Successful completion of one-day seminar on Online Reputation Management (ORM) for attorneys

MIAMI - July 11, 2018 - PRLog -- Business Consultant Terik Hashmi taught a one-day seminar in Washington DC at a convention hotel specifically for lawyers on how to manage their Online Reputation.

Online Reputation Management (ORM) has become a major issue, especially for sole practitioners and small law firms. With today's internet, it has become very easy for anybody, not just actual clients, to post negative information about lawyers. In fact, the overall impression is that most comments and reviews are at least in part negative. Combined with economic pressures, this has created an issue of utmost importance to legal practitioners.

"Online Reputation Management is an issue that attorneys cannot disregard," explains Mr. Hashmi. "I have been in the profession long enough to have seen what has happened since the early 1990s. The problems for the profession result in large part from law schools cranking out too many lawyers, and the internet developing and creating free or low-cost alternatives to lawyer services such as free websites with all kinds of legal information."

The about 30 participants had many questions and concerns, including:

- "What to do about negative comments on review sites such as Yelp." Mr. Hashmi in general recommends not to voluntarily engage with such sites because there are always the so-called "vandals" who post negative information just for the sake of posting negative information (cyber vandalism). Previously, vandals spray-painted subway trains. Today they post negative comments on the internet.

- "I do not have time to keep up with the internet." Mr. Hashmi responded that this attitude carries great risks as life on the internet goes on regardless. One may not even notice what information is being posted on the internet, and only wonder why income is going down. In many cases, the answer can be found by googling one's name.

- "What to do if an attorney as been sanctioned by the bar or a court (reprimand/suspension)." Today, in the age of the internet, the attorney disciplinary system has become a serious problem especially for sole practitioners and small firms, as disciplinary sanctions such as reprimands or suspensions are published widely on the internet and never go away. Consumers "research" on the internet, meaning they run a Google search. Hundreds of attorneys are sanctioned every month by the disciplinary systems, and many bar associations publish these sanctions on their websites and in press releases. The result is that they appear at the very top of any Google search. This situation is aggravated by the fact that most attorneys are focused on running their law practice and have no positive information published to counterbalance the negative posts.

Mr. Hashmi has researched these issues for many months, and has interviewed many experts in online reputation management, reputation management companies, and practicing attorneys. He is preparing a book based on his research, which will be published in the coming weeks. See https://attorneygazette.com/terik-hashmi%2C-consultant#63...

About

Terik Hashmi is a business consultant serving businesses in the marketing realm. Among his clients is an Online Reputation Management company. He previously published a book on successfully applying for jobs (published by TIA publishers, Germany, available at https://www.amazon.de/Schritte-einer-erfolgreichen-Bewerb...). He holds two bachelor degrees in Political Science and in Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs (Miami University, Ohio), a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (Cleveland, Ohio), and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from McGeorge School of Law (Sacramento, California). He has assisted notable businesses and people, including former President of Venezuela, Carlos Andres Perez, to prevent his forced removal from the U.S. and potential execution at the hands of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez. Terik Hashmi is a former Professional Basketball Player during the 1988-1989 season (European A League – "Club Centz" Luxembourg), where he had the opportunity to compete and travel throughout all European nations. His profile is at https://solomonlawguild.com/terik-hashmi%2C-esq#