Media Training for Lawyers and the Legal Profession

The confrontational dynamic of a UK courtroom is poor preparation for the media spotlight.

Interviewees need to navigate skilfully past inflammatory and intrusive questions as and display empathy for injured parties regardless of fault.

Over 10 years of media training lawyers and barristers, we find the tendency is often to meet questions head-on and win points off smart-ass interviewers.  Neither of these practices play well to the audience at home even though lawyers often possess superb verbal and non-verbal skills.

Legal practices recognise that media skills are good for business. Clients are drawn to companies with a media presence in particular specialities. Likewise, lawyers may skilfully use publicity to shine a light on malpractice and build their cases.

Hawkeye Media is employed by legal practices at different levels:

• large group training at the end of conferences. This acts both as an engaging team building exercise and an introduction to important media skills
• small group media training with solicitors and barristers focused on their particular legal specialisms
• crisis media training using simulated scenarios to develop skills to deal with unexpected events for both themselves and their clients.

Skills learnt include:

• an understanding of how the media works and what makes news in order to predict, understand and engage with the media effectively
• the ability to identify and communicate key messages, whatever the situation and to whichever audience
• the skills to deflect hostile questions diplomatically
• response to crisis events. How to manage the media and what to release and when
• the psychological and the practical tools to become a confident, relaxed and effective communicator.