The National Law Journal
105 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
"We're looking for good news. Unless there's a story to tell, it won't work for The National Law Journal," says Editor-in-Chief Patrick Oster. What he wants are unusual stories about law firms or lawyers - not to promote them. Sections such as Names in The News and Verdicts and Settlements offer opportunities to list clients, "prizes" or lawsuits won. As the largest legal newspaper in the country (based on circulation) these journalists seek only the news, not the fluff. (Circulation, 31,000; average HHI, $205,000; average age, 44.7; 78% male)
SECTIONS: SIDE BAR
News about law firms and features about the business of firms. Includes hires and fires, mergers of American and International firms and profiles of the players in the firms.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Associate Editor, Rex Bossert Fax: 212/481-7923, Phone: 917/256-2097, email: [email protected]
Lead Time: one week
METHODS: The deadline here is on Thursdays, so don't call on Wednesdays or deadline day.
"Best days are Mondays or late in the day on Fridays. Your third choice is Tuesdays," says Oster.
COMMENTS: A pitch letter in writing works best.
"Tell us what you have and why it works for our newspaper," Oster says. "We're not interested in making your client more famous because they're paying you a lot of money."
The pitch can be sent by e-mail or fax.
SECTIONS: NEW BUSINESS/DEAL OF THE WEEK
New clients or new projects comprise the New Business section. Deal of the Week covers any mergers taking place and lawyers behind the deals.
EDITORS/LEAD TIME: Business Editor, Ellen Rosen, Fax: 212/481-7923, Phone: 917/256-2116, email: [email protected]
Lead Time: one week
METHODS: Again, the deadlines are Thursdays for the business section. Rosen often works from home so sending e-mail to her AOL account works best.
Faxes are also acceptable. (yes, the fax number is a 212 area code -- the offices are in transition)
COMMENTS: This section concentrates on the business of the firm, not just on what deals were made. Information about the players in the merger or strategies of the firm are desired.
There's also an element of "law firm gossip" in the section.
"If a prominent business executive is indicted, that's news," Oster says.
Editorial Contacts at The National Law Journal
Main Number: 917/256-2000
Rorie Sherman, Associate Editor Covers all news
Pegg Fisk, Contributing Editor Verdicts and Settlements (Fax is best for her)
Steve Fromm, Associate Editor, Practitioner News
Patrick Oster, Editor-in-Chief, 917/256-2090
Recent Stories
"Secondhand Smoke," by David Lyons. Law firms from South Florida are poised to represent several thousand flight attendants who claim that secondhand smoking aboard airliners made them seriously ill. In the Side Bar section.
"Now It's Microsoft's Turn," by Karen Donovan. In the News section.