PRCA Legal Group: Your nightmare questions answered

Event Overview

What are the questions most commonly asked of legal PRs and have you ever wondered how to manage expectations of media coverage on a frequently cited award?

The next event hosted by the PRCA’s Legal PR group will be held on 12 February 2019, and is aimed at  junior practitioners. The panel will focus on a list of commonly asked (and nightmare!) questions tackled by PRs through a quickfire Q&A from the audience.

The expert panel consists of:

• Andrew Newsham, Senior Media Relations Manager at White & Case. Andrew has been a member of the media relations team at White & Case since 2013 – his first role in the legal industry. He has more than 25 years’ experience in PR and communications, including roles with a major international bank (Rabobank), UK mobile phone operator (O2), FTSE 100 retailer (Kingfisher plc) and global PR agency (Weber Shandwick). Andrew’s working life started as a reporter in the newsroom of the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Evening Star.

• Andrew Rieley, Head of Communications & PR at Stephenson Harwood. Andrew has more than fifteen years of experience in business communications, developing and implementing strategic communication programmes for both private and public sector organisations, to enhance and protect their reputations. As Head of Communications & PR at Stephenson Harwood, he is responsible for ensuring the firm's media relations, social media activity and internal communications support the firm’s strategic priorities. Before moving into law in 2011, Andrew worked for a global public relations consultancy, advising clients with a focus on urban regeneration and the built environment.

• Lydia Rochelle, Head of Marketing at Fieldfisher. Lydia is the Head of Marketing at Fieldfisher where she leads on all communications including internal and external communications, digital, design and brand.  She has eight years' experience in Marketing & Communications in the legal sector; including heading up the Litigation arm at Byfield Consultancy. 

• Clementine Hay, Associate Director at legal communications agency, Byfield Consultancy. Having trained as a barrister in the UK, Clementine has a deep understanding of the legal process and how to enhance and protect her clients’ reputations. Her legal background allows her to assess the legal angles in a story. Clementine provides day-to-day media relations and marcomms support to a wide range of legal clients. She has particular expertise in reputation management in the private wealth sphere for high net worth individuals.

The panel will discuss how to answer questions diplomatically, such as:

“Can I promote my award?”

“How to promote a deal effectively”

“What should I say about a Partner departure”
“How do I publicise a lateral hire”

Please do send this invitation on to interested colleagues and start thinking about your questions you would like answered.

This event is worth 15 points in the PRCA CPD Programme.