Meet Marc Heighway, Online Marketing Consultant

Marc Heighway is an online marketing consultant who lives and works on the south coast of the United Kingdom. He has worked in the industry for over 15 years and specializes in helping law firms generate more business online. He was worked abroad and for some large companies and in this interview offers his insights into the world of online marketing, strategies, and some of his own personal experiences.

1. Could you please give a brief introduction to who you are and what you do?

Thanks for giving me the opportunity! I am English and have worked in the online sector since the year 2000. I currently run a business that provides online marketing services and lead generation to the legal industry. This involves quite a few different disciplines including search engine optimization and in-bound marketing strategies.

2. I know that you worked abroad for a few years--what's your insight into that experience, and do you have any advice you can give to other people thinking about doing the same?

Sure. Before I ran my own business, I was the European online marketing manager for an American company called Garmin. They moved me over to Switzerland to manage all their online marketing, and I ended up living in the north of the country.

It was a fantastic experience for my wife and me. We would wake up and see the Swiss Alps from our bedroom window each morning, traveled extensively, and tasted a very different way of life. If any of your readers are given a similar opportunity, then I hope they grasp it with both hands.

3. Could you tell me a little more about your own business and what exactly it is that you do?

For the last few years, I have run SEO agencies serving a wide range of clients. Many of our clients have been personal injury lawyers and personal injury solicitors. It made sense to start specializing in that field, because I think that you can bring a lot more value as a specialist marketing agency to companies in a particular field.

So with that in mind, recently the parent company of my SEO agencies that I own, FIMA Digital, has started to exclusively work with personal injury firms, in particular the field of online lead generation. On the FIMA Digital website there's a lot more information about how this works.

We provide specialist solutions to them, and help generate millions of pounds of business into the industry each and every year.

This also involves aspects such as an affiliate program which you can read more about on our corporate website. That lets other suppliers jump on board with us and start monetizing their content to visitors which can then go into use the services of the UK solicitors and accident claims companies that we partner with.

4. What does a typical day involve in your offices?

Currently, it seems to involve a lot of phone calls from our clients. My role is really to be the main point of contact for the firms using our services, providing the specialist knowledge to them, whilst the employees of FIMA then action the strategies that I have helped to develop.

No one day is the same.

5. How it the world of online marketing changing, if at all?

Good question. I think that search engine optimization in particular is changing, and has undoubtedly become more difficult over the last two years. This has meant that a lot of the old agencies who didn't really understand it have started to drop off.

Consequently, there is a demand for more specialist support, which is how I view FIMA Digital and how our proposition fits with the aspirations of our clients.

6. One more question! Do you have any tips for aspiring online marketers and have any advice on what they could do?

I started out with SEO, building my own websites which I then ran through affiliate marketing channels. This is a great way to start if you want to dip your toes into the industry. I also think that it's very worthwhile now looking into paid search, because ultimately you don't want to have all your eggs in one basket as can often be the case when relying just on organic search traffic.

Thanks, Marc!

Meet Andre Belanger, Attorney and Author

Andre Belanger is an award-winning criminal defense trial attorney in Louisiana handling serious and complex state and federal cases. His firm is probably the largest criminal defense firm in the state, and though they primarily handles cases in the greater Baton Rouge area, the have handled cases all over the country. Andre is the author of, The Anatomy of a DWI Arrest, now available on Amazon.

1. What made you decide to focus your career on being a criminal defense trial attorney?

I actually learned how to trial cases as a prosecutor and quickly rose through the ranks of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office. When my boss retired, I was one of a handful of people entrusted with charging homicide and sex crimes cases. The office is political and not "at will" so with my boss' retirement, I was out of a job. Fortunately, the top criminal defense firm in New Orleans was eager to bring me on board.

2. How often do you handle DWI related cases?

I'll do a a few DWI trials a year. My fees aren't cheap, so generally my clients are those that do want to have someone fight for them and not necessarily escort them through the guilty plea process.

