- How did you get into legal marketing?
By answering an ad! When my prior work responsibilities were going to require increased travel and reduced pay, I started looking into my options here in Pennsylvania. (I had previously been telecommuting full-time with a professional society in Washington, DC—my birthplace and home until 2004).
I submitted my resume for consideration for a “boutique environmental law firm” without knowing much more than that. It was the first resume I sent out and within 20 minutes I was contacted by the search group. Within the week, on my birthday, none the less, I met with John Kirk, our Director of Administration, and I knew it this was no ordinary law firm.
I was nervous about starting something so new after being involved in healthcare marketing my whole professional career, but I quickly discovered that most of the marketing and program management skills easily carried over.
- Describe one of your best experiences in legal marketing?
I think I felt like I had “arrived” not only at the firm, but in making Pennsylvania my home, the morning I was able to fulfill the vision of our Managing Partner Robb Fox and coordinated a large-scale client event on the Environmental and Energy Funding Available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
My husband was traveling, my sitter did not show up, and I was to be at work extra early. Calling in quick favors from friends and neighbors, I made it in on time, incorporated some last minute changes to the presentation, met with some major clients for the first time, and ran a pretty seamless program. It was not the way I would have wanted to start that morning, but it made me feel good that it all came together despite the rocky start to my morning.
- What is one of your greatest challenges when it comes to legal marketing?
There are so many rules surrounding what can and cannot be said in legal marketing. I feel an additional layer of challenge because of type of work we do in environmental and energy law. We cannot readily tout our successes.
- Do you have any words of wisdom to those who are new to the field?
Be patient. Be flexible. Ideas shift. Priorities change.
Respect the attorneys’ time. When you can make their lives easier, it makes your job easier.
I still feel very new and I don’t know how long it takes to overcome that feeling. I find educational programs/lunches to be beneficial in hearing what’s working and not working for others and realizing that many others have the same questions or challenges.
- What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
Despite being very athletic, I’m not very adventurous. I love to run and teach a boot camp class, but I like to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground! I would love to one day do a triathlon, but I’m not sure I have an open water swim in me!