What can 40 years of legal marketing tell us about the future of the profession? In this special episode of the LMA Podcast, Ashley Stenger, LMA CEO, sits down with John Byrne, 2025 LMA president, and Rachel Shields Williams, 2026 LMA president, to celebrate LMA’s 40th anniversary and explore what’s next for the field of legal marketing and business development.

Tune in to learn:

• How legal marketers have evolved from the early days of developing brochures to establishing themselves as data-driven, strategic partners inside law firms.

• Why hyper-targeted client experiences and measurable outcomes are replacing one-size-fits-all approaches.

• The real impact of AI on legal marketing, and why human judgment, empathy and storytelling remain irreplaceable.

• What the next 40 years could bring: new roles, deeper collaboration and a more diverse, client-centric industry.

• How LMA will help members lead change, not just adapt to it, through technology and professional development initiatives.

Forty years in, and the legal marketing landscape continues to evolve. This episode shares what’s coming next and how you can stay ahead, no matter your role or focus.

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals. Listen on SoundCloud, or find us and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to be on the receiving end of your pitches? In this episode of the LMA Podcast, Traci Stuart sits down with Katherine Hollar Barnard and Elizabeth Lampert to take listeners behind the scenes of legal media and hear directly from the experts shaping the headlines.

In this discussion, they’ll unpack fresh survey data revealing:

• The biggest pain points reporters face when working with law firms, from generic pitches to slow response times.

• What makes a spokesperson stand out — and why credibility, candor and clarity matter more than canned soundbites.

• The types of legal stories journalists want — and don’t want — including why trend insights often beat deal announcements.

• The most effective ways to get noticed (hint: less is more), and why relationships still matter in a digital-first world.

• How media expectations are shifting in the age of AI, rapid news cycles and shrinking newsrooms.

Whether you’re pitching a high-stakes case, firm news or thought leadership, this episode will help you align your outreach with what legal journalists truly value.

In this episode of the LMA Podcast, business development growth coach and strategist Deb Feder moderates a panel with Chantal Williams and Joy Sperling, exploring the underestimated role of small talk in professional growth and relationship-building.

From favorite TV shows to brisket recipes, the panelists illustrate how everyday banter can lead to lasting business opportunities. Whether you're a natural conversationalist or a recovering small talk skeptic, this episode shows how small talk can be the spark that builds trust, deepens rapport and opens unexpected doors.

Speakers:

Deb Feder, Founder and CEO, Feder Development

Joy Sperling, Retired Law Partner, Day Pitney

Chantal Williams, BD and Marketing Senior Manager, White & Case

Join host Natalia Villanueva and digital marketing expert Amanda Sexton for a focused discussion on how generative AI is transforming SEO and content strategy in the legal industry. From the pitfalls of AI-generated content to the power of storytelling and performance metrics that matter, this episode equips legal marketers with practical ways to stay visible and credible in a rapidly changing digital environment.

Speakers:

Amanda Sexton, Founder and Principal, FocusWorks Marketing

Natalia Villanueva, Partner, KermaPartners | UpWyse

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.

What strategies can legal marketers use to coach attorneys to adopt a client-centric mindset and offer actionable advice that nurtures long-term relationships? During this episode of the LMA Podcast, our guests dive into effective techniques for business development coaching both new and skeptical attorneys, while sharing their personal experiences and the lessons they've learned along the way. They’ll discuss how they integrate key business development trust points into their daily routines, enhancing their ability to guide lawyers towards successful business development practices. Tune in to learn how these strategies can be implemented to transform the attorney-client relationship and drive sustained growth.

Speakers:

Jennifer Ramsey, Co-founder and Principal, stage

Megan Senese, Co-founder and Principal, stage

Shannon Tatro, Associate Director of Business Development, Munger, Tolles & Olson

Join PR SIG Co-Chair Corrina Wright, director of marketing communications at Benesch, for an interview that explores the evolution of legal public relations with Ross Fishman of Fishman Marketing and Michelle Calcote King of Reputation Ink. In addition to exploring how we got here, the trio will take a look at the latest best practices for maximizing your firm’s communications investment.

Speakers:

Ross Fishman, CEO, Fishman Marketing

Michelle Calcote King, President, Reputation Ink

Corrina Wright, Director of Marketing Communications, Benesch

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.

How can the legal industry benefit from the "star reporter" talent model? In this episode of the LMA Podcast, guests explore how actionable insights, exclusivity and access can elevate legal content. They also discuss the power of multi-platform storytelling — especially on LinkedIn — and why consistency and strategy are key. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or just starting out, this conversation will inspire you to share your perspective and strengthen your digital presence.

Speakers:

Cheryl Bame, Principal, Bame Public Relations

Brian Kiefer, Director of Public Relations, Taft

Alexandra McCartha, Senior Communications Coordinator, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.

This episode of the LMA Podcast features Ben Chiriboga (Nexl) and Jonathan Hawkins (LawFirm CG) as they discuss mergers and acquisitions, the importance of understanding cost structures and return on investment in business development, and the significance of client retention and marketing. Their conversation also highlights the market dynamics of law firms, particularly lateral movements and the influence of individual partners' books of business.

Speakers:

Ben Chiriboga, Chief Growth Officer, Nexl

Jonathan Hawkins, Founder, LawFirm GC

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.

In the latest LMA Podcast episode, we explore the strategic nuances of managing communications during law firm mergers. The conversation covers pre-merger planning — offering insights into building a communications playbook, balancing confidentiality with transparency and ensuring cultural compatibility. Also covered is deal work activity, emphasizing the importance of clear internal messaging, effective external stakeholder communications and proactive media relations. Finally, guests address mid- and post-merger challenges, including leak management, rebranding strategies and maintaining client trust, while reflecting on lessons from past mergers and future industry trends.

Speakers:

Jamie Diaferia, CEO, Infinite Global

Kenny Gary, Founding Partner, LIMELIGHT

Ashley Horne, CMO, Womble Bond Dickinson

Lisa Smith, Principal, Fairfax Associates

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.

In this episode of the LMA Podcast, guests Katherine Boyko and Arthur Uratani discuss the concepts of likability, storytelling and body language in professional settings to strengthen interpersonal and business relationships. This discussion aims to empower and inspire listeners to improve their professional interactions.

Speakers:

Katherine Boyko, Senior Marketing Coordinator, Whiteford

Arthur Uratani, Director of Marketing and Outreach, Bookoff McAndrews

Series Description:

The LMA Podcast focuses on hot topics in legal marketing and business development with conversations driven by industry professionals.