LMA Ohio Member Spotlight:
Jill Rako
Title: Marketing, Communications & Client Services Manager
Firm: Bricker & Eckler LLP
Education: The Ohio State University (undergrad) and School of Bank Marketing & Management at University of Colorado – Boulder (master’s)
Where did you grow up? Westerville, Ohio — I’m a seventh generation central Ohioan. My family settled with the Native Americans in what is now known as Delaware County.
What was your first job? Coming from a large family, I babysat quite a bit. But the first job I had when I collected a real, live paycheck was working at Dairy Queen. I worked there during the summer of the Blizzard’s debut and still remember serving ice cream to customers upside down. Talk about creating a memorable client experience! Do you think lawyers should serve their briefs and documents upside down to increase client satisfaction? Just a thought.
What would you be doing if you weren't in your current job? It’s a toss-up: I’d either be teaching high school or bartending barefoot on a beach. Pretty sure I’d be equally happy in both of those professions.
What is currently on your iPod? My taste in music is rather … ahem … diverse. If it’s on shuffle it might go from Bon Jovi to John Denver to Guns n Roses to Johnny Cash to Run DMC to The Osborne Brothers (bluegrass) to Ke$ha. I’m as comfortable getting my wobble on as I am two-stepping in a honky-tonk.
Where is your favorite place to go to relax? We have a cabin in Knox County that’s been in my family for generations. Cell reception is hit or miss up in those glorious woods so it’s kind of the perfect place for me to unplug. A roaring campfire with some guitar-picking sure can relax a girl.
What is your favorite TV show? Favorite movie? TV: It’s a tie between the upstairs/downstairs drama on Downton Abbey and the shenanigans on Mad Men. I simply can’t get enough of either one of those shows. Movie: I can’t pick just one movie to love — that’s kind of like asking me which child I love the most. The best movie I’ve seen recently, however, is Argo. Ben Affleck is a dead-ringer for my dad in that movie — it transported me right back to my childhood! It was equal parts creepy and cool watching my father’s doppelganger on the big screen.
What is your favorite cuisine? Ohh la la! French food & wine, hands down. I swear I would marry Julia Child if it were a possibility.
If you were stranded on a desert island, who or what would you want to have with you? All of my loved ones would be on this gorgeous island with me, of course. We would most definitely have a fleet of vehicles so we could 1.) leave from time to time to restock supplies, 2.) shuttle guests to and from our little Utopia and 2.) get around the island with great efficiency. What? Doesn’t every woman dream of owning a plane, helicopter, boats, trucks and ATVs? Oh, okay. Just me then? Well that’s awkward.
Who are the most important people in your life? I am extremely blessed with a large, supportive and hysterical family. My life just doesn’t work without the amazing love, guidance and laughter from these precious people. Trust me on this — you have to find the funny in life and these people serve it up each and every day without fail.
What is the first thing you read in the morning? The alerts on my phone. Seriously — I think I might have a problem. That thing sits on my nightstand almost taunting me so before my feet hit the floor in the morning I’ve got the bloody device in hand scrolling away. Hi, my name is Jill and I am addicted to my stupid smart phone.
How did you get into legal marketing? I’ve always been a professional services marketer starting with an internship in college. I spent the first leg of my career in financial services marketing, communications and business development — free checking, anyone? Believe it or not, I have now logged eight years in the legal industry helping lawyers generate revenues and create meaningful client relationships.
What is the best thing about your job? This sounds so trite and I hate myself for writing it, but honestly? It’s the people. I work with interesting, colorful, generous, fun and eccentric people day in and day out. I’m learning new things from all of them and they keep me coming back for more.
What advice would you offer a new entrant to the world of legal marketing? Do you see someone in the industry that you think, “Hey — I really like that person. They’re smart, successful and cool — I’d love to connect with them.” Then, as Nike says, just do it. Mentoring is such an important factor of success in the world of legal marketing. Believe me — the mentor will get just as much out of a relationship with you as you will. People in this industry are beyond generous — don’t be afraid to reach out to a seasoned legal marketer.