It’s not often you hear about a lawyer going viral on social media. Still, Michael Mandell, known as @LawByMike, a young, handsome and brilliant attorney with a penchant for breaking down the law in ways understandable to all- he’s made a name for himself with illustrative, informative videos. Mandell’s viral posts captivate viewers, diving into law-related topics that run from celebrity scandals with the law to tips that can help the average person understand obscure legal concepts.
The Bill Nye of Lawyers
Perhaps Bill Nye, the Science Guy would serve as his doppelganger if Nye was a lawyer/influencer. In truth they operate similarly, but Nye’s fame derives as a pop science teacher who makes his subjects accessible to the masses, Michael Mandell’s nuanced yet universally valuable tips regarding the law make dry concepts fun to watch and, more importantly, addictive. Mandell has mastered the secret of “going viral,” a feat millions attempt but never achieve. As Law by Mike’s TikTok account demonstrates, he has tapped into a creative and wildly successful approach to educating the public.
As of this writing, Law By Mike boasts 573,000 Instagram followers, 1.2 million YouTube subscribers, and an astonishing 6.5 million followers on TikTok. Or a total over eight million followers. Consequently, he’s become the number one lawyer on social media.
He generates popular content because he never strays away from relatable, pop culture-based subjects that captivate the public, like “What to say to the cops when you get pulled over” and “What is going on with Kim and Kanye’s divorce?” Nevertheless. he also adds value via educational content by giving a seasoned lawyer’s perspective on contemporary issues, clearing up misconceptions in jurisprudence while remaining entertaining and funny.
“Throughout this unexpected journey, I have embraced the analogy establishing me as the ‘Bill Nye of Law.”,” Miachael Mandell says. “My team and I have increased our focus on generating educational content—and not only for the benefit of our business or my law firm. I’m ever more aware of how many people lack a basic, everyday understanding of their rights and protections under the law. And that’s not because people don’t care about informing themselves—our system of jurisprudence keeps even fundamental information opaque to the average person.”
A Different Trajectory
Early in his career, Michael Mandell recognized that he had a knack for explaining complicated legal concepts to people in a way they could clearly understand. Still, he never expected to become an influencer on social media.
“Of course, I recognized I was traveling down an unknown business avenue when I focused on developing my social media presence,” he said. “But it clicked with my desire to communicate genuinely with clients. Of course, I’m grateful for my success but if even we had 1/10th of our viewership, this would be worth the effort..”
In late 2020, he created a social media presence with a few posts for his family’s law firm. Peppered with pop culture references, humor, and efficacious information, his content quickly caught people’s attention across numerous social media platforms. His audience grew exponentially with alacrity.
“I had to take a leap of faith on my own,” he explained. “The whole social media thing took me on a detour.”
That “detour” bred Mandell’s law firm, Mandell Law APC, and turned @LawbyMike into a full-fledged brand. He hopes his efforts will help redefine the justice process and bring the law field into the 21st century, reaching new and broader audiences.
Social Media Mastery
Michael Mandell is quick to caution all interested parties that there is no sure-fire way to go viral. He stresses the importance of interesting, consistent content: offer something new and engaging to followers. This consistency and innovation keep followers engaged and more apt to share.
“The algorithm adapts itself constantly, so even if you think you’ve figured it out, the next day something changes,” he says.
While there are no “tricks” to gaming the system and guaranteeing content will go viral, Mandell has discovered best practices to regularly engage current followers and attract new ones. To help fellow lawyers leverage social media for their firms, he is currently crafting an online course Leads By Mike that offers willing students the tricks of the trade.
At the end of the day, what Michael Mandell brings to the field of law centers on a “people-first” approach. This bespoke, human-centered conception of teaching evidences itself with his client communication style and his social media strategy.
“I love helping people,” he told famed (and reformed trader) Jordan Belfort on the Wolf’s Den podcast. “I enjoy educating. I think, in the past, success to me was becoming the best lawyer. Now, success to me is positively changing people’s lives.”
Mandell has established himself as a prolific content creator and go-to expert for all things law. He recently began filming long form content on his YouTube channel Law By Mike aiming to reach a whole new audience. By increasing video quality, exploring the world of long-form video content, and expanding the topics he explores, he hopes that Law by Mike will continue to flourish. Toward that end, he intends to continue demystifying the law for people in a fun, easy-to-understand manner.
“My favorite thing is knowing that people are learning about something I am passionate about,” he said. “I love getting DMs about becoming a lawyer or legal questions. I make sure to answer everyone. I want to give back to the people who have given me so much.”