KAREN ROBERTS MA OXON

LEGAL PR SPECIALIST

Karen Roberts, a Legal PR Specialist, has dedicated over 25 years to public relations in the legal and professional services sectors. She has extensive experience working with city law firms and national practices, offering a wealth of PR expertise to a wide range of clients. Her background in PR includes both consultancy and in-house roles, giving her a unique understanding of the needs and challenges faced by law firms and other professional services.

Karen’s career began in the City as a stockbroker, a role that provided her with valuable insights into the corporate and financial world. She soon transitioned into public relations, where she found her true passion. Karen’s work as a Legal PR Specialist includes a prominent role as a director at two leading City and Corporate PR Consultancies. Here, she led the professional services divisions, directing PR strategies for a variety of law firms, surveying practices, accountants, and financial services firms. Her ability to tailor communication strategies to meet the specific needs of each client has been a significant factor in her success.

After her time in consultancy, Karen transitioned to in-house roles within two legal practices, where she honed her skills further. She spent over a decade working directly with legal professionals, helping them manage their public relations and communications. This in-house experience gave her a deeper understanding of the internal workings of law firms, making her an even more effective Legal PR Specialist when she returned to freelance consultancy. Her combination of consultancy and in-house experience gives her a unique perspective that allows her to craft PR strategies that are both effective and realistic for legal professionals.

As a Legal PR Specialist, Karen has developed a strong network of media contacts across various sectors, including legal, real estate, city, and financial press. Her relationships with journalists and editors, many of whom she has worked with for years, enable her to secure valuable media coverage for her clients. This network is a crucial asset for any Legal PR Specialist, allowing Karen to effectively manage the public image of her clients and ensure their messages reach the right audience. Her established media relationships make her well-placed to advise solicitors and barristers on their communication needs, from traditional PR methods to digital and online media.

Karen’s expertise as a Legal PR Specialist extends beyond external communication. She understands the importance of internal communication within law firms, particularly when it comes to maintaining a cohesive and professional brand. Whether she is working on an internal newsletter, drafting a press release, or developing a social media strategy, Karen’s attention to detail and understanding of the legal sector ensure that every piece of communication aligns with the firm’s values and goals.

One of Karen’s strengths as a Legal PR Specialist is her ability to create tailored PR strategies that meet the unique needs of each client. She begins by understanding the firm’s objectives, target audience, and key messages, and then crafts a PR plan that aligns with these goals. Her strategies often include a mix of media relations, thought leadership, content creation, and event planning. She is adept at finding the right balance between traditional and digital PR, ensuring that her clients maintain a strong presence in both spheres.

Karen’s approach to PR as a Legal PR Specialist is not just about strategy; she takes a hands-on role in executing the PR plans she develops. As a Legal PR Specialist, she is actively involved in drafting press releases, pitching stories to journalists, and organising events. This hands-on approach ensures that the strategies she creates are implemented effectively and that the results meet or exceed client expectations. Her dedication to getting the details right and her proactive attitude have earned her a reputation as a trusted PR consultant in the legal sector.

In addition to her work as a Legal PR Specialist, Karen also advises on broader communication strategies. This includes managing a law firm’s online presence, creating content for websites and social media, and ensuring that all communication channels are integrated and consistent. Her background in the corporate and financial sectors gives her a deep understanding of how professional services firms operate, allowing her to provide strategic advice that goes beyond PR. This holistic approach makes her a highly effective Legal PR Specialist, capable of supporting law firms in all aspects of their communication and marketing efforts.

Karen’s knowledge of the legal sector, combined with her PR expertise, makes her an invaluable asset to the firms she works with. She is particularly skilled at identifying opportunities for her clients to position themselves as thought leaders within their field. By working with solicitors and barristers to create insightful articles, commentary, and opinion pieces, Karen helps them build credibility and authority in their respective areas of law. This focus on thought leadership is a key component of her PR strategy, enabling her clients to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

Karen’s role as a Legal PR Specialist also involves keeping up with industry trends and adapting her strategies to meet the changing landscape of media and public relations. She understands the growing importance of digital platforms in the modern PR world and incorporates social media, online publications, and digital content into her PR strategies. By staying ahead of trends, she ensures that her clients remain relevant and visible in an increasingly digital world.

In summary, Karen’s extensive experience in public relations, combined with her deep understanding of the legal and professional services sectors, makes her a highly effective Legal PR Specialist. Her career has spanned consultancy and in-house roles, giving her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by law firms. Whether it’s managing media relations, developing a communication strategy, or advising on internal communications, Karen’s expertise helps law firms enhance their reputation and visibility. Her hands-on approach and commitment to excellence have made her a trusted partner for many legal professionals, helping them navigate the complexities of public relations with confidence.