Reputation Management
Protecting our clients reputations and brands
In the era of the Internet, reputational harm occurs more quickly, more pervasively, and more nefariously than ever before. Yet, there exist remedies that can in many instances mitigate or eliminate this harm or, depending on circumstances, prevent it altogether.
For both businesses and individuals, a reputation constitutes an important vehicle through which they can communicate with the public about their identity, brand, products, and services. A reputation - for better or for worse - helps others define a perception about an individual or business. Because of this, management of one's reputation becomes critical.
Although the Internet certainly affects certain dynamics relating to reputation and reputation management, a discussion of reputation does not limit itself to the Internet. One develops a reputation among family. One develops a reputation within a community - whether among a group of professionals, one's colleagues, your village and neighbors, or any other group.
Developing, maintaining, and protecting a reputation involves many components, strategies, and disciplines. To begin with, a business or individual builds a reputation by their very conduct. Other times, external factors affect a reputation.
Although the Internet certainly affects certain dynamics relating to reputation and reputation management, a discussion of reputation does not limit itself to the Internet. One develops a reputation among family. One develops a reputation within a community - whether among a group of professionals, one's colleagues, your village and neighbors, or any other group.
Developing, maintaining, and protecting a reputation involves many components, strategies, and disciplines. To begin with, a business or individual builds a reputation by their very conduct. Other times, external factors affect a reputation.
At times, legal counsel comes into play in guiding conduct. For example, the policies a business adopts can often help formulate a business reputation. Similarly, the manner in which a person responds to an outside event will affect reputation. Our firm guides our individual and business clients in a variety of such contexts.
At other times, external factors may affect a reputation. An newspaper article may contain false or misleading information. Or, someone may post a defamatory statement or reveal a private fact online - anonymously, pseudonymously, or by name. Given our firm's immersion in defamation, privacy, and reputational law, our team possesses the experience to guide our clients in response to defamatory or private content. Also, given our deep understanding of Internet law, we know how to address content on the Internet through various strategic means and management.
At other times, external factors may affect a reputation. An newspaper article may contain false or misleading information. Or, someone may post a defamatory statement or reveal a private fact online - anonymously, pseudonymously, or by name. Given our firm's immersion in defamation, privacy, and reputational law, our team possesses the experience to guide our clients in response to defamatory or private content. Also, given our deep understanding of Internet law, we know how to address content on the Internet through various strategic means and management.
Proper legal counsel can help a client build, maintain, and protect a solid, positive reputation. Our firm possesses the skills and experience to implement effective strategies for guiding our clients in reputation management.
Legal counsel can contribute significantly to reputation management. However, it becomes critical to ensure the legal counsel received from attorneys and lawyers emanates from a solid understanding of relevant practice areas.
For example, a business reputation among employees can be affected by implementation of employment policies, such as BYOD or social media policies. The guidance received in developing and implementing these policies will affect how employees perceive the business. Consequently, a knowledge of social media law becomes essential to receiving proper legal advice that can help promote the business reputation.
At other times, an individual or business will need knowledgeable legal counsel to respond effectively to external reputation events. For example, should someone on the Internet post a defamatory statement or publicly disclose private facts, an individual or business will need legal counsel - such as Mudd Law - that understands defamation, privacy, reputation, and, Internet law.
For example, a business reputation among employees can be affected by implementation of employment policies, such as BYOD or social media policies. The guidance received in developing and implementing these policies will affect how employees perceive the business. Consequently, a knowledge of social media law becomes essential to receiving proper legal advice that can help promote the business reputation.
At other times, an individual or business will need knowledgeable legal counsel to respond effectively to external reputation events. For example, should someone on the Internet post a defamatory statement or publicly disclose private facts, an individual or business will need legal counsel - such as Mudd Law - that understands defamation, privacy, reputation, and, Internet law.