3. What are some common misconceptions that people have about DWI arrests?

That you can't be prosecuted if you didn't "blow into the machine." Answering that question is the genesis for this book. Everything from the beginning of the traffic stop until you are asked to blow into the machine is an artful process by the police to collect evidence to prosecute you whether you provide the breath sample or not.

4. In reading your book, what is some of the key information that people will learn?

A DWI arrest isn't just a traffic ticket. There are some serious consequences to a conviction. So, you do yourself a favor by hiring the best lawyer you can afford.

5. If you could give just three pieces of advice to people when it comes to choosing an effective criminal defense attorney, what would you say?

Ask questions. How many cases have you brought to trial? What is covered with my fee, or what access to you and service to I get for my fee? What is your plan for handling my case?

Thanks, Andre!

Meet Oliver White, Barrister: A Commercial Barrister from London

Oliver White is a barrister based in London specializing in commercial litigation. In this interview he gives some background as to how he became a barrister, plus details on what a typical day could involve. If you would like to find out more about him, then please see his LinkedIn profile.

1. How did you first become interested in pursuing a career as a barrister?

My father spent his whole career in the practice of the law, albeit as a partner in a provincial but well-regarded solicitor's firm, in which he developed a specialty in commercial planning law. I remember attending a planning inquiry with him, only to discover that my father had instructed counsel to represent his client at the hearing.

Prior to this, I was unaware of the distinction in the profession between solicitor and counsel. I was fascinated about this division of labor, and by nature drawn towards the theatrical calling that is so often associated with a career at the bar. From that day, I cannot recall ever wanting to pursue a different career.

2. As a commercial barrister, what are some of the common types of cases you encounter in your practice?

The range of commercial disputes I have acted in or currently act in is unsurprisingly wide ranging, both in the legal problems and complexities each case discloses and also in terms of facts. However, as a general observation, many if not all commercial disputes contain certain underlying common themes, which in my experience are very human and flawed by nature in ways you might expect.

They include being motivated by greed, a hidden agenda which is driven by a belief in a need on some level to restore pride and exact revenge. Sadly, embarking on costly litigation is, I'm afraid to say, one of the least effective ways achieve any or all of the above.

3. What do you find most challenging about your work?

Every case presents its own unique set of challenges. Perhaps the most challenging is structuring the client's expectations of the likely outcome in a litigated dispute. Many clients only want to hear what they want to hear from their advisor, and I sometimes struggle to get through to an expectant and over-confident client the realistic strengths and weaknesses of their case.

As time goes on, I am improving my communication skills in relation to outcome prognosis, and hopefully this is increasingly helping my clients to be armed with a full and dispassionate overview of the merits of their case.

4. How do you envision your career path over the next five years?

At my age (37), I suppose it is just about realistic (albeit a trifle presumptuous) to be thinking of taking silk in five years time. It is certainly a target I would wish to set myself, and even if not achieved, it will hopefully provide a valuable motivational platform to increase the size and quality of my practice over the next five years.

If any potential clients are reading the interview, then they can find me on Google Maps by clicking on this custom map that I created: Oliver White Barrister on Google Maps.

Thanks, Oliver!

Meet Hugh Rollinson of Accident Claims Web UK

Hugh Rollinson is the owner of the popular Accident Claims Web UK website. His company offers advice to UK residents who have been involved in an accident, have been injured, and need advice on what to do next in terms of claiming personal injury compensation. The website contains a huge amount of accident claims advice, and covers all forms of accident and injury claim.

1. How did you first become interested in working in the personal injury and accident claims industry?

It was straight out of university after studying law. I worked for a number of personal injury claims companies within the UK, but after a few years had that classic entrepreneur moment when I thought I could do it better myself--or at least differently!

2. What can people expect when they call your firm for some free accident claims advice?

As soon as they call us, they will be speaking to an accident claims specialist with years of experience and knowledge in the field, perfectly placed to advise them on their legal rights and next steps in terms of claiming for accident claims compensation.

