The other day, I posted an article my cousin Krisan Gregson found about my misspent youth, and the strange, wonderful creative endeavors in which I was involved. In that article there was a mention about Indiana State Police public service announcements I had filmed. One of my intrepid Facebook friends Melanie Hughes Davis managed to find them on YouTube. Here they are in all of their grainy glory.
I remember feeling quite special at the time, even though kids at school then made hideous fun of me. Story of my life. 😅🫠 But Sergeant Rod Mitchell was a truly lovely, deeply kind, amazing human being. I felt like he was a real life superhero. One of my earliest memories of good people doing good things.
Admittedly, I did a dodgy screen capture from YouTube using my iPhone here. Forgive my poor cinematography skills. But if you want to know how to stay safe in winter weather, or how to cross the street, have I got a deal for you. Lol.
Always a thrill when this year-end edition hits mailboxes. I admit I might be even a bit more excited this year. 🤓 Thank you, Kathryn and Julie, for your exceptional editorial leadership!
“To move forward on your own path through the doubt and the unknown, you must be forever willing to work hard at what you love, over and over.” —Laura Gassner Otting, “Wonderhell”
Wonderhell: We’ve all experienced it. Anyone who is driven to grow and thrive has found themselves at this crossroads, a concept explored by our #LMA23 keynote speaker Laura Gassner Otting in her recent book of the same name.
From a recent Forbes interview, she explains: “Wonderhell is that feeling when the excitement of your achievement mixes with the burden of your potential. I’m seeing a version of myself that I didn’t know was possible, who opened more doors than I ever thought possible. But through those doors, I now see even more doors that I can open.”
I’m not going to lie, 2023 was my wonderhell. It’s been a great honor to serve as your president. I’ve loved every minute of it. And I couldn’t wait for it to end.
When I joined LMA over 10 years ago, I attended my first annual conference. The fabulous Alycia Sutor was president at the time. I sat dutifully in the front row of the opening session, in awe of her warmth and command. I said to myself, “One day, I hope I get to do that!”
And here we are. Only I added a Lady Gaga showtune and a drag queen to the mix. That’s the kind of amazing community we are.
But with that dream achieved, I was in wonderhell. The pressure to deliver, the fear that I wouldn’t. The worry that some would shake their heads in disappointment.
Roy, get over yourself. That’s what a self-induced panic attack on the last day of #LMA23 taught me.
Being a good leader isn’t about what you do or, worse, what you can brag about. It’s about what others are empowered to do on your brief, ephemeral watch.
And oh, what you all did! 2023 was a return to form for this community — engagement, innovation, collegiality and support. Let’s look back at some highlights:
• Over 1,200 attendees at this year’s annual conference
• Round two of the 21-Day Social Media Challenge
• Continued growth in membership, targeting 4,100 in 2023
• 100+ educational offerings
• Six regional conferences this past fall
• The continued development of additional international outposts, with Australia, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Spain in development
• And the exceptional content here in Strategies & Voices Year in Review
Over a decade ago, your voices inspired me to commit to legal marketing as a career. Your voices are doing that for someone right now reading these words. Your actions, leadership, and dedication keep the mighty engine of this community chugging along.
You, too, will find yourself periodically in wonderhell, daunted by all the possibility that unfurls before you when you achieve some aspiration or milestone. But remember that sometimes the accomplishment is enough, and you can derive as much satisfaction from celebrating the wins of those around you. That in turn will inspire you for whatever magic comes next.
And now I’m ded 🫠. Thank you, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell! You absolutely made my day with this. As honored, as I am with this INvolve People recognition, and I certainly am, to have a leader like you, someone I’ve long admired, reach out with your congratulations is so very meaningful. I still remember having great chats with you back when I worked at Oakwood Healthcare. Grateful for you and your voice.
