Introduction. This plan is to be used in the unfortunate event that one of our senior partners is

Transcription

1 Introduction This plan is to be used in the unfortunate event that one of our senior partners is disbarred due to unethical behavior. Having one of our top attorneys being disbarred due to unethical practices and behavior could quite possibly bring into question, the work of the fellow partners in the firm. As I am sure you remember, Kenneth Julian, not too long ago was very close to being disbarred due to unethical conduct. Luckily, Mr. Julian s indictment was dismissed, but who is to say it will not happen again with another partner. By putting this plan into place, we can properly be prepared for any unexpected lawsuits that we may face leading towards disbarment. Acknowledgements William T. Quicksilver, CEO, Date Edith Gould, Executive Director, Date Robert A. Jacobs, Co-Chair, Date John M. Gatti, Co-Chair, Date Rehearsal Dates June 22, 2015 December 15, 2015

2 Purpose Having a senior partner disbarred due to unethical practices can reflect very poorly on the firm, but by having a crisis communication plan, we will be one step ahead of the game. This plan will help guide us through this terrible time and allow us to properly handle the situation, leaving the public on our side. This plan will help us keep the media notified and up-to-date leaving no room for speculation or confusion. The plan will also keep our clients in the loop and help our fellow employees know how to properly deal with external relations of not only our firm but also society in general. Objectives 1. Initiating the plan at least two hours of the crisis taking place 2. Preparing a holding statement for website within three hours of the crisis 3. Sending out a press release to all major news regarding the press conference 4. Contacting and holding a discussion with the alleged defendant to gather all information 5. Preparing three key messages for the press conference to be held six hours from the initiation of crisis 6. Training spokesperson for press conference after meeting with alleged defendant 7. Keeping all media outlets informed of the progression of the crisis 8. Maintaining a level of transparency throughout entire crisis

3 Key Publics Internal Board of Trustees Employees Stockholders Investors External Retirees Customers Local TV News Personnel Local Radio News Personnel Crisis Team William T. Quicksilver, CEO Edith Gould, Executive Director Christian Jones, Senior VP of Communications Lawrence Martinez, Senior Manager, Public Relations Monte M. Lemann, II, General Counsel Amanda Cohn, Communications Coordinator Kevin Kerr, Administrative Assistant

4 Media Spokespersons Monte M. Lemann, II, General Counsel & William T. Quicksilver, CEO Backup Media Spokespersons Edith Gould, Executive Director & Christian Jones, Senior VP of Communications

5 Interview Tips Dress formally. Men- Suit, Tie, Dress Shoes. Women- Skirt/Pant suit, Stockings, Closed Toe Heels, and Neutral Makeup Keep a friendly, approachable appearance Seem genuine and sincere when answering questions, keeping a positive, concerned, empathetic, and apologetic attitude will go a long ways Don t speculate or guess Don t chew gum/smoke Be honest at all times Constantly touch on the key talking points when answering questions. Keep answers short and to the point to make for good sound bites of no more than seconds Do not fill moments of silence with unnecessary chatter; it s a trap Avoid trick questions (found in next section) Don t answer questions that you do not understand Ignore the cameras and microphones. Always face the reporter and never look away or upward towards the sky Only make on the record comments Avoid using no comment Remain calm and speak in simple, common terms Do not use not use negative language

6 Trick Questions 1. Speculative Questions (begin with if ): If has been practicing unethical behavior without your knowledge, how many other attorneys are doing the same thing in your firm? 2. Leading Questions (Implies reporter already has answer): You agree is guilty and should be disbarred and imprisoned, right? 3. Loaded Questions (designed to elicit an emotional response): Isn t it true, you knew was being unethical, but looked the other way as long as they won the case? 4. Naïve Questions (indicate the reporter hasn t done their homework): What are the charges faces? 5. False Questions (intentionally contain inaccurate details): had two other accomplices in his unethical practices, correct? 6. Know-it-all Questions (begin with, We have the story. I just need a few wrap-up facts. ): I know will be found guilty, but will they serve five or ten years for their crime? 7. Silence (an absence of questioning, used to get you to talk on and on, spilling your guts.): Use this time to reinforce positive statements or remain silent. Silence is the reporter s problem not yours. 8. Accusatory Questions (designed to force you to blame others): Your chair of the Entertainment & Media Litigation department should have know that this was going on, right? Trick Questions (cont)

