Press Release

NEW ORLEANS—Jones Walker is one of the first and few law firms to make a foray into the virtual world. In the summer of 2009, the firm developed a presence in the virtual world of Second Life, leasing space in the ViO office park. ViO offers space to business enterprises in Second Life and provides its tenants the full range of support businesses would expect from any commercial office space in real life.

Jones Walker had several objectives in entering the virtual world. The firm's Chief Marketing Officer, Carol Todd Thomas, said that she had explored the space to identify new opportunities. "Second Life, as well as other social media, was clearly emerging as a force that would drive marketing, recruiting, training for the law firm, and service delivery to our clients.

"We created office space where we could conduct meetings, make presentations, provide training, and explore the applications of Second Life to the law firm environment. It has exceeded our expectations, and we have gotten tremendous support from the ViO office complex," she said.

"We are excited to have a prestigious law firm like Jones Walker as a member of our innovative business community," stated Tony Coolidge, President of ViO. "In an industry not known for its early adopters, they have set themselves apart by believing in the viability of the virtual world, and as a result, they will be a leading legal resource to the business community that resides there."

The firm is exploring offering continuing legal education (CLE) programs to attorneys and clients through Second Life, as well as making presentations and hosting seminars in the space. Jones Walker is considering offering its new associates the opportunity to create a "virtual law firm of the future" to present to the firm's partners at an upcoming firm retreat.

"There is no end to the opportunities that could be explored in this space," said Ms. Thomas. We just need to be willing to rethink the usual assumptions, and look at ways to use the tools offered in Second Life to reach new markets, new clients, and reduce the costs of being physically present in the real world."

Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre L.L.P. (www.joneswalker.com) provides a comprehensive range of legal services to a national and international corporate client base through offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.

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