Ernest Svenson is already off and running this morning after Mardi Gras, launching his own law practice. (PS:  did we tell you that Ernie helped get Shel Israel into blogging? Ernie was one of the first non-techie bloggers to really use the medium on a daily basis.) I identify with a lot of what he says in his note below — that post-Katrina you’re just ready to give things a try. Both Hell & High Water have come & gone, so why not? Good luck, Ernie.

The day after Mardi Gras is always a day of reflection for people in New Orleans. This year, the “day after” is a special milestone: it’s been six months since Katrina hit the the Gulf Coast and ravaged Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. For those of us who lived through the turmoil –and its bizarre aftermath– the last six months has been a continual stream of reflection. Like many people who lived in New Orleans before Katrina, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what really matters most in life (short answer: friends and family). I’ve also thought a lot about what other changes (ones that I control) might be worth making. Dreams that seemed not so pressing before Katrina now seem to be more urgent. I’ve learned a lot from Katrina, as I’m sure many people have. One thing Katrina taught us is that massive change can arrive very quickly, and have unpredictable results. If uncontrolled massive change can come into your life then why not try to bring about a little purposeful change just to balance things out? I’ve reflected on what changes I would make if I could

So, after months of reflection I’ve decided to try to practice law on my own. Of course, it will be challenging. And that’s the best reason to do it. The whole city of New Orleans faces enormous challenges. But the city is in a great position to make significant improvements. And that’s how I feel about practicing law. I want to make significant improvements in how I practice law, and the best way for me to do this is on my own. It is with more than a large dose of sorrow that I announce I’m leaving Gordon, Arata –the wonderful law firm where I’ve practiced law for the past eighteen years. But –effective today– I’ll be practicing under the rubric Svenson Law Firm LLC. I’ll continue handling the same types of business disputes that I worked on before, but with less overhead and a lower billable rate. I’ll strive to use non-hourly billable arrangements, and to use technology to increase productivity and effectiveness wherever possible.

Technorati Tags: entrepreneur, ernest+svenson, ernietheattorney

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the Business Disputes Law blog, the personal blog of Bill Garrison, of Dallas firm Scheef & Stone.  Bill is using the blog to discuss one of his areas of specialization, litigation that occurs with disputes over business ownership and the steps that can prevent the need for such litigation. 

As we’ve been reviewing in our series of interviews of blogging lawyers, weblogs are a natural marketing and communication mechanism for lawyers.  Research, writing and networking are integral parts of everyday legal practice.  Blogging just turbocharges these habits, makes great thinking more accessible and sharable, and ultimately helps lawyers attract the right kind of people that matter to their practice.   Here’s what some of our veteran law bloggers had to say about their blogging experiences:

Clark Allison said:

It has greatly added to my credibility and bone fides with potential clients, existing clients and referral sources. As an example, several weeks ago an investment advisor who has referred many clients over the years emailed me about a recent court decision that appeared to have a chilling effect on planning strategies he often uses. Instead of calling or emailing him, I blogged on the issue and then sent him and other financial advisors I know a link to my post. The effect was great: I was able to answer my referral sources concern directly, leverage my research time to educate many and enhance my stature as an expert on the topic.

Francis Pileggi said:

I started the blog in April 2005 to provide a forum to publish articles more frequently that I customarily would publish about once a month in other publications, and to share my knowledge and familiarity in my practice areas with more people.   I have given seminars and written articles on corporate law and ethics for many years, and I thought a blog would be a forum that would allow me to provide similar content and reach a broader audience. 

Robert Williamsom said:

Staying on top of new developments in construction law is one of my strengths as an attorney. The blog gives me a way to pass those developments on to others who might be interested and to archive them for my own use later.

Mark Hall said:

I started blogging approximately a year ago.  After five years of working in the federal court, I had a great deal of specialized, “insider” knowledge about how the courts worked and I was trying to reestablish my complex, commercial litigation practice.  The idea was to provide a resource for litigants and lawyers practicing in the federal courts in western Pa.

Denise Howell said:

Directly, the blog has resulted in many contacts from those needing legal assistance in my own area of expertise or in an area where colleagues at my firm are well suited to help. Indirectly, reading weblogs and participating in the conversations they engender keep me very well informed about current developments pertinent to my practice and the needs of the firm’s clients and potential clients.

John Day said:

I believe, but cannot prove, that the blog will help our practice by continuing to reinforce our reputation as a law firm that stays current with the law and technology, is willing to share what it knows with fellow lawyers, and has the experience and expertise to handle complicated personal injury and wrongful death cases. In fact, we are so confident with the potential of blogging that we have rolled out three additional blogs in the past couple months.