It’s as untraditional as it gets, but having a non-attorney in the driving seat of your law firm can do wonders for streamlining operations, enhancing the client experience and strengthening team culture. But it’s not without its challenges — as our guest discovered when he built a law firm from the ground up (with the help of a team of attorneys) in just two weeks.

Before Jonathan Delk was CEO of Colorado-based JVAM, he was a ski instructor-turned-digital marketer with a Master of Business Administration. In this episode, he tells Michelle Calcote King how he leveraged those skills and experiences to support and enhance the firm’s legal work by finding new ways to innovate and build a team culture that attracts talent from around the country. Jonathan also shares his take on how technology will disrupt the legal industry in the coming years.

• How Jonathan went from ski instructor to digital marketer to law firm CEO.

• About Colorado-based law firm JVAM, which believes in specialization (no one team member should do everything all the time).

• The benefits of allowing a non-attorney (or non-practicing attorney) to call the shots.

• The biggest hurdles of leading a firm without a law degree, including navigating the occasional, “Wait, you’re not a lawyer?!”

• How to obtain buy-in as a non-attorney leader.

• Why marketing skills are the special sauce for client experience and firmwide communication.

• How artificial intelligence and automation will disrupt how law firms operate.

Jonathan Delk is responsible for all facets of JVAM’s business outside the practice of law, including general management of finance, human resources, location management, information services and business development. Specializing in legal management, Jonathan works to keep JVAM at the forefront of practice management and an employer of choice in the legal field.

Jonathan attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he double majored in Economics and Political Science. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration at Colorado State University, focusing heavily on finance and leadership.

Before starting his career in the legal industry, Jonathan worked in the outdoor industry as a professional ski and snowboard instructor, and a trail guide and coach for downhill and cross-country mountain biking. For years, he tallied 200-plus days a year on snow between Aspen, Colorado and Queenstown, New Zealand. Now, he takes his ski days with his wife, Erin, and daughter, Amelia.

• Check out JVAM

• Follow JVAM on LinkedIn and Facebook

• Connect with Jonathan Delk on LinkedIn and X

• 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.

Michael Mantese brought a fresh perspective to Eskew Dumez Ripple, a nationally recognized architecture firm, when he joined in 2017. Coming from a New York City digital marketing and advertising agency, he brought a data-driven, people-centric approach to the firm’s marketing and content creation strategies. As marketing director, he leads the firm with the same values and elevates its brand storytelling through his photographer’s eye.

In this episode, Michelle chats with Michael about tools and strategies for cutting-edge architecture marketing, content ideation and amplification, and how marketing departments can leverage analytics and technology. Michael also shares how his photography background influences his marketing work, including ways marketers can collaborate with photographers to tell better project stories.

• Who is Michael Mantese is

• About Eskew Dumez Ripple

• The growing importance of data analytics in effective marketing

• Insights into Eskew Dumez’s research-based content ideation approach

• How to repurpose project case studies and proposals into omnichannel content

• Ways thought leadership can support proposal writing (and vice-versa)

• How Eskew Dumez leverages technology as a competitive advantage

• New ideas for leveraging photography to tell better project stories

Michael Mantese brings a storyteller’s craft to communicating Eskew Dumez Ripple’s brand identity and mission. A writer at heart, he expands this skillset with a background in user experience design — letting market insights, data and analytics drive his decision-making, rather than assuming he knows what every audience is thinking. He augments this storytelling with a keen visual eye and maintains a particular fondness for photography and typography.

Before joining Eskew Dumez Ripple, Michael worked in the tech industry, designing digital experiences for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Marriott, Amex and City University of New York (CUNY).

• Check out Eskew Dumez Ripple

• Follow Eskew Dumez Ripple on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• Connect with Michael Mantese on LinkedIn

• Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on X and LinkedIn

• Read the latest on EDR+

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.

Soon after starting as an intern architect, Heather Blazi realized the job didn’t spark joy quite the way she imagined while watching HGTV as a kid. So she adjusted her path. Today, she’s the marketing director at Pfluger Architects, a design firm specializing in the education market.

Heather joins us to discuss owning your niche, market expansion and building an effective team with diverse skills. She shares why Pfluger encourages architects to use LinkedIn and how a strong brand supports proposal development, boosts employee engagement and amplifies recruitment efforts.

