NEWS RELEASES

A news release, or press release, should be written in standard industry format. The following is a template you can use to create your release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Doe <your contact’s name>
Company Name: John Doe Law Firm <your firm’s name>
Tel: 555-555-5555 <your office telephone number>
Cell: 555-555-5555 <your cell phone number>
Email: jdoe@johndoelawfirm.com <your email>
Website: johndoelawfirm.com <your website address>

Headline of Your Press Release Goes Here

City, State, Date – Your first paragraph should concisely describe your news. Let your audience know why your news is important.

Include more information in the following paragraphs. Remember to write directly and in terms your target audience will understand. Avoid “legalese” or other jargon used by lawyers when they are speaking to each other or other legal insiders. If you are describing terms that may be unfamiliar to the average person, explain or define the terms in conversational language.

Sprinkle a few quotes throughout your press release.

Try to answer the “who, what, when, where, why and how” questions in your press release.

Be sure to include your website and contact information as well as keyword phrases about the product or service you are describing in the press release.

About the law firm or lawyer (use your name or your firm’s name)

Wrap up your press release with a paragraph briefly describing your law firm, or yourself if you are a lawyer. Include details such as when the firm was founded, or when you started practicing law. You can highlight your practice areas or notable cases. Your final sentence should state, “For more information, contact <name of firm, or name of lawyer> or reach us online at <name of website>.”