1.How did you start working in/with the legal marketing industry?
After holding media-related positions on and off Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., I returned to California, where I attended college and became Public Relations Manager at JAMS, the world’s largest mediation and arbitration provider. It was refreshing to join an organization that embodies neutrality after working in the polarized arena of politics. Like many others, I came to legal marketing serendipitously. When I first heard about the job, I didn’t even know what alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and legal marketing were. After meeting with Deana Kardel and Steve Price, who were respectively the Vice President of Marketing and CEO at the time, I knew JAMS is a special place and I was inspired by their mission of doing “good” through ADR.
2.How do you describe your job to people outside of the legal industry?
At JAMS, we help attorneys and their clients successfully resolve disputes outside of court. My role is multi-faceted: 1) I work to educate attorneys and executives about alternative dispute resolution and JAMS capabilities; 2) I help individual mediators and arbitrators build their business; and 3) I help promote, strengthen and protect the JAMS brand here and abroad.
3.What’s the best part of your work and why?
At JAMS, it’s definitely the diverse group of people that I interact with on a daily basis. In one day it can include retired federal and state court judges, creative people at our ad and PR agencies here in the U.S. and in London, and Weinstein JAMS International Fellows, who are located across the globe spreading the ADR gospel. Each day is filled with different people, and I love that!
4.How do you deal with “impossible” situations?
First of all, I perform a mini meditation (not to be confused with mediation, although sometimes that’s helpful too). Seek help when necessary. Break the situation down into manageable steps and then methodically dig in.
5.If you were to build the “perfect” legal marketer, what skill(s) would they most need?
The characteristics would be flexibility, patience, a good sense of humor, lack of egotism and a willingness to be part of a team.
6.If you could have any job other than what you currently do, what would that be?
Children’s book author or restaurateur on the Greek island of Santorini.
7.What are your passions outside of work?
Spending time with my husband Peter and our 4-year old son and 11-month old daughter. Eating great food with friends at my favorites restaurants, which serve Afghan, Persian, Indian, Thai and of course Greek food.
8.What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
TV (“Mad Men”) and my “moms” book club. We get together once a month and talk about books, kids, husbands—frequently over a glass of wine or wonderful homemade food.
9.Why did you join LMA, and is it the same reason you are still a member?
I initially joined LMA to learn more about legal marketing. I’m still a member because I like to stay connected to the community, enjoy the people in the local Los Angeles Chapter and take advantage of staying on top of trends in the industry through participation in the annual CME, monthly lunch programs, and Senior Marketers roundtables.
I have a lot, so it’s hard to pick just one. The National Conference has been a positive experience for me, both professionally and personally. I really enjoyed spending time with Melissa Anderson (Vinson & Elkins), Ellen Blattel (Blattel Communications), Maureen Flanagan (Day Pitney), Deana Kardel (Eos Consulting), Cynthia Kaiser (Rutan & Tucker), Paul Ryplewski (JD Supra) and many others in Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando and various other locales—all good times and I’ve learned so much from all of them. I appreciate the fact that once a year I can catch up with former colleagues, peers and friends who are spread throughout the country.
Michele Apostolos, Director, Marketing and Communications
JAMS
www.jamsadr.com