The New Age Law Firm: Lean Teams & Flexible Spaces
From Draft n Craft: “Big shoutout to these amazing legal and marketing experts for making this session a fun and enlightening experience! Let’s keep the good vibes going and continue rocking the legal world!”
Beyond the Byline: Harnessing Your Partner’s Legal Experience for Business Development Success
And from ExpertPress: “Learn how to harness your legal expertise and thought leadership to drive business development success. Listen to this webinar hosted by The Expert Press’ Andrew Polzl as he talks with Roy Sexton and Laura Galeano, Esq.. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn key tips and suggestions from the experts.”
Thank you, David Ackert , Michelle Turner , Jacob Eidinger , Nathalie Rangel Iovino (she.they) , Craig McCullough , and all involved in the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International DEI LGBTQ member resource group as well as all our resource groups. Such an important and beautiful offering.
I can’t express my gratitude enough for the LGBTQ+ member resource group. It was my safe space last year as LMA International president. I felt like I had a place where I could speak openly and honestly to my unique experiences professionally and personally as a gay man. Being international prez was the honor of my life, but it was also one of the toughest things I’ve ever done. I grew so much from the experience, but it was essential for my well being and mental health to have a group of like-minded, like-experienced colleagues with whom to discuss the balancing act in my life and theirs.
It’s important to note that a very large part of an organization’s commitment to DEI is to understand the seemingly invisible barriers those of us may face. Right or wrong, we (I) carry a feeling of “otherness” everywhere we go, and the pressure and critique we experience when taking on leadership roles can feel magnified. What may seem like an offhand, even well-intentioned comment from a peer can hit us like a ton of bricks based on prior experience. Comments about our attire/appearance, our choice of expression, our visibility, our decision-making processes, and so on. So, selfishly, the LGBTQ+ MRG helped provide me a trusted community to better navigate that – people who did the same work I do, lived a similar life to mine, and carried comparable burdens. It honestly was a beautifully liberating experience to attend the meetings and share our truths.
Thanks, Wabash College … even at this late stage of life, it is still a thrill to see one’s name in the alumni magazine. Grateful for the foundation my college years provided, and the desire instilled in me to keep dreaming, hustling, and learning.
Get ready to explore the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the 2024 Global DEI Conference, happening from Tuesday, May 28, through Thursday, May 30. This hybrid event uniquely blends in-person interaction with the vast, inclusive reach of virtual technology to deliver an unrivaled DEI experience.
Under the theme, “Fostering Equity for Success,” the Global DEI Conference invites change-makers, organizations, and allies from every corner of the globe to be part of a crucial dialogue. We are dedicated to building a forum where diversity is valued, inclusion is an intrinsic principle, and equity is the heartbeat of every discourse.
The 2024 Global DEI Conference guarantees high levels of interaction, connection, and knowledge exchange. This is the platform to broaden your perspectives, learn from global thought leaders, and actively contribute to a conversation that’s influencing our world.
Be part of the change. Join us at the 2024 Global DEI Conference to discover, learn, and shape the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Let’s journey together to foster global equity in our connected world.
Join us at the 2024 Global DEI Conference for an insightful session titled “Introversion as Your Superpower,” featuring Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill. This virtual event is scheduled for May 29, 2024, from 9:00 am to 9:30 am US ET. Register here.
In this session, Roy Sexton (me!) will delve into how introverted individuals can harness their unique strengths to excel in professional settings. Often overlooked in favor of more extroverted traits, introversion brings valuable qualities such as deep thinking, careful listening, and thoughtful decision-making. Roy will provide practical strategies for introverts to leverage these attributes, transforming perceived limitations into powerful assets.
The session will explore how introverts can effectively navigate and thrive in environments that typically favor extroverted behaviors. Attendees will learn techniques to enhance their communication, build influential networks, and assert their presence in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
This discussion is particularly relevant in the context of DEI, as it emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse personality types within organizations. By fostering an inclusive environment that supports both introverts and extroverts, businesses can tap into a broader range of talents and perspectives.
Join the conversation and discover how introversion can be your superpower in achieving personal and professional success.
• Embracing the Shift: Why are more legal teams shrinking physical footprints while expanding talent pools?
• Tech-Enabled Teamwork: How are collaboration tools and communication platforms empowering geographically dispersed teams to achieve peak performance?
• Redefining Value: Moving beyond billable hours to metrics that measure efficiency, client satisfaction, and overall team impact.
• Optimizing the Workspace: Strategies for designing flexible workspaces that foster creativity, communication, and well-being.
• Managing the Transition: Building buy-in, navigating cultural shifts, and overcoming resistance to embrace the new paradigm.
Q&A Session: Live interaction with the audience to address their specific concerns and opportunities.
The legal landscape is evolving, and embracing this dynamic shift can not only save costs but also unlock hidden potential within your team.
