• Ashley Tenney, Practice Director, Dentons

• Mark Levin , Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

Rising Star: Michael Helmicki, Client Development Executive, DLA Piper

Summary:

In addition to driving significant revenue and new multi-million-dollar client relationships to the Firm, Michael Helmicki (“Mick”) led the Firm’s strategy and execution for supporting clients and prospects with matters related to Federal Stimulus programs that were a central consideration for many businesses during COVID. Following a surge in requests for information and guidance on these programs, Mick quickly organized a cross-functional team of DLA attorneys to dissect an ever-changing landscape of rules and guidance to inform clients and prospects on federal stimulus programs. In several instances, these programs were a critical lifeline in supporting ongoing operations. In addition to driving effective communications, including client alerts, Mick organized and participated in a series of webinars to educate clients and prospects on key rules and regulations, including a webinar that registered 2,333 attendees, a Firm record. In addition to successfully driving 200%+ YoY growth in fee billed revenue in key accounts, Mick became the first billable Client Development Executive and actively worked with DLA attorneys on matters relating to Federal Stimulus Programs; drafted multiple client presentations and alerts, built an internal knowledge repository and supported partners/clients across multiple offices in the Firm. Mick stepped up and played a critical role in getting many clients through the COVID-19 pandemic. People remember how you treat them in a time of need and Mick played a critical role in solidifying the long-term relationships with many of the firms’ clients.

Sales Executive of the Year: Brook Radford, Director of Marketing, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Summary:

While all others in the legal industry shifted to doing low-quality video with Zoom during the pandemic, Brook Radford, Director of Marketing at Katten, decided to take a different approach. Using a smartphone app (Remote Video Capture), Brook was able to shoot 4k quality video of her partners, remotely, while retaining the professional video production services of producer and director so the partners looked and sounded as good as they do on camera as they do in person. The first starter project was for a virtual trade show that had the firm’s Dallas managing partner giving an overview of their expanding capabilities of the Dallas office and firmwide presence in an industry sector. From that point forward, Brook and Katten’s partners leveraged remote video capture to produce high-quality video that properly reflected the stature of her law firm and the partners. With the pandemic keeping everyone working at home and International Women’s Day approaching, Brooke leveraged Remote Video Capture to the Women’s Leadership Forum to create a promotional video that featured a half-dozen women at her firm. The end result enabled Katten to produce a high-quality video montage that is reflective of Katten‘s leadership position in supporting women and their Firm’s professional brand. The video was highly successful and got review reviews from both internal and external stake holders.  LINK TO VIDEO  

Honorable Mention (Large Firm): Ashley Tenney, Practice Director, Dentons

Summary:

As a Practice Director at Dentons, Ashley collaborates closely with firm leadership and business services peers to ensure success in practice operations and strategic initiatives, including staffing, budgeting, recruiting, lateral and client onboarding and integration, training and legal project management. Ashley partners with legal operations teams and utilize technology to promote efficiency in the day-to-day operations as well as leverage process improvement initiatives to the benefit of the Firm. She is responsible for the Corporate, Real Estate, Restructuring and Venture Technology practice groups. She is also the director of our COVID-19 Pandemic Client Special Situations Team, working with three co-chairs and more than two dozen partners to help guide clients through the evolving legal and business challenges. A motivated and innovative self-starter, she proactively works with lawyers and legal services professionals to develop and maintain relationships

Honorable Mention (Small Firm): Mark Levin, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Marshall Gerstein & Borun

Summary:

Mark has established himself as a marketing leader in the legal industry in both the legal and corporate arenas.

In the past three years at Marshall Gerstein — half of which has been during the pandemic — Mark has grown by 125% the number of requests for proposals from innovators seeking intellectual property advice. He also introduced enhanced client service technologies and helped the firm nurture existing client relationships. Under Mark’s guidance, the firm has extended its internal social justice commitments to a broader audience. Mark also serves as an LSSO Editorial Board Member.