The 32nd Annual Marketing Partner Forum

Please join us for lunch as we officially launch our program.

Attendees are invited to participate in workshops designed for law firm partners and senior business development executives.

As the power dynamics in the legal industry veer decidedly to talent, competitive advantage and continued growth lies in law firms’ ability to respond to changing needs and demands of its people. For leaders–anyone who has influence over another–the way we engage, motivate and reward our teams is paramount. Yet all too often, we approach leadership from natural default or instinct, rather than considering which style may be best suited to the situation. Join us for an introduction to understanding leadership styles and how they can help enhance our impact and advance us on our leadership journey.

Facilitator:

Marcie Borgal Shunk, President and Founder, The Tilt Institute

Attorneys who pride themselves in deepened client engagement note that client listening programs provide them with insight into the minds of their clients that they might not otherwise have an opportunity to engage. Clients also speak to their benefit, noting that asking for their feedback makes them feel valued by their firm. In many cases, this feeling of value translates to a higher spend with that firm and recommendations to other potential future clients. Yet, according to a recent study, less than 30% of clients noted that they’ve been asked for feedback. With clear room for that number to grow and the many benefits to firms, attorneys and clients alike, how can firms move forward on the road of creating a client listening program? What are the costs and key components of implementing such a program? Join us in a discussion about the elements of solid client listening programs and best practices and lessons learned by other firms who’ve undergone this process.

Moderator:

Melanie Green, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Fish & Richardson PC

Panelists:

Kristen Gorts, Director of Client Development, Fenwick & West LLP 

Nicole Miles, Chief Clients & Markets Officer, Dentons Canada LLP

Lisa Simon, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Holland & Hart LLP

In 1994, a jest named “The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” became a game about the power of networks. Though the game was played ahead of widespread use of the worldwide web, it made clear that connections to almost anyone were within reach. Now, with the power of the internet and social media, the game, as well as the greater lessons around networking, are more easily obtained. Though almost every firm has a website and social media presence, they might not be utilizing them to their maximum capacity. With this, how should firms be coupling their use of AI tools with their online presence to expand their networks and gain access to hard-to-reach clients? Join us in an important lesson on how to expand and deepen networking and social media opportunities via AI for law firms.

Facilitators: 

Jonathan Fitzgarrald, Managing Partner, Equinox Strategy Partners 

Jill Huse, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Society 54 

Please join us for three lively discussions on hot topics in the legal profession.

There is an art in communicating a firm’s value, but it turns out there might be some science behind it as well.  As law firm leaders balance the fine line between what customers are willing to give vs what a firm is asking for their services, it is important to consider the potential ripple effects not only with each individual customer, but in the larger legal market as well.  Given this, what are both the short- and long-term impacts that different value-based strategies have on consumers of legal services? Are current customers more likely to accept a rise in expense or is money better spent attracting new customers, who are also not guaranteed to be on board with rising firm costs?  How are firms and their marketing departments communicating their value to the market and when does that value push against the boundary of customer trust? Join us as we explore these and other questions around consumer psychology within the legal industry. 

Moderator: 

Nora Shearer, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Seward & Kissel LLP 

Panelists: 

Aaron Boersma, Spend Innovation Lead, Ford Motor Company

Julie Henson, Chief Growth Officer, Decipher Investigative Intelligence

Joe Walsh, Professional Services Practice Leader, FINN Partners

The law firm sales pitch is an integral part of dealmaking, so much so that some lawyers may rarely alter their pitch styles, even if they may produce limited success. In a time where the introduction of AI opens an opportunity for firms to stand out as market leaders, lawyers need to make sure they can clinch the deal with a proper pitch. How can lawyers ensure that they are coming off as savvy while maintaining personability and intellect? Join us as we pick apart the pitch, honing in on what not to do—and how to, instead, experience success by focusing on strategies for managing the meaning, refining client-centricity, and differentiating the firm.

