Facilitated By: Parin Pandya, Practice Development Manager, Kegler BrownHill + Ritter
The Legal Sales and Service Organization (LSSO) is pleased to recognize Jessica Crenshaw, Senior Client Development Manager at Akerman LLP, as the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award. This award honors an emerging leader in legal sales, service, and business development who is making a significant impact early in their career.
For Jessica, the recognition marks an important personal and professional milestone. “Winning the LSSO Rising Star Award is both an honor and a milestone for me,” she shared. “Personally, it’s incredibly rewarding to have my efforts recognized by Iris Jones, peers, and leaders in the legal marketing industry. Professionally, it validates the strategies and creative approaches I’ve brought to my work, and it motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and delivering value to Akerman and our clients. I am truly honored and grateful for this recognition, and it inspires me to continue learning, growing, and striving for excellence in the field.”
Jessica also offered perspective for peers who aspire to similar success. “Keep learning and be proactive. The legal marketing landscape is always evolving, so embrace change and be willing to experiment with new ideas and technologies—especially as artificial intelligence continues to transform the way we connect with attorneys and clients, analyze data, and deliver value.”
She added, “Build strong relationships, both within your firm and across the industry, because this fosters collaboration and opens doors to opportunities for learning and growth. Finally, don’t be afraid to advocate for your ideas.”
When asked about the influences that shaped her professional journey, Jessica spoke with gratitude about the impact of Akerman’s Chief Marketing and Client Development Officer, Iris Jones. “I am deeply grateful to Iris Jones for her unwavering support and leadership. Iris has consistently inspired me to grow, both personally and professionally, through her commitment to excellence and her generous willingness to share her knowledge. She is always there to offer guidance and encouragement, and her example has been a constant source of motivation for me. I am truly honored to have been nominated by someone who embodies such integrity, dedication, and vision in our field.”
Looking ahead, Jessica is enthusiastic about advancing innovation within legal marketing. “I’m most excited about continuing to grow and learn as a legal marketer, especially as I explore new ways to use AI to increase efficiency and drive results. I’m focused on leveraging technology to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and ultimately increase revenue and ROI for our team. My goal is to continue driving innovation and delivering measurable results for Akerman and our clients.”
LSSO congratulates Jessica Crenshaw on being selected as the 2025 Rising Star and celebrates her commitment to advancing the profession.
The Legal Sales and Service Organization, Inc. (LSSO) is a transformative force in the legal industry. LSSO equips legal and business professionals with innovative thinking, strategic connections, and continuous professional development that enable them to thrive in a dynamic and competitive landscape.