Legal Consultant Limelight: Andrew Longstreth

Andrew Longstreth has a long history of creating content for lawyers. First as a journalist at The American Lawyer, where he helped create the popular Litigation Daily, and then on the Reuters legal beat, Longstreth has long had the keen ability to weave legal facts and trends into engaging narrative. He uses his journalism background every day in his current work creating legal industry content with Infinite Global, where is Head Writer. Andrew has a BA from the University of Kansas.

Lawdragon: Can you describe for our readers the types of services you provide within the legal industry?

Andrew Longstreth: I provide custom content services, including ghostwriting articles and authoring special reports, to lawyers and law firms. I also advise clients on media strategy.

LD: How did you first become interested in this type of work?

AL: For many years, I was a legal affairs reporter--first at The American Lawyer and then at Reuters--and I got to know Jamie Diaferia, CEO of Infinite Global. When I was considering leaving journalism, I talked with him about what a career on this side would look like. Jamie, who is quite persuasive, painted a compelling picture.

LD: What do you like about working with lawyers?

AL: Working with lawyers means you're always learning, which is professionally and personally satisfying. I also enjoy working with lawyers because they (at least the good ones) appreciate the importance of storytelling.

LD: Are there any trends you are seeing in legal content marketing these days?

AL: The market for high-end legal services is not expanding like it once was, which has set up an intense fight for market share. That means that lawyers and law firms must focus intensely on distinguishing themselves from their competitors. One way to do that is through high-quality content marketing that provides valuable information to clients. Thankfully for me, that's what I do.

LD: Tell us about your prior life as a journalist.

AL: I began my career at The American Lawyer magazine in 2001. At the time, I knew next to nothing about law firms and their work. But I was aware of the magazine's proud journalistic history and the many great reporters who got their start there. Almost instantly, I fell in love with the subject matter. I stayed at the magazine for nearly 10 years, eventually becoming a senior writer and starting the Litigation Daily with Alison Frankel. My time at The American Lawyer was a wonderful education, not only about the legal profession and the law, but about reporting, writing, and storytelling. The lessons I learned during that time are very much relevant to the work I do today.

LD: Is this the type of job you imagined yourself having when you were younger?

AL: I don't think I ever imagined myself working in this field, but I always wanted a career in which I could continue to learn and feel engaged with big ideas and major issues confronting society. In that sense, it's worked out quite well.

LD: Was there an early experience or mentor who really helped shape the course of your professional life?

AL: Aric Press, the former editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer, had a big impact on my career. He taught me a lot about the fundamentals of journalism, as well as the importance of professionalism, work ethic, and maintaining a sense of humor.

LD: How would you describe your style or philosophy as a custom content writer in the legal field?

AL: I like to emphasize my commitment to understanding the work of lawyers. As a former reporter, I'm used to researching deeply, asking lots of questions, and demonstrating a fair amount of humility and skepticism in the process. In the back of my head, I always hear an editor's questions: How do you know this? What do you mean? Can you be clearer?

LD: There are many high-quality communication firms out there. What do you try to “sell” about your firm to potential clients – how is it unique?

AL: To keep pace with the evolution of the communication industry, Infinite Global has assembled talent in all the right areas---PR, crisis, content, and brand. We combine those disciplines with a depth of industry knowledge that sets us apart.

LD: What do you do for fun when you’re outside the office?

AL: My wife and I love exploring New York and traveling with our 4-year-old daughter. I also read quite a bit and play the guitar poorly.

LD: Are you involved in any community or public interest activities?

AL: Infinite Global has a long history working with the Women In Law Empowerment Forum, and I’ve been fortunate to do quite a bit of editorial work for The WILEF Tribune, which highlights the organization’s work and incredible women leaders. I’ve also recently became involved in a nonprofit called Her Justice, which provides free legal services to women in poverty in New York City.

LD: Do you have a favorite book or movie about the law?

AL: I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I remember reading A Civil Action many years ago and thinking it set the gold-standard for non-fiction legal narratives. It is not a bad movie, either.