Richard Martinez
Senior Business Development and Marketing Manager
Robinson & Cole
LMA NE Member-at-Large & City Groups Chair
How did you get into Legal Marketing?
I’ll admit it – I entered into legal marketing entirely by chance. I was living in Salt Lake City, UT after a media relations contract position with NBC Olympics for the 2002 Winter Games. One of my roommates was interning at the law firm of Holland & Hart. I asked him what the firm was doing to market their legal services and asked him if I could meet with their SLC office Managing Partner. After a good meeting, I was asked to join the firm part-time and was then introduced to my first of several mentors, Mark Beese who was CMO of Holland & Hart at the time. After a few weeks, they decided to bring me on full-time as a Marketing Coordinator and I became the first marketing person outside of the home office in Denver, CO. I was able to help the firm’s SLC office grow to the highest grossing regional office for the firm. I quickly found that I was able to utilize my business education and assist with several fun and unique marketing campaigns for the firm. The rest is history!
What is your favorite aspect of LMA New England?
Being new to New England, I joined LMA to meet others that were doing what I was doing. I like belonging to a community where smart people exchange ideas, thoughts, and sometimes just need a confidential ear. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know some of the wonderful people and leaders in this industry throughout several chapters. I have tried to take every opportunity to learn from them and hopefully some of them and others have will be able to learn a thing or two from me as well. LMA is a great circle of intelligence and ingenuity – I hope to be a part of this community for years to come.
What is the best thing about your job?
I work with great people, both co-workers and clients. They are funny, hard-working, creative, and supportive. They are also motivated. No one ever questions whether something can be done, they just present multiple ideas for getting it done. Developing new ideas with people I like is the best thing about my job.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I was invited to try out for the U.S. Bobsled team in 1996 in the Southern region (Texas). Although I wasn’t big like most sled pushers, I was quick. The top two participants moved on to train at Lake Placid and participate in the America’s Cup. Unfortunately, I missed the cut by four tenths of a second and took third place. Over the years I have kept up with some athletes that have progressed in the sport and have had the opportunity to go down a few runs on the track both in the winter and summer. Boy, what a rush! Overall, it was a great and fun experience!
If you could pick any place to live, where would it be?
Seattle, WA – This is a beautiful part of the U.S. and I love it! People here understand the importance of spending time outdoors! Seattle captures the mystique of the Northwest, rain and all, while remaining refreshingly low key, staying active and breathing in as much fresh air as possible. The proximity of the Pacific Ocean, Alaska, great skiing, and beautiful mountains make this very attractive to me.
If you could live in any other period of time, when would it be?
I am fascinated by the WWI era. I would want to be a part of the “Greatest Generation” and live during and after WWII. This was a great time for patriotism during the war and prosperity afterwards. The world was literally changing and many people were given opportunities that were nearly dreams before the war.