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31 October 2025 / Justin Penrose
Issue: 8137 / Categories: Features , Media , Marketing , Profession
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Making the headlines

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Want the press to notice your firm, lawyer or case? Ex-Fleet Street staffer Justin Penrose reports on what makes the news

As a former Fleet Street journalist turned legal PR, one of the most common questions I hear from lawyers is: ‘What makes a news story?’ Everybody reading this would probably give a different answer, but that’s the crux of it. It is never one thing.

Journalists are always looking to answer the questions: who, what, where, when, why and how? These are the central tenets of every story, whether it be a corporate legal matter or a murder trial.

So, the who. Who is involved? It’s a lot more interesting if it’s David Beckham than Joe Bloggs. Is the person involved a judge or a PR man? I think you can work out which one is more newsworthy. Is there a big brand involved? Again, it is more interesting if it’s Coca-Cola than Dad & Son Builders.

Where did it happen? It’s more interesting if it happened at Buckingham Palace

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

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Police powers targeting concealed identities at protests come with procedural conditions that could determine whether prosecutions succeed
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