Legal Strategies For Reputation Management During Litigation

Posted February 22, 2025 in Uncategorized

When your company is involved in business litigation, you often expose your company to traditional media and social media scrutiny. One public gaffe, an off-the-cuff remark by a key player in the suit, and the threat of being “canceled” can mean that even if you win the matter in court, you could lose in the court of public opinion.

Legal guidance and advice are crucial when your company is facing negative publicity. Preserving your company reputation is critical to maintaining your business operations and retaining your customer base, but it’s not the only tool in your crisis management arsenal. An outside Littleton, CO general counsel lawyer can step in and help you protect your business, reputation, assets, and personal reputation while your case is pending.

The attorneys at Volpe Law LLC have created several legal strategies for reputation management during litigation:

Reputation Risk Management

Litigation generates public interest, and if there is anything scandalous or salacious in the matter, there’s a very good chance it could go viral. Issues involving a high-profile figure, a sensitive matter (as is common in many employment disputes, especially those involving sexual harassment), or a lot of money can attract the attention of a newspaper columnist or TikTok news account.

The public’s perception of your case resolution may matter more than the resolution itself. While you may have saved money in court or recouped a significant amount in damages, if your company’s reputation was sullied during the trial, it could cost you a lot more than you gained in court.

Managing the media narrative helps avoid PR disasters. Designating an effective company spokesman (who doesn’t necessarily have to be the owner) and carefully curating interviews can give your company a relatable, sympathetic face during the trial.

Early Preparation for Effective PR During Litigation

A proactive reputation management strategy can help shape your narrative before the press and social media even get ahold of the case. A general counsel lawyer can guide you through your legal options for ethical PR so that your company message doesn’t undermine your case in court.

What you say before the case goes before a judge could impact the outcome. Your brand message to the public can complement your case; saying the wrong thing could be a disaster. Legal guidance and approval for every article, interview, and tweet can ensure that your reputation management strategy is effective without jeopardizing your position in court.

The Role of Outside Counsel in Litigation PR

Your internal legal team may be handling the legal matter itself and could be too close to the matter at hand to be an effective guide for your reputation management. The advice of an outside attorney who understands the nature of commercial litigation and the value of brand reputation can help you address questions posed by the press about the legal matter and preserve the positive brand image you’ve spent years curating. Your outside counsel attorney weighs the value of publicity against your legal interests to ensure you win outside of court.