Legal PR Case Study
BACKGROUND | Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP
Legal PR Case Study: Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP, a Dallas-based law firm, hired TrizCom PR to announce the filing of a lawsuit against a major hotel brand and an elevator company on behalf of the estate of Jill Renick. Renick was a 48-year-old employee at the hotel who drowned in the basement during flooding from Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
The lawsuit alleges that Renick's death was preventable and the result of gross negligence by the hotel. Despite prior floods at the hotel's low-lying location next to a bayou and ample warning about heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey, the hotel failed to take proper safety precautions.
According to the suit, on the morning of August 27, the hotel basement was already flooded, yet the elevators remained operational with no barriers or warnings provided. Renick became trapped in a service elevator as the waters rose. After exiting the flooded basement around 5:40 a.m., she was seen on video struggling against the current before disappearing. Her body wasn't found until 11 days later.
By filing the lawsuit and hiring PR counsel, the Renick family aimed to hold the hotel brand accountable and raise national awareness around the hotel's alleged negligence that led to this preventable tragedy. TrizCom PR's strategic media relations efforts generated widespread coverage spotlighting the disturbing allegations. TrizCom PR secured an exclusive with the Associated Press, resulting in over 300 print and online placements across major national and local news outlets just minutes after the lawsuit was filed. This extensive media pickup helped amplify the family's calls for corporate responsibility and highlighted the need for stronger hotel safety measures (including code compliance) during emergencies like Hurricane Harvey.
ABOUT | Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP
At Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP, we've joined two practices with one mission: To provide effective legal support to people in Texas. Whether you're facing criminal charges or you've sustained serious injury, our Dallas attorneys are here to help. Backed by thousands of satisfied clients and countless successful cases, we are a trusted, respected law firm in the state. For more than 20 years our Dallas lawyers have acted as advocates for our clients; telling the stories of those whose voices might otherwise be lost in the legal system. Now, with more than 2 decades of practice behind us, we know the struggles of the people we represent, and we commit every effort to helping alleviate these struggles in any way possible. Building relationships with our clients is key to our success at trial, and we're dedicated to helping you and your family successfully overcome your current legal battle. We understand that the individuals we work with are going through some of the most difficult times in their lives. For this reason, we treat each client as if they're a member of our own family, and we devote a great deal of time and attention to every case we handle. With Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP on your side, you don't have to work through this trying time on your own. Our reputable team is here to provide you with the supportive legal counsel you both need and deserve.
ASSIGNMENT | Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP
The law firm Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP hired TrizCom PR to generate national media attention around the lawsuit they filed against a major hotel brand and established elevator company on behalf of the estate of Jill Renick. Their primary objectives were:
Raise widespread public awareness of the disturbing allegations that Renick's death at the Houston hotel during Hurricane Harvey was preventable and due to the hotel's negligence.
Position the family and their lawyers as credible authorities condemning the hotel's failure to implement proper safety protocols despite prior flooding and ample storm warnings.
Apply media pressure on the hotel brand to be held accountable for their alleged lapses and prompt improved emergency preparedness standards.
Garner maximum visibility for the lawsuit's allegations through placements in major national news outlets and top-tier media markets.
To achieve these goals, TrizCom PR developed a comprehensive litigation PR media relations strategy. This involved drafting a compelling press release with emotional quotes from the family's lawyer, supporting multimedia materials, and orchestrating an exclusive with the Associated Press to break the story and drive initial pick-up.
From there, the PR team conducted aggressive multimedia outreach and dissemination to news desks, legal affairs reporters, hospitality/travel trades, and local Houston outlets. They leveraged the firm's existing media relationships and the newsworthiness of the tragic circumstances to secure widespread coverage spotlighting the lawsuit's allegations of negligence.
KEY PLACEMENTS | Crain Lewis Brogdon, LLP
TrizCom PR's strategic media relations efforts around the lawsuit paid off, generating massive national coverage that elevated awareness of the tragic case and allegations against the hotel brand. The meticulously executed campaign yielded extraordinary results, including:
450 Total news placements across print, online, and broadcast outlets
98 Television clips featuring the story on local and national programs.
An astonishing 342 million aggregate readership-viewership reached across the placements Coverage spanning all 50 U.S. states and 14 additional districts/territories
With blanket saturation achieved from coast to coast, the widespread media pickup ensured maximum visibility for the family's calls for accountability and hotel industry reform in the aftermath of Jill Renick's preventable death.
PRINT/ONLINE NEWS STORIES | Legal PR
BROADCAST NEWS STORIES | Legal PR
Amplify Your Firm's Voice: Leverage TrizCom PR's Expertise to Propel Your Legal News into the Limelight
Securing media attention and establishing industry authority is paramount in the intricate landscape of law. At TrizCom PR, we specialize in crafting compelling narratives that captivate audiences and position your firm as a respected leader in your practice area. Our legal PR prowess lies in our ability to transform your legal news into captivating stories that resonate with journalists, influencers, and potential clients.
With our tailored legal PR strategies, we'll:
Harness the power of strategic media outreach to secure high-impact placements in top-tier publications, amplifying your firm's reach and credibility.
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Partner with TrizCom PR and unlock the full potential of your legal news, propelling your firm to unprecedented heights of success and industry dominance. Contact us today to elevate your brand's authority and stand out in the crowded legal landscape.