Moderator: 

Aaron Kotok, Executive Director, Legal Industry Solutions, Mitratech

Panelists:

Jennifer O’Donnell, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney LLP

Howard Rosenberg, Partner and Head, Talent Intelligence & Acquisitions, Baretz+Brunelle LLC

The adage “communication is key” has no exception when it comes to the workplace; though, perhaps it should reflect upon cross-team-communication as being paramount. In order to be a part of a successful firm, lawyers and their marketing teams must establish strong lines of communication and collaboration, so marketers understand the objective of the lawyers, and lawyers are able to benefit from the marketer’s expertise. Yet, these teams don’t always work in tandem. On the part of marketing leadership, how can they encourage lawyers to be accountable for their reflection on the firm, fulfilling the branding efforts they’ve undertaken? Further, how can they subtly integrate cross-team-communication, even if the receiving side is hesitant to connect? Join us we discuss how firm leaders can help address the more nuanced issues around accountability and communication between marketing department and lawyers.

Moderator: 

Julie Chodos, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP 

Panelists: 

Lindsay M. Gotwald, Chief Client Development and Marketing Officer, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 

Rob Phillips, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP  

Barry Solomon, VP, Client Value & Innovation, Litera 

Join us for an afternoon during one of the following activities:

• Embrace your inner cheesemaker with Sheana Davis, a renowned Sonoma Valley cheesemaker, in this hands-on workshop. Sample a few local cheeses before creating your own warm ricotta, to be served to the group at the Opening Reception.
• Discover the rich flavors of Sonoma’s historic olive oil and wine at BR Cohn Winery. Set in a picturesque location with panoramic vineyard views, this winery offers a one-of-a-kind tasting experience that pairs its renowned wines with its artisanal olive oils.
• Experience the beauty of Benziger Family Winery, a renowned biodynamic estate nestled in the hills of Sonoma Valley. Learn about the winery’s sustainable practices on a guided tram tour followed by a private wine tasting in the iconic Benziger Family Winery Barn, all while taking in the stunning surroundings.

*Availability is first-come, first-served.

Please join us for cocktails and canapés as we reflect upon the day’s discussions. Significant others are welcome.

Please join peers and industry colleagues for a networking breakfast.

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing, Events & Operations, Thomson Reuters

Among its many compelling qualities, the legal market is resilient. In an environment currently challenged by international conflict and a domestic political tug-o-war, law firms have shown strong acumen in adjusting their financial footing to balance themselves on the shifting sands of legal service demand. Though it remains strong, the industry is not without its tests, some of which seem to be both alleviated and complicated by the deepening grasp of generative AI. Within the selection of issues firms continue to grapple with, (i.e. staffing, rising expenses, declining realization, etc.), where should marketing and business development teams be focusing their efforts? This discussion offers a comprehensive exploration of issues pertinent to the current and future state of the legal industry towards a determination of how legal marketing professionals and their firms can best navigate changes in the market.

Moderator: 

Jen Dezso, Director, Client Relations, Thomson Reuters Institute 

Panelists: 

Maryam Abdul-Kareem, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, Arcellx

Julia Bennett, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP 

Kristina Lawson, Managing Partner, Hanson Bridgett LLP 

Mark Wasserman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP 

There is little doubt that the competition for top talent in the legal industry is fierce, to say the least. Firms with large resources to attract executive and advanced talent have fewer issues in recruitment, but how do firms without these same fiscal resources compete? As lawyers evaluate a total compensation package, how do elements like titles and company reputation come into play? Moreover, how can CMOs use their standing to market a firm to potential employees and attract the very best talent? Does engaging in overarching investments such as thought leadership or brand identity truly attract more talent, even if offered a less competitive salary? While it’s important to recruit top talent with a competitive compensation package, there’s always the possibility of being outbid. Join us to explore how firms can further promote lawyer retention in a culture where individuals are constantly chasing the next opportunity.  

Moderator:

Jen Sander, Director, Enterprise Marketing & Events, Thomson Reuters Institute

Panelists: 

Toccarra Brooks, Chief Strategic Recruitment Officer, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP 

Shanin Lott, Consultant and Global Law Firm Practice Leader, Russell Reynolds Associates 

Kathryn Whitaker, Chief Marketing Officer, Burr & Forman LLP 

Please join peers and industry colleagues during our networking luncheon.

