1. How did you start working in/with the legal marketing industry?
I sort of stumbled into the field. I was originally an event planner and I came across a position with a small firm looking for an event planner/marketing assistant. I was young and adventurous and I knew that working in the legal industry would be an interesting experience. Nearly 6 years later, I still love it and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
2. How do you describe your job to people outside of the legal industry?
Taking a cue from a presentation I heard from Burkey Belser, I now open with a line about being an advanced level cat herder. Then, once I’ve got their attention, I explain that I help my lawyers to attract, retain, and communicate with clients, so that their goal can continue to be doing great legal work. It's something my mentor Amy Merriweather taught me when I started at Munger Tolles and it has stuck with me ever since.
3. What’s the best part of your work and why?
Hands down, my favorite part of my job is the opportunity to work with smart, engaging and interesting people on a daily basis. Not just my lawyers, but also the others in my field. I’ve met some of my favorite people on the job and I love this industry because I know there’s no shortage of bright and motivating people for me to meet and work with over the years.
4. How do you deal with “impossible” situations?
I start with a deep breath and a big step back. We’ve all been there and no situation is truly impossible - we just need to find the most efficient way to tackle the issue. I find that a clear mind and a comprehensive understanding of what needs to be accomplished helps me to overcome most challenges. Also, managing expectations early and asking for help when needed are the keys to making it through almost any sticky situation. Most importantly, when things look especially dire, a quick venting session with my team always gives me a boost.
5. If you were to build the “perfect” legal marketer, what skill(s) would they most need?
- Patience
- Excellent listening skills
- The ability to think outside of the box
- Thick skin, and
- A positive attitude
6. If you could have any job other than what you currently do, what would that be?
I’d love to be a professional stylist! I may not always dress like it but I’m obsessed with fashion and I think I have a pretty good eye for what looks good on people.
7. What are your passions outside of work?
Family, friends and mystery novels.
8. What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Chocolate covered Oreos. Have you tried them? They’re amazing!
9. Why did you join LMA and is it the same reason you are still a member?
I originally joined LMA because Jennifer Larivee, my first legal marketing director, insisted that it would be the best thing that I could do for my career and her advice could not have been more accurate. I remain a member today because of the amazing educational opportunities LMA affords me, and the great connections and friendships I’ve developed over the years.
10. What’s your best LMA memory?
My best memory would be attending the 2011 LMA Annual Conference in Orlando. It was my first annual conference and I can clearly recall sitting in my pre-conference QuickStart session and listening to Maggie Watkins and Jonathan Fitzgarrald’s opening remarks. It was then that it hit me, I was going to spend the next several days with people just like me -- learning from their experiences, getting advice on how to do my job more efficiently and commiserating over shared challenges. As cheesy as it sounds, it was truly a life changing experience.
Contact Information:
Jessica A. Lewis
Practice Development Coordinator
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
355 S. Grand Avenue, 35th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 593-5337
(213) 687-3702 Fax
Jessica.Lewis@mto.com
www.mto.com