I started both of the blogs that I write to lure clients and referrals. It wound up helping with google searches, and establishes my credentials for the general and not only the legal public. It has worked that way. However in no way has it produced the numbers that would justify the time I spend on it if wasn't a fun way to communicate and write about the things that mean something to me.
Moreover the information and commentary on both blogs educates the readership and makes for a better understanding of the law. Blogging is not advertising if it is done correctly no matter what the intent or the result. It is no different than writing a letter to the editor, authoring a bar association column, testifing before a legislative committee or running for political office or any myriad of other things that lawyers do as part of their profession that may result in clients and professional enhancment.
Blogging is about exchanging or at least publicizing ideas the rest is the gravy. If other benifits are derived so be it. If blogging is advertising then so are the other things that I mentioned. This rule is ridiculous.

By  That Lawyer Dude, at June 09, 2005