Register for the camp and you’ll gain access to 18 live panel conversations and six live podcast recordings this July and August.
ANSWERING LEGAL PRESENTS: Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp
Come join us at our 3rd annual Law Firm Summer Reboot camp! This year’s camp, which remains completely virtual, is expanding to two weeks. We’ll be hosting panels from July 23rd thru July 26th, then again from August 13th thru August 16th.
By signing up for our camp, attendees will gain access to 18 live panel conversations and six live podcast recordings, in which they’ll receive expert advice on reinventing their practice for the final stretch of 2024 and beyond.
This year’s camp will cover a wide variety of different topics!
July 23rd and August 13th will feature legal tech discussions.
July 24th and August 14th will feature legal marketing discussions.
July 25th and August 15th will feature law office management discussions.
July 26th and August 16th will focus on a variety of different topics, with special guest hosts.
All camp attendees will get to follow our live conversations virtually, and can submit questions for guest panelists via chat. Once registered, you’ll receive email reminders of when camp conversations are set to begin.
As the weather heats up, we’ll be gradually announcing the special guests who will be joining us virtually at summer bootcamp.
Thank you, 9Sail and Joe Giovannoli! Appreciate all you do for our profession and our community …
Join us on the latest episode of the Tip of the Law podcast, where host Joe Giovannoli sits down with Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and past president of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International board. Discover how Roy’s unique journey from English major, theater practitioner, and healthcare exec to legal marketing has shaped his innovative approach.
In this episode, Roy shares invaluable insights on:
🔹 Strategic focus in legal marketing 🔹 Building expertise and credibility 🔹 The importance of internal support and storytelling
Don’t miss out on Roy’s expert tips to elevate your legal marketing strategies and drive meaningful results.
One key takeaway was the importance of strategic focus. Roy emphasized that firms need to analyze their data and prioritize the practice areas that have the highest revenue potential, rather than trying to please every attorney equally. Marketing dollars and resources are best spent amplifying the messaging around top revenue generators.
Roy also stressed the importance of attorneys establishing themselves as subject matter experts. By publishing content that builds expertise in their specialty fields, attorneys can signal to potential clients the areas a firm specializes in. This includes posting about events, speaking engagements, and podcast appearances on platforms like LinkedIn. Not only that, but by promoting podcast clips and interviews on social media, the attorneys perpetuate the marketing cycle and raise awareness for all parties.
When it comes to content, Roy said repetition, focus, and quality are often where firms fall short. Firms must consistently repeat high-quality messages around a select few priority topics to truly make an impact. Another best practice- and Roy’s takeaway tip for legal marketers- is creating a weekly digest highlighting recent marketing activities and efforts. This engages the internal team while giving marketers newsworthy content.
Overall, Roy provided many thought-provoking insights that firms can apply to strengthen their strategies. By analyzing data, prioritizing key areas, empowering attorneys as experts, and optimizing efforts, firms can maximize the impact of their marketing investments.
Key takeaways:
Law firms should strategically focus their marketing efforts and resources on the practice areas that have the highest revenue potential rather than trying to please all attorneys equally.
Attorneys can build expertise and credibility by publishing content on their own profiles that establishes them as subject matter experts in their fields of practice.
Law firms need to incorporate repetition, focus, and strategy into their marketing plans in order to achieve success.
Creating a weekly digest of marketing activities is an effective way for marketers to keep the internal firm updated on efforts while also giving them content to engage with.
“Our health and well-being are paramount. We are all high performers with big dreams and aspirations, but as RuPaul has said, ‘If you don’t love yourself, how in the h*ll you gonna love somebody else?’
“Maybe it’s my age, but coming off the past couple years, mindfulness has become a key concern for me and for those I care about. I find that when I pause – truly pause – and let the universe in and the anxiety go, I’m far better equipped to help, to innovate, to perform, and, most important, to be happy.
“A survey like this helps provide us a snapshot in time and perspective. Your participation is key. We can’t improve what we don’t measure. And our wellness comes first.”
– Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing, Clark Hill, and Immediate Past International President, Legal Marketing Association
Adam Walker and Edgewise Media, thank you for this opportunity! Not sure how but I missed this video interview a few months back when it posted – I’m so sorry about that. Looking forward to watching and seeing whatever may have been on my crazy mind then. LOL. Thank you for all you do for our community!
