Tag Archives: Michelle Turner

“When we talk about allyship, it means so much to know people are there supporting us, but it even even means more when they are actively clearing barriers for our professional success.” Video interview with Pathmonk “Formulating Strategies for Legal Marketing Success;” Legal Marketing Association DEI Member Resource Group Testimonials; and my talented pals launch their new book “Own Your Story: #EmpoweredWomenAnthology”

12 June 2024

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Thank you, Ernesto Quezada and Pathmonk, for having me on to talk about this wonderful firm Clark Hill where I’m privileged to work with such an incredible Marketing and Business Development team and with such fantastic attorneys and colleagues.

View here.

It’s always a thrill to tell our story, discuss our growth trajectory, and our exceptional culture. Appreciate the opportunity very much! #SimplySmarter

Episode description: Join Roy Sexton, Director of Marketing at Clark Hill, as he delves into strategic legal marketing insights. With over 25 years of experience, Roy discusses branding, communications, and the firm’s 700+ attorneys across 27 [NOW 28 with addition of Boulder!] offices.

Discover Clark Hill’s comprehensive legal services, from labor and employment to banking and finance, all delivered by an accessible team of professionals. Tune in to explore the values driving Clark Hill’s success and learn how they continue to make an impact in the legal industry.

From my time on the international board of the Legal Marketing Association (five years with 2024 being my last!), one of the things of which I think I’m proudest that the organization has put in place would be our DEI Member Resource Groups, a safe space for learning and commiseration, networking and, well, kindness.

More info here.

There have been many leaders involved over the past few years in their creation and maintenance and growth. They all deserve so much praise – a special shout out to wonderful Michelle Turner and David Ackert who keep asking for my thoughts for these lovely periodic summaries they’ve compiled.

My thoughts from our recent allies gathering:

“Our allies conversation this month was so robust and so candid and so essential. We had open dialogue about the difference between good intention and real need and about how those of us in diverse groups may not always crave more ally energy/programming, but rather substantive support in terms of career opportunity. When we talk about allyship, it means so much to know people are there supporting us, but it even even means more when they are actively clearing barriers for our professional success.”

Own Your Story: #EmpoweredWomenAnthology

Received my copy last night and can’t wait to start reading, exploring, learning – kudos to this incredible cohort of leaders/authors/voices on this wonderful milestone!

You can order your copy of “Own Your Story: #EmpoweredWomenAnthology” here.

“[A] treasure trove of authentic and vulnerable stories, each one a chance to learn, to connect, and maybe even find a little piece of ourselves in the process.” – Eugina Jordan, Author of Unlimited

“An inspiring reminder that when we share our stories, we step into our power and claim our worth.” – Alexandra Carter, Author of Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything

“This book, authored by women who are both excellent storytellers and inspiring community leaders, serves as a showcase of their passion, strength, and resilience. Keep shining and sharing your amazing stories!” – Lucy Chen, Author of Build Resilience: Live, Learn, and Lead

Stories have the power to transform: they foster empathy, create connections, and teach us that we are more alike than different. In this anthology, women from diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, professions, and ages share their unique stories. These are stories of growth, change, loss, love, enlightenment, strength, and resilience. Their vulnerability reminds us that authenticity is empowering—and they lead by example.

Empowered and connected, we can create change in our lives and the world. Let’s harness the power of storytelling to empower, connect, and create change.

Foreword: Our Stories Light Fires; They Break Molds by Eugina Jordan

Introduction: The Art of Storytelling by Susan C. Freeman

Finding My Tribe by Cheryl Aufdemberge

A Unicorn in an Ordinary World by Dr. Rebecca Baumgartner, ACC, CDE

Unbreakable by Natalie Altonia Borneo

What I Was Made for by Michelle Bufano

On Hospice: Life After Death by Sarah Burke

Permission to Live Out Loud by Tiffany Castagno

A ‘Yes … And’ Career Model by Gena Cox, PhD

Breaks Don’t Define You, They Refine You by Marcie Dickson

Grateful: A Life Well Served by Jan Anne Dubin, MBA (She/ Her/ Hers)

Grace, Grit, Grind, and Gratitude by Daphne Turpin Forbes

Breaking the Stigma by Susan E. Frankel

Unexpectedly Redirected: Loss to Possibility by Anne Gallagher

The Power of the Girlfriend Brigade by Alexis Gladstone

The Survivor’s Journey by Lindsay Griffiths

Self-Doubt as a Catalyst for Change by Judy Hoberman-CHPC-Exec. Coach-Sales-Leadership-Speaker

A Journey of Resilience and Hope by Homeira İzadi

The Road to Mastering My Voice by Nori Jabba

Follow the Yellow Brick Road by April Joy (Hurst)

The Chariot, The Tower, and The Page by Drew Kramer

Healing Out Loud by Caroline Markel

The 3 Rs of Resilience by Lesley Marlin

The Power of Owning Your Story by Serena Mastin

From Silent Ostrich to Empowered Peacock by Sheila Murphy

Self-realization and Renewal by Jenn Ocken

When Others Can’t Handle the Shine by Sameena Safdar

Innovate & Change to Succeed by Nita Sanger

Great Expectations: A Love Letter to Women by Lauren A. Tetenbaum, LCSW, JD, PMH-C

When Life Throws You a Curve Ball … by Jennifer Marino Thibodaux

Rising Up by Courtney Thomas

Life Is About the Journey by Jing Wang

Words You Keep by Becky Whatley

Learning to Thrive Not Just Survive by Michelle Wimes (she, her, hers)

Afterword: Own Your Story by Lesley Marlin & Jennifer Thibodaux

Right or wrong, we (I) carry a feeling of “otherness” everywhere we go … thank you to the Legal Marketing Association’s #LGBTQIA+ Member Resource Group for providing safe haven … #lmamkt #lma24

14 April 2024

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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.

Legal Marketing Association Gratitude … #lmamkt #lma23

17 November 2023

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Heartwarming weekend reading. Love this piece on gratitude assembled by our Legal Marketing Association – LMA International DEI volunteer leaders. It’s a beautiful, inspiring read: https://lnkd.in/g_ju7GNm

Love your contributions here, David Ackert, Holly L. Barocio, Ashley Holloway Black, Terra Davis, Tahisha Fugate, Sebastian Gomez, Kevin Iredell, Rafeedah Keys, Tasneem K. Khokha, Ashraf Lakhani, Trish Desilets Lilley, Elissa Meno, David Meyer, Sonali Oberg, Ariel Rivera, Sarah Ryan , Deborah Scaringi, Danielle Smith, Linsey Tolman, Michelle Turner, and Calie Valore. Beautiful souls, beautiful messages all.

My contribution: “I’m grateful for so many things this year. The opportunities that have been placed before me, the friendships that have supported me, the hard work of the volunteers in our LMA family who consistently go above and beyond, our HQ support team who work long hours behind the scenes to make everything happen. But most of all, I am thankful for my husband. This is a big lift to ask of anyone and he has been incredibly supportive the entire year when work and volunteer activities have taken me away from him and our two rescue dogs. He has cheered me on, and has been so enthusiastic as I’ve done one wacky thing after another, and has consistently been in my corner. I am so very grateful for that.”