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Can you believe this is the season finale for the Mostly Legal podcast season 3? We wanted to end this season the way it started...with a bang! This week we hosted Stefanie Marrone, a LinkedIn expert. Not only is she the queen of social media marketing, but she also runs her own blog, has impressive CMO experience, and is a public speaker. What is the butterfly effect exactly? One inconsequential thing could have a far-reaching impact on your life, your work, etc. Learn how Stefanie journeyed from an in-house marketer to a powerhouse entrepreneur by building her brand on social media and reinventing herself. She provides insights into the power of great social media and how storytelling allows you to both share the rights and wrongs, but as result, creates a humanistic approach and presence. We cannot believe this season is over, but what a great way to close out a fantastic season. Do not miss the finale of season 3!
Stefanie Marrone advises law firms of all sizes, professional service firms, B2B companies, professional associations and individuals with brand building and revenue generating strategies and tactics in marketing, business development, social media and communications. She also serves as outsourced chief marketing officer/marketing department for law firms.
Stefanie provides the full range of law firm marketing and business development support, and has a particular focus on advising firms and their employees on how to effectively utilize social media platforms for relationship building, revenue generation and branding. She creates development and social media training programs and helps professionals of all levels build their brands and businesses.
Over her 20+-year legal marketing career, Stefanie has worked at and with a broad range of big law, mid-size and small firms, which has given her a valuable perspective of the legal industry. They include Sullivan & Cromwell, Paul, Weiss, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, Proskauer, McKee Nelson, Mayer Brown and Morrison & Foerster.
Stefanie is a frequent published author (Law360, the New York Law Journal, the Mid-Market Report, Law.com, JD Supra) and her blog the Social Media Butterfly. She also is an active public speaker (the New York City Bar, the Legal Marketing Association, Ark Group, Association of Legal Administrators, Perrin Conferences, Fordham University School of Law, Columbia University and American University Washington College of Law).
What if we shifted the way we thought of work-life balance to work-life integration or enrichment? We welcomed Lori Mihalich-Levin, an author, mother, podcast host, and founding principal, to the podcast to discuss the role of motherhood and its integration into the practice of law. She really can do it all! The power of setting boundaries for yourself is a vital component of your success and personal growth. Lori walks us through the power of advocating yourself, with a focus on parental leave. She also explains her program, Mindful Return, and the resources and help it provides to employers around the globe to retain working parent top talent. Lori hates the term work/life balance but you’ll have to listen to find out exactly why!
Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, believes in empowering working parents. She is the founder and CEO of Mindful Return, author of Back to Work After Baby: How to Plan and Navigate a Mindful Return from Maternity Leave, and co-host of the Parents at Work Podcast. She is mama to two wonderful red-headed boys (ages 9 and 11) and is a health care lawyer in private practice. Her thought leadership has been featured in publications including Forbes, The Washington Post, New York Times Parenting, and Thrive Global.
On this week of the Mostly Legal podcast, Rob and Amanda host Geoffrey Williams (COO and CFO of Cunningham Bounds, LLC) and ALA International President-Elect 2022-2023. Have you ever thought about the differences between curiosity vs. judgment between one another? Geoffrey provides a thoughtful conversation around the impact of their experiences as a child and how it has influenced various parts of his life. Learn how Geoffrey has used many different ALA experiences towards his personal growth and how trying and failing can turn into trying and succeeding through time and effort. Did we mention that he also records and produces his own music too? There maybe is even some talk about the metaverse.
Geoffrey M. Williams, CLM, MBA, M.Div. is the Chief Operating Officer (& CFO) of Cunningham Bounds, LLC in Mobile, Alabama. He is responsible for the firm’s operations and financial management, and is involved in strategic management for the civil litigation firm that is focused on helping others who cannot help themselves.
Currently, he serves on the International Board of Directors for the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) and is the Association’s 2022-23 President-Elect. In addition to consulting for businesses and leading retreats, he has led keynote sessions or seminars for regional and national conferences including Associations such as ALA, Legal Marketing Association, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and many others on topics ranging from workplace culture, authentic leadership, conflict resolution and how emerging technology is changing the world and the business of law.
Geoffrey is a Certified Blockchain and Law Professional and a Certified Metaverse Expert. He is also a member of Blockchain Council, an authoritative group of subject experts and enthusiasts who raise awareness among businesses, enterprises, developers, and society by educating them in the Blockchain space, Blockchain Research and Development, Use Cases and Products and Knowledge for a better world.He earned a Graduate Certificate in Law Firm Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC and the MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. He is one of 400 Certified Legal Managers (CLM) worldwide as credentialed by ALA. He graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL where he was a member of Tri-Sigma Honors Society and founding chapter member of the ODK National Leadership Honor Society. Additionally, he earned a graduate degree (M.Div.) from Princeton Seminary in Princeton, NJ.