Show description: “Join Roy Sexton, a trailblazing legal marketing strategist, as he unravels the secrets of successful content strategies. Discover how to transcend limitations, collaborate across departments, and create captivating content inspired by the latest media trends. From repurposing content to leveraging social media and account-based marketing, unlock a transformative path to reaching your target audience and achieving unparalleled brand visibility.”
Thank you, Passle! You do so much good for our industry and our profession. Love you all! Deeply honored to be included here among such wonderful luminaries.
Passle writes: “Need some inspiration heading into 2024? Check out our list of must listen podcasts from the Passle CMO Series.
“We’ve broken down the top topics and picked our key podcasts to kick off your year with a bang.
“Thanks to Lynnette Espy-Williams, Roy Sexton, Diana Lauritson, MBA, M.S., Suzie Williams, Maggie Stuart Watkins, Lisa Azzuolo, Paul D. Webb, Chris Postizzi, Mariana Loose, Judith McKay, Emily Rogers, Emily Mckeown.”
Thank you, 9Sail and Joe Giovannoli, for all you do for our profession and community. Such a gem! Thank you also to Lynn Tell for inviting me. And Todd Rengel, you are an absolute delight. Greatly enjoyed this conversation and being able to share my free-ranging perspectives on our collective future.
In this installation of 9Sail’s Legal Marketer Webinar series, Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and President of the Legal Marketing Association, and Todd Rengel, legal marketing technologist and President of Animus Rex, Inc. joined 9Sail founder and CEO Joe Giovannoli to reflect on this year in legal marketing and review trends for the future.
Key takeaways:
Market Consolidation: continuing law firm consolidation is likely, in part arising from increased competition from technologically savvy firms that have a mature infrastructure and strong, highly specialized teams already in place. Marketers should prepare to play a larger role in strategy, and to encourage their firms to be proactive rather than reactive.
Increase Team Efficiency: One of the best things marketers can do, both in budget and in use of technology, is to streamline and find the pathways that are most efficient to satisfy the needs of their internal lawyer clients and external firm clients.
Be Digital: It’s vital for legal marketers to engage in effective digital marketing, or be left behind.
Thank you, Wabash College! ✨… Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill Law and 2023 International President of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International, has been named to the INvolve People Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2023.
While at Wabash, Sexton was a double major in English and Theater, was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Student Senate, The Bachelor, and the Wabash College Theater.
The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations, and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.
INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and creates inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed. They publish annual role model lists recognizing and celebrating business leaders and future leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and inspiring the next generation of diverse talent.
Thank you, Answering Legal, for including me among your best of 2023! So grateful for all you do for our community!
They write …
In 2023, we released 16 episodes of the “Everything Except The Law” podcast, featuring in-depth interviews with top experts from across the legal industry. In a new best of episode, we highlight some of our favorite interview moments from the past year.
Special thanks to Ben Sachs, Laura Terrell, Paul J. Campson, Michelle Calcote King, Joe Patrice, Jim Hacking, Tyson Mutrux, Chris Dreyer, Stephanie A. Everett, Annette Choti, Esq., Doug Brown, J.D. – Executive Coach, Jared Correia, Dena Lefkowitz, Esq., PCC ★, Mathew Kerbis, Roy Sexton, Paul Llewellyn, Steve Fretzin, Jim Christy, Jonathan Breeden and Daniel Ambrose for joining us on the show in 2023.
Looking forward to joining Todd Rengel and Joe Giovannoli for what is sure to be a robust and fun conversation. Thank you, Lynn Tellefsen Stehle and 9Sail, for including me!
Description: More than ever before, law firms are relying on their marketing and business development leaders and teams to navigate the complexities of client development, new client acquisition, communications and reputation management.
Although business development and marketing teams may have more opportunity to impact a firm’s bottom line, their path to success is fraught with challenges that include internal resistance to adapt and the agility needed to anticipate and respond to a client’s needs. How then can marketing teams evolve to keep pace with the increasing demands made on them by their firms and clients? How can they continuously prioritize to focus on what matters most to help their firms, and thereby, their careers?
