Law firms are often seen as slow to change, but diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can be powerful drivers of innovation. In this episode, Michelle Calcote King speaks with Terra Davis, Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens, about the business benefits of embracing DEI in law firms. She discusses how effective DEI work goes beyond the surface to create more welcoming and innovative workplaces where legal professionals want to build long-term careers.

Terra emphasizes that when DEI becomes embedded in firm culture rather than existing as a separate initiative, innovation naturally follows. She shares concrete examples, including how law firms, traditionally homogenous, can benefit from mentorship programs, flexible policies and professional development initiatives. She highlights the importance of fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives as well as how it leads to stronger attorney retention, better client relationships and, ultimately, greater innovation across the legal industry.

• The tangible ways diversity, equity and inclusion contribute to innovation in law firms.

• How mentorship programs connect people from different backgrounds and drive professional growth.

• The role of flexible work policies in supporting retention and work-life balance.

• How shifting DEI terminology can help navigate resistance and improve firm culture.

• The impact of qualitative data, like that collected during exit and stay interviews, on shaping DEI initiatives.

• How law firms can modernize policies, such as dress codes, to better align with client expectations.

• Steps anyone in a law firm can take to contribute to a more inclusive and innovative workplace.

Terra Davis is the Chief Diversity and Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens, where she is responsible for leading and integrating the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion, and professional development efforts, focusing on the recruitment, retention and progression of its attorneys. Outside of Knobbe, she served as the 2020-2022 co-chair of the Legal Marketing Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Shared Interest Group. In 2024, she was elevated to the Legal Marketing Association International Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, the only organization in the legal industry dedicated to diversity practitioners. In 2024, Terra was selected to serve the California State Bar’s 10-member Council on Access and Fairness. She is a proud graduate of Howard University and received her DEI certification from Cornell University. Terra is passionate about DEI, serving marginalized communities and pushing the needle forward for change.

• Check out Knobbe Martens

• Follow Knobbe Martens on LinkedIn and Facebook

• Connect with Terra Davis on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a marketing and public relations agency that serves B2B professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services, creative services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.

Professional learning and growth can bloom from unexpected relationships — and these opportunities are abundant in technical industries like architecture, engineering and construction. In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle Calcote King sits down with Reagan Branham, Chief Marketing Officer at HERA laboratory planners, to discuss the benefits of embracing mentorship opportunities outside the marketing department’s traditional hierarchy. Reagan tells us about a turning point in her AEC marketing career that led her to view each colleague, regardless of discipline or department, as a potential mentor. She also shares how this mindset shift is helping her build a culture of collaboration, knowledge-sharing and shared success at HERA.

• About Reagan Branham transition from journalism to AEC marketing and what skills carried over.

• The importance of mentorship beyond traditional hierarchies and how to build symbiotic learning relationships across an organization.

• How AEC marketers can identify cross-departmental learning opportunities with their technical staff and make the most of them.

• How HERA laboratory planners leverages open communication and collaboration in its culture to improve employee retention and enhance professional growth.

• How to navigate billable-hour constraints to pursue impactful mentorship relationships.

• The role mentorship plays in empowering professionals to grow and succeed, especially in remote work environments.

• A real-world example of how constructive feedback can shape long-term career development.

With more than 25 years of experience in AEC marketing and journalism, Reagan Branham’s diverse background includes graphic design, writing, editing, social media and product design. Reagan is an active member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), writing articles for its magazine and speaking at conferences. She also serves on the board of SMPS St. Louis as education director. Reagan has worked at HERA laboratory planners for eight years, starting as a marketing manager. She currently serves as the firm’s chief marketing officer.

• Check out HERA laboratory planners

• Follow HERA laboratory planners on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram

• Check out the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)

• Connect with Reagan Branham on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a marketing and public relations agency that serves B2B professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services, creative services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.

