“Well, that’s your problem. You’re marketing.” Law.com’s How Senior Marketing Professionals Can Transition to the Legal World

26 September 2024

Thank you, Erika Ratner Steinberg, for including me in this excellent and revelatory piece. Honored to be featured here alongside such brilliant minds as Andrea (Andi) Benjamin, Susan Kurz, and Cynthia A. McCollough.

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EXCERPT: Roy Sexton is immediate past president of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International Board of Directors. LMA is the single largest trade group for legal marketing professionals, with nearly 4,000 members. In his “day job” as Director of Marketing for international law firm Clark Hill Law out of Detroit, Sexton has been able to integrate deftly his experiences from a prior career in consumer-facing healthcare marketing with those from two prior smaller firms.

“I came from a large hospital system and my first law job was at a small mortgage foreclosure firm in 2011, and they seemed very marketing-savvy there. At the time, I thought healthcare had a lot to learn, but a basic tool—the customer survey—was commonly used.”

But Sexton says that when he came to that mortgage foreclosure law firm, a logical, basic notion like regularly surveying clients was still an alien concept.

“I worked out a survey of clients with the managing partner and sent it out. The executive committee first heard about it when it was complete, and I came into their meeting to report the results. They were shocked, and they had a few questions:

‘On what authority I had decided to send this client survey? Who had reviewed these questions?’

I candidly pointed to the managing partner, who conveniently, was not in the room.

‘Why didn’t you include us?’

I noted that even though it seemed I had inadvertently missed out on some protocol, it had produced some valuable client feedback.

Answer: ‘We won’t be doing anything with it because we didn’t know about it and we don’t like the way you wrote the survey.’

I replied that we had created client expectations to hear back from us—after all, we had asked them their opinions. And the committee said, ‘Well, that’s your problem. You’re marketing.’

To me, the survey represented valuable data. To them, it was a perilous risk, laced with criticism. They weren’t having any. I learned about buy-in that day; I haven’t forgotten. Everyone needs to feel like they are in the driver’s seat until they don’t feel like driving the car anymore. I’m grateful for those early learnings which have served me well as I’ve progressed to larger firms.”

Happy anniversary to my dear hubby – love you very much, John, and proud of our life together. #loveislove

From 9Sail: Budget Season – Plan Your Law Firm’s Marketing Budget with Data … Webinar, September 25, noon eastern

23 September 2024

“‘Happiness comes in on tiptoe…’ Finding (and keeping) your voice” … and at #LMASE24 my time on the LMA International Board begins to come to an end. I will be forever grateful.

14 September 2024

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I suppose after the last couple of remarkable days at LMA Southeast Region’s SOLD OUT “Accelerate” #LMASE24 conference, two words stick in my craw: “Thank you.”

More photos here.

Thank you to the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International for being my professional home for education, development, connection, commiseration since 2012.

Thank you to this industry and profession for being a space for me to be me (and hopefully help others do so as well).

Thank you to conference co-chairs Toni Toomer Wells and Matthew Gallagher as well as the conference committee for their hard work, grit, and heart.

Back to Skool AmpliMix ’24 Spotify playlist

Thank you to 2024 region president Raven Hicks and 2025 region president Powers Tanis for their inclusive, collaborative leadership.

Thank you to all for offering me the general session stage-time today to tell my own journey “‘Happiness comes in on tiptoe…’ Finding (and keeping) your voice,” all about developing and maintaining personal and professional brand. It felt like a capstone moment, and one I will treasure my whole life long.

I have gained so much in the past 12 years and grown so much because of this community. I remain forever grateful.

Back to Skool AmpliMix ’24 Spotify playlist

“We saw the brand beautifully enhance the collaboration and connection across all of our offices and our professionals.” Trendsetting.io shares my thoughts on the powerful impact of values in branding

29 August 2024

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Thank you, Trendsetting.io, for including my thoughts on the importance of incorporating values into branding. EXCERPT:

“When we developed our rebrand at Clark Hill, internal and external input was key. We engaged in a robust process of surveys and focus groups of both clients and internal stakeholders. But even so, as we neared launch, it felt like something was still missing. We had heard from our clients that our culture was a key differentiator for them, so we leaned into our internal stakeholders within our incredible HR team.

“We realized that we needed to put our firm’s values and mission front and center. Some organizations view those as more internally facing, but we found that once we incorporated those elements into our brand narrative via video features, Q&As, media profiles, and other communications mechanisms, our brand became incredibly engaging (and award-winning!). Our brand videos had hundreds of thousands of views, and we saw the brand beautifully enhance the collaboration and connection across all of our offices and our professionals.”

Read more.

Legal marketing can be tough, but does it have to be? Green Cardigan Marketing’s Ashley Robinson interviews yours truly for “Legal Conversations”

28 August 2024

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Legal marketing can be tough, but does it have to be? Want to uncover the secrets to thriving in this challenging field? Curious about successful legal marketing strategies?