Join Roy E. Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill and President of the International Legal Marketing Association, and Todd Rengel, legal marketing technologist and President of Animus Rex, Inc. for a provocative and timely fireside chat moderated by Joe Giovannoli, Founder and CEO of 9Sail. Together they will explore and share their insights and predictions about the direction of legal marketing, and what it will take to succeed in the digital era. Join this important and timely conversation to listen, learn and share your thoughts.
This webinar is the latest in 9Sail’s Monthly Legal Marketing Webinar Series. 9Sail webinars unite industry experts and in-house law firm leaders to deliver insights to empower the implementation of strategies to accelerate growth.
B. Riley Farber Executive Search partners with numerous professional services firms to assist with the growth strategy and plans.
We asked some of our partners and we are pleased to share their views on the future of marketing and the top skills that will be in demand in the next 5 years.
Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill reminds marketers on the importance of messaging and the right strategy, “The intersection of messaging, data analysis, and digital marketing will remain absolutely key. First, you need to be able to articulate your value proposition and differentiation. Always. And forever. But you then need to understand the best channels for your services and maintain the right media mix, be that social, thought leadership, targeted campaigns, etc. And ultimately you need to be able to measure what you are doing and articulate clearly that you are having the proper reach and awareness. Too many marketers just start lobbing messaging without a proper strategy. You may as well light your money on fire in the parking lot.”
Y’all have heard enough from me this year! I’m a menace on social media, I know. So, this month I asked a cohort of LMA leaders and friends to answer this question: “What LMA accomplishment/experience has meant the most to you this year so far?”
Here are the responses — I hope you smile as much as I did while reading these.
This is a remarkable community and that’s because of YOU! (And, yes, here’s another playlist, this time focused on the amazing women in music who have long energized my soul. Women who inspire, challenge, slay, shine…on Apple and Spotify. Enjoy!)
“The opportunity to co-chair the CMO Summit at the annual conference with Justin Portaz and Brie Leung was the highlight of my LMA year. We welcomed more than 50 first-chair professionals for a day-long session that focused not only on the business aspects of our roles, but also covered leadership and wellness — areas that affect our entire team. … Thanks again for the opportunity to take on that important role for our organization and your conference.” —Ashraf Lakhani
“Roy, this year, I’ve been deeply impressed by (and thankful for) the way our board and conference committee have been united in our vision of holding a top-notch regional conference in Nashville this November!” —Laura Hudson
“Taking on a leadership role with LMA fosters new networking relationships, as well as rekindles old ones. LMA creates community, and I cherish our community!” —Walter McCorkle
“Everyone always says their favorite thing about LMA is the people and I couldn’t agree more. It feels like this has been the year of meaningful connections! As we come out of the pandemic, I’ve seen our members show up for each other like never before, whether it’s lending a hand professionally or forming new friendships. Here at LMA Midwest, it’s been amazing to see our content calendar filled to the brim and I can’t wait to bring our #MidwestMojo to Chicago for our Regional Conference in October! … P.S. Thank you for encouraging all of us to be ourselves — LMA has felt like a more welcoming place with you at the helm!” —Lauren McNee
“All of the conversations started around the globe about the need and want for LMA education, networking, membership and overall involvement on four new continents where we don’t even have a region in yet (Africa, Australia, Asia and South America). And most of these conversations were started because individuals either heard about LMA or joined and received such amazing benefits that they want to share the wealth and knowledge! The fact that nonmembers are reaching out to us, directly asking for LMA to expand within their regions on the other side of the world, is amazing. 😊” —Ashley Stenger
“I have really enjoyed being the board liaison for the LMA Southeast (LMASE) Conference Committee this year. This group of volunteers has really taken ownership of the event and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition!” —Raven Hicks
“The 2023 annual event unquestionably stood out as the highlight of my year. It was invaluable, from the in-person connections to the exceptional quality of the sessions — not to mention the remarkable location. It was an experience that truly encapsulated everything I value in LMA, wrapped up in a year-defining occasion.” —Beth Cuzzone
