Quick Look

Akin Site Hypes Firm's Hot Cases

By Ashby Jones

Most large firm Web sites are little more than glorified Martindale-Hubbell listings set against throwaway photos of gavels, globes and big city skyscrapers. But Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld is breaking the mold.

This year, the firm expanded its "Case Study" page, in which firm lawyers dissect one of their own cases, and unveiled a new Web site, akingumpcases.com.

For now, there's only one case: last year's defense of David Brock, the embattled chief justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. But expect more in the future.

Brock faced impeachment on various allegations, including trying to influence the ruling of a lower court judge. After a month-long trial handled chiefly by three Akin Gump partners, the state Senate acquitted Brock. Although he was subsequently admonished by New Hamp-shire's judicial discipline committee, the firm considers the outcome a huge win.

"We wanted a very alive Web site that accurately portrayed how we live, breathe and work a case," says Leslie Turner, one of the attorneys on the Brock litigation.

Caveat: The site does have its share of pablum and self-promotional puffery. But once you get past the fluff, it offers a trove of interesting stuff about the case, including the four articles of impeachment; a trial timeline; a concise history of all the allegations; and links to a searchable version of state codes and to the state Senate Web site.

The two most impressive features are a database of just about every important document in the case; and video clips of Akin attorneys discussing the case. You can watch partner Michael Madigan discuss how the legal team was chosen; Turner talk about the "turning point of the case;" and partner Steven Ross spout off about "Daniel Webster and the history of impeachment."