Name: Julie Eichelbaum
Position: LMASW Treasurer, Chief Client Relations Officer at Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, P.C.
Age: 62
Family: Married, Husband Dennis, three grown and married children, and two amazing grandkids Sophie 4.5 and Micah 3, plus two new grandbabies on the way!
Hometown: Dallas
Education: BS in Public Affairs (minors in Management and Labor Relations), Indiana University – Go Hoosiers!
What was your very first job, how old were you and what was the biggest takeaway from the experience?
My first job was as a waitress in a breakfast and lunch restaurant — my first real foray into client relations — when I was 16. I truly believe everyone should work in food service at least once. It’s a crash course in time management, attention to detail, handling all types of people, and staying calm under pressure.
What areas do you focus on in your role as a legal marketer? Why are you passionate about your profession?
I serve as a generalist at a small, boutique firm. I deeply believe in our mission of providing the highest quality legal services to Texas public schools. Business development in this field is a long game; our clients often experience leadership turnover, and administrators frequently move between districts. Maintaining and strengthening those relationships is both a challenge and an honor, and it’s what makes the work so meaningful to me.
What time do you typically get up on a workday, and what’s your ideal morning routine to get it off to a great start?
This question always makes me smile. As an empty nester who is not naturally an early bird, my ideal morning is simple — rolling out of bed and straight into the office!
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
Many people are surprised by the breadth of the education law field. Our firm represents school districts themselves, and the work spans elections, construction, governance, personnel, special education, student issues, procurement, and more. Additionally, there are strict rules governing how legal services for government clients are marketed, so my role requires constant innovation in reaching potential clients appropriately and effectively.
What’s the greatest personal or professional obstacle you’ve had to overcome, and how did you do it?
Early in my career, I stepped into a role after someone who had strained relationships with firm leadership and staff. It took several years of thoughtful, value-added ideas — and consistently following through — to build trust in my judgment. That period was challenging, but persistence paid off, and the experience taught me the value of steady credibility-building.
What are your best productivity hacks?
AI hands down. And all my favorite prompts have come from LMA members and conference sessions.
What is your favorite phone app for work/professional use? What about for fun/personal use
ChatGPT for work and NYT Games for fun - both are a bit addictive!
What’s a leadership skill you’ve learned the hard way?
Early on, in trying to be a “hands-off” manager, I assumed tasks were being completed without verifying progress. I once discovered that an important record-keeping task had gone unattended for nearly a year, putting a credential at risk. Since then, I’ve learned the importance of balancing independence with periodic check-ins to ensure success.
What are some of your hobbies or favorite things to do in your free time?
I sing in a large community choir that performs throughout Dallas and tours internationally during the summer. I’ve taken voice lessons and even auditioned for the Dallas Symphony Chorus — a stretch that required courage, and I was proud simply for taking the leap. Another adventure was becoming scuba certified in my late 50s! I also love playing mah jongg, and thanks to a birthday surprise from my husband — a mechanical mah jongg table — my home has become the place to play.
Tell us about some of your volunteer efforts in the community and why you support those causes/organizations.
I have been active in my religious community for many years, serving on the board of trustees and in Sisterhood leadership. Being present and engaged in a community is deeply important to me and my family.
You’re taking me out to a business lunch in your city. Where are we going and what do you recommend I order?
Since my office is in North Dallas, of course I’d take an out-of-towner to Hutchins BBQ for a brisket potato. If Tex-Mex is more your speed, we’d head over to Blue Goose for their fresh tortillas and chicken tortilla soup.
What’s one of the smartest purchases you’ve ever made? What’s one of the dumbest?
Smartest: Investing in experiences — travel, lessons, and opportunities that create lifelong memories.
Dumbest: Any gadget purchased impulsively that ended up sitting unused in a drawer!
Can you name someone who has had a great impact on you as a leader, or someone who has been a mentor to you in your life or career? How have they changed your outlook?
My parents. Both were leaders in their careers and communities, and they modeled the importance of stepping up, doing the right thing, and following through on commitments. Those principles have remained my north star throughout my life and career.
What is something you are absolutely determined to do in life?
Retire, and be happy about it! My goal is to continue to find fulfillment and new challenges beyond my professional title and to remember that my worth isn’t defined solely by my job.