The Importance of Communication Strategy in Legal Advocacy
Establishing a strong communication strategy is often one of the areas that is overlooked by legal advocates, including those working in civil rights. Often times, the legal message can be lost in a conversation because it isn’t explained in a way that a person can relate to. An effective communication strategy is imperative to ensure that the public understands one’s legal advocacy work. This is even more true for advocates who are focused on youth and school.
The comprehensive approach to the national student legal defense network is a great example of an organization that has combined youth advocacy with creative messaging in order to gain attention and buy-in from the public. Creativity is often the missing ingredient in a successful movement or campaign. Ian Davies, the creative force behind the National Student Legal Defense Network, bravely infuses his clever internet-savvy creativity into his professional communications. His cartoons and jokes don’t come across as sophomoric, but rather, connect him with the demographic that is key to ensuring future success for the network he started. The 501c3 non-profit organization is poised to change the way that colleges, government and the public approach issues like sexual assault, fraud and financial abuse. The organization aims to “support school efforts to undertake their own investigations, support enforcement actions by government agencies, and direct legal efforts at defending students and families.” These are issues that have been gaining more and more attention across the country after being demonstrated and proven in high-profile cases of abuse and fraud. New policy implications such as the Title IX standard of “preponderance of evidence” for sexual assault cases are changing how colleges and universities address these issues.
The National Student Legal Defense Network has had several quick victories. For example, through creative legal defenses (which included stories from students about their professors and classmates) and thorough research into the institutions’ failures, the network successfully defended a college student from Capitol University in Ohio. Students, faculty, and law students came from around the country to support the student. His school kicked him out after he complained about his professors harassing him, and when he was sexually assaulted at a frat party. He reported it to the school, and they took no action. He also brought forth charges against the frat, which they sided against him and accused him of being drunk to the point of unconsciousness. After the case was presented, the judge fell asleep and the prosecution never called his witnesses. As a result, the student lost his case as well as his college education. The National Student Legal Defense Network attorney Ian did extensive research and found several students, faculty members, and others nationally and locally who had endured similar experiences. He created a drawing that depicted the allegations against the fraternity and used it to create a storybook defense for the trial that showed how they treated students like the student in this case. After a day of presenting, the Judge dismissed the case and reversed the school’s expulsion decision.
Throughout the website, you will find beautiful visual design with Canva graphics as well as colorful pictures of the team in action. There is a special place for creativity in legal advocacy when it comes to reaching youth. The introduction of mobile applications and websites created a digital culture for youth, and most of their interaction and relationships take place online. This means that if legal advocates want to reach the youth demographic, they must adapt their communication strategy to appeal to this new digital generation.
Digital design technologies have paved the way for creative collaboration for causes across the world. Websites like Canva, Ruckus, and Gliffy allow for easy collaboration over visual projects. In some cases, digital design tools from Canva can even be used to create business card designs. Many tools offer free features as well as upgrade packages if you need advanced features such as image licensing, so your design needs can be met even if you’re on a budget. Often times, creative individuals are looked down upon as frivolous, and sometimes not taken seriously. However, creativity plays an important role in many fields including legal intervention. The National Student Legal Defense Network has done an excellent job of elucidating and implementing their advocacy work through creatively designed storytelling. Underscore the voice of your advocacy work with storytelling, and watch as your results skyrocket.