David Ackert, President

David Ackert has been a client development mentor to lawyers and their firms for over 15 years.  He is the president of The Ackert Advisory, a consulting firm that specializes in driving business results for law firms.  Through his programs his has worked thousands of lawyers, many of whom hail from top 20 global Am Law firms. He is the founder of the Managing Partner Institute, developing more effective law firm leaders worldwide, and the founder of Practice Boomers, winner of the “Your Honor Award” in both the US and Canada for excellence in practice development.

David has written for and contributed to articles in publications including the Los Angeles Times, The National Review, the Daily Journal, the Attorney Journal, the Wall Street Journal, Attorney At Work, The Recorder, Voice America, and the Los Angeles Business Journal. He is a frequent speaker at law firms and trade conferences including ABA, ALA, and numerous national conferences. He is a guest lecturer at USC’s Marshall School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, and the UCLA School of Law.

Steve Bell, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

A pioneer of professional services sales with more than 25 years of experience in the field, Steve Bell was the co-founder of the Sales Department at Price Waterhouse, the founder of Sales at Grant Thornton, and the legal profession’s first director of sales. 

David is the Director of Global Operations – Law, Compliance and Government Relations for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) where he works with the General Counsel to develop and lead a “best-in-class” law department operations function with a primary focus on aligning the department’s day-to-day operations with the business strategy. His team is responsible for overseeing the non-legal and tactical aspects of running the department, including day to day management of the following: finance, information technology, law firm and vendor management, client service/delivers and general administration. Prior to this position, David was the Senior Director of Enterprise Information Management for CDW Corporation. There he led CDW’s Information Management program by driving information security, data management, records management, eDiscovery and intellectual property initiatives across the organization. 

In 2013, David was named by the National Law Journal as one of the Top 50 Legal Business Trailblazers & Pioneers. He is chairman of the advisory board for the Annual Law Department Operations Survey, where he also serves as editor and contributor. He received his BA, with honors in Political Science and Economics from St. John Fisher College and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Dayton, School of Law.

Michael R. Caplan, Chief Operating Officer
Goodwin

Mr. Caplan, who joined Goodwin in 2014, serves as the firm’s chief operating officer. As COO, he manages the firm's business, financial and administrative operations. He serves on Goodwin's Executive and Management Committees, and focuses on the firm’s growth strategy and execution. 

His background includes roles in both corporate and consulting management positions where he has worked with over 30 general counsels in managing data analytics, technology project implementation, law firm relationship management and financial management. In consulting, he focused on managing engagements related to intelligent cost reduction for non-compensation expenses, program management, compliance, risk management and legal spend management. These practice areas focus on building relationships with corporate legal, sourcing and finance departments.

Marta Carreira-Slabe

Marta Carreira-Slabe is the chief counsel for Aon plc in Latin America. She is responsible for managing Aon’s team of in-house attorneys throughout Latin America and for advising the business on legal, and compliance issues related to key corporate and regional initiatives as well as on overall business strategy. She also is responsible for supervising corporate transactional matters on mergers and acquisitions as they relate to Latin America; managing litigation and regulatory matters; and counsels and educates Aon Latin America on FCPA/anti-corruption policies, including third party compliance, as well as AML and date privacy issues. 

Before joining Aon in 2006, Marta was an associate with Sidley Austin, LLP in Chicago from 2003 to 2006 where she practiced civil litigation, including copyright, media access and publishing-related issues, class actions and ERISA. Marta was responsible for several aspects of litigation and also represented clients before the International Chamber of Commerce.

She began her legal career in 2001 as a law clerk for the University Of Illinois Office Of Legal Counsel in Champaign, Illinois.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Marta was a television news anchor and reporter at WCIA-TV, in Champaign, Illinois.  

