Serving as counsel to a private school board, I had the chance to join their recent retreat, and I think it went pretty well. I gave a talk on fiduciary responsibility, what it means for the board, how it shapes every decision, and how duties extend beyond the four walls of a classroom. We even touched on social media, which, in today\u2019s world, can be both a blessing and a liability for schools.<\/p>\n
That reminded me of a story I wrote about in Full Circle. Fifteen years ago, I told the managing attorney at my old law firm that I wanted to use social media to build a national ERISA practice. You\u2019d think I suggested selling fish out of a trunk on Sunrise Highway and Route 110. She was visibly displeased, as though the mere thought of self-promotion was unbecoming of a lawyer. The firm, already too old in its thinking, couldn\u2019t see where things were headed. And as I predicted, it\u2019s now less than half its size compared to when I left in 2010.<\/p>\n
Why do I share this? Because it\u2019s vindication, yes, but also a real-world example of how communication tools\u2014whether Twitter, LinkedIn, or a blog post like this\u2014aren\u2019t frivolous. They\u2019re powerful. They built my practice. They gave me a national platform. And for schools, boards, and nonprofits, they can be equally powerful tools for engagement, transparency, and trust, when used wisely.<\/p>\n
Fiduciary duty isn\u2019t just about numbers on a balance sheet; it\u2019s about vision. It\u2019s about seeing risks and opportunities before they knock you over. And sometimes, it\u2019s about not being afraid to sell a dish or two from the trunk if it helps you get the word out.<\/p>\n
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