VIEW HERE.

Thrilled to have been interviewed recently by Ashley Robinson, Owner of Green Cardigan Marketing. In this interview we discuss tips on how to shine in the legal marketing field.

Watch the full interview where Ashley and I dive into the dos and don’ts of legal marketing!

And thank you, Ashley Mejido, for all your lovely support here!

“It’s important to recognize their new ideas, products and services, all of which make our state’s communities stronger.” Corp! Magazine covers 2024 Most Valuable Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals Awards

26 August 2024

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Every year, Corp! Magazine’s Most Valuable Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Young Professionals Awards honor business leaders who have made Michigan a better place to live and work through their careers, their community involvement and their passion:

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MVP honorees are deserving members of the community who are creating job opportunities, driving economic growth, nurturing community advancements or leading successful companies.

MichBusiness President and CEO Jennifer Deeb Kluge said the organization believes “it’s important to celebrate” the people who are moving Michigan forward.

“It’s important to recognize their new ideas, products and services, all of which make our state’s communities stronger,” Kluge said. “That is the focus of these awards … to truly recognize achievements among a diverse group of professionals in a variety of areas.” …

Roy Sexton is director of marketing at Clark Hill, a full-service commercial law firm with targeted legal service across industries and practices, including corporate law, healthcare law, and more.

With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, business development and strategic planning, Sexton leads Clark Hill’s marketing, branding, and communications efforts.

Sexton said he’s “proud of how DEI has become so fully integrated” into his professional efforts. Clark Hill received Mansfield Certification for its efforts in the DEI space as well as conducting firmwide allyship training, all led by its HR team, supported by the marketing team on external messaging, including a series of DEI-focused videos.

“This year I was tapped to host a digital series through Expert Webcast entitled ‘All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth,’ featuring thought leaders, authors, academics, and other professionals discussing the benefits of personal branding and bringing our full selves to the workplace,” Sexton said. “Each episode has had a digital reach of around 20,000, which is very gratifying.”

His most important lesson came from his boss: Take the pause.

“We live in such a wired world and, while responsiveness will always have its place, being measured and thoughtful, listening and learning first, and then collaboratively coming to solutions always wins the day,” he said. “This has been transformational advice for me.”

The piece of advice he’d give others? Be open and inquisitive to all adventures before you.

“Every task represents an opportunity to learn, and nothing should be ‘beneath us,’” he said. “Obviously, know and hold your worth, but sometimes working on that presentation with a colleague is an opportunity to see how others think, to help shape narrative, and to expand your skill set.”

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” – Dalai Lama … National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s #LavenderLaw conference ’24 + Legal Marketing Association ’25 international board slate #lmamkt #lma24

11 August 2024

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I had a remarkable couple of days in our nation’s capital, visiting our Clark Hill Washington D.C. office and presenting at the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association’s LavenderLaw conference on client value and personal/professional branding. Caught up with some old friends and made some new ones. Grateful for this profession and industry and firm, celebrating our diversity, encouraging our voices, and honoring us all.

More pics here.

Thank you to my Clark Hill colleagues Maram Salaheldin, Mark Ludwikowski, Sally Alghazali, Kelsey Christensen, Kendall Smardzewski, Taylor Tremont, Jennifer Cook, and more for their hospitality and kindness, excellent conversation and commiseration.

Kudos to my dear friend Angelica Crisi of Coston Consulting for organizing such a remarkable panel, facilitating so beautifully, and treating us to an epic Italian dinner. She is a true gem. And not just because she titled our panel after one of my favorite Janet Jackson songs “What have you done for me lately?”

Catching up with my Wabash College Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity brother Marc Nichols in person for the first time in 30+ years (I think?) will be a memory I will treasure a very, very long time. His panel on board governance was required viewing for anybody in this space. Exceptionally well done.

Running into the ever fabulous Lee Ashby Rogers on the career fair floor was an unexpected and delightful surprise. She means the world to me.

And lovely seeing former colleague Elizabeth C. Jeffries who is really lighting the world on fire not to mention meeting her original gay (OG!) “uncle”/mentor Michael R. Komo, Esq. Truly a delightful individual, and I’m sorry he and I didn’t get more time to chat.

Feeling so grateful. ✈️🌈💕

Kudos to these remarkable leaders on their continued journey – Legal Marketing Association – LMA International members please take a moment to review and ratify this slate here: President-Elect Rachel Shields Williams, Treasurer Elect Jessica Haarsgaard, Secretary Diana Lauritson, RLC Chair Morgan MacLeod, Member-at-Large Jessica Aries, and Member-at-Large Amber Bollman. Collectively, these humans have already had such an incredible and positive impact on our profession and industry, and I, for one, can’t wait to see where they take things next!