7 9. Multiple-Part Questions (can be confusing, ask which part you should answer first for clarification): May answer by saying, I will take the first part first, then restate the question the way you want to answer it and do the same for each part after. 10. Jargonistic Questions (those in which technical words or professional jargon are used): Respond by answering in everyday language, so you do not create a barrier between yourself and you publics, which can erode their trust. 11. Chummy Questions (when reporter pretends to be your buddy and asks for something off the record ): Nothing is ever off the record. 12. Labeling Questions (aim to make issues negative or simplistic by seeming to ask for clarity): Would you call an untrustworthy attorney? 13. Good-Bye Questions (posed at the end of an interview and may even come after the camera or tape recorder is turned off): By the way Watch out for what follows, the interview is not necessarily over

8 Equipment & Supplies Checklist 2 PCs Batteries Bulletin Boards (3) Camera/Film Chips Coffee Copy Machine (2) Cream Crisis Plan Crisis Team Directory (8) Dry Erase Board (2) Laptops Microphone Stands Microphones Mult Box Napkins Paper Pencils Pens Press Kits Pretzels Printer Paper Printer Toner Printers Radios Remote Control Sanitizer Stirrers Styrofoam Cups & Tops Sugar TVs Two Telephones Walkie Talkies Water Bottles

9 Holding Statement Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips has received notification that there have been accusations of unethical behavior being practiced by two of our senior partners, &. We currently do not have all of the necessary information to confirm these allegations, but we are in the process of gathering information. Once the information is gathered and our legal team has had a chance to create a plan of action, you will be the first to know. As always, at Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, we pride ourselves on being an organization that values integrity, hard-work, dedication, and excellent service to our clients. Thank you. Three Key Messages Everyone is innocent until proven guilty Unethical behavior is not accepted in our organization Honesty and Integrity are expected of our employees

10 Press Release

11 Fact Sheet &, Two of our senior partners, have been accused of unethical behavior by a few of their clients The accusations include misplacing client funds and improper billing procedures As a result, they have been taken off the case to prevent further possible accusations of the integrity of the case The will both be represented by our general counsel, Monte M. Lemann, II An internal investigation will begin shortly to determine the validity of these accusations by the California Bar Association Board When the internal investigation is complete, the Bar will determine whether a criminal case will begin leading to disbarment or if the accusations were false The Supreme Court will take over the case if the two senior partners are found guilty of the charges There were 27 disbarments in California during the year 2013 Manatt was founded in 1965 Manatt s CEO is William T. Quicksilver and the Executive Director is Edith Gould There are 400 working professionals currently working at Manatt Manatt was voted the Top Law Firm in the Country in 2013

12 Internet Sources/ Social Media 1. a. California s Legislative Information 2. px a. Manatt s Website 3. a. California s State Bar Website 4. a. Official Publication of the California State Bar 5. m/ a. Global Legal Network, of Blog 6. a. A fellow top tier law firm and Manatt s competition 7. a. Popular Online Blog 8. / a. Law and Justice Blog 9. a. Wall Street Journals Popular Legal Blog / a. U.S. Supreme Court which Manatt is a member

13 Evaluation

14 Table of Contents Introduction/Acknowledgements/Rehearsal Dates Purpose/Objectives Key Publics & Crisis Team Media Spokespersons Interview Tips Trick Questions Equipment & Supplies Checklist Holding Statement/ Key Messages Press Release Fact Sheet Pre-Gathered Information Internet Sources/Social Media Evaluation