Professional Experience
Director/Editor-in-Chief
Consulting Magazine/American Lawyer Media LLC
New York, New York
2021 – present. Responsible for the success and quality of content and coverage including guidance of editorial quality and integrity, strategic planning and financial oversight of the consulting industry’s oldest and most respected publication. Development and implementation of strategies to grow audience and revenue, while acting as the public face of the publication for industry events and conferences. Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, advertisers, sponsors, and industry leaders, and working to promote events within the industry. Consulting Magazine is the preeminent news journal of the consulting profession and the authority in the advisory world for more than 25 years. It is part of ALM (formerly American Lawyer Media) a media company headquartered in NYC.
Public Relations Director
Winstead PC
Dallas, Texas
2016 – 2019. Strategic communications lead for venerated Texas real estate, construction and banking law firm. Responsible for development and delivery of strategic messaging to relevant stakeholders and audiences, raising firm profile and driving strategic brand goals. Responsible for generation and management of public relations and external marketing communications.
Increased and optimized media visibility, strategic coverage and generating cold opportunities for articles, commentary and background stories. Prioritize and direct media inquiries and expand pitching of firm attorneys for targeted commentary and media interaction. Monitor, track, generate quality submissions for 30+ annual national and international surveys, rankings and award programs for qualified attorneys and practices. Winstead is a full-service, Dallas-based, AmLaw 200 law firm; 350 attorneys; 7 offices in Texas, North Carolina.
Executive Director
Greater Dallas Business Ethics Awards
Dallas, Texas
2009 – 2019. Responsible for all elements of operations, including fundraising, event management, communications, nominee management, judging and programming for The North Texas Ethics Association, Inc. (NTEA). NTEA provided training and educational opportunities to businesses in the DFW area as part of its goal to inspire, recognize and educate companies regarding ethical businesses practices. Through the Greater Dallas Business Ethics Award (GDBEA) program, the NTEA identifies Dallas-based companies demonstrating a firm commitment to ethical business practices in everyday operations, management philosophies and responses to crises or challenges.
Honorees include AT&T, Brinker International, Container Store, Dave & Buster’s, Interstate Batteries, Fluor Corporation, Kimberly-Clark, la Madeleine, The Richards Group, TXU, Trammel Crow and more than 30 others. NTEA, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3); Business Ethics Award and Education Program for Dallas, Collin and Ellis Counties, Texas
Texas Business Development Manager
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP
Dallas, Texas
2013 – 2016. Development/marketing lead for Texas offices, practices and attorneys of esteemed international law firm founded in Dallas. Responsible for coordination and execution of regional, national and international marketing strategy and client pursuit activities.
Responsible for creation and implementation of office and cross-practice business development and marketing communications activities for offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Longview and San Antonio. Texas lead for practices and attorneys in the coordination of national and international business development and client pursuit.
Responsible for budget planning and management for all marketing activities in Texas. Served as local facilitator for media relations, business development, support and guidance for attorneys in Texas offices, including strategic planning and execution of client events, charitable giving and partnerships, CLE and client retention programming. Akin Gump is a full-service, AmLaw 50 law firm; 900 attorneys; 20 offices in US, Europe, Russia, Asia and Middle East.
Senior VP Development and Public Reputation Services
Jaffe Public Relations
Washington, DC
2010 – 2013. Launched long-established Washington D.C. PR firm’s inaugural business pursuits in Texas legal markets. Supported firm efforts in other geographic areas as key client relations manager for new accounts, and delivered business development and public reputation services. Analyzed competitors and industry trends to identify and expand communications efforts and strategies to raise awareness of Jaffe services in new markets. Identified internal opportunities and facilitated internal cross selling to engage new clients. Delivered billable services to law firm clients in the form of strategic planning, coaching and alignment of business development and reputation management tactics.
Raised firm’s Texas and national presence and established $1M revenue stream in less than 36 months utilizing professional industry association leadership and founding of first Texas chapter of Legal marketing Association (LMA).
Jaffe PR is the world’s largest, full-service marketing and public reputation management consultancy focused solely on the legal industry. Provider of reputation management, media relations, business development, crisis management, branding, advertising and content development services for law firms of all sizes. Industry-leading virtual operations model with 25+ consultants in the U.S. and Canada.
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Gardere Wynne Sewell, LLP
Dallas, Texas
2001 -2010. Hired in 2001 as firm’s first-ever communications manager, handling external communications, marketing and public relations. Directed outside advertising and PR agencies and initiatives, including both paid and editorial media placement and development of all collateral marketing materials. Promoted to Director in 2004.
Developed and implemented firm-wide business development, marketing communications and client relations activities with firm management. Developed and facilitated development activities for specialty practice groups and industry teams. Oversaw marketing team and facilitated training, support and guidance to ensure delivery of effective and efficient services. Advised on community relations and charitable giving.
Developed and managed a $5M+ budget and staff of nine. Gardere Wynne Sewell is a full-service, Dallas-based, Am Law 200 firm; 265 attorneys; 10 practice sections, 20+ industry teams and specialty practice groups; offices in Dallas, Houston, Austin and Mexico City.
Public Information Officer/Marketing Communications
City of Dallas/WRR 101.1 FM
Dallas, Texas
1999 -2001. Served as liaison with Public Information Office, developed and managed strategic marketing initiatives to increase ratings, sales, visibility and community support for America’s second-oldest radio station. Responsible for contact with external audiences through media/public relations, advertising, website and special events. Worked with City staff and PIO leadership for coordination and communications for various projects/events including Y2K preparation and 9/11 response.