How Do You Become a Law Firm CMO? Leadership Lessons (with Koree Khongphand-Buckman)

How Do You Become a Law Firm CMO? Leadership Lessons (with Koree Khongphand-Buckman)

What does it really take to become a Chief Marketing Officer at a major law firm? For Koree Khongphand-Buckman, the answer isn't a title. It's earning the trust, credibility, and influence to help shape the future of a firm.  “The title of CMO was more about, what do you get to do? I wanted the opportunity to impact and drive particular things within a firm, and to work with leadership at the highest levels.”  In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People, legal marketing strategists Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Koree, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Foley & Lardner LLP, to discuss her journey from an accounting background to one of the most respected leadership roles in legal marketing. From surviving her first week in legal marketing to building firmwide client feedback and lateral integration programs, Koree shares the lessons that helped her become a trusted advisor to firm leadership and why the best legal marketers think like business leaders. Whether you're an aspiring CMO, a legal marketer looking to expand your influence, or a lawyer interested in how firms grow, this conversation is full of practical leadership advice you can apply immediately. In this conversation, you’ll hear: * How Koree moved from accounting into legal marketing * What it takes to progress from marketer to strategic business leader * Why relationships often open more doors than titles * How to position yourself for leadership opportunities before you feel fully ready * Why owning your work changes how firm leaders see you * How Koree built client feedback and lateral integration programs from the ground up * Why the best CMOs ask better questions instead of pretending to have every answer * How to become a trusted advisor to lawyers and firm leadership * Why leadership does not have to be lonely * How great leaders create opportunities for the people around them * Why legal marketers should stop waiting for permission to grow their careers About Koree Khongphand-Buckman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreekhongphandbuckman/]:  Koree Khongphand-Buckman is chