Mr White's face will be familiar to many readers. He formed White Group Communications after more than a decade specialising in reporting legal affairs, including major trials and Royal Commissions, for Australian television. He was also the Media Director of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and Head of Public Affairs for Westpac Banking Corporation. His consultancy advises lawyers, firms and clients on how to promote a positive public image and affect the media agenda. Mr White said he spent so long dealing with lawyers on the other side of the camera the urge grew to take them aside and correct them.
Lawyers are naturally afraid of the media.
They are trained right from the start to regard the media as the enemy. And, if badly handled, it can be. If handled professionally, it can virtually swing the other way. Journalists are surprised when a lawyer is polite to them. There is a widespread community perception that lawyers are brusque, arrogant and aloof.