With a tight labor market casting a dark shadow over our heads, architecture, engineering and construction firm marketers are increasingly stepping in to support talent recruiting, engagement and retention. Bryce Batts, the Co-Founder of AEC staffing firm Career Collective, sits down with us to talk about how marketing and HR departments are teaming up to attract top talent.

Bryce gives us a glimpse into the state of the AEC hiring market and the top challenges hiring firms are navigating. She also covers how a strong employer brand impacts recruitment, why social media channels like LinkedIn should be a priority, the importance of internship programs, and more.

• About Career Collective and Bryce Batts’ journey to launching a staffing firm dedicated to the AEC industry.

• Key factors driving the AEC talent shortage.

• How marketing and HR are collaborating to improve recruiting, engagement and retention strategies.

• The role of marketing in shaping a strong employer brand and how it can influence hiring.

• How candidates use social media and why it’s crucial for firms to convey authenticity online.

• Bryce’s advice on handling negative reviews on platforms like Glassdoor.

• How marketing assets, project spotlights and a modern website impact seller-doer recruitment.

Bryce has been a recruiter in the AEC industry for over 15 years and is a certified Career Coach. She met her husband in college, and they have two daughters and a Bernedoodle. Bryce earned her bachelor’s degree at North Carolina State University and received her master of business administration from Nova Southeastern. She was a college dancer and cheerleader and loves to cheer professionals on as they gain clarity and confidence when it comes to their career goals.

Bryce is the co-CEO of Career Collective, an AEC recruiting and coaching firm. Career Collective was founded with a singular vision: Providing both candidates and employers with premier access to the best in AEC industry opportunities. Guided by Bryce Batts and Edwin Powali, Career Collective stands at the forefront of AEC recruitment. Bryce's passion for career coaching and Edwin's prowess in talent acquisition create a powerhouse duo dedicated to enriching both the careers of individuals and the teams of employers they serve.

• Check out Career Collective

• Follow Career Collective on LinkedIn

• Connect with Bryce Batts on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.

It’s easy to get lost in the complexities of a legal issue and the nuances of an industry, but effective marketing should always center around one thing: how does it make people feel about your firm? This is one of many insights that Strauss Troy’s director of marketing Jennifer Gault has acquired in her more than 12-year career spanning the retail, nonprofit and construction sectors.

In this episode, Jennifer discusses how she’s strengthening brand awareness for “strategically midsize” law firm Strauss Troy, including by developing a new tagline, launching a video strategy and guiding a website redesign.

• How Jen Gault’s experience in the retail, nonprofit and construction sectors shapes her approach to legal marketing.

• Why midsize law firm Strauss Troy has focused its marketing strategy on brand awareness.

• Why powerful, human-led stories are essential no matter the industry, and how to make them work for law firms.
  
  

• Key considerations for redesigning a law firm’s website and branding.

• How to balance firmwide initiatives with individual attorneys’ community and pro bono interests.

Jen Gault is the director of marketing at Strauss Troy, where she leads the development and execution of marketing strategies at one of the Midwest’s top midsize firms. With over 12 years of diverse marketing experience spanning retail, nonprofit, construction and legal industries, Jen brings a wealth of knowledge and versatility to her role.

With a strong background in content marketing, graphic design and social media management, she enjoys creating compelling and impactful content that showcases the firm's values, expertise and achievements. Jen is a passionate communicator and empathetic listener who believes in the power of people to communicate and influence.

• Check out Strauss Troy

• Follow Strauss Troy on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram

• Connect with Jennifer Gault on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by Reputation Ink.

Founded by Michelle Calcote King, Reputation Ink is a public relations and content marketing agency that serves professional services firms of all shapes and sizes across the United States, including corporate law firms and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms.

Reputation Ink understands how sophisticated corporate buyers find and select professional services firms. For more than a decade, they have helped firms grow through thought leadership-fueled strategies, including public relations, content marketing, video marketing, social media, podcasting, marketing strategy services and more.

To learn more, visit www.rep-ink.com or email them at info@rep-ink.com today.