Nate Moller's Plan of Attack Based on Your Feedback

Thanks for the comments on my introduction post.

Based on the feedback, I think the best approach would be to start with the topic of building a professional website. Even if you currently have a "professional website", there are probably a few simple things you can do to make it better and more easy to use for users and for search engines. If it's something you just don't have time to do, that's where I can come in and help :)

After a few posts about that topic, I'll then share a few tips and tricks about using Facebook and other social networks to promote your website.
(I may even give you all a taste of an eBook I've been preparing to roll out soon titled "Facebook for Business: the Start-Up Guide on How to Use Facebook for Business")

The bottom line about online marketing is this:

1) You NEED a professional website
2) Just having a site isn't enough, you have to get TRAFFIC and the right kind of traffic to your site
3) Once you get the right traffic, you want the traffic to do one of a few things: BUY something, sign up for something (name and email), or at the very least browse around and/or make a comment about something, maybe even save your site to their favorites or bookmarks

My goal will be to post every Tuesday for the next 6 - 8 weeks or so.

Stay tune...!

Nate Moller is a professional online marketing consultant who focuses on teaching clients how to start an online business. He specializes in using social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and blogging to promote ideas and products to the masses. Follow Nate on Twitter and sign up for his online marketing newsletter today!

Legal Briefs: Oodles of Fascinating Topics

• Why Aren't More Mormons Supporting the Ground-Zero Mosque? CNN 

• Part of Lawsuit Against Mormon Church and Boy Scouts, Thrown Out By Federal Judge. Standard Journal

• With Prop 8 Reversed Some Want Reconciliation Between LGBT, LDS Church. Deseret News

• LDS Church Unveils Phoenix Temple Redesign. To accommodate local zoning ordinances. Arizona Republic

• The September issue of U.S. News and World Report ranks 1,400 universities in the country, placing BYU at 75. BYU News Release 

A Quick Introduction

My name is Nate Moller. I'm a Utah online marketing consultant that writes quite a bit about starting an online business. I've been involved in sales, marketing, and advertising for over 10 years and love the power of the internet to reach audiences everywhere.

A few months ago, Clint asked if I'd be interested in guest posting at MormonLawyers.com. He said he'd been reading some of my articles and thought his audience would like to know more about what I do for businesses online.

Thanks, Clint, for this opportunity. (Clint and I served missions together in the blessed land of Santiago, Chile in the late 90's.)

A few quick highlights about my career:

• I've consulted with thousands of start-up, small, and medium sized businesses in search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and online reputation management
  
• My "social media claim to fame" is that out of 3,125, 625 followers of Shaquille O'Neal on Twitter, I'm one of the 613 he's following and has made contact with directly :) (read the whole story here)
  
• I love internet marketing, although in High School and College, internet "techy stuff" was NOT what I envisioned as my long-term career path
• I manage a team of 8 Internet consultants who help clients build and market new online businesses
• I'm an AVID New York Yankees fan!

So that's a bit about me.

Now, let's talk about YOU.

QUESTION: What would you like to know about online marketing? (SEO, Social Media, Brand & Reputation Management, Building Websites, etc.)

Since I don't completely know the audience I'm writing to nor am I legally saavy per se, I'll start by asking that simple question...

Here are a few topics I'm considering:

1. What a business owner should know BEFORE they hire an online business consultant (real case study)
   
2. The basics of setting up a professional website that generates leads and sales
   
3. How to use Facebook and Twitter (and other social networks) for business

I look forward to moving in one of those directions (or others if you have specific questions).

Your comments will determine which way I go.

Legal Briefs: Phoenix Temple, PA Church, Woman Arrested in Church

• Residents of a Phoenix, Arizona neighborhood will have a meeting to discuss the height of the proposed Mormon Temple. Arizona Republic

• LDS Church appears clear of legal hurdles to construct a new church in East Hempfield Township. Residents' appeal was denied by county judge. Lancaster Online

• Naked woman arrested inside an LDS meetinghouse in West Jordan, Utah. Deseret News

Job of the Week: New York City -- Broker Dealer

Here’s the latest Job of the Week, from Lateral Link.

Position: Broker Dealer Attorney

Location: New York, New York

Description: Our client, an investment management company with more than half a billion under management, is one of the world’s foremost bond fund managers, overseeing more than 70 mutual funds invested in corporate paper, emerging markets debt, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and credit default swaps. The company seeks a Broker Dealer Attorney with 5-8 years of experience in and knowledge of broker-dealer SEC rules, securities laws, and FINRA rules applicable to principal underwriters of 1940 Act registered funds. Working with one other attorney and paralegal staff, the successful candidate will review and negotiate fund intermediary agreements, participation agreements, authorized participant agreements and vendor contracts as well as assist in applicable FINRA and SEC matters, including necessary filings, coordination with the Compliance staff, and regulatory issues.

For attorney candidates interested in this position or others like it, please register for Lateral Link and schedule a time to chat with one of our seventeen recruiters. If you are a general counsel or recruiting manager looking to hire for your legal department on a permanent or short term basis, please contact Michael Allen directly, at 213.785.2344, learn more about how Lateral Link can assist you.

