New York Chapter of Law Firm Media Professionals had Kendall Coffey, founding member of Coffey Burlington PL, attorney and author of the new book, Spinning the Law: Trying Cases in the Court of Public Opinion, as a featured speaker. I purchased the book on my way home. As a former journalist heavily involved in legal public relations. It was a no-brainer.
Coffey provided solid guidance on navigating the media landscape that is essential for the modern litigator to understand. He also reiterated several times that given today’s web technologies it is critical for lawyers to learn, develop and maintain good relations with the media. Due to the pending snowfall in New York his presentation was sadly cut too short for my liking but be did discuss the role of media spin in the American justice system, the ways in which freedom of the press and pretrial publicity can affect a case and the influence the Internet has on public opinion. He also discussed several high-profile cases, including O.J. Simpson trial, Elian Gonzalez controversy and Florida’s role in the 2000 presidential election between Gore and Bush.
Background: Over the years, Mr. Coffey he has written some three dozen articles on legal topics in publications ranging from the Yale Law and Policy Review to the Wall Street Journal. He also teaches law as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law, and has lectured for The Florida Bar, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Dade County Bar Association, Professional Education Systems, Inc., National Business Institute, Inc. and CLE International, Inc.
