In this episode of the CMO Series podcast, we're joined by Doug Gold, Chief Operating Officer at Mitchell Silberberg and Knupp to explore what that means in practice. 

Doug shares his career journey and what first bought wellbeing into focus at MSK, and he'll also talk about how the wellness program got off the ground, the realities of building internal support around it and getting it going.

Charles and Doug discuss the impact of the program on individuals and firm culture. The results that have surprised him most, and his advice for leaders looking to invest in wellbeing in a way that delivers lasting value.

True innovation in law firms goes beyond AI. It's rooted in humanity, with the people and process creating true client value.

On today’s episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Will Eke is joined by Aubrey Bishai, Chief Innovation Officer at Vinson & Elkins, to explore the true meaning of innovation and the evolving client expectations around AI. Aubrey joins us to unpack how the firm’s unique leadership structure really works in practice.

Aubrey shares insights into how she decides what’s worth investing in beyond the AI hype, and why she believes innovation is a “deeply human endeavour.” They discuss the role of marketing and BD in driving meaningful change, and what’s next for innovation at Vinson & Elkins in 2026.

Tune in to hear:

Most law firms pitch a lot. Far fewer pitch well. And that gap represents one of the biggest missed growth opportunities in the legal market.

In the latest episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Charles Cousins is joined by Patrick Johnson, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Honigman, to explore the importance of culture and client-centric storytelling in pitches. After a month in his role, and previous experience spanning multiple law firms and time at McKinsey, Patrick offers a sharp perspective on why pitching and winning work is still treated as a process problem, rather than a strategic one. 

They discuss what law firms are getting wrong, what best practice really looks like, and how Honigman is approaching pitching with a curious mindset from day one.

Patrick shares:

Building a book of business isn’t about being perfect or staying invisible, it’s about being consistently authentic and recognizable long before clients even need you.

On today’s episode of CMO Series Rainmakers, we’re joined by someone who has redefined what it means to build a book of business in Big Law. Mona Dajani, Partner and the Global Co-Chair of the Energy, Infrastructure and Hydrogen teams and Co-Chair of the Baker Botts Energy sector worldwide, has spent more than 25 years carving out a reputation as one of the most dynamic and recognisable voices in the sector.

From broadcasting A-list interviews on early-morning TV to posting daily market insights, Mona has turned visibility, personality and consistency into a true competitive advantage. Her ability to generate work, often from followers, viral posts and even dinner parties, is the definition of rainmaking.

Tune in to hear:

A consistent client experience doesn’t start with clients. It begins with strong internal alignment throughout the firm, built on trust, collaboration, and a proactive culture.

In this episode of the CMO Series Podcast, we’re diving into one firm’s bold growth journey.

Lowenstein Sandler has set its sights on expanding from 400 to 700 lawyers in just five years. But behind that ambition lies a bigger story, where marketing, business development, and firm leadership come together to deliver a consistent client experience.

Vanessa Torres, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, and Mark Kesslen, Partner and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, join Eugene McCormick to share how the “One Lowenstein Experience” is shaping culture and innovation, and what success will look like in the years ahead.

They explore:

Standing out in a crowded market increasingly depends on carving out a clear niche and owning it with confidence.

In this episode of CMO Series Rainmakers, Sarah Strachan is joined by Tom Whittaker, Director and Head of AI (Advisory) at Burges Salmon, to explore how lawyers can build authority by becoming the go-to voice in an emerging area. Tom shares how an early interest in writing evolved into a focused thought leadership strategy, positioning him at the forefront of AI regulation long before the space became crowded.

They discuss when thought leadership first clicked for Tom, how he identified an opportunity in a fast-moving regulatory landscape, and the importance of consistency and clarity in building credibility. 

Tom and Sarah cover:

The early stages of Tom's career, and the moment he realised that writing and thought leadership could play a meaningful role in his development

How he began positioning himself in the AI space before it really gained traction

The shift from specialising in AI to becoming the person clients and government bodies actively seek out 

How thought leadership has helped build a profile and generate new opportunities

How to keep insights timely and build visibility in a fast-moving regulatory landscape

How to encourage a culture of writing, collaboration and knowledge-sharing inside the firm

Practical steps for lawyers looking to carve out a niche 

Law firms are no longer operating in a period of stability; they require momentum. Marketing leaders are expected to evolve alongside the business, retrofitting strategy around lateral growth, proving value through data, and guiding attorneys who are neither new nor at the top. 

In this episode of the CMO Series Podcast, we’re joined by Kathryn Whitaker, Chief Marketing Officer at Burr & Forman, to explore how her leadership and strategic approach have adapted since her first appearance on the podcast back in 2022. 

Kathryn shares insights into how marketing supports opportunistic expansion, the shift toward outcome-driven metrics, and why mid-career attorneys might be the biggest missed opportunity in law firm growth strategy today.

Kathryn and Eugene discuss:

What does it take to modernise a 450-year-old law firm without losing the legacy that makes it iconic? Charlotte Eberlein, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Thomson Snell & Passmore, has spent over a decade answering that question in real-time. She has built a business development culture from the ground up, brought PR in-house, and helped the firm deliver big law impact on a regional budget. 

In this episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Charlotte joins Will Eke to talk through that journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Charlotte and Will cover: 

Driving business development in a mid-sized regional firm is rarely about large budgets. It’s about sharp strategy, creativity and the ability to make every action count. In this episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Kelley Goes, Member and Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Jackson Kelly, joins Alex Haidar to share how her unconventional career path has shaped her bold, practical approach to legal marketing and BD.

Kelley’s journey began as a litigator at Akin Gump, moving into public service as West Virginia’s Secretary of Commerce, and later serving as State Operations Director for Joe Manchin. Having been a private practitioner, a public servant, the client and the lawyer to the client, she brings a uniquely rounded perspective to her role at Jackson Kelly.

Today, she leads marketing and BD for the firm with a focus on clarity, confidence and doing more with less. She talks openly about defining the right target audiences, supporting lean teams and introducing new tools without losing lawyers along the way. Her leadership philosophy, shaped by years working with high-stakes decision-makers, is grounded in authenticity, accountability and lifting up the people around her.

Kelley and Alex discuss:

For this year’s Thanksgiving edition of the CMO Series Podcast, we bring together an outstanding group of legal marketing leaders to reflect on the people and practices that have shaped their careers. What emerges is a clear and compelling message about the importance of trust, collaboration and shared generosity in building strong marketing teams and firm cultures.

Thank you to our special guests for sharing their insights:

Across the episode, they share how firms can build environments where collaboration truly thrives. Creating space for people to contribute, recognising effort, supporting new ideas and giving credit freely all strengthen teams and empower talent to grow.

Their reflections remind us that the most successful organisations are built on trust and a genuine willingness to lift others up. It’s a thoughtful and timely conversation for this season of gratitude.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.