Solo Snags Bill Cosby As A Client Through Television Appearances

Do appearances as a commentator on local or national television translate into phone calls or clients? Not really, is the consensus of my solo and small law firm colleagues who’ve made it onto the air.  While my colleagues all enjoyed the adrenaline rush of rapid-fire questions of on-air interviews and would return in a heartbeat, they admit that television rewards the vanity and not the pocketbook since most of my friends have never received as much as a phone call, let alone a client as a result.

Still, there are exceptions to every experience, and as it happens, Washington D.C. based solo, Monique Pressley is one of them. According to the Washington Post, Pressley’s appearances as a television commentator landed her a client – and not just any client, but a big Kahuna: Bill Cosby.

As the Post describes:

Pressley owes her assignment to broadcasting, to appearances on the syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show” and on Martin’s TV One program. “We had her on providing the legal analysis for the case,” says Martin, who had been looking for “really strong female attorneys” for his television show. “She gave great analysis, not just on legal issues. Some folks close to Cosby heard the segment, how she broke down the case and analyzed the case. They reached out to me asking how to get into contact, then reached out to her, and made her a part of the legal team.”

Although Pressley’s website shows her involvement in various ventures besides her law practice – she’s a minister, radio show host and entrepreneur – Pressley’s resume shows that she’s the real deal, with past employment at the top-notch D.C. Public Defender’s Office and the Attorney General of D.C. before hanging her shingle in 2011. The Post  article also took note of Pressley’s “demonstrated doggedness” – a trait that in the past, has served other solos handling high profile cases well. Whatever your view of Bill Cosby, as a solo it’s hard not to cheer for Pressley’s success.

Meanwhile, if you’ve appeared on television, what’s been your experience? How did you get on air to begin with and did the appearance lead directly or indirectly to a client?

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