“I joined Constangy as the CMO in August of 2022. Since then, we’ve built out a fantastic team here, a true dream team. All of the new team members we’ve hired since I joined have been through a referral via LMA connections. I could not be more grateful to work with amazing colleagues, sent to us straight through LMA friends!” —Jennifer Scotton
“Having joined a new firm this year, I was delighted to open up LMA membership to our team members. It’s been really gratifying to watch them dive into their LMA experiences in all sorts of ways — some have assumed leadership roles at local and national levels; others are devouring all of the AI info and insights conversations. Still others have become active participants on LMA Connect. While their experiences are unique, they are all finding value and community within the organization. Best I could hope for!” —Trish Lilley
“A personal highlight was helping to shape an annual conference that I believe reflected the best of LMA — camaraderie, education, mentorship, strategic thinking and a healthy dose of glitter — and now using that experience to go all in for another world-class event in 2024!” —Amber Bollman
“I am counting down the days until I get to see my LMA friends again at the LMASE Regional Conference in Nashville this November. As a young legal marketer, experiencing LMA conferences is what first inspired me into getting involved in [the association].” —Danielle Smith
“This year we made a change to the Plaintiff Firm Shared Interest Group (SIG) and updated the name [Business to Consumer Practices SIG] to be more inclusive of all consumer practices. This includes practices like personal injury, trusts and estates, family law, employment etc. Our intention was to bring more people together who need to focus their efforts not only on business development, but also marketing to many audiences through social, intake, advertising, digital and content. It is my hope that we can continue to grow the SIG and support more law firms.” —Sarah Ryan
“While my time on the international board has certainly included numerous accomplishments and victories, I think the biggest one that I would focus on is our transition back to normal, or whatever normal is, with in-person education and networking events. Those events have always been the lifeblood of the association and it’s great to have them back!” —Andy Laver
“It’s been especially wonderful to see so many new faces at LMA programs this year. We are inspiring the next generation of marketing leaders and elevating our association’s credibility in the process.” —Jacob Eidinger
“Having coffee with Caitlin Balsimo, market development specialist at K&L Gates, was my LMA highlight of the year. After numerous Zoom calls and emails since we were matched up as mentor-mentee in January of 2020, we met face-to-face when she was in Minneapolis this summer!” —Sally Schmidt
“Incredible collaboration! I’ve been truly wowed at how many of our members and LMA leaders have locked arms to collaborate and lead thoughtful and inspiring conversations. It has been some of the best content and thought leadership I’ve ever seen!” —Julie Holton
“Involvement in LMA this past year reminded me that those of us in legal marketing are part of a supportive community that cares for and lends a hand to one another. This camaraderie certainly shone through at the LMA 2023 Annual Conference, in terms of the in-between-the-sessions conversations that took place. (Questions arose between members such as ‘How do you deal with a difficult work situation?’ or ‘How do you multi-task when you are too tired to do it?’) Yet this was also clearly shown at our recent New York Summer Soiree, as so many members of the LMA Northeast (LMANE) community were so authentically joyful when they connected.” —Deborah Farone
“Working with my co-chairs Alé Simmons and Susan Slifer to plan the LMA QuickStart® pre-con in Hollywood, FL, and visiting the Michigan Local Steering Committee for a walking tour of Detroit!” —Jason Klika
“This is my third year participating as a mentor in the Southwest Region’s LMANext Program. I love sharing my perspective with my mentees and learning new nuggets of wisdom from the program’s facilitator, Holly Barocio.” —Ashley Black
“Helping program content for the Chicago Local Steering Committee has been a wonderful source of learning and connection for me in ’23. … Along with many LMA 2023 Annual Conference Advisory Committee moments, working with my local [group] has definitely made me feel more at home professionally in Chicago.” — Joseph Edmonds
“My experience serving as a mentor during the LMA 2023 Annual Conference meant so much to me. I loved getting to know Rachel Klopp and Michelle Hernandez and sharing thoughts and ideas on how best to maximize time during the conference — and then enjoying being together to partake in all of the fun and education it had to offer!” —Jessica Haarsgaard
