Akin Gump continues to do what they’ve done quite well for a number of years, combine the web technologies made available with standard data to offer up a solid representation of the firm and what they do. IMA is a little perturbed that the “Media Center” is still just a list of press releases. Oh well. Design + navigation + depth + data + updating = a winner. WILL ALWAYS LOVE…akingumpcases.com, one of the original recruiting “a moment in time”.
There is not much new to say about dwt.com except that it is as good today as it was two years ago. The home page covers all the bases, from quick links to highlighted materials. They continue to use e-commerce functionality for the bookstore and seminars. This is another site that was well constructed from the start, thus it has provided the firm with a perfect marketing companion.
Some firms still debate whether to put head shots in with their bios. DBH uses unique poses of attorneys in the bios and throughout the design of the site. People love to put faces to names. I did not mistake the web site for “America’s Next Top Model”, but people looked real. While I appreciate putting a different face on a law firm web site and incorporating some things different than many sites, they have not lost site of the importance of keeping things new. The functionality is good, and used well for articles, newsletters and events. And “hot off the press” actually contained things that were “hot off the press (unlike the firm’s that have hot news that cooled down long ago) – with a mix of press releases, alerts, articles and a book. And yes, you can still “Ask ERL” – the electronic resource library.
One of the most hated and despised sites in IMA history is no longer. Luckily, DB let me know that the new one was up and I made the exception in revisiting. Initially, I was quite displeased to start off with a splash page (which can and should be eliminated). The home page provided one of the stronger “intro” statements I’ve seen. The page also works in some scrolling headlines and links to an alumni and the dbtrade.com sites. The bottom page “sliding” navigation was neat. The office pages could use some additional links (i.e. directions). The bios and bio section were a 1,000% improvement. The “Life at Dewey” virtual tour had a different spin than similar offerings I’ve seen. I also liked the “client programs” page. At a minimum, this is Dewey’s third try at developing a strong web tool. And the third time was the charm.
One of those firms that give you the impression that the attorneys there know how to market. I clicked on the “global access reach” button on the home page, and loved the flashy world map. The biggest hole is difficulty in finding the “practice areas” pages, off the home page. I can not think of any time I’ve had to surf for that. You probably need to give up one of the home page “boxes” to “practices”. Especially since the practice pages are so well done. Look at the left-hand navigation on “about the firm”—again, you need to better highlight the practice pages. Enough about that. There is something different about the look and feel, in a time when all these sites start to look the same. There is little I do not like about the way this firm puts itself forward. WILL ALWAYS LOVE…the KnowledgeConnect and ClientConnect sections…a good online presence over the long haul.
Another year of good depth and powerful features to accentuate the firm’s practices, offices and recruiting. The design did not seem as powerful this year, perhaps because others have started to catch up with first-string sites and better organization. But, Heller Ehrman knows they’ve been doing it well for awhile. And there are “intangible” points for those that have been at the party for some time. WILL ALWAYS LOVE…the use of, and promotion of technology.
While I usually consider a static home page sacrilege, I managed to get over it, as I surfed through a vastly improved site. Excellent organization, searching mechanisms and timely information. There was little to dislike. And it managed to deliver depth without ever feeling too busy. Another site that has captured that combination of promoting credentials in the most dignified of manners, without feeling like it is too self-promotional. Now, about that home page…
It might be my imagination, but the site did not seem to be as up-to-date as in previous years. The latest headline today is over a month old, which is okay for some, but not at JW. Added some French language pages to last year’s Spanish page edition. It might be time to freshen up the site and stir things up a bit. A few “intangible” points for getting it right long before many colleagues in lovely Louisiana. WILL ALWAYS LOVE…the E*Zine Center.
Much like the old site, the home page tries to do a little too much. It is really crowded. I’m not that keen on the right-hand navigation listings and options on interior pages, but LW has consistently done a great job online since the beginning of (internet) time (or about six years or so). They’ve incorporated the “case study” thing to the home page, as well as the “foreign language” options top-right. The content is as great and fresh as ever. The searching is super with very useful options and results. I also like the stronger integration of recruiting into the overall site and site style. WILL ALWAYS LOVE…the dedication to providing great resources and keeping the site up to date.
Every class action law firm should use the web with this level of efficiency and effectiveness. I can only imagine how much they save on printing, postage and phone calls here. The firm is a whos-who of handling those “newsy” cases dealing with everything from Martha Stewart to Rite-Aid.