Expert in 1847 Mexican Immigration Law?

I recently came across a letter to the editor in the Salt Lake Tribune contrasting the Mormons who settled in the Great Salt Lake Valley in the summer of 1847 to the Mexicans illegally living in this country at this time. In July of 1847, when Brigham Young and his band of Mormon pioneers reached what is now Utah they were actually in Mexico. I've read statements by other people that Mormons should not support the enforcement of United States' immigrations laws because they themselves were the first illegal aliens to live in "Utah".

Does anyone know if that is a true statement? Was Brigham Young and the rest of the Mormon settlers illegally living in Mexico? Is anyone out there an expert in what Mexico's immigration laws were in 1847?

Legal Briefs: Proposition 8 Update

As efforts were under way to formally appeal U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling that Propositional 8 was unconstitutional as violating due process and equal protection (USA Today), Attorney David Boies alleged during a keynote speech at an annual meeting of the American Bar Association that personal threats were launched against the judge involved in the ruling. Mr. Boies, who characterized efforts such as Proposition 8 as "state-sanctioned discrimination against our gay and lesbian citizens," called on all states to eliminate the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. The ABA Journal has more, including reports of a resolution being taken up by a committee on the issue. --SJR

Legal Briefs: Philadelphia Temple, Utah Illegal Aliens, Sued for Tithing

• After months of dispute Mormon temple to be built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia Inquirer

• Utah may offer a better model than Arizona for dealing with illegal immigrants. The Economist

• LDS Church being sued for tithing paid by suspected fraudster. Deseret News

Press Release from LDS Church in Regards to Today's Prop 8 Ruling

Below is an official press release from the LDS Church in response to Judge Walker's holding.

The Church issued the following statement today in response to the ruling by Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Perry et al v. Schwarzenegger et al:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regrets today’s decision.  California voters have twice been given the opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage in their state and both times have determined that marriage should be recognized as only between a man and a woman. We agree.  Marriage between a man and a woman is the bedrock of society.  

“We recognize that this decision represents only the opening of a vigorous debate in the courts over the rights of the people to define and protect this most fundamental institution—marriage.

“There is no doubt that today’s ruling will add to the marriage debate in this country, and we urge people on all sides of this issue to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different opinion.”

2010 JRCLS Religious Freedom Writing Competition

Religious Freedom Student Writing Competition

Open to all JRCLS Student Members

Purpose:  To promote quality research and writing by the student members of the Society on the important topic of religious freedom.

Form:  Scholarly paper of at least 2000 words, but not more than 3000 words, typed, thoroughly cited and presented in publishable format.  Papers must conform to bluebook requirements and may include footnotes.  Word count refers to text, exclusive of footnotes. 

Submission:  All papers must be submitted no later than August 21, 2010 by e-mail to papers@jrclsdc.org. Please submit papers in pdf or docx formats. You will receive e-mail confirmation of submission.  If you don't get a confirmation, please call Jennifer at 1-703-753-4543.

Awards:

First Place: $1,500 cash award plus a $500 travel reimbursement to attend Awards Dinner in Washington DC in October 2010.

Second Place: $1000 cash award

Third Place:  $500 cash award

Honorable Mentions: Additional meritorious papers will be recognized.

Selection:  Awards announced the first week of September 2010.

Questions:  Inquiries may be directed to papers@jrclsdc.org

Sponsored by the DC Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Legal Briefs: Illegal Immigration and Mormons

• The Fierce Immigration Debate Continues in Mormon Communities. Mormon Times

• LDS Church Issues New Statement on Immigration. Religion Dispatches

• Lest anyone forget, the Bar Exam begins in 36 hours!

Looking for a Job in Academics?

Job Description
The University of Dayton (UD), a top tier national Catholic research university, the largest private university in Ohio, and one of three Catholic, Marianist universities in the United States, seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the School of Law (the “Law School”). As the strategic and administrative leader of the Law School, the Dean will guide its academic and business planning, advance its national reputation, and work to secure the resources necessary to fulfill its ambitions.

Accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS), the Law School offers a strong core academic program in a beautiful facility. Building on the progress of the last decade, the Law School stands primed for a talented, innovative new leader to help advance its mission. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader with vision and entrepreneurial spirit to assist the Law School in its commitment to innovative approaches to legal education and instruction, scholarly achievements, and service.

By every measure, from enrollment and research dollars to rankings and private support, the University of Dayton (UD) continues to rise in national stature. UD remains on solid financial footing despite the global financial crisis. Under President Daniel J. Curran, UD’s first lay leader, the University is building on past success to move forward to an exciting future. The Law School is a key strategic player in the University’s future plans and the senior leadership is deeply committed to helping it flourish.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will provide visionary leadership to the academic and administrative activities of the Law School; ensure the recruitment and development of excellent faculty, staff, and students; encourage a collaborative environment for teaching, scholarship, and service; mobilize and allocate resources; and serve as a successful partner across the University. The next Dean will implement a roadmap for excellence which will help realize the Law School’s ambitions of producing well prepared and talented legal professionals.