But... that's just what you would expect of course. Where we like to be different is the level of customer service and the plain-talking ethos of our accident claims call center. All the call center agents are trained to the highest levels, and we will only employ people who have a friendly and understanding attitude. After all, people making an accident claim need re-assurance and understanding when they call up--not cold, business-like "legal speak."

Just so your readers know, we don't just handle cases over the telephone. People can also make accident claims via our website using the online claims form on the homepage of www.accidentclaimsweb.co.uk.

3. What are the benefits for both your firm and your clients for doing a lot of information-gathering and other preliminary work over the telephone?

This is the only way in which we can qualify an accident claim and make sure that we take the correct next steps for both the clients calling in to us as well as our personal injury solicitors who will be handling the accident claims on our behalf.

Within a couple of minutes we can usually advise someone calling us as to whether or not they are eligible to receive compensation for an accident or personal injury.

4. If someone has an accident and insurance has already covered their health care costs and any vehicle and/or property damage, why would there still be reason to consider filing an accident claim?

Good question... and it's one that we often hear. As a specialist personal injury firm dealing with thousands of accident claims each year, we have the experience and know-how to help our clients claim above and beyond what typical insurance policies cover.

You know what insurance policies are like? Sometimes it can be hard to get the money that you truly deserve. Not only that, but if a client is off work due to injury and is suffering from a loss of earnings, then sometimes they cannot wait for an insurance policy to pay out. Our accident claims team will look to arrange interim up-front compensation payments for our clients so that they can get on with their lives and rehabilitation whilst our solicitors handle the legal side of things.

With most accident claims that we cover involving some form of criminal negligence from a third party, there is scope many times for a prosecution. We try to avoid that at all costs with out of court settlements for compensation.

It's not just about monetary value, though. People making accident claims will often need emotional support and other forms of help for them and their family. We also advise on that and connect our clients up with the appropriate charities and support groups.

5. When it comes to accident claims and personal injury law, what do you most want our readers to know?

I just want to tell them that whilst personal injury and accident claims law can be very complex, that should not be your concern. At the Accident Claims Web we will take all of that hassle and stress away from you so that you can recover from your injuries and spend the time rehabilitating. We work tirelessly in the background to represent you both professionally and to the highest level so that you can be assured of receiving the best accident claims compensation amount possible.

If any of your readers would like to see some proof of our credentials, then there are some current client testimonials at the footer of most of our injury claims pages--you can see an example on our brain injury claims page.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity for the interview, I really do appreciate it. I hope that any of your existing UK readers will now use us in the future if they need any form of accident claims advice. Thank you!

Thanks, Hugh!

The Latest Projects from Amerevision, a Legal Financing Company

Amerevision Legal Finance is located in the Finance District of New York City. They are a commercial litigation funding company, which means that they help individuals and businesses that need to pursue legal action but need financial help to pay for their legal costs. Amerevision can finance various legal fees in exchange for sharing a percentage of the ultimate settlement or judgement in a case.

In 2014, Amerevision is taking on some new ventures which may come as welcome news to people who are looking for resources/support through a commercial investment in their legal case. As the company is taking a risk when investing in a legal case, they do give each case a close and careful evaluation to make sure it meets their criteria in terms of risk and valuation. They hope to work with more indie businesses this year, and to that end, they have started to offer litigation funding for small business owners, start-ups, and entrepreneurs on the matters of intellectual property, patent protection and licensing, and insurance related disputes. To qualify for these services, clients must earn annual revenue of $300,000 or more, or their claim must be valued at $300,000 or higher.

Another new development at the company is that they now invest in commercial claims for private lenders involved in debt collection suits. Again to qualify, the claim must be valued at $300,000 or higher.

Amerevision offers funding services for attorneys and clients, both plaintiffs and defendants. All claims must be valued at over $300,000. There's a lot more information on their website, and you can even apply online to have them evaluate your case.

