Month: June 2020

Hiring a Media Expert for Litigation Communications

Posted on by Carrie Cecil

“[T]he ability of lawyers to perform some of their most fundamental client functions…would be undermined seriously if lawyers were not able to engage in frank discussions of facts and strategies with the lawyers’ public relations consultants.” — Judge Lewis Kaplan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York regarding grand jury.

Because there are strategic aims and sensitive rules around disclosure during court proceedings, it takes more than a general knowledge of public relations strategy to manage litigation communications. Effective litigation communications requires a professional who understands the legal process, knows how to read filings and has case-specific/litigation experience. 

The ideal litigation communication media expert believes in the power of relationships: he/she will become a part of the legal team, working in lockstep with the lawyers, and will provide the team with access to media and journalists who will be covering the case.    

When hiring a media expert to handle litigation communications, ask about data forensics as it is essential they are up-to-date on the latest developments. The ideal partner will know how listening tools work, engage in active monitoring and analysis, understand how both reporting and rumor are impacting a case, and proactively recommend public appearances and information release.

ANACHEL Communications specializes in high-profile litigation, crisis and strategic communications.  Our media training program and bespoke reputation management practitioners help our clients navigate the narratives when it matters most.  To learn more about our litigation communications practice or book a confidential consultation to learn how we can help, feel free to email carrie@anachel.com. 

The S.A.F.E. Resource Guide

Posted on by Carrie Cecil

Our team is working with public and private sector officials and communications experts to develop strategic and crisis communications guidelines as well as media best practices that support your back-to-work operational plan.

New health and safety protocols are only one half of the equation: policies may keep your constituents safe but, without carefully constructed narratives, your constituents won’t feel safe. How, what and when you communicate during this public health crisis will influence the perception of your operational actions and your brand’s integrity.

S.A.F.E. combines the novel need for urgency, accuracy and empathy with tried-and-true expertise and multi-level implementation strategies and tactics. S.A.F.E. is a proprietary methodology for communicating Pandemic Age protocols and information within a framework that makes constituents feel safe.

Colleagues, partners and friends: we invite you to download our COVID-19 Communications Resource Guide today by visiting, and registering, on our Resources page.

Helping Litigators Win in the Court of Public Opinion

Posted on by Carrie Cecil

“A defense attorney may pursue lawful strategies to obtain dismissal of an indictment or reduction of charges, including an attempt to demonstrate in the court of public opinion that the client does not deserve to be tried.”

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy re Gentile v. State Bar of Nevada

Is it inappropriate to engage a communications professional to influence the outcome of the court case by encouraging early or favorable settlement or by pressuring the prosecution into bringing lesser or no charges?  Absolutely not!  In fact, it would be unprofessional not to: every case or dispute is tried in front of a judge within the legal system AND in the court of public opinion on social media and influencer circles.  

All too often, perceptions become reality.  A case could be settled in favor of a defendant but, due to a poor communications strategy before or during a trial, the defendant’s reputation could suffer permanent damage, resulting in financial and opportunity loss.

The litigation communications experts at ANACHEL Communications specialize in high-profile reputation management.  We carefully craft media relations strategies for our clients so that when litigation is resolved, careers and livelihoods continue to thrive.

If you’re an attorney who would like to hear more about our approach to litigation communications or book a confidential consultation to learn how we can help your practice, feel free to email info@anachel.com. 

Litigation Communications v. Strategic Communications

Posted on by Carrie Cecil

Litigation Communications is a specialty within strategic communications. Litigation communication strategies are laser-focused plans created in lockstep with legal strategies prior to, and throughout high-stakes legal disputes. They are designed to establish and protect proper narratives and defend an individual, company, or organization facing a legal action.

As public exposure of court cases has increased, plaintiffs and prosecutors utilize the media to get their side of the story out and to sway constituents’ opinions. It has created a massive need for experienced litigation communications for the following reasons: 

  • there is a greater focus on the legal implications of any communications,
  • there are strategic aims and sensitive rules around disclosure during court proceedings, and
  • digital publishing and social media platforms have hastened the proliferation and permanence of information and opinion, both positive and negative.
  • a corporation or individual may win the court of law but lose in the court of public opinion causes irreparable financial and brand damage.

ANACHEL Communications specializes in high-profile litigation, crisis and strategic communications.  Our media training program and bespoke reputation management practitioners help our clients navigate the narratives when it matters most.  To learn more about our and book a confidential consultation to learn how we can help, feel free to email info@anachel.com.