Did you ever think the ALA could bring you some of your best friends? This week, we welcome Jessica Daughtery, the Director of Administration at Wesierski & Zurek. Jessica opens up to Rob and Amanda about how the ALA is not just a place to swap business cards, but rather a place that, if you allow it, can provide you with deep and special friendships. A large impact is due to ALA members understanding what you are going through on a day-to-day basis. Listen to this week’s episode to learn you can always find your tribe!
Jessica Daugherty is an officer, with 20 years of experience managing, leading, developing and executing projects. As the Director of Administration at Wesierski & Zurek LLP and as a Past President of the Orange County Chapter of ALA, Jessica pairs her exceptional skills with the ability to interact with partners at all levels to achieve measurable impact in law firm management.
Do we have a (Halloween) treat for you this week? On this episode, we welcomed the charismatic father and son duo, Alan and Rich Wilson as they dive into the power of storytelling. Now, this episode does not fall short of in-person storytelling too. From everything from Halloween stories to Alan taking Rob and Amanda through cheers. Also, Rich takes us through the impact of online storytelling through content creation. It is no mystery that social media and marketing are essential to a firm’s success, so why not hear an industry update from an expert in this area? They also discuss their roles and contributions within the ALA. Learn about the Wilson’s incredible Halloween haunted house that as a result has deemed the street, “Halloween Street”. And did we mention…there are moments that even leave Rob speechless?
Alan Wilson started working with GLJ Benefit Consultants (GJBC) in 2004 as an Employee Benefits Specialists. Since 2006, Alan has spearheaded the effort within GLJBC to reach out to law firms nationally regarding their benefits and how to use those benefits to help attract and retain quality personnel. Alan has written articles for the Association of Legal Administrators’ Legal Management, speaks frequently on benefits at conferences, and consults with individual law firms nationally.
Rich Wilson is the Founder and Filmmaker/Director of VIBE Media. Rich developed a passion for storytelling from his time in college at Southern Utah University where he hosted a daily radio program The Morning Brew listening to the stories of his fellow students, and onto working as Backstage Manager for an Arizona Based Performing Arts Center where he has been host to many well-known figures such as, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, The Oak Ridge Boys and Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si. Currently, he directs video content for VIBE’s Youtube Channel and for many client projects.Through these experiences, Rich has cultivated the idea that every person, business, and brand has a unique story and believes these stories need to be told through modern visual storytelling and shared through online influencer style marketing.
Has anyone ever bet on your failure? When Bill Lowman started ShuffieldLowman 19 years ago, partners at his former firm predicted he wouldn’t succeed. He was a young partner with a still-growing book of business who was notoriously bad at entering and billing time. But thanks to strong mentors, the ability to learn from his mistakes, and the willingness to admit what he didn’t know, Bill created an incredibly successful mid-size firm in Central Florida. He shares that story plus sage advice on creating work/life harmony, the secrets to lobstering and even dares to pick a favorite Marvel movie. As a bonus, you get to hear Amanda interview her boss and boy was she nervous!
Bill Lowman is a founder and president of ShuffieldLowman, and a seasoned attorney in the areas of corporate, mergers & acquisitions, business taxation, securities, intellectual property, estate planning, planning for high- net-worth families, charitable trusts and foundations, families with closely held businesses, executive compensation planning and general tax law. Bill works with owners of businesses of many different sizes, from the small family business to many of the Top Golden 100 Companies in Central Florida, handling the legal intricacies of both their business and personal lives. Bill believes in building a real and trusting relationship with his clients, serving as more than just an attorney, but also an advisor, counselor, and confidante, offering his big-picture perspective and personal touch.
This week, you are in for a real treat. We hosted Sarah Evenson, ALA President. Sarah is no stranger to the legal industry. As a previous law school student by day and MBA student by night, Sarah fills us in our her exciting career path and what led her to become the current ALA President. Have you heard of the pre-law scholar’s program that Sarah is highly involved in? Learn how she helps the next generation of upcoming law school students. Rob and Amanda dive into superpowers, diversity, and talent pipeline with Sarah. And have you heard of lawyer pearls? You do not want to miss this!
As director of law school programs for Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Sarah leads the overall coordination and day-to-day management of the firm’s summer associate and law clerk programs. Most critically, she works at a strategic and operational level with each office’s hiring partner and the Firm Diversity Partner to determine hiring needs and ensure a strong diverse pipeline of future talent to the firm. As the Minneapolis office administrator, Sarah provides daily administration for the office including, human resource functions, facilities, financial management, and marketing functions.