Meet KA Bedford, Personal Injury Solicitor

KA Bedford works as a personal injury solicitor in Manchester, United Kingdom. His website and firm specializes in helping people who have been in an accident and injured, claim compensation to help them with the recovery process.

1. Why did you decide to launch a website on the topic of personal injury law for people in Manchester?

With my legal background, and interest in internet marketing, it made sense to try to capitalize on both of those skills and interests. I could also see a gap in the market online where Manchester personal injury solicitors did not represent themselves particularly well online. I decided to get into the market and offer a unique service for clients in Manchester who are seeking the services of no win no fee and personal injury lawyers in the city. If your readers are interested, they can see the progress on our website (KABedford.com - Accident Solicitors in Manchester).

2. What is your own background / interest in personal injury law?

I studied law at university and graduated 15 years ago. I kind of fell into personal injury law due to a mentor I had at the time. Being a personal injury solicitor and lawyer has been very rewarding due to the difference you can make to people's lives. That's why I love this line of work, and being based in Manchester means I get to meet so many interesting and varied people.

3. Do you think that a lot of injured people don’t pursue personal injury cases because of a lack of knowledge or other reasons?

I think that certainly used to be the case ten years ago. However, these days with so many personal injury claims, management companies advertising in print and television, I think it would be very hard for a person to be injured and not immediately think of making a compensation claim--that's my experience from working as a personal injury claims specialist for all of these years now.

4. Is online research the best way for someone to start learning about their rights after an accident, or are there other resources you also suggest?

In today's world, most people turn to the internet first for research purposes. This is why it's very important for me to get the KA Bedford Personal Injury Solicitors website up and running and satisfying those kind of researchers. However, I still don't think you can truly beat good old fashioned personal recommendations from friends and family members.

5. What can people find on your website, and how are you planning to continue to build it over the next several months?

OK, so on the website there's a new section currently under development which I hope to launch fully very soon--you can see a rough draft of it in our accident claims section. In addition to that, I'm currently working with legal experts and web developers to draft up content for an online compensation quote calculator. If people want to make a personal injury claim in Manchester, then they will very easily be able to put their details into the system and get a real-time estimate back from us--it's very exciting times!

Thanks, KA!

Meet Edward Barker, Personal Injury Solicitor

Edward Barker is a senior partners at Personal Injury Claims Manchester, a group of personal injury solicitors who specialize in helping people who live and work in Manchester in making injury and accident claims. He and his colleagues at their firm work on a no win no fee basis.

1. What first inspired you to pursue a career in the legal field, working as a personal injury solicitor in Manchester (UK)?

My father worked as a lawyer (solicitor) here in the UK, so I was exposed to the world of law from quite an early age. Whilst he never pushed me down this path, he was there to offer encouragement and helped me to finance my way through Manchester University. I studied law there, and when I left decided to go into the personal injury side of things. I now run a firm of personal injury solicitors in Manchester and have never looked back (your readers can visit my personal injury website here). It's in my blood I guess, and is something that I've always wanted to do and think I always will.

2. Why did you decide to focus on personal injury law?

Whilst at Manchester University I was involved in a few charity projects. I've always been interested in helping people, so a natural progression for my law career was the personal injury and accident claims side of things. After leaving university I spent a couple of years working as a personal injury solicitor in some local injury and accident claims companies and then set-up in business myself a couple of years later--this was only once I was 100% certain that I would be able to offer a professional and experienced service to people living and working in Manchester who needed to make a personal injury claim.

3. What are some common types of accidents and injuries that you help clients with in your practice?

Some of the most common are road traffic accidents. They happen daily in Manchester due to the sheer size of the city. We also help clients who have been injured at work, or simply just in their day to day life whilst out in public. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and so it's my job to make sure that our clients are advised correctly and can get the help and compensation that they deserve if they have had an accident or injury that wasn't their fault. I think we are fast becoming one of the best personal injury solicitors firms in Manchester due to our friendly and reputable approach.