Absolutely thrilled with Clark Hill’s rankings here! Kudos to my colleagues Alexandra France and Tommy Franz for their excellent leadership and strategic stewardship of our digital presence. And thank you to Guy Alvarez and Good2bSocial for their expert analysis and commitment to our legal community.
About the study: The Social Law Firm Index is an annual study that examines how the top 200 law firms (as ranked by The American Lawyer) adopt and apply digital marketing in terms of outreach, engagement, and business development.
They measure reach, engagement, and marketing performance on platforms, including Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
The Social Law Firm Index analyzes each firm’s presence on the internet and across social media and evaluates their social media usage to extend thought leadership messages. These factors are then reduced to numerical measures, weighted, and incorporated into an algorithm to develop each firm’s rank.
Where we stacked up this year …
Overall: ranked 46 of 200 (up from 93 last year)
LinkedIn: ranked 69 (up from 88 last year)
Twitter: ranked 81 (up from 98 last year)
SEO: ranked 90 (up from 152 last year)
Instagram: first time ranking! 40
Thought leadership: ranked 74 (up from 145 last year)
Facebook: ranked 14 (down from 2 last year … but still incredibly respectable)
YouTube: first time ranking! 64
Podcast: ranked 46 (down from 38 … but also still respectable)
I never had voice lessons. I didn’t sing in high school choir. But when I was attending Wabash College, I suddenly found myself craving all the music my parents listened to when I was growing up: Barbra Streisand, Sammy Davis, Lena Horne, Doris Day. And I would go to the Walmart or Target in Crawfordsville, Indiana (we only had two stores … lol) and grab any CDs I could find. Columbia House helped too! I may still owe them for some of those discs, come to think of it. And I’d pop the shiny objects into my Discman that plugged into a tape deck in my swanky 1986 Buick Century and sing WAY out loud as I drove. Those artists “taught” me how to sing.
A few years later, I was cast as one of the leads in The Fantasticks. My mother, who DID have formal vocal training, told me years later that she was terrified over what was about to unfold. She said that once I opened my mouth and let out a warble, she knew I was going to be ok.
And I think I love singing for the very reason that it’s always been mine. No one forcing rules or expectations on me. Just doing it the way that feels natural to me. It refills my well and brings me joy. Not sure if it does the same for the audience, but that doesn’t stop me. Everyone needs something like that in their lives.
So, I leave you, in my way, with a song. “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell became one of my mom’s favorite tunes before she died. And I think I know why. In this beautiful yet poignant moment of transition in my life, its lyrics speak to me in a way they never did before. I hope they will hold some meaning for you as well.
Thank you for this opportunity to help bring something back to a community that has given me so much. 2023 will be a highlight of my career and life. And thank you for letting me be my weird and open-hearted self. That may be the best gift of all.
Love you…
P.S. For those wondering how the whole “playlist” thing got started, one more, to bring us full circle: “AmpliMix … the OG” on Spotify and Apple Music. This was created about a year ago this time for our LMA leaders kick-off (regional presidents, international board, committee co-chairs and SIG co-chairs). It only feels right to share this far and wide. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the positive vibes here – and maybe use this mix to ring in the New Year!
P.P.S. And for completists out there (like me!) here’s the full list of this year’s playlists. Thanks for letting me share the soundtrack in my head with you all year long!
President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors
Director of Marketing, Clark Hill
Check out the LMA Fireside Chat with LMA 2023 President Roy Sexton, and President-Elect Kevin Iredell, moderated by Interim CEO Ashley Stenger, reviewing LMA’s successful 2023 and looking ahead to 2024!
FLASH PROMO: Register by December 31 to be entered in a drawing for a free room night and room upgrade — plus get the Early Bird discount!!
If you ever wondered why I am the crazy nut I am … thanks to my cousin Krisan Gregson for finding and sending. I was truly fortunate to have the parents, upbringing, and home I did … full of creativity, hustle, and love. #youngauthors #ptareflections #indiana #onlychild