Please join us for three simultaneous discussions dedicated to law firm business development and firmwide management.

In the current business landscape, episodes such as cyber breaches are becoming common place. With the reach of social media into every facet of daily life, such incidents are rarely unnoticed. Whether a firm is grappling with a breach, the move of a rainmaker or a public mishap of someone, or something, associated with the firm, the marketing department is on the front line. Given this, what next steps should a firm’s marketing department take when it comes to an issue or crisis that has the potential to bring further damage to the firm? What actions should marketing prioritize to ensure the recovery of firm confidence and credibility with customers and the greater public? Are there actions that might cause more harm than good? This session will offer an opportunity to identify strategies to mitigate and rebound from incidents that have the potential to cause reputable hardship for law firms.

Moderator: 

Zach Olsen, President, Infinite Global 

Panelists:

JeanMarie Campbell, Chief Marketing Officer, Baker McKenzie

Chris Hinze, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Steptoe LLP

Konstantin Shishkin, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Goodwin Procter LLP 

Referrals aren’t just an opportunity to obtain new clients but stand as a testament to the firm’s expertise. With it being such a cornerstone of business development, continuous innovation in this arena with an eye towards creating sustained growth and client acquisition are paramount. But where do firms concentrate their efforts in this arena? How do firms anticipate which clients are most likely to provide referrals and would the value of incentivizing that feedback outweigh the cost? How might activities such as building relationships with other professional service firms boost referral numbers? To manage the data around this process, how should firms be evaluating their use of technologies to streamline referral tracking, KPIs and management of the strategy? As law firm goals change, how often should the strategic framework of a firm’s referral strategy be revisited to ensure the two are aligned? Join us for a thorough discussion of referral strategies.

Moderator: 

Alina Gorokhovsky, Chief Executive Officer, SGC Legal 

Panelists: 

Sherry Vance Allen, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Butler Snow LLP 

Jason Castor, Chief Business Development Officer, Parsons Behle & Latimer
John Sterling, Chief Strategy and Practice Development Officer, Chapman and Cutler LLP

Amid rising client expectations, law firms, traditionally focused on rate increases for growth, are looking for new strategies that align business development activities with measurable revenue outcomes. Yet as evolving technologies begin to level the field of competition within the legal sector, how can firms demonstrate a competitive advantage to clients looking for the best outcome for their spend? How do law firm business development leaders motivate their teams to adopt technical innovations and data-driven enhancements for the good of the firm and their clients? Join us in a session that explores how firms can position themselves to be forward-thinking in their business development strategies within a market that now sits on the edge of evolutionary change. 

Moderator:

Chris Landry, Co-Founder, SigParser

Panelists: 

Brian Colucci, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP 

Oliviana Mingarelli, Global Head of Marketing and Business Development, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Michelle Woodyear, Principal Consultant, Mount Insights

Join us for two concurrent discussions dedicated to law firm business development and firmwide management.

The continued development of Generative AI offers exciting opportunities for law firm marketing teams. With it, marketing professionals have a powerful new tool that will both speed and deepen engagement with law firm clientele. Furnished with critical research into what insights General Counsel value most, this session explores several case studies of firms using AI to reshape their approach to thought leadership. Join our expert faculty to examine the transformative power AI can bring to the process of reaching clients at scale, providing best practices examples on achieving firm buy in around using AI for content development.

Moderator: 

Eugene McCormick, Senior Vice President, Passle 

Panelists: 

Alma Asay, Chief Innovation and Value Officer, Crowell & Moring LLP

Adam Donovan, Chief Marketing Officer, Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC 

Laura Fulton, Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP 

High performing teams are marked by several key and celebrated attributes. They demonstrate clear, shared goals, have open lines of communication, possess mutual accountability and are led by a strong leader. There are several organizational techniques, rooted in both process improvement and strategic alignment, that are meant to empower teams in achieving exceptional results by focusing on continuous improvement. Yet, given the myriad of approaches, such as Six Sigma, DMAIC, Hoshin Kanri, and countless others, how should a CMO decide which approach is appropriate for their team and their desired outcomes? How do these techniques allow marketing teams to better align themselves with the overall firm? Join us in a session that seeks to understand how chief marketing officers can employ these techniques in their efforts towards fostering a high performing team.