Register for this webinar today and discover the path to a successful, impactful, and future-proofed firm
At six months old, Aarash Darroodi’s parents, who were foreign students in the US, sent their son back to Iran to live with his grandparents so they could complete their graduate studies at the University of Houston. That was 1979. A year later, the Iran-Iraq War erupted. It took seven years and attempts in many countries to get a US visa before Darroodi would reunite with his family in America. That experience, Darroodi says, shaped his life, which would forever be changed.
As General Counsel & Executive Vice President of Fender, Aarash Darroodi has developed a successful 20-year in-house legal career on the idea of melding a traditional legal education/experience with business acumen and business intelligence. He leverages his personal history to lead with empathy and pragmatism. Aarash is quite simply and beautifully a connector. He also has developed the course “How to Build a Rain Machine” through which he teaches lawyers what in-house clients really want. Equipping outside counsel with the secret skills and tactics to maximize client billings, client retention, and client satisfaction. Learn more here: https://www.rainstaracademy.com/.
“Everybody has a story when you connect to humanity,” Darroodi says. “What you realize is that those stories bring a lot of life learning, and there is a lot of power that’s locked up within people that they feel that they should hide it away and not embrace it. I fundamentally disagree. I think you embrace it because those are where the learnings come from. … I just don’t want to see the resume, I want to know the story. What were some of the challenges you faced in your life? How did you overcome them? What did you learn from those challenges? How do you think those challenges will help you in the future? That’s valuable. That’s what I want to see. I want those people, the ones that have overcome difficulties and challenges. … People are more capable than they know … But people themselves, a lot of times, we need somebody to see that within us and push us, and then we can achieve greatness we never thought possible.”
The fundamental power of storytelling, of reclaiming our individual narratives, and of celebrating our differences will be the focus of this episode. The human condition can be one of “categorizing” others, and thereby limiting potential. Aarash and Roy will discuss how important it is to break that cycle and how each individual can embrace respective heritage as a means of authentic differentiation and professional branding. They will also address the business benefits to leaders who model this for their colleagues and their teams.
Darroodi is an in-demand speaker and pundit, having offered commentary to Bloomberg Law, Thomson Reuters, The Legal 500, TedX, the American Bar Association, American Lawyer Media, South by Southwest, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Legal Marketing Association, Fox Business, The Los Angeles Times, and the Maryland State Bar Association.
Regan Robinson and Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill (ME!), delve into how his background in theater equips him with what’s needed to be future ready, and why his diverse passions provide a rich framework for seeing its possibilities. They explore the misconceptions about authenticity (which inherently promotes a long-term perspective), and how authentic leadership must be nurtured by creating a safe space for expression and learning from mistakes.
Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding and communications efforts in collaboration with the firm’s exceptional team of marketing and business development professionals. He has over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development and strategic planning.
Roy is passionate about problem solving, facilitating business growth, crafting communications strategy and enhancing law firm culture. He works closely with the marketing team to advance the firm’s digital and social media presence and external engagement, using multi-channel distribution and data collection. This enables the team to quantify results and use those results to produce thoughtfully and strategically organized content for clients and prospects.
Roy was named one of INvolve People’s 2023 Top 100 OUTstanding LGBTQ+ Executives internationally. He was listed in Crain’s Detroit“Notable LGBTQ in Business” in 2021 and “Notable Leaders in Marketing” in 2023, and he was aMichigan Lawyers Weekly “Unsung Legal Hero” (2018).
In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign, which Sexton played a key role in developing, received the Best Marketing Campaign award from the Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity and inclusion. The Clark Hill marketing and business development team was also awarded “Best Marketing Initiative” by Managing Partners’ Forum in 2020.
Roy is a published author of two books: Reel Roy Reviews, Volumes 1 and 2 and he was named “Best Actor in a Musical” by BroadwayWorld Detroit in 2017 for his performance as Jasper in The Mystery of Edwin Drood at Ann Arbor Civic. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth.
About Future Fit™ with Regan Robinson
Future Fit™ unravels the secrets of how the world’s most innovative leaders stay future-ready in a fast-paced world. Hosted by futurist and strategist Regan Robinson, each episode explores how trailblazing executives turn uncertainty into their strategic advantage. Gain powerful insights and practical approaches as these visionary minds share the unconventional and imaginative ways they thrive today while leading their teams into tomorrow.
If you love what you’re getting out of our show please subscribe, rate and review.
About Regan Robinson
Regan Robinson is a holistic futurist and business strategist that empowers visionary companies to turn uncertainty into advantage and effortlessly innovate and strategize for their future. Over the course of 20+ years, she has helped some of the world’s most influential brands and companies strategize and grow. Regan has spearheaded revenue increases of 300%+, led as an executive at 3 start-ups and established business models, new capabilities, infrastructure and roadmaps for companies like VICE Media and Edelman Digital.
