IPR views its clients as partners, and those partnerships become all the more important in times of crisis. McGlinchey Stafford, a New Orleans-based law firm, and client since 2002, became geographically scattered after Hurricane Katrina. It was essential the firm establish communication with its clients despite the disaster and unrest in New Orleans. We served as an extension of the firm and a proactive partner by generating more than two-dozen high-profile national media placements in the weeks after the hurricane. This met the firm’s number one objective, which was to convey to their clients, prospects and competitors that they were still in business. Our involvement also freed the attorneys and staff to focus on their daily work.

One of the most significant challenges we faced during this crisis was the firm’s compromised communication system. McGlinchey relied on us as its sole communication center. We did the one thing its attorneys could not. We connected with their clients through the media. We were proactive and immediately contacted dozens of reporters who were covering the hurricane. We prepared multiple story angles, beginning with the firm’s extraordinary efforts to prepare for the storm, followed by articles focusing on the hurricane’s effect on vertical markets such as real estate and gaming, thus linking its core practice areas to the firm’s name in the media.

McGlinchey’s attorneys were quoted or featured in 54 national and local publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, New York Times, USA Today, The American Lawyer, National Law Journal, and important regional publications such as The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report and The Advocate. Based on the firm’s media exposure, their clients, prospects and competitors knew they could continue to rely on the firm for all their legal needs. McGlinchey Stafford was able to communicate with their clients and continue their superior client service.

In recognition of our work with McGlinchey Stafford after the hurricane, the Legal Marketing Association at the “Your Honor Awards”, named IPR Marketing Service Provider of the Year in 2006. This honor has never been awarded to any other legal marketing firm.