Cutting through the noise of information overload to get what you need is a challenge faced by attorneys and clients alike. Two new online directories now enable MSBA members to meet this challenge without additional cost by selectively offering comprehensive information about themselves and their practices to colleagues and prospective clients.
Until now the information one could share via MSBA’s referral and Colleague services was very limited. Using a new online interface, MSBA members are now able to enter as much or as little information as they like regarding themselves, their credentials, areas of practice, fees, and availability for consultation and to designate what information will be shared only with clients, only with other MSBA members, or both.
The public,
MN Find a Lawyer directory serves prospective clients while offering members an enhanced opportunity to market their services. Consolidating several MSBA directories, MN Find a Lawyer offers prospective clients free access to a variety of search options for finding MSBA attorneys who can best meet their specified needs.
The
MSBA Colleague Directory, an exclusive password-protected community for MSBA members, is designed to help members seeking referral business or experienced colleagues with whom to consult. Members listing themselves here can indicate their availability to other attorneys as co-counsel, for brief consultation, to provide contract services, and/or to accept referrals. An enhanced search function enables the inquiring attorney to drill down to identify those colleagues best placed and willing to meet their specific needs.
Beth Barbosa, a participant in the new MSBA Colleague Directory, says this directory “gives me access to the resources of a large firm with multipractice expertise while maintaining small firm focus, advantages, and benefits for my clients.”
MSBA members participating can control what information is and is not included in either directory. Neither members nor users will be charged to participate. But the success of the directories will in any case depend on members’ making their information available.
MSBA members can now access the form necessary to complete a profile by logging into their MSBA account
here. While the marketplace remains as noisy as ever, MSBA members and clients using the new directories are promised some relief.