As immediate past international president of LMA, it has been one of my great honors to help shepherd the nominations process this year, and I want to give special thanks to our 2024 LMA International Nominating Committee for all of their hard work, dedication, insight, and heart: David Ackert, Terra Davis, Emily Schweitzer Hillman, Brenda Plowman, Kate Shipham, and Arthur Uratani. And kudos to LMA CEO Ashley Stenger and LMA Client Operations and Project Management Senior Coordinator Jennifer Weigand for their exceptional support throughout this process. You all should be so proud of the work you’ve done here.

And last but not least, thank you to EVERYONE who expressed interest in these roles and who took time (they likely didn’t have!) to complete the application and interview process. Your commitment and your contributions to LMA are appreciated greatly, and I am personally thankful for all you’ve done and continue to do.

“Filling out questionnaires where I say something too revealing, stupid, or misspelled.” Society 54 features yours truly as one of their “Outlaws.”

27 July 2024

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Thank you, Society 54! Honored to be one of your Outlaws! This intro tho (blushing!) … wow!

“Discover the extraordinary leadership of Roy Sexton, the driving force behind Clark Hill Law’s marketing, branding, and communications triumphs. With over 25 years of rich experience in the fields of marketing, communications, business development, and strategic planning, he’s a true mastermind. His crowning achievement? Serving as the 2023 International President of the Legal Marketing Association – LMA International. Together with his exceptional team, Roy is forging a new path in professional services marketing. Meet the man steering the ship to success.”

Read my cheeky responses to their interview here.

Roy is a highly accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in marketing, branding, communications, and business development. He has spent more than 25 years in the industry, honing his skills and expertise to become one of the most sought-after experts in his field.

Throughout his career, Roy has worked with numerous organizations across different industries, helping them develop and implement effective marketing strategies that drive growth and success. He is known for his exceptional abilities in strategic planning, identifying new opportunities for businesses to expand their reach and improve their bottom line.

Enjoy getting to know the Outlaw, Roy Sexton!

Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
A: Being in a particularly boisterous crowd who won’t let me finish one story.

Q: Where would you like to live?
A: Narnia, Wonderland, or Oz … my hubby would like to move one day to Portland or Seattle (but we probably should visit there first!)

Q: What is your idea of happiness?
A: Having a quiet, slightly rainy day with zero requests from anyone, my husband on the couch napping with our dogs Henry J and Hudson, and me in my chair with a big pile of comic books.

Q: Who is your real-life hero?
A: My husband is one of the most generous, selfless people I know with a deep commitment to his friends. I aspire to be more like him as I fear I’m a mile wide and an inch deep where relationships are concerned.

Q: What is your motto?
A: “Tell people what they mean to you in the moment when it will mean something to them.” – Susie Sexton … also, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Filling out questionnaires where I say something too revealing, stupid, or misspelled.

Q: To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
A: Is there a word count limit here? Talking too much, co-opting others’ stories with my own, overstaying my welcome, buying too many action figures, wearing costumes when other people simply wear clothing, eating too much fried food, wishing to rescue every homeless animal …

Q: Finish this sentence: “If I could have one super-power, it would be…”
A: To make sure people never act like smart alecks with each other, never tease each other, never act snide, and always simply support one another

Q: Who are your favorite authors or what are your favorite books?
A: Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, Eugene O’Neill, Toni Morrison, Tennessee Williams, Alice Walker, Tony Kushner, Susie Duncan Sexton

Q: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: Jennifer Garner. She just seems like a deeply decent human being who doesn’t take herself too seriously but would still have wicked stories to share.

Q: What got you into working in the legal industry?
A: Serendipity. I had been in health care strategic planning and marketing for over a decade. And I’d grown tired of that bureaucracy. I threw my resume out there in 2011 and was hired by my first firm. That said, I also joined the Legal Marketing Association then as well, and that’s when I knew I’d found my calling.

Q: Your favorite musician or band?
A: Madonna. Janet. Kylie. Britney. Beyonce. Gaga. Do you really need to ask?

Q: What is your current state of mind?
A: Loopy. I think I’m generally loopy. But when I embrace it, magic happens.

Q: Your favorite virtue?
A: Decency. It takes so little to simply be decent. It takes so much more energy to act like a jerk.

Q: What would you consider your greatest achievement?
A: My relationship – 25 years strong. My professional network – 32,000 and counting on LinkedIn. And serving as the 2023 International President of the Legal Marketing Association – including singing with a drag queen in Florida at the height of their governor’s homophobia.

Q: Finish this sentence: “If I won the lottery tomorrow I would…”
A: Build the biggest animal rescue the world had ever seen.

Q: Who would you have liked to be?
A: Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, or Hugh Jackman.