Being quoted in the trade press and competitive secrecy

I commend general counsel who talk to journalists about their department (See my post of May 20, 2005 about star performers being touted and my post of May 20, 2005 about three responses to journalists.)

An article describing a management initiative – a budgeting approach, diversity effort, document management system – or a positive attribute – satisfied lawyers, excellent credentials of paralegals, rapid growth – can disadvantage you, perhaps, if it informs a competitor as a benchmark. Now they know something about you and what makes you successful, without your knowing anything about them.

On balance, it seems to me, good publicity well serves the law department.