4. Do you find that people have any misconceptions when it comes to personal injury law?

I think some people do because there has been a lot of bad press over the last few years about spurious personal injury claims. Admittedly there can be a large amount of money involved in personal injury law, so by its very nature you do get people trying to make a personal injury claim where perhaps it's not entirely ethical. My company only ever progresses ethical accident claims and are very careful to validate the clients and claims that we deal with.

5. If someone has been injured or in an accident and is unsure if he or she needs a lawyer, what would your suggestion be?

The first thing they need to do, at the point of the injury or accident is to see if there were any witnesses to the accident, and record everything that happened. After that, search out for a reputable personal injury claims company or see if a friend can recommend a good solicitor of lawyer near to you. When you call the lawyer or solicitor, they will take you through the entire process and in truth this means you don't have to have any stress or undue worry. Many personal injury solicitors work on a no win no fee basis which can take the financial worry out of the equation for most people too which can be very important when making a personal injury claim.

Thanks, Edward!

Meet Jason Tweedy, Personal Injury Solicitor and Lawyer

Jason Tweedy is a personal injury solicitor and lawyer from London. He has recently set up a new legal firm in the city specializing in personal injury claims. He offers support to people who work and live in London that have had an accident and require compensation.

1. I think a lot of people aren't sure what is covered by "personal injury" law. Could you tell us some of the types of claims that you help your clients pursue?

We help people that have been injured in an accident that wasn't their fault. So for example, drivers who have been hit and have suffered an injury, or people that have slipped up in a store. Essentially, if a person has an accident and suffers as a result, either through changes to their lifestyle or potential loss of earning, then we can help them to claim compensation. As personal injury solicitors and lawyers it's our job to take as much pressure and stress from our clients as possible and to ensure that they receive recompense for an accident.

2. What are some common misconceptions people have about personal injury lawsuits?

Over the last couple of years, personal injury law has had a bit of a rough time. This is mainly due to the fact that there were a few charlatans in the industry who tried to push through personal injury and accident claims that probably should never even had seen the light of day. This is due to the large amounts of money that are involved. Thankfully, in the UK there is new legislation being pushed through and recommendations by the Ministry of Justice in order to clamp down on this type of behavior. At Personal Injury Solicitors London we are very transparent and ethical when it comes to personal injury claims which is why we have the reputation that we do.

3. If someone already has auto insurance or a similar policy that is covering injury-related treatment, how can a person know if he/she should also be considering a personal injury claim?

Having insurance is great, but most insurance companies will only cover an injured person for the very basics. A bad accident can have a huge impact on a person's life, and it's the job of a personal injury lawyer to evaluate the impact and explore all avenues possible in order to get the client the best support possible--whether that's financial or otherwise.

4. What is your advice for finding a reliable solicitor/lawyer to handle an injury claim?

Look for online reviews or speak to someone you know that has had the misfortune to need a personal injury solicitor. In London and the UK, there are various registers which hold details on the best qualified and reputable lawyers and solicitors, so these are also worth checking against. If you do meet with a personal injury lawyer and you don't feel comfortable working with them, walk away.

5. In your own legal career, what drew you to the personal injury field, and what are some aspects of your job that you especially enjoy?

At university I was involved in local charity work, whilst doing my legal degree. It seemed like the most "human" aspect to law for me to enter into. Plus at the time, personal injury law was becoming a hot topic, and it appeared like it could be a very rewarding niche of law to enter into. It's not been an easy process becoming an established personal injury solicitor in London, but was definitely worth it! I love meeting new clients and helping them come to a resolution with their cases. There's nothing better than seeing a happy face at the end of a case, and seeing how our services can actually improve someone's life and that of their family--especially after what has probably been a dark time in their life.

