“Love your Lawyer” day may be a hard sell you would think, but for the marketer who has pushed the special day since 2001 it is not love-lost at all.
Legal marketer Nader Anise developed the day for the first Friday of November, which has now been recognized by the ABA Law Practice Division as one that should be used to celebrate lawyers and express gratitude for their work. Again – that may be a hard sell for many – but the big upside that will be welcome is the call for lawyers to celebrate the day through the provision of pro bono services and supporting charitable causes that promote the administration of justice.
Negative reactions towards lawyers is something that need countering and the reactions. ABA Law Practice Division chair Tom Bolt was quoted in the National Law Journal that “we need to educate the public as to the role of lawyers and what they are doing as positive contributors to society.”
Mr Anise’s press release said of the “Lawyer Love” day:
Established in 2001 by ALPIA, National Love Your Lawyer Day is a day in which lawyers and judges are celebrated for all the good they do, often thanklessly. On this day, the public is asked to let their favorite legal eagles know how much they love and appreciate them. “Call your attorney and say Happy Lawyer’s Day! or thanks for a doing a great job, or even send a gift, flowers or a card,” Anise says. “Lawyers are always painted as the bad guy, even if they pull off some crazy Houdini-esque maneuvers to help their clients. We’re hoping this day will spark public interest in commending lawyers rather than condemning them.”
And don’t even think about bad-mouthing lawyers on Love Your Lawyer Day – that is, unless you’re holding a wad of cash. Not only is lawyer bashing a big no-no and considered in poor taste, but anyone unable to bridle his tongue from verbally jabbing lawyers (late-night talk show hosts take note) is being asked to donate a $20 “fine” per joke to the charity of his choice.
To show appreciation by lawyers, ALPIA is asking every attorney practicing in the U.S. to give back on November 6: perform at least one hour of pro bono work or donate the equivalent of one billable hour to either Childreach International or the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
This year, National Love Your Lawyer Day is also taking on an international flavor as lawyers from around the world have expressed their desire in participating in the festivities. For the first time ever, ALPIA is announcing International Love Your Lawyer Day which also takes place on Friday, November 6, 2015 globally. It will follow all the same initiatives as its American counterpart.
National (and now International) Love Your Lawyer Day (formerly “I Love My Lawyer Day”) is the single greatest pro-lawyer event in the world. It is celebrated on every first Friday of November. Established by ALPIA in 2001, Love Your Lawyer Day is a day of lawyer and judge appreciation in which the public, lawyers, judges, bar associations and other legal organizations are asked to participate.
ALPIA is the American Lawyers Public Image Association, founded in 2000. It is the only legal organization in the world formed solely to promote a positive public image of lawyers. ALPIA is the leader on attorney image issues and has received media coverage from all over the world.
