Public relations for law firms goes beyond just getting your name out there—it’s about managing your reputation, building credibility, and positioning your firm as a leader in the industry. From securing media coverage to engaging your community to developing thought leadership, a robust PR strategy can help you attract new clients and deepen existing ones.
How can you get your law firm a successful public relations campaign? To ensure your approach is effective and sustainable, do these essential steps:
5 Steps to Public Relations for Your Law Firm
1. Set Clear PR Goals for Your Law Firm
Here the need for law firm public relations drives business growth. Many times potential clients will choose an attorney based on reputation, therefore a well-organized PR campaign has the potential to increase your credibility immensely.
Before getting into PR tactics, ensure that your strategy aligns with your business goals. And even if you’re getting publicity, if you don’t bring in revenue, it’s wasted energy. An effective PR strategy can:
- Drive awareness of the firm
- Increase awareness of individual attorneys and firms
- Share firm milestones like merger, acquisition, and expansion
- Attract new business in targeted market segments
- Build goodwill with employees and the community
- Highlight successful cases and settlements
- Strengthen referral networks from other attorneys
By establishing clear, measurable PR goals, you can gauge your firm’s progress and confirm that your efforts are working.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
Who do you want to reach with your law firm’s PR campaign? “Clients” may seem like the obvious answer, but your audience extends beyond that.
Your PR efforts should target:
- Current and former clients – Maintaining relationships can lead to repeat business and referrals.
- Potential clients – The right PR strategy ensures you’re the first firm they think of when they need legal assistance.
- Referring attorneys – Building strong connections with other legal professionals can increase referrals.
- Industry leaders, media professionals, and government officials – These individuals shape public opinion and can amplify your firm’s visibility.
To refine your messaging, consider creating audience personas. Ask yourself:
- What industries do they work in?
- What legal issues do they face?
- What publications, podcasts, or media do they consume?
- What are the fears or questions they have about hiring a law firm?
This understanding is what gives you the knowledge to shape your PR strategy and ensures that your message resonates and speaks to prospective customers.
3. Craft a Strong PR Message
When drafting public relations messaging, be sure it reflects your firm’s core values and expertise in the law. It’s not merely a way to promote your firm, it’s an opportunity to tell a story that creates trust and credibility.
PR is about building relationships with key stakeholders, from potential clients to referral sources. There are many different methods to shaping and distributing your message with intention:
- Networking & Speaking Engagements – Join industry events, and legal associations and share your thought leadership and expertise on conferences.
- Writing Thought Leadership Content – Articles, blogs, and opinion pieces in industry publications; on your website
- Sharing Valuable Resources – Offer checklists, legal guides, and timelines to educate your audience.
- Leveraging Media Coverage – Secure interviews and features in respected news outlets to build your firm’s reputation.
- Consistency Across Channels – Whether it’s social media, newsletters, or media interviews, maintaining a consistent voice reinforces your firm’s identity.
A compelling PR message focuses on how your firm solves problems and provides value to clients—not just on your legal expertise.
4. Define the Desired Impact of Your PR Campaign
What action do you want people to take after engaging with your PR content? A strong PR campaign should inspire confidence in your firm and encourage potential clients to reach out.
A well-placed call to action (CTA) is crucial. Depending on the platform and context, your CTA might be:
- “Schedule a free consultation today.”
- “Download our legal guide to learn more about your rights.”
- “Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest legal updates.”
Make sure your CTA aligns with the purpose of the content. A social media post might direct users to your website, while an op-ed in a legal publication may encourage potential clients to subscribe to your newsletter.
5. Measure the Success of Your Law Firm’s PR Campaign
Tracking your PR efforts ensures that your strategy remains effective and adaptable. Key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor include:
- Media Impressions – The number of times your firm is mentioned in the press.
- Key Message Inclusion – How often do your main talking points appear in media coverage?
- Target Media Secured – The percentage of placements in publications that align with your goals.
- Share of Voice (SOV) – How frequently is your firm mentioned compared to competitors?
- Website Traffic & Lead Generation – An increase in site visits and consultation requests indicates PR success.
- SEO Impact – High-authority media placements can improve your firm’s search engine rankings.
- Brand Sentiment Analysis – Tracking public perception helps you understand how clients view your firm.
Utilizing PR analytics tools can streamline reporting and help you refine your strategy for better results.
Take Your Law Firm’s PR Strategy to the Next Level
Getting a story published can certainly draw attention to your firm as a public relations tool—but true PR for law firms goes beyond media coverage. It’s about shaping your firm’s reputation, building trust, and reaching the right audience. Post-PR planning helps make PR more than a shot in the dark in client acquisition and brand building.
If you’re eager to elevate your law firm’s profile and land valuable media coverage, contact Otter PR today. You are equipped with legal PR expertise to give your firm the best coverage. Book a free strategy call with Otter PR and find out how we can elevate the reputation of your firm.