If any of your readers would like to find out more about me and my personal injury firm, then they can visit my website.

Thanks, Jason!

Meet Mark Bowers, Internet Marketing Expert and Co-Founder of WeedBiz

Mark Bowers is the Marketing Director at Southern Retail Services, Inc and co-founder of WeedBiz.

Mark is a former police officer who turned his attention to the cause of cannabis legalization after leaving law enforcement and believes strongly in building a solid network of cannabusiness professionals as a way to establish a foothold in the emerging legal cannabis industry.

1. How did you decide to start a marketing firm for the legal cannabis industry?

Prior to entering law enforcement, I was a tech support supervisor at a large internet service provider. I learned the technical aspects of web development there and continued building and hosting websites throughout my law enforcement career. After about 10 years I transitioned back in to the "real world" and became interested in SEO and PPC marketing, while at the same time discovering the amazing benefits of medical marijuana. What followed was a natural progression of realizing the enormous potential in the legal cannabis industry.

2. What are some of the particular/unique marketing needs for businesses in this industry?

As legal cannabis spreads throughout the United States and Canada, it is losing some of its taboo, but there are still some challenges that are unique to the industry. For instance, in some cases the product or service we are trying to promote has never existed before so it can be a challenge to zero in on the right keywords to target. A good example of this would be the keyword "cannabusiness." Five years ago there were only 48 instances of that term being used on the internet. Today there are over 65,000. So sometimes you have to make up new words and then teach people what you think they should mean.

3. Do businesses in this field tend to need a particular focus on localized SEO to reach customers in their geographic area, or are people finding benefits in casting a wider net as well?

Local SEO is VITALLY important to businesses that rely on foot traffic, like medical marijuana dispensaries, especially in western states where there is heavy competition. With all the noise in legal cannabis markets, it can be really hard to stand out. We make this happen by developing a written local search plan and executing it with perfection. We have also established relationships with some of the leading dispensary locators online. We know which ones are likely to send traffic to your website and provide you with a solid link, and which ones to stay away from.

4. Do cannabis-related businesses run into any legal issues with their websites and other online activities (such as social media) because of federal drug legislation?

Over the last year the Obama administration has softened their stance on cannabis operations that follow state laws. This summer the Justice Department issued the Holder Memo, which basically said dispensaries that are above-board and follow both the spirit and the letter of the laws in states where cannabis is legal have nothing to worry about. That doesn't mean the potential for prosecution is not there; it just says if you follow the rules, you should be OK. Besides that, many of our clients don't sell cannabis; they provide ancillary products and services to the cannabis industry that are not illegal under federal law.

5. What is the best way for someone who is interested in selling medical marijuana to get into the industry?

As the trend for legalization and decriminalization moves east (cannabis is currently legal either for recreational or medicinal use in 20 states and the District of Columbia), we are seeing new rules being devised by state officials that make getting into the business a lot more difficult. For instance, if you wanted to open a dispensary in California five years ago, all you needed was about $10k and a half pound of good bud. But the eastern states don't want a free-for-all, so they tend to set the bar much higher. For instance, it is believed that "ganjapreneurs" who want to open a dispensary in Illinois in 2014 will need to have close to $500k on hand and go through a grueling vetting process for what really amounts to just a handful of permits.

My number one piece of advice once you are sure this is the industry you want to be in is to lock down a reputable dispensary consultant. They are going to cost you a lot of money (figure on at least $50k in states like Illinois and Massachusetts), but the payoff can be huge, so you definitely want someone that knows what they are talking about to guide you.

Thanks, Mark!

Meet Ricardo Casas, Founder of Fahrenheit Marketing

Ricardo Casas guides Fahrenheit Marketing in its strategic partnerships, business development opportunities, and overall team management. Over the last 12 years, he gleaned his marketing expertise through the various marketing arenas including graphic design, account management, and account direction and as marketing director for a large agency before founding his own company, Fahrenheit Marketing.