Jim Cranston, Principal
LawVision Group

Jim Cranston is a founding Principal of LawVision Group and is widely recognized as a leading authority on sales and business development in the legal industry. He has developed a unique method for teaching sales skills to lawyers and law firms, which consistently helps professionals win new clients and grow firm revenues through his innovative programs. Previously he served as a Managing Director with Hildebrandt Baker Robbins, one of the world’s leading law firm consultancy organizations. Prior to joining Hildebrandt, Jim co-founded CoulterCranston, a consulting firm focused on assisting law firms with all facets of business development. Jim was also a member of the senior leadership team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in San Francisco.  As the Director of Business Development, he was instrumental in creating and implementing the client team program resulting in significant growth with many of the firm’s top clients.

Prior to his work in the legal industry, Jim spent fourteen years selling consulting services in Northern and Southern California. In 1990, he was one of the first recognized business development executives among the Big Eight where he served as regional sales manager at Price Waterhouse. Four years later, he was recruited to grow the consulting practice at Arthur Andersen as the Director of Business Development. During his seven-year tenure at Andersen, Jim received the prestigious “Sales Excellence Award” on four occasions and later received the firms “Top Producer” award.

John is a freelance writer and communications consultant who practiced law for nearly 17 years. During nine of those years, he served as V.P. and General Counsel to a publicly held international company and as General Counsel and Secretary to a Fortune 100 subsidiary.

He also served as a news editor and reporter for Lawyers Weekly publications for more than four years. As a reporter and writer, John has produced articles for more than 20 press publications, covering stories about virtually all legal practice disciplines, as well as the marketing and management of law firms.  As a freelancer, he has also written white papers, newsletters, marketing materials and Web site content for trade associations and professional service firms.

John attended Boston College Law School, where he was a magna cum laude graduate, member of the Order of the Coif, and an editor for the Environmental Affairs Law Review. For a complete profile, including information about his business, click on the “About” tab at: http://johnocunningham.wordpress.com

Beth  Marie Cuzzone
LSSO Co-Founder, Chief Business Growth Officer, Goulston & Storrs, P.C.

Strategic marketing and business planning are at the core of Beth Marie Cuzzone's role at Goulston & Storrs. As the Chief Business Growth Officer, Beth leads client development initiatives for firm members, practice areas and industry groups. She manages a wide range of business development activities including in-house sales training such as networking, client service and presentation skills. Beth is also part of a team responsible for overseeing firm branding, external communications, client relationship support and managing the department’s budget. One of Beth’s essential roles is conducting, analyzing and reporting feedback from client interviews, ensuring the firm and its clients remain cohesive.

Beth co-authored the books The Law Firm Associate's Guide to Personal Marketing and Selling and Marketing Success: How Did She Do That? published by the American Bar Association. Additionally, Beth is a contributing author to 51 Practical Ways for Law Firms to Add Value, developed by the Law Firm Value Committee of the Association of Corporate Counsel. As an industry leader in professional services marketing, Beth is a founding member of the Legal Sales and Service Organization. She is also a member and former President of the Legal Marketing Association, New England Chapter. Beth holds a green belt in Six Sigma business strategy and is a trained facilitator.

Tinos Diamantatos
Partner, Morgan Lewis

A seasoned trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor, Tinos Diamantatos represents organizations and individuals in litigation, government and internal investigations, and securities enforcement proceedings. This includes white collar crime, litigation related to government investigations, qui tam litigation, and complex civil litigation. He also counsels clients on compliance issues. Before joining Morgan Lewis, Tinos served with distinction as a federal prosecutor in the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Stephanie Hinrichs

Stephanie brings more than a decade of experience in sales and marketing, specifically in the legal, economic development, airline, and transportation industries. Her prior experience includes global organizations such as Lufthansa German Airlines, DHL Express, and Littler Mendelson, P.C.

In her role with Womble Bond Dickinson, she serves as Director of Client Service and works closely with firm attorneys and clients to initiate and expand relationships, as well as to ensure that the firm is providing the highest quality client service. Stephanie also leads the firms Manufacturing and Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure Industry Sectors. Her fluency of the German language as well as possessing dual citizenship in both the United States and Germany serve her well in growing clients in these sectors.

