Jurors – stay off social media or risk the consequences

I spoke at a session on social media and litigation today for the Washington County Bar Association. My co-speakers were Judge Jeannine Turgeon and Todd Shill.  Judge Turgeon addressed trial issues, including jurors and social media.  The Judge made it abundantly clear that improper Web use is a problem when it comes to social media. […]

Is it so hard to be nice?

Attorney Sam Stretton wrote an excellent piece for law.com today on providing an extension to a lawyer when he reasonably requests it.  Sam may not know this, but he actually represented my parents when I was a child. They spoke fondly of him.  I think this is because he isn’t only an attorney, he is […]

Searching social media

In a few weeks I am teaching a PBI seminar on research with Dan Siegel.  Dan is teaching traditional web-based research and I am focusing on social media. I thought people might like to see the list of sites I will be teaching for broad social media research.  In no certain order they are:   […]

Remember the rule of Jennifer – You cannot do online what you cannot do offline

Ok, maybe it isn’t the rule of Jennifer. But I certainly say it enough in my talks.  Here’s the absolute truth of online behavior. If you cannot do something offline you cannot do it online. Period. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. I’ve previously discussed the Philadelphia and New York guidance opinions on […]

And the Plot Thickens – Social Media Law in PA Continues to Develop with a New Decision

A new decision handed down by Judge Saylor found that the defense could have access to plaintiff’s MySpace account. This decision falls squarely in line with the other two relevant Pennsylvania decisions, Piccolo and McMillen. In the newest case, Zimmerman v. Weis Markets Inc., the plaintiff claimed he never wore shorts because he was embarrassed […]

A New Facebook Opinion in PA

A recent decision out of Bucks County Pennsylvania helps to flesh out the law of social media and its use at trial in Pennsylvania. The opinion is simply a paragraph long. I reported on one other Pennsylvania case in a prior blog post. In that case, McMillen v. Hummingbird Speedway, Inc, Facebook evidence was admitted.  […]

Please Secure Your Wi-Fi

If I were to drive around my neighborhood I bet I would find a number of unsecured wireless routers. It would be extremely easy for me, should I be so inclined, to connect to these routers and surf the web to my heart’s content. Let’s say that unsecured router belongs to you. I Could Get […]

Does your firm or business have a social media policy? If not it should.

A lot of businesses and law firms don’t have social media policies. Actually a lot of businesses and law firms don’t have written policies of any kind.  This is a very bad idea. If you don’t have written policies and the time comes when an employee does something you don’t like you are going to […]