle of Legal depts to adapt to realities of SocMed while still dealing w/ antiquated liability laws #sm61
Q1: How can big companies advocate for less regulation to reflect realities of social media engagement? #sm61
- perhaps regulations isn't the right word - maybe we mean tort law? What's your opinion? #sm61
- good point - current example for me is the P&G reactions to this http://bit.ly/cHQaWB #sm61
- aren't the "rules" (read: laws) ever changing to meet the needs of current society? #sm61
RT : A1: use risk analysis to determine what can be done quickly, and what requires more thoughtful approach. #sm61
- the legal department? or the customers? #sm61
- definitely they have reasons for wanting reasoned, patient responses. Bottom line? Safety of company #sm61
- I'm actually on same page with you - I think the laws will change very slowly - but only if someone(s) push for change #sm61
Love that RT : Q1:Legal needs to quantify the risks of engagement so organizations can compare to benefits #sm61
- definitely they have reasons for wanting reasoned, patient responses. Bottom line? Safety of company #sm61
- I'm actually on same page with you - I think the laws will change very slowly - but only if someone(s) push for change #sm61
- good point - education of legal dept of what constitutes social media engagement is important #sm61
- can legal system be fluid tho? How many years does it take to enact legislation that reflects current technology? #sm61
- should guidelines be written by legal? or cleared by them? #sm61
- no worries! Jump right in! We're currently on Q1 - but it's evolving fast! :) #sm61
- have seen that quite a bit -- without naming names, many companies pushing liability to independent bloggers #sm61
RT : I am always leery of letting legal form bus decisions - better to let them review, advise on risk #sm61
- but doesn't legal usually have to get involved *after* the "intern" has already used Social Media if done incorrectly? #sm61
- was less about tweeting - more about blogging - companies letting bloggers run own "contests" w/o backing them w/legal #sm61
#sm61
- in those circumstances, company is saying "we didn't run the contest, just provided the materials" #sm61
- but how do we expect there to be lawyers & legislators who "get" social media when industry so young? #sm61
RT : everyone has to be educated - legal, management, every employee using SM, otherwise risk soars #sm61
- thanks! http://xeeurl.com/A02355 is something I will definitely be reading more closely after our chat today! #sm61
- exactly... So far? No major investigation or lawsuits - but suspect it will hit fan at some point #sm61
Q2: Should you train legal in SM and what does it look like? #sm61
We're ahead of the game, but let's put Question #2 out there! #sm61
- hah! Yeah, well... I'm the only non-lawyer in my family, so I'm biased! ;) Let's keep them and educate them! #sm61
- ethics & legal sadly not always together. One is simply based on legislation, not on morality :( #sm61
- interesting point about politicians who use SM to campaign, but don't legislate around it! #sm61
- I had my dad (lawyer/litigator) read & 's Trust Agents - still waiting to hear his opinion! #sm61
so you totally get my world - my brother is a District Court judge, so is uncle! ;) #sm61
- legal response is just that, response - real-time is a nightmare #sm61
- privacy lawyer who hadn't used twitter? Was he at least familiar with it? #sm61
- ha!! Could be - but in a good way I'm certain! ;) He passed it on to my brother (the judge) #sm61
Okay, so we think Legal should be versed in Social Media - but does training include using? or just understanding? #sm61
Okay, so we think Legal should be versed in Social Media - but does training include using? or just understanding? #sm61
- that is awesome to hear! I keep hoping to hear more stories like that - there are some amazing lawyers on Twitter #sm61
- by "use" do y'all think blogging? or tweeting? what medium is best? #sm61
- oh yeah... lack of precedent is always terrifying. Groundbreaking usually means all win or all lose #sm61
- agreed about SM & Legal being echo of early PR-crisis & Legal - lessons there #sm61
- there are a lot of lawyers already blogging/tweeting/etc - but what about those who won't? #sm61
- using the case study is always more comfortable than *being* the case study, isn't it? :) #sm61
- I see you guys talking about SM "experts" but I missed part of that! I'll go back later - sounds fun! #sm61
- the BP example is a great one. Shows that the traditional legal stance of "no comment" is not effective in SM #sm61
- using the case study is always more comfortable than *being* the case study, isn't it? :) #sm61
- love that! But is law firm behavior different than say, internal corporate legal dept? #sm61
- I'm with on that one - there ARE social media experts - they just don't like admitting it ;) #sm61
Q3: How do you create SM policies/strategies that legal will accept? #sm61
Look at the time! You guys are making me think so hard I almost missed the cue for next question! But we can head into it! :) #sm61
- isn't that the truth? Not wanting to be associated with the "experts" due to negative impressions #sm61
Q3: How do you create SM policies/strategies that legal will accept? #sm61
- but is there a "too little, too late" part of this? e.g. http://is.gd/cnnxv after the fact social media response #sm61
- no seriously - the folks over on #socialmedia chat are making me think hard!! It's awesome! #sm61
- so it's not so much approval as it is process? Legal does have to sign off, right? #sm61
- wow! Didn't know that in-house counsel were ahead of the game there... good to know! #sm61
So is there a difference on creating SM policies if you have in-house legal or if you outsource? #sm61
- fast response time is crucial in Social Media, but traditionally, slower, measured response is standard in Legal world #sm61
- totally agreed! Viewing Legal as partner in Soc Med success is best approach #sm61
RT : legal is not the enemy - their perspective is a key element of sound SM policy essential if a crisis arises #sm61
- agreed. But how do we find the "right amount" of time between crisis and response? #sm61
- so on that page with you - response does NOT have to mean reaction, just acknowledgement #sm61
- but don't most SM crises occur in the middle of the night on the weekend? Most legal depts 8-5 M- #sm61
- unfortunately, someone needs to be aware of crisis - right now, few companies staff 24-7 except for tech support :\ #sm61
Great Point!! RT : but a good legal department is always plugged in beyond 8 - 5 #sm61
RT : U don't have to substantiate what you don't say is not always best policy. Often what you don't say is scrutinized as much #sm61
- hadn't thought of that aspect... most good CFOs I know were lawyers first. Good balance #sm61
- I was thinking of the Motrin crisis - no one there noticed until NYT started calling on Monday morning #sm61
RT : Hiding behind legalese when screwing up in the social media world doesn't really protect you from flash mobs #sm61
- yeah, a little too simple for most attorneys... trusting often leads to mounting legal defense :\ #sm61
- thanks Ed!! This was an utter blast for me! Can't wait for next week when is hosting! #sm61
Thanks for letting me come join you guys this week! I learned a lot myself! Tune in next week for hosting #sm62 :) #sm61
- Pampers/P&G crisis recent example... that one flew under the radar for a bit for them #sm61
- thanks for making me excercise my brain a lot today! see you next week #sm61
- thank you and for letting me come participate! Can't wait for next week too! Y'all rock. #sm61
- seriously!! With such great examples, we should all know that we're at risk! #sm61
- is still ongoing as we speak http://is.gd/coNcE - they're working on it http://is.gd/cnnxv #sm61
- absolutely!! :) Happy to know you're still out there! See you next week at #sm62? #sm61
Thanks again you guys - I'm getting off the #sm61 hashtag now, but see ya next week for #sm62 w/ This was a total pleasure
- right back at you!! What an awesome group - I'm so here next Tuesday (and the next!) Thanks! #sm61
- no worries! It was 100% my pleasure. Smart & savvy folks in #socialmedia chat! #sm61