Defamation law involves specific nuances that affect the determination of whether content will be defamatory. And, even if defamatory, there exist other nuances that may limit available remedies and content responses. The same applies to certain disclosure of privacy facts. And, before engaging in a specific response, reputation management will convey the advice a client needs to engaging a specific response.
Finally, content found on the Internet will present a number of diverse issues that will affect content response and strategy. Indeed, the anonymous or pseudonymous attribution to content will require specific knowledge of John Doe litigation.
At the same time, a client should understand that legal counsel is not marketing. It can certainly advise marketing strategies. However, it may be necessary for a client to employ complimentary services to address specific reputational needs.
Finally, content found on the Internet will present a number of diverse issues that will affect content response and strategy. Indeed, the anonymous or pseudonymous attribution to content will require specific knowledge of John Doe litigation.
At the same time, a client should understand that legal counsel is not marketing. It can certainly advise marketing strategies. However, it may be necessary for a client to employ complimentary services to address specific reputational needs.
Our team possesses an existing knowledge of applicable law, extensive experience in implementing diverse strategies, the insight to recommend an individualized multi-level course of action, and the ability to act expeditiously - all of which an effective response to defamatory or other harmful content will require.
When harmful content has been published about you, the most pressing objective will be to mitigate the harm caused by the content. When the context appears online, this will involve removing the content as soon as possible.
Often, a lawsuit will be the first approach that comes to mind. However, litigation - in the context of reputation law - may not be the best initial strategy. For example, in filing a lawsuit, a claim for defamation will require the complaint to republish the very statements about which one complains. The complaint will become public (except in rare circumstances) and available for people to read. And, depending on the nature of the harmful statements, a complaint may very well invite public attention and scrutint.
So, when circumstances enable the identity of the publisher to be known. other responses to harmful content may be advisable. In these circumstances, our team presents our clients with thoughtful analysis, varied options, and recommendations. We then work with our client to develop a strategy that addresses their expectations and respects their decision on how to proceed.
Often, a lawsuit will be the first approach that comes to mind. However, litigation - in the context of reputation law - may not be the best initial strategy. For example, in filing a lawsuit, a claim for defamation will require the complaint to republish the very statements about which one complains. The complaint will become public (except in rare circumstances) and available for people to read. And, depending on the nature of the harmful statements, a complaint may very well invite public attention and scrutint.
So, when circumstances enable the identity of the publisher to be known. other responses to harmful content may be advisable. In these circumstances, our team presents our clients with thoughtful analysis, varied options, and recommendations. We then work with our client to develop a strategy that addresses their expectations and respects their decision on how to proceed.
Where litigation will be required, certain analyses should be implemented prior to filing the complaint. Do you name the client? Do you proceed as a John Doe complaint? Where do you file? Can you file under seal?
An important decision will also be whether to name other parties. Should someone inadvertently name the wrong party that may enjoy immunity, the complaint and lawsuit coould push away a valuable resource.
In many cases of content published online, the identity of the publisher will not be known. In this case, the litigation will pursue an unknown individual for purposes of determining his or her identity. This requires knwoledge of litigation tactics and the technical background to analyze information obtained from content hosts, Internet Service providers, and other third parties.
Our firm possesses the experience and knowledge to provide our clients with reasoned approaches to content published about them.
An important decision will also be whether to name other parties. Should someone inadvertently name the wrong party that may enjoy immunity, the complaint and lawsuit coould push away a valuable resource.
In many cases of content published online, the identity of the publisher will not be known. In this case, the litigation will pursue an unknown individual for purposes of determining his or her identity. This requires knwoledge of litigation tactics and the technical background to analyze information obtained from content hosts, Internet Service providers, and other third parties.
Our firm possesses the experience and knowledge to provide our clients with reasoned approaches to content published about them.
Internet content involves unique circumstances that requires specific knowledge to provide clients with the best strategy that will protect their interests.
Our firm understands the need to develop a strategy to protect our clients' reputation that respects our client's circumstances, dynamics, and needs.
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