Beyond the office, Stephanie has served in various leadership positions with the Legal Marketing Association and currently serves on the Leadership Committee of the German American Chamber of Commerce’s North Carolina Chapter.  She is also an active member in Rotary. 

Stephanie is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, and holds an MBA from Pfeiffer University.

Neel Lilani, Managing Director
Orrick

Neel Lilani drives new global business opportunities through coordinated strategies across the technology sector.  As Managing Director, he leads Orrick’s global corporate development group and manages the firm’s venture capital relationships to help companies with growth financing and business strategy evolution.

He has served in senior strategy roles at some of the world’s leading law firms and Fortune 500 companies and is passionate about international growth, strategic planning, and technology-driven businesses.

Beth Miller, Senior Account Manager
Berbay Marketing & PR

Senior Account Manager Beth Miller offers more than a decade of experience spearheading marketing and public relations campaigns on behalf of law firms, financial services, real estate and other professional service firms. She takes the time to understand the needs of clients and their marketing objectives, and goes the extra mile to find new and different opportunities for promotion. 

Beth stays at the forefront of trends and maintains strong media relationships to ensure firms can capitalize and obtain coverage to create greater awareness among target markets. She demonstrates tenacity and is known for her persistent follow-ups which get results.

Matt Nolan, VP & General Counsel, Ancra Group and Director of Heico Compliance
The Heico Companies

Matt is Vice President of The Heico Companies, a family-owned global group of 40+ manufacturing companies spanning a number of industries.  In his role as General Counsel of the Ancra Group, one of Heico's four platforms, Matt handles corporate, commercial, litigation, real estate, labor, employment, regulatory and all other legal matters for 18 companies operating on five continents.  In his role as Director of Heico Compliance, Matt oversees and operates Heico's global compliance program (policies, training and process).

Prior to joining Heico, Matt served a brief stint as General Counsel of the American Football League of China (AFLC), an American-rules football league comprised of 90%+ domestic Chinese players headquartered in Shanghai.  He spent two years in Shanghai as Manager of Ethics & Compliance for Greater China for Dow Corning Corporation at the end of a seven-year span with that company that also included commercial counseling and lobbying law.  Matt started his career with Kirkland & Ellis LLP's private equity practice in Chicago.

In 2016, Matt was named one of the Association of Corporate Counsel's Top Ten Thirtysomethings.  He was Chair of the ACC's 6,000+ member Law Department Management Committee in 2017, served two years as Vice-Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai's Legal Committee from 2014-2015.  Matt received his JD from Michigan Law School, where he serves today on its Development & Alumni Relations Committee and as Co-Chair of his class's reunion committee.  He is a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), and speaks increasingly-less-fluent-with-time Mandarin.

Jennifer Roberts, Data Scientist
Intapp

Audry H. Rubins

Audrey H. Rubin is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Law Department of Aon Corporation, the leading global provider of risk management and human resources consulting and outsourcing.  Audrey is responsible for all financial, technology, personnel and other business matters of that department, which has over 250 lawyers worldwide and provides strategic legal counsel to all Aon business lines. 

Prior to joining Aon, Audrey was President and Founder of Rubin Solutions, Ltd., advising professional service firms and corporate law departments on finance and operations. Rubin has also been COO for the large Chicago firm Wildman Harrold Allen and Dixon, and the boutique firm Butler Rubin Saltarelli & Boyd.  Prior to that, she was General Counsel and Vice President of Legal and Human Resources for three global companies:  Orbitz, Grant Thornton, and Apollo Travel Services, and before that a business litigation partner in private practice. She has also served as Corporate Secretary and board member of the international boards of directors of Apollo Travel Services (U.S. based), Premier Meetings (U.S. based), Gemini (Canada based), Apollo de Mexico (Mexico based), Apollo Nihon (Japan based), and Galileo (U.K. based).