Beyond Business Cards: Authentic Networking for New Law Firm Partners
Release Date: 05/27/2025
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The misconception that “anyone can do marketing” creates barriers that relegate AEC marketers to tactical roles rather than strategic business partners. In this “Spill the Ink” episode, Michelle Galindez, Director of Marketing and Communications at Syska Hennessy Group, discusses practical strategies for marketing leaders to find their voice, challenge assumptions and demonstrate value in terms that resonate with technical executives. Michelle has spent nearly a decade reinforcing Syska Hennessy's global marketing function into a trusted strategic business driver. She covers actionable...
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Beyond Business Cards: Authentic Networking for New Law Firm Partners
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In this episode, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Megan Senese, co-founder and principal at stage, a woman-owned legal marketing and business development consultancy, to discuss how newly minted partners can develop authentic networking approaches that generate business. Through her own journey from "networking-phobic" marketing professional to successful business developer, Megan demonstrates how connecting with people one-on-one transformed her career and led to connecting with 1,000 people in her first year of business. She identifies the two common mistakes lawyers make in business...
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Technical expertise is merely table stakes in the AEC industry. How firms approach their relationship-building is the true differentiator, with the potential to completely change the game for decision-makers. Brad Thurman, Chief Marketing Officer at Wallace Design Collective, shares his experience to help firms nurture authentic relationships — and knock cold outreach down from the top of their priority list. Brad unpacks three relationship-building principles that helped transform his firm into a powerhouse with more than 300 professionals across eight offices: prioritizing responsive...
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Giving Up Carbon-Copy Market Entry Tactics in AEC Firms
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"We didn't want to be somebody that just came in and it was about the bottom line and the revenue. It was about being a part of the community." In this episode, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Optima Engineering Director of Marketing & Growth Suzanne Epps to discuss why it is a mistake for AEC marketers to blindly transplant their existing strategies when entering new markets. Through Optima's recent launch in Greenville, South Carolina, Suzanne demonstrates how becoming a true community partner — not just a service provider — creates lasting relationships that...
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Attorney Work-Life Balance: Managing Boundaries and Client Relations
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In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle Calcote King speaks with Amanda Waesch, who chairs marketing and business development at Brennan, Manna & Diamond (BMD), about navigating work-life balance in the demanding legal profession. Amanda shares her experiences developing her firm's inaugural maternity policy, advocating for flexible work arrangements and building authentic relationships with clients that respect boundaries. The conversation explores how law firms can better support women's careers through progressive policies, the importance of setting expectations with clients...
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Turning Data into Decisions: Research-Driven Strategies for AEC Firms
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Most AEC firms recognize research's potential and understand they can’t rely on assumptions or gut feelings to stay ahead of the curve. Still, many firms struggle to implement effective research programs that inform their strategic decisions. In this episode of “Spill the Ink,” Michelle speaks with Julie Witecki, Senior Consultant at FMI Consulting, about how research can shape market strategies and drive business growth in architecture, engineering and construction firms. Julie introduces the “Five C’s of Context” framework: a comprehensive approach to research that examines...
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The Rewards When DEI Drives Innovation in Law Firms
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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...
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Exploring Mentorship Outside Traditional Channels as AEC Marketers
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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...
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Breaking Misconceptions: How Legal Marketers Are Innovating and Advancing the Field
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In this episode, John Byrne, the Chief Marketing Officer at Gould & Ratner and the 2025 President of the Legal Marketing Association, disputes the idea that legal marketing is behind other professional services industries. He and Michelle Calcote King discuss how forward-thinking law firms are harnessing the power of content marketing and leveraging data analysis to bolster client retention. John emphasizes the vital role of relationship selling in legal marketing and explores how marketers can earn a seat at the table at their firms. John’s insights empower marketers to recognize their...
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The Benefits of Peer Relationships for Legal Professionals
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Emily McKeown and Lindsay Tiffany have a standing meeting to collaborate and advise each other on legal marketing and business development issues. The twist? They work for separate law firms. Their firms serve different geographic markets, so they aren’t in direct competition, but Emily and Lindsay say their peer relationship is invaluable. In this episode, they share the benefits this type of relationship offers law firms, how it enhances their professional development, and why they encourage others to build similar connections. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn An introduction to...
info_outlineIn this episode, Michelle Calcote King sits down with Megan Senese, co-founder and principal at stage, a woman-owned legal marketing and business development consultancy, to discuss how newly minted partners can develop authentic networking approaches that generate business.
Through her own journey from "networking-phobic" marketing professional to successful business developer, Megan demonstrates how connecting with people one-on-one transformed her career and led to connecting with 1,000 people in her first year of business. She identifies the two common mistakes lawyers make in business development: either being too transactional or building friendly relationships without ever asking for work. She shares practical techniques for initiating meaningful conversations, gracefully exiting interactions and creating effective virtual networking opportunities when in-person conferences aren't feasible.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn
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Why finding your authentic networking style matters more than following prescribed business development formulas.
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The two common mistakes lawyers make in business development and how to avoid them.
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Practical conversation starters that bypass superficial small talk, including the "high-low buffalo" technique.
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Strategies for gracefully exiting conversations while maintaining professional relationships.
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How to create effective virtual networking opportunities when in-person conferences aren't feasible.
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The importance of being proactive in developing your own networking initiatives.
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How authenticity in professional communications can strengthen your network and visibility.
About our featured guest
Megan Senese is a seasoned legal marketing and business development professional with more than 16 years of experience in Big Law and the Big Four. She co-founded stage, a women-owned firm dedicated to helping lawyers and law firms enhance their client relationships, revenue and market visibility.
Megan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in corporate communications from Manhattan College, graduating magna cum laude. She began her career as a marketing intern at a law firm during college, which sparked her passion for legal marketing. Over the years, she has implemented client teams and launched industry programs at three different Am Law 100 firms.
Known for her efficiency and problem-solving abilities, Megan is often referred to as "Super Speedy Senese." She is a certified Smart Collaborator and an accredited partner authorized to administer the Gardner & Co. Smart Collaboration Accelerator™, enabling her to assist teams and individuals in enhancing their collaboration and communication skills.
Megan is a prolific writer and speaker. She has authored articles for Bloomberg Law and Law360, covering topics such as lateral partner integration and business development strategies. Additionally, she has been featured in various podcasts and speaking engagements, sharing her insights on authentic marketing and the power of collaboration in the legal industry.
Megan resides on Long Island with her family and their dog, balancing her professional commitments with family life while sharing her insights on managing both.
Resources mentioned in this episode
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Check out stage
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Connect with Megan Senese on LinkedIn
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Say hello to Michelle Calcote King on LinkedIn
Sponsor for this episode
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 [email protected] today.