I received a call last week from a young lawyer who wanted to know how he could publish articles.  The lawyer is currently practicing in a role where he doesn't draft many pleadings other than standard forms.  He is planning to look for a new job in the next 6-12 months and is anticipating the employer's request for a writing sample.  The lawyer thought he might submit a published article in place of a pleading or memo as a writing sample, but he needed guidance on the details. 

Publishing articles is important for all lawyers, including: 

• Lawyers without Traditional Writing Sample.  A published article is one creative alternative to a traditional writing sample. 
  
• Laid-off Lawyers.  Published articles can also help unemployed attorneys return to practice.  In the last year, I've seen several laid-off attorneys obtain jobs based on articles they published while unemployed and looking for jobs. 
  
• Lawyers Returning to Practice.  I've also seen published articles help attorneys return to practice after they took a few years off from practicing.  
• Lawyers Marketing their Practices.  Published articles can also help practicing attorneys market their practice area and attract clients.    

The challenge is in the details.  Where do you publish?  What do you write about?  Where do you share this information after you publish?  How do you find the time?

WHERE TO PUBLISH

Consider the following sources:

1. Law Firm Newsletter.  If you are currently practicing, look for opportunities at your current firm.  Offer to write an article for your firm or practice group newsletter. 
2. American Bar Association (ABA).  The ABA accepts queries, inquiries from writers to an editor regarding the interest in an idea for an article.  Click here to see where you should send queries to the ABA, and click here for more information about writing a query letter. 
   
3. State Bar Association.  Check your state bar association's website for submission requirements for the state bar's publication.  For example, the Tennessee Bar's website provides details about the seven-member editorial board that reviews submissions from anyone.
   
4. County or City Bar Association.  Your county or city bar association may have a newsletter or magazine as well.  Check the bar association's website.  For example, the Boston Bar Association outlines article submission guidelines here. 
   
5. National Legal Publications.  Review the websites of national legal publications.  For example, The National Law Journal lists its editorial calendar, including editorial contacts and submission deadlines, here. 
   
6. Regional Legal Publications.  Review the website for your regional legal publication.  For example, Pennsylvania's Legal Intelligencer allows the legal community to submit articles here. 
   
7. Local Business Publications.  American City Business Journals, Inc. publishes business journals in 40 metropolitan areas.  Check the publication for your area to obtain submission requirements.
   
8. Local Media.  Look at the major news publications in your market to see if they have community columnists.  For example, the Dallas Morning News' editorial board selects Local Voices columnists to be regular contributors for one year.  Click here to read a piece by a Local Voices columnist who was also a third-year law student at SMU Dedman School of Law.
   
9. Industry or Practice Area Publications.   Review the websites for the leading publications in your practice area and for the industries you represent.  For example, if you are a bankruptcy attorney, you may want to review the following submission guidelines for the ABI Journal. 
   
10. Professional Organizations Newsletters.  Make a list of the professional organizations to which you belong and check to see if the organizations send a monthly or quarterly newsletter.  
    
11. Alumni Magazines.  Submit articles or share unique stories with your college or law school alumni magazine. 
    
12. Civic/Community Organizations.  Don't ignore non-legal or non-business publications - for example, newsletters or publications for your local book club, running club, religious organizations, junior league, or sorority or fraternity.  Many lawyers and professionals are involved with community organizations so there is still an opportunity for professional networking.  For example, this article from The Eleusis of Chi Omega features a lawyer-mom who invented a bath product that was featured in Parenting Magazine.    
    

1. Experience.  What unique twist or issue did you recently encounter and resolve?  If appropriate (and, without revealing confidential information), discuss in an article.  
2. Current Event.  Review news headlines in a variety of publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to your local paper.  How is your practice area connected to a current topic? 
   
3. LinkedIn.  Review the LinkedIn Questions under the category Law and Legal.  What topics are people discussing?  What questions do they want answered?  If appropriate, discuss in an article. 
   

WHERE TO SHARE

Your work does not end once your article is published.  You must direct people to the article.  If you are searching for a job, you may include the article in your portfolio of writing samples to submit to employers.  If you are developing business, you may mail a hard copy of the article, along with a hand-written note, to select contacts. 

But, don't forget to share your published article online as well.  You can share a link to the published article on the following sites:

• Bio on firm website
• Facebook page
• LinkedIn profile
• Twitter