Sarah has been in law firm administration since 2009 and worked solely in small boutique firms before joining Barnes & Thornburg, LLP. Prior to becoming a firm administrator Sarah practiced law for 8+ years. Sarah received her JD from Hamline University School of Law and her MBA from the University of St. Thomas. Her undergraduate degrees are in accounting and business finance from the University of WI – River Falls. Sarah describes herself as a creative problem solver and builder of strong teams and positive working environments.
As proof of that, her firm was selected by the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal as a 2018 Best Places to Work in the Twin Cities (the only law firm on the list). Sarah herself was one of four people selected as a Best Places to Work MVP for going above and beyond in creating an engaging work environment. The Minneapolis office has also been listed for the last four years by the Star Tribune as a National Standard Top Workplace in Minnesota. Sarah was also recently recognized as an Unsung Legal Hero by Minnesota Lawyer for her work at Barnes & Thornburg, LLP.
Sarah is the current President of the Association of Legal Administrators and has served on its board since 2019. She has also served on a number of local, state and national boards throughout her career, including the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, Wright-Hennepin Electric Cooperative, & the Association of Legal Administrators Minnesota (ALAMN). In her free time Sarah likes to golf with her husband Tom and drink Mai Tai’s on the beach in Maui.
When is the last time you heard a great HR joke? We can guarantee you will hear a couple in this episode. Christine Wilbur (Human Resources Director at Aleshire & Wynder, LLP) joins Rob and Amanda for an insightful conversation about leading with love and compassion, goals, and maybe even Disneyland. Working parents everywhere will be inspired to hear Christine's story and how failing forward has served her both inside and outside the legal industry. You might even learn a little about bulk purchasing Chrome Books. You do not want to miss this episode!
Christine Wilbur is a native of Los Angeles County but has made her home in Orange County, CA, with her son, Easton. In her professional life, she is the Human Resources Director for Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, a Irvine-based law firm focused primarily on representing local communities throughout California. Christine received her bachelor's degree from Linfield College and her master’s degree with a concentration in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Christine currently sits on the Nominating Committee for the Association of Legal Administrators (“ALA”) – a 9,000-member organization focused on growing the legal management profession. On the local level, Christine currently serves as Director of Membership, Human Resources Committee Co Chair, Nominating Committee and Social Media Committee Co-Chair for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of ALA. Christine also serves as the Education Committee Chair for the Orange County Chapter of ALA. In her spare time, Christine enjoys making memories at any local beach, appreciating the wonders of Disneyland, rooting for her favorite hockey and baseball teams at local sporting events (Go Ducks! Go Dodgers!), exploring new recipes, listening to self-improvement or personal development podcasts or books of various genres through Audible (for the long commute in OC/LA traffic), traveling to new places and spending time with family.
This week, Rob and Amanda have the pleasure of talking to Nick Manty who started his career as a Firm Administrator at a boutique law firm specializing in bankruptcy and creditors' rights. Now Nick is part of the Barnes & Thornburg team the Minneapolis and Salt Lake City Marketing Manager. Nick takes us along his journey from his transition from these two roles. This episode covers everything from resume jokes to meditation, and even glass blowing. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the impact of a cognitive disability and Nick’s ability to think through accessibility when executing various marketing events.
After studying psychology at the University of Minnesota, Nick Manty started working as a Firm Administrator for a boutique law firm specializing in bankruptcy and creditors' rights. In 2018, he joined Barnes & Thornburg as the Minneapolis and Salt Lake City Marketing Manager. At Barnes he oversees all marketing initiatives for the Minneapolis and Salt Lake markets, working with a team of skilled professionals from across the country. In addition to his marketing work, he is also active in LMA and the ALA. He is a member of the organization's chapter resource team where he advises local chapter leadership across the country. In his free time, he is an avid cyclist and enjoys training his dog, Cowboy.
Are you an Apple or PC user? Could you imagine no Crtl Alt Delete? As a dominant and highly active member in the Mile High chapter of ALA, Terri-Moore Natal brings us through her unconventional journey into the legal management world. Terri-Moore Natal walks us through how her time at a call center translated into her work as a paralegal and law firm administrator. Join us for this thoughtful conversation about career paths to firm culture all the way to an incredible cause for Terri's "Pitch Your Passion".
Terri has been in both corporate and legal industry management since 2003. Terri has background as a Paralegal, Administrator, Human Resources Manager, and Executive Services Manager, while wearing many hats in between. That versatility lends itself to Terri’s current role, which is to manage the daily operational needs of Holzer Patel Drennan so that its attorneys, paralegals, and staff can focus on meeting the needs of our intellectual property clients.
As a proud Air Force brat, Terri has been fortunate enough to live on both the East and West coasts as well as Italy and England. While Colorado has been Terri’s home for over 20 years, she and her spouse continue to travel whenever possible.
