In The Court of Public Opinion: Winning Your Case with Public Relations [Hardcover]

James F. Haggerty (Author), James Haggerty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 21, 2003

A practical guide to winning the public relations war in business

In The Court of Public Opinion is a lively and practical guide for anyone involved in high-stakes litigation. Given the increasingly litigious, media-saturated business environment, companies and high-profile individuals need protection-not just in the courthouses, but in the court of public opinion. Using examples from many of the most famous cases in the past several years, In The Court of Public Opinion contains real-life strategies that CEOs, lawyers, and other executives can use when they find themselves in a high-profile lawsuit. James F. Haggerty, one of the nation's leading attorney/PR pros, offers advice on public relations strategies that will help businesses and individuals save their reputations as well as their livelihood.

James F. Haggerty (New York, NY) is an attorney and CEO of the PR Consulting Group in New York. He has been working with legal and litigation issues for more than fifteen years and has been involved in many high-profile legal disputes, including the Ronald Perelman/Patricia Duff divorce and the Screen Actors' Guild strike against the advertising industry. His writing on communications issues has appeared in The New York Times, the National Law Journal, and PR Week.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the perfect handbook for this age of show trials..." (Financial Times, 16 June 2003)

"...book is of particular value to any lawyer or firm involved in transatlantic litigation..." (Law Society Gazette, 29 August 2003)

From the Inside Flap

IN the Information Economy, all cases are public–and lawyers, clients, and communicators need to be prepared for the inevitable legal matter that thrusts them into the public spotlight.

With the rise of business media, 24-hour news channels, and the Internet, it’s not just sensational cases that are receiving public attention. Whether you are a business executive, corporation counsel, a litigator at an outside law firm, or a public relations professional, you need skills and systems for managing public opinion during legal matters so that you win this critical battle–and perhaps, in the process, the war.

In the Court of Public Opinion is the first book of its kind. Designed for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, it will introduce you to a proven system for operating in this new environment, where media, public opinion, and legal processes collide.

In a lively and provocative style, attorney and communications consultant James Haggerty shares his insights and experiences to show you how to use media coverage and other public attention to your advantage when litigating your side of the case. Skillfully weaving intriguing case studies, personal stories, and critical analysis, In the Court of Public Opinion examines:

• How companies and individuals succeed in managing legal disputes–and how they fail
• How litigation communication techniques differ from "crisis communication" techniques
• How lawyers, public relations professionals, and business executives can work together to ensure that the public aspects of a case or investigation are properly managed
• How businesses of all sizes can prepare for the day when there is a news crew knocking at the door along with the process server

Throughout this groundbreaking book, Haggerty introduces a variety of tools, techniques, and strategies–the Control, Information, Response (CIR) system; the Litigation-Media Checklist; and the innovative Media Brief–that will allow you to implement a public relations strategy that integrates seamlessly with your overall litigation and business goals. Using examples from diverse cases such as the Microsoft antitrust case, the William Westmoreland libel case against CBS, the Ronald Perelman/Patricia Duff child custody case, and New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s investigation of Merrill Lynch, In the Court of Public Opinion offers lessons for successfully operating in this new environment–where the world is your courtroom, and public opinion, more often than not, is your judge and jury.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (March 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471307424
• ISBN-13: 978-0471307426
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it takes one to know one, May 19, 2003

By 

Angela Cody "steven cody" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In The Court of Public Opinion: Winning Your Case with Public Relations (Hardcover)

Jim Haggerty's book is just what the doctor ordered for these post Enron, Andersen, Healthsouth days where corporate responsibility has become an oxymoron. As a practicing lawayer and public relations pro, Jim bridges the gap between what companies think they should say when a crisis occurs, what PR firms typically counsel their clients to say and what the law permits. This is MUST reading for anyone working in Corporate America today. And, it's fun reading for the casual reader. It makes for a grerat plane ride companion.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart, Incisive Guide to "Media Age" Litigation, April 30, 2003

By 

LaurenSSel (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In The Court of Public Opinion: Winning Your Case with Public Relations (Hardcover)

Haggerty's book is a 'must-read' for any professional concerned about protecting their business' hard-won reputation in the face of high profile litigation. The author's real-life case studies showcase many intriguing cases that were tried in the media prior to being tried in the courts! Through an engaging mix of case studies, analysis and personal stories, Haggerty provides insight into how media coverage is used as a powerful weapon in the litigator's arsenal, and practical advice on how to leverage public relations as part of your litigation strategy.

5.0 out of 5 stars An incisive, informative and entertaining read, May 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: In The Court of Public Opinion: Winning Your Case with Public Relations (Hardcover)

This work is a must-read for any executive with direct responsibility for shaping public perception of their company and any attorney who must navigate a court system that has, like it or not, become increasingly media-driven.

In The Court of Public Opinion features an engaging mix of real-world examples and solid communications strategy. Mr. Haggerty provides a clear and decisive action plan that can be adapted to almost any litigation situation, and offers examples of common mistakes that both attorneys and executives make in the face of media scrutiny. His style is engaging and entertaining, making the book a fun, fast read. Highly recommended!