Date Approved

5-12-1998

Embargo Period

8-11-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Public Relations

Department

Public Relations & Advertising

College

Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts

Advisor

Litwin, Larry

Subject(s)

Law firms--New Jersey; Web sites

Disciplines

Public Relations and Advertising

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of New Jersey law firm home pages on their World Wide Web sites in order to compare and contrast selected variables.

Previous studies and information on legal Web site presence on the World Wide Web was researched.

Fifteen Web sites were studied to compile an initial list of variables. The variables were adjusted based on research of the law firms and browsers' opinions. Twenty-nine variables were selected.

Major Web sites researched were the National Law Journal, the Indiana University School of Law, and the American Bar Association. None led to a comprehensive list of New Jersey law firms.

On-line research led to The Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator with the most complete and timely information available at the time of this study. The first 40 New Jersey law firms were analyzed for content from February 2, 1998-February 16, 1998. The variable frequency was charted.

From the findings of the study, conclusions were made as to the most prominent frequency of variables found in New Jersey law firms' home pages.

Web sites vary in size and quantity of information but are similar in content. The purpose of these Web sites is to have a presence on the World Wide Web. Law firms as small as one and as large as 850 practitioners maintain Web sites with extensive home pages.

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