“What has made this year great for me: We continue to grow as an organization — in numbers with increased membership and in resources provided to our members. At a time when other associations are contracting, we continue to meet the moment and build for the future. We have continued a pattern of carrying forward goals from previous years, building upon them in a smart, measured approach. [This] has allowed us to maintain focus and keep resources allocated to areas critical for the advancement of the organization. What I am most looking forward to: The recommendations from the multiple working groups that will shape a comprehensive LMA events and education strategy. This will result in a number of benefits, including streamlining the delivery of related services (reducing burden from volunteer leaders), further mitigating risk and reduce exposure on large-scale events, and providing an even more consistent member and volunteer experience across the organization.” —Amy Verhulst
“So far this year, I’m most proud of beginning the work to reinvigorate active volunteer leadership coming out of the past few years. I’m incredibly excited for my year as president of the LMANE board and looking forward to working with the talented legal marketing professionals in the northeast!” —Robyn Addis
“Roy, the trust that you and the team placed in Ashraf, Brie and me to create something for the CMOs at #LMA23 was valuable and special. What I hope was achieved in that setting would be reflected in the following: Working with trusted friends and peers (Ashraf Lakhani and Brie Leung) to create space where authentic leadership and humanity can flourish, or at least bubble up to the surface, in a supportive environment to further permeate our industry and elevate our people. … Thanks for your incredible and joyful leadership. It matters, a lot.” —Justin Portaz
“Working with Bobbie Conklin to develop a new PreCon track on career development was by far the greatest highlight for me. Not only did I get to work with and learn from a brilliant legal marketer, I met a dear friend along the way.” —EJ Stern
“I joined the law industry this year as a Marketing Director and the LMA single handedly got me through. Not one week went by where I didn’t learn something or get a question answered or supported by one of your members. I seriously can’t join other communications based organizations at this point because none of them offer what you do. Thank you for making this a solid experience that has really encouraged me to choose law marketing as a career. Very grateful for all you do. … I mean it. I am so impressed and grateful. One of the most informative memberships out there.” —Jen Roy
“I became an LMA member in 1992. When I moved to law after 10 years with the Big Four I was in a bit of culture shock, and my LMA colleagues gave me comfort and support that I wasn’t alone (or crazy) in some of the ‘differences’ I was experiencing. My LMA colleagues gave me long lasting friendships, they freely shared their wisdom, ideas, and creativity and were critical to my successes as a legal marketer. I am forever grateful!”—Kathleen Flynn
“What has made LMA great for me in 2023? I had the honor to co-chair the PR and communications pre-conference session at the LMA 2023 Annual Conference in Hollywood, FL, in the spring. I found great joy and satisfaction in bringing together communications professionals from around the United States for insightful and meaningful conversations around the most pressing issues confronting our roles and responsibilities in leading law firm communication programs. I am grateful I get to contribute to a dynamic organization and collaborate with people I like and trust.” —Cheryl Bame
“This year, I was very excited to see that the LMA has made significant steps forward in celebrating diversity and adding even more diverse professionals to its leadership ranks!” —Dave Poston
“Roy, is it too much to say that your opening number at #LMA23 gave me LIFE?!?” —Laura Gassner Otting
And then I got this one: “LMA has a long way to go to get positive reactions from my team.” —Dave Bruns
I debated about including that last one, but you know what? All feedback is important feedback. I appreciate Dave and his candor. He cares. And that’s a wonderful thing.
I’ve been grateful for the opportunity this year to lead, and we welcome thoughts — good, bad, indifferent — about how we can continue to help LMA thrive and grow.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any specificity that will enable actionable change.
Thank you to our leaders and volunteers who bring positivity, grace and hard work to this community. You are appreciated and loved. This community is only what we choose to make it, and you have made it grand indeed!
Love you,
Roy
President, 2023 LMA International Board of Directors
Roy E. Sexton Director of Marketing Clark Hill
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR LMA24 IApril 3-5 I San Diego
Thank you, Daniel Steinberg and Lawbrokr., for this very thoughtful piece on legal marketing and optimal strategic mix: “Law & Marketing Magazine.” Available to download here: https://www.lawbrokr.com/guides-and-resources
It’s a great roadmap for anyone assessing their efforts, building out a team, and detailing out short and long term plans. Very nicely done. And thanks for including this quote from yours truly:
“Branding is more than just a logo, color choices, or font. Branding is about the experience. And law firms are a collection of experiences: client, attorney, staff, talent acquisition, collaboration, and work product. Your clients are making an investment in you, so invest in them by clearly articulating what makes you unique and needed.”