Ricardo attended the School of Business and International Relations (FURB) in Blumenau, and later acquired a bachelor degree in Graphic Design and Marketing from Texas State University. He is a devoted family man and enjoys every second he spends with his beautiful wife and four children.

1. Is online marketing viable for legal firms?

Fahrenheit Marketing has helped several legal clients rise from anonymity to prominence with future-proof strategies that have revolutionized these firms. The secret to their success: hard work, content focus, and conversion management.

2. Why should one choose Fahrenheit Marketing over other competitors?

Fahrenheit offers an alternative to cheap alternatives, capitalizing on American labor and future-proof strategies. Cheaper, less reputable outfits offer quick in and quick out results that don't last and in the end, cost substantially more, potentially the blacklisting of your website.

3. What does "future-proof" mean in marketing?

Fahrenheit Marketing seeks to harness valuable links from high quality outlets via content syndication. Future-proof, in this case, means that there is no policy against doing good. Fahrenheit produces and promotes quality content, adding value to users and relevance to its clients.

4. What does it cost to engage a high-caliber agency?

Usually, the price of a legal marketing campaign is attached to the market you serve. If you're in a metro area with a million-plus people, your campaign will start out around six thousand dollars a month. Remember, you're employing professional services for a professional campaign. No outsourcing here.

5. How long will it take to see a return on investment?

Depending on how competitive your market, it could take as long as 12 months to start seeing results. Online marketing is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's worth it!

Thanks, Ricardo!

Meet Oliver Sands, Author

Oliver Sands is the pseudonym for the author of the legal thriller, The Kappa File. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, and is an attorney in the field of government litigation. He lives in Saint Augustine with his wife Margie and a cat that adopted them. Visit Oliver's Amazon author page for more about his writing.

1. How did you decide on Miami-Dade County for the setting of The Kappa File?

I wanted a setting that had some similarity with other locales. Whether the reader lives in Brooklyn, San Francisco, London, Brussels, etc., Miami-Dade County has some resemblance to those cities. It has colorful communities, warm weather, nutcases, nice people, traffic jams, diversity, and to help my writing, a murder here or there on occasion. Also, I used to live and practice law in Miami, so I was already familiar with the location.

2. What are some of the challenges for you as a lawyer writing a fictional book about a legal case: where can you rely on your own knowledge of the law, and where do you let your imagination take over?

Luckily, I never had a killer chasing me and trying to stop me from discovering the content of a file. In The Kappa File, the protagonist handles government contract litigation. I relied on some of the cases that I have handled in the past to help me to choose the area of practice of the protagonist. My challenge is like any other writer's challenge, which is presenting a story that is riveting and original, while improving on the craft.

3. Who are some authors whose work inspires you as a writer?

One of my favorite books is Numbered Account by Christopher Reich. I also like authors Harlan Coben, Robert Ludlum, and Sandra Brown.

4. What are some techniques you use when writing a legal thriller to keep your novel moving at a fast pace?

Although it's cliché, it's true: dialogue and conflict keep the plot moving. This is why I like Sandra Brown. She tends to use a lot of dialogue and conflict in her books to keep the story progressing. I just read one of her books where the whole story took place in a gas station. It takes great skill to pull that off.

5. You have done some clever promotion for your book, like setting up a website for the fictional law firm that cracked the case: how did you come up with your marketing campaign, and what has the response from readers been?

I wanted to do something different besides simply going the social networking and email marketing route. Therefore, when I had the idea to create a website to bring the characters to life, I thought I was being imaginative. However, after I created the website, I attended a seminar on entertainment law and learned how advanced and ingenious the movie studios are in promoting their products, and realized that my marketing idea was not new.

I have not been able to gauge the response from readers yet because I am still in the middle of my marketing campaign. One thing I realized is that each website created to promote a book generates a lot of work because you have to gather a following of fans and followers on Facebook, Twitter, and many other social networking websites.

Thanks, Oliver!