Obiter is still not sure about the ‘just gone for a lunchtime jog and I feel great!’ school of humble braggers. But there’s no doubt that LinkedIn is an increasingly useful tool for legal professionals.

A new report outlines just how useful. Research by agency TBD Marketing shows that at 10 of the top 15 firms, the most influential individual outstrips the power and influence of the firm itself. Indeed, the top five legal ‘superinfluencers’ are as effective as the top 11 law firms combined on LinkedIn.

Interestingly, none of the most influential individuals at any top 20 firm is the managing or senior partner.

Having a LinkedIn superpower on the books is good for business too: the top 10 legal LinkedIn influencers from the UK’s top 200 law firms created engagement equivalent to £1.21m in LinkedIn advertising spend.

TBD said the title of LinkedIn’s most influential voice in the legal sector (among the top 200 law firms) belongs to Jen Shipley, senior associate solicitor in the medical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell. Shipley generates more engagement on LinkedIn than any other individual at leading law firms. To match her influence, Irwin Mitchell would need to have spent £307,000 on LinkedIn ads this year.

Simon Marshall, chief executive at TBD Marketing, says: ‘Firms who want to take their social media to the next level need to embrace the superinfluencers. And if they don’t have influencers or superinfluencers, now would be the time to create some.’

We’ll get working on it. When we get back from that jog.

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