Requirements

University of Dayton has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Applications, including cover letter, vita and three references, should be submitted in electronic form, to:

http://jobs.udayton.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=51118

All inquiries should be sent electronically and in confidence to:

Vivian Brocard, Vice President Ponneh Varho, Senior Associate Isaacson, Miller E-mail: 4029@imsearch.com

LAPD Releases Video of LA Temple Arson Suspect

Yesterday the Los Angeles Police Department released a video of the man who attempted to burn down the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's Los Angeles Temple. The video shows a man with a backpack and thermos attempt to enter a locked door of the temple. Shortly thereafter a "suspicious fire" broke out in the temple's garden area. Click HERE to view the actual video. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crime Division at (213) 486-7260. Let's find this guy before he kills someone.

2010 Top Ten Law Schools by Points

Above is a break down by points of each law school considered for the 2010 Top Ten Most Mormon Friendly Law Schools. I meant to post it a long time ago but haven't had the time and I was having a hard time getting it to embed in the page from Scribed, so here is a JPEG of the list. Click HERE for an explanation of how the points were derived.

Studying for the Bar....Good Times

As many of you have noticed there haven't been any updates to the blog in a while. In the past several weeks I've graduated from law school, moved, and am now studying for the Bar. Right now I don't have the time or energy to post any brilliant stories. However, the blog will not be silent forever! In the coming months we'll be making some cool changes and the blog will be better than ever! So in the mean time just be patient and be glad you're not studying for the Bar.

Legal Briefs: School Rankings, LDS Church Vandalized, Zoning

• Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law and the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law tied for 42nd in the most recent U.S. News Law School Rankings. Does anyone know if the U has ever ranked above the Y? 
• 
  
  LDS Churches in Idaho Falls, Idaho vandalized by rocks with anti-Mormon statements. Local News 8.
• Brookline, Massachusetts Mormon Church zoning board hearing to be postponed until April 29. Wicked Local Brookline.

JRCLS: Religious Freedom Student Writing Competition

Religious Freedom Student Writing Competition
Open to all JRCLS Student Members

Purpose: To promote quality research and writing by the student members of the Society on the important topic of religious freedom.
Form: Scholarly paper of at least 2000 words, but not more than 3000 words, typed, thoroughly cited and presented in publishable format. Papers must conform to bluebook requirements and may include footnotes. Word count refers to text, exclusive of footnotes.
Submission: All papers must be submitted no later than August 1, 2010 by e-mail to papers@jrclsdc.org. You will receive e-mail confirmation of submission. If you don't get a confirmation, please call Jennifer at 1-703-753-4543.

Awards:

First Place: $1,500 cash award plus a $500 travel reimbursement to attend Awards Dinner in Washington DC in October 2010.

Second Place: $1000 cash award.

Third Place: $500 cash award.

Honorable Mentions: Additional meritorious papers will be recognized.

Selection: Awards announced the first week of September 2010.

Questions: Inquiries may be directed to papers@jrclsdc.org.

Sponsored by the DC Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies.

JRCLS Externship Program in Provo, Utah

The J. Reuben Clark Law School’s International Center for Law and Religion Studies is seeking law students with demonstrated academic excellence to participate in its 2010 Summer Externship Program. Selected student scholars will spend 6-8 weeks in Provo, Utah working on a range of projects related to the mission of the Center which is “to help secure the blessing of freedom of religion and belief for all people”. More information about the mission and activities of the Center is available at www.iclrs.org. 

Projects will include content contributions to the Center’s websites (www.iclrs.org, www.strasbourgconsortium.org and www.religlaw.org) and research for the cutting edge publications such as the newly published casebook, Law and Religion: National, International and Comparative Perspectives; the annual update to the treatise Religious Organization and the Law; and various papers to be shared at conferences including ones in Hungary, the United Kingdom and Peru.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Deborah Wright, Administrative Assistant for the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at BYU at wrightde@lawgate.byu.edu by 12 p.m. MST on Friday, April 16, 2010. 


Note: The Center will work with your school to explore whether credits for the externship can be arranged, but cannot guarantee the outcome of those efforts.

Mormon Missionary Killer Sentenced to 38 Years

James Boughton Jr. has been sentenced to prison for 38 years for killing one Mormon missionary and wounding a second in a January 2006 attack in Chesapeake, Virginia. Twenty-three-year-old Boughton was sentenced Monday in a Chesapeake Circuit Court.

In December 2008, jurors convicted Boughton in the shooting death of Elder Morgan W. Young of Bountiful, Utah. Boughton also was convicted of wounding Elder Joshua Heidbrink of Greeley, Colorado. The missionaries were shot while knocking on doors.

Legal Briefs: Duke Law School, Mexican Consulate Shooting, Brookline

• Mormon Apostle Elder D. Todd Christopherson speaks to students at the Duke University School of Law. LDS Church News 

• Mormon among those killed in Mexican consulate shootings. Ke Alakai 

• Bookline, Massachusetts residents are petitioning the zoning board of appeals to reject Mormon Church. They feel that the proposed meeting house is far too big for the lot. Boston.com