Jay Harrington is president of his eponymous agency Harrington and is one of the country’s leading consultants and strategists in the areas of legal marketing, PR, and business development. His consulting work includes helping clients define strong market branding and positioning, develop effective thought-leadership strategies, gain visibility through public relations, and generate new business through the execution of marketing tactics.
Jay practices what he preaches. He doesn’t merely consult with clients about the importance of thought-leadership PR and marketing—he is an active content creator himself. He frequently speaks and writes on important issues and trends in legal marketing. His writing is featured in columns for Law.com, JD Supra, and Attorney at Work. He is also the author of three books: The Productivity Pivot, The Essential Associate, and One of a Kind.
Following February’s conversation with Laura Gassner Otting about “getting unstuck,” Jay and Roy discuss how important thought leadership is to personal and professional branding and provide tips on how to stop overthinking and just connect, leveraging the power of social media and digital channels.
Jay leads a vibrant attorney coaching and training practice, through which he provides one-on-one coaching and group training to attorneys and law firms, with a focus on issues related to business development, productivity, and thought leadership.
Jay is a sought after speaker who frequently presents to law firms and legal industry associations on a range of topics including branding, thought-leadership marketing, and business development. His unique approach blends storytelling, strategy, behavioral science, and practical, actionable advice.
Prior to co-founding the agency 15 years ago, Jay practiced law as a commercial litigator and corporate bankruptcy attorney at top law firms, including Skadden Arps and Foley & Lardner. He also co-founded and ran a boutique corporate restructuring law firm. He has an undergraduate degree in journalism and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. During his time practicing law, Jay learned what it takes to market successfully and develop business for sophisticated professional services, and he applies those lessons while working with clients today.
Thank you, Anna Spektor, Alex Kasdan, and Expert Webcast, for hearing my voice, seeing something in my perspective, and encouraging me to build on momentum from 2023. I’m one for synergies. Any marketer worth their salt is. And this is a lovely and unique opportunity for worlds to collide, elevating all in the process.
“We are pleased to welcome Roy Sexton, Clark Hill’s Director of Marketing and Immediate Past International President of the Legal Marketing Association, to the Expert Webcast Advisory Board. As a thought leader and marketing expert, Roy, in this volunteer role, will continue to champion inclusion, community building, authentic storytelling, and value creation. Roy hosts Expert Webcast’s ‘All the World’s YOUR Stage’ series, focusing on how these qualities lead to growth in one’s personal and professional brand. He has 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development, and strategic planning across a number of industries, including legal, healthcare, higher education, nonprofits, and consulting.”
Thank you, Laura Gassner Otting, for joining us for this crucial conversation. As you aptly noted, time = love and vice versa. And the time you spent with us is pure love (and insight). Thank you again to Expert Webcast and Anna Spektor for this glorious opportunity to share my authentic pals with the world.
Laura Gassner Otting’s secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back on you, so that you can get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results. On this episode of Expert Webcast’s “All the World’s YOUR Stage,” Laura and host Roy Sexton (me!) – two self-professed introverts – discuss the secret (and not so secret) advantages to introversion, what it really means (hint: it is NOT shorthand for “asocial”), why the unexamined life is not worth living, but also how to avoid dreaded analysis paralysis and just, well, try something! All of this adds up to an insightful assessment of how being true to one’s self without getting mired in overthinking can provide effective personal and professional brand differentiation.
A frequent contributor to Good Morning America, The TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily, Laura is the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of three books, Wonderhell, Limitless, and Mission-Driven. Laura’s 30-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm, partnering with the full gamut of mission driven corporate and nonprofit executives.
Laura is turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, motivator, and provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like. Just ask her enduringly patient husband, two almost-grown sons, and two troublesome pups with whom she lives outside of Boston, MA.
What will brand podcasts look like in 2024? Find out with the industry’s finest. Roy Sexton – director of marketing at Clark Hill, Lynn Teo – CMO at Northwestern Mutual, Nick Howard – podcast architect and senior manager at Boston Consulting Group, and Shannon Martin – podcast strategist at Lower Street come together to discuss their podcasting experience and big plans for 2024. Join in to get inspired and learn from the best.
Join us again in April! It’s time to nail a winning podcast strategy. Join us for actionable insights, interactive workshops, exclusive strategy audits, consultations with podcasting experts, and exclusive networking opportunities. Register today for the super early bird discount – limited spots available: https://www.brandpodcastsummit.com/
Brought to you by Lower Street. Lower Street is a full-service podcast production agency that creates amazing shows for brands that want great not good. We serve companies of all sizes across industries developing podcasts unique to each company’s target audience. Find out more: https://lowerstreet.co/Transcript
Thank you, Harry Morton, Jeni Rose Larsen, and Steven Bonnard!