• Who Heather Blazi is

• About Pfluger Architects

• How Heather’s architecture background influences her work as a marketer

• Insights into the growing intersection between marketing and business development

• The benefits of niche marketing

• How to effectively leverage your niche during proposal writing and market expansion

• Why use thought leadership to market your team’s knowledge, expertise and capabilities

• The importance of a strong firm brand and positioning

• About Pfluger’s recent successes with strategic email marketing

• Why Pfluger encourages its architects to use LinkedIn

• How people-centric social media posts aid in attracting prospective clients and architecture talent

Heather Blazi is the principal-in-charge of marketing at Pfluger Architects, a firm on a mission to inspire people to create a more meaningful human experience. With nearly 10 years of experience, Heather has planned and executed marketing initiatives contributing to Pfluger's growth and expansion across Texas. Beyond the world of architectural marketing, Heather has two daughters who bring boundless inspiration (and chaos) to her every day, reminding her of the importance of creativity, adaptability and being open to a fresh perspective. Heather enjoys volunteering and crafting anytime she can. With a heart for service, a commitment to her family and a flair for strategic thinking, she hopes to continue making a positive impact on those around her.

• Check out Pfluger Architects

• Follow Pfluger Architects on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• Connect with Heather Blazi 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.

Professional services buyers want to see more than simple boilerplate to inform their decision about why they should hire you. Marketing needs to be tailored as much as possible to address their specific needs and concerns.

Derek Goodroe, marketing director at Ashley McGraw Architects, talks about why he invests time and resources into carefully tailoring each request for proposal (RFP) — even if it takes hours to get it right. He and host Michelle Calcote King discuss the evolution of the architecture industry and the marketer’s role. They also cover the tools Ashley McGraw uses to expand reach and impact, including email marketing and industry conferences.

• Who Derek Goodroe is

• About Ashley McGraw Architects and the Vaysen Studio

• How competition for architecture services has intensified over time

• The challenges marketing departments, especially small teams, face when writing proposals

• What elements make an RFP response more competitive

• Best practices for crafting a tailored proposal that sells

• Tips for collaborating with architects to elevate the quality of your RFP responses

• How to leverage conferences as a business development and marketing tool

• Better ways to use email to connect with clients and prospects

• The marketing department’s influence on firm culture and employee engagement

Derek Goodroe is the director of marketing at Ashley McGraw Architects. He has been with Ashley McGraw since 2010 and cumulatively has over 19 years of marketing experience, including 16 years in professional services.

His strategic vision and approach to marketing and business development have been pivotal in steering Ashley McGraw Architects' growth and presence, particularly within the firm's Syracuse, New York, and Washington, DC, offices. While overseeing the development and delivery of a fully integrated marketing strategy for the firm, Derek is also dedicated to driving business development, fostering a culture of collaboration and ensuring the firm's values are reflected in every marketing message, client interaction and proposal pursuit. Derek is a member of the Upstate New York chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).

• Check out Ashley McGraw Architects and Vaysen Studio

• Follow Ashley McGraw on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram

• Connect with Derek Goodroe 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.

The legal industry isn’t known for its trailblazing progress on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) front — but it is improving. Many law firms are integrating DEI strategy into their core business model, and the benefits of this shift are touching nearly every area, from prospecting and marketing to recruitment and talent development.

In this episode, Lee Watts joins us to talk about her new role as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Bass, Berry & Sims. She discusses the firm’s strategy and reflects on how DEI influences a firm’s brand, reputation and competitive advantage.

• Who Lee Watts is

• About Bass, Berry & Sims

• How DEI has changed over the years

• DEI’s influence on law firm brand and reputation

• How to be a DEI advocate within your own circle of influence

• The importance of analyzing all business matters through a DEI lens

• The potential impacts of emerging lawsuits targeting firm DEI initiatives

• About Bass, Berry & Sims’ active programs, including its affinity groups and educational partnerships

Lee Ashby Watts is the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Bass, Berry & Sims. She works to advance diversity, equity and inclusion and to support the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented lawyers and professionals. Lee has over 20 years of experience in the legal industry, helping law firms, attorneys and legal professionals develop and implement strategic plans.

Lee brings a keen understanding of communications and client service, having worked in legal marketing and business development for most of her career. Prior to joining Bass, Berry & Sims, she led a consulting firm where she coached, trained and consulted with hundreds of leaders. Previously, she served in a variety of roles within law firms, including as the chief marketing officer at global law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP for nearly a decade.

Lee is a certified business development coach as well as a frequent facilitator and speaker, addressing personal branding, public speaking, marketing, diversity and inclusion. She sits on the board of the Legal Marketing Association Southeast and the nonprofit organization Kate’s Club. She is also a member of the professional women’s network CHIEF, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Junior League of Atlanta and ColorComm. Lee is an Ohio University graduate and earned her MBA from Georgia State University.

• Check out Bass, Berry & Sims

• Follow Bass, Berry & Sims on X, Facebook and LinkedIn

• Connect with Lee Watts 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.