Moderator: 

Evan Parker, Founder, Parker Analytics LLC

Panelists: 

Erin Baxendale, Chief Marketing Officer, Sidley Austin LLP 

Jim Cochran, Managing Partner, Cochran Client Development 

Ian Ribald, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Ballard Spahr LLP 

Please join us for cocktails and canapés. Significant others are welcome.

Please join peers and industry colleagues for a networking breakfast.

Please join us for two simultaneous discussions dedicated to hot topics in law firm business development and firmwide management.

As client bases expand, marketers are faced with the Sisyphean task of managing existing clients and new leads on their own. While Client Relationship Management software facilitates organization, much of the effort still falls on the lawyers. Many marketers are turning to CRM automation and AI-assisted operation, reserving valuable time and energy. However, utilizing AI for CRM can create one-sided relationships, either wherein the client engages and the AI reciprocates, or wherein the AI repeatedly engages on behalf of the firm without response. Where is the balance between automation and personal flair? The session will focus on how firms can smartly keep up with market trends of AI automation while still establishing meaningful and built-to-last client relationships.

Moderator: 

Chris Fritch, CRM Success Consultant and Founder, CLIENTSFirst 

Panelists: 

Rawia Ashraf, Vice President, Product Management, Thomson Reuters

Jon Brewer, Senior DealCloud Growth Director, Intapp

Don Sternfeld, Chief Innovation Officer, Steptoe LLP 

In the age of clicks, taps, and views, data is its own form of information capital, revealing empirical market trends with speed and precision. Yet, masterfully interpreting and translating data requires a specific level of skill—of which data analysts are the masters. Does the modern law firm marketing team contain a handful of data analysts? Or should law firms outsource market insights specialists who have access to data from multiple firms? What is the most effective means of obtaining, translating, and actioning market and firm data? Join us as we talk data analysis both internally and externally.

Moderator:

Leyla Samiee, Chief Product Officer, Introhive

Panelists: 

Monica Kuniyoshi, Chief Marketing Officer, Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP  

Trish Lilley, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Barnes & Thornburg LLP 

Shade Vaughn, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 

Please join us for two simultaneous discussions dedicated to hot topics in law firm business development and firmwide management.

Dogma is the enemy of the modern law firm—once sharp business decisions always have the potential to dull. The strongest of teams are those able to read the firm’s needs and adjust. Yet too much mobility makes for confusion and a lack of efficiency. How can firms keep up with the developmental need to change and reorganize without becoming too disruptive? For firms undergoing major reorganizations, how can teams restructure in a manner that activates change but continues productivity? Join us as we discuss key considerations in making major shifts to work inside the firm.

Moderator: 

Despina Kartson, Chief Marketing Officer, Baker & Hostetler LLP 

Panelists: 

Betsy Donovan, Head of Global Private Client & US Business Development & Marketing, Withersworldwide

Jennifer Manton, Managing Director, Chief Marketing/Business Development Officer, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP 

Burton Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer, Spencer Fane LLP

Currently, the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are participating members of the workforce, totaling five generations. Each generation varies in their working styles, firm expectations, approaches to technology, and more. Outside the firm, lawyers are tasked with marketing to five generations of clients simultaneously. How can law firms appropriately navigate this, capitalizing on each generation’s strengths and positions in the workforce? Should law firm marketers take different approaches to marketing for several generations? If so, which pathways bear the most fruit? Join us as we explore a multigenerational breadth of client communication and attention.

Moderator:

Becky Halat, Senior Manager, Client Services, Thomson Reuters Institute

Panelists: 

Taleah Rose Tyrell Akins, Associate, Latham & Watkins LLP

Matthew Goffe, Senior Director of Business Development and Attorney Recruiting, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC

Bree Metherall, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Stoel Rives LLP

Please join us for cocktails as we conclude this year’s program. Significant others are welcome.