How to Develop Attorney Thought Leadership Skills

How to Develop Attorney Thought Leadership Skills

Will Cheek III, a partner at Adams and Reese, is widely recognized for his expertise in alcohol law. According to an article by JD Supra, his reputation as a go-to liquor lawyer in Tennessee stems from his consistent writing and attorney thought leadership, which initially began through newsletters and later blogging.

Cheek’s success as a thought leader revolves around his responsiveness to client needs and industry developments. In the article, he emphasizes the value of establishing credibility through writing, both externally in the marketplace and internally within a law firm. Notably, he offers quick, free responses to client questions and uses these inquiries as inspiration for new writing, exemplified by his post on the FTC’s noncompete rule.

Key takeaways from Cheek’s approach to thought leadership include writing consistently on focused subjects, informing rather than impressing readers and making content easy and entertaining to read. He advocates for practical, real-world examples and emphasizes the importance of engaging with clients and colleagues for ideas and insights.

Cheek’s editorial habits also include collaborating with marketing teams, staying true to promises made to subscribers, and engaging readers with titles that address them directly. His approach to generating writing ideas is simple yet effective, relying on self-sent emails for inspiration.

Overall, Cheek’s attorney thought leadership strategy underscores the importance of understanding one’s unique value proposition, being responsive to client needs, and maintaining consistency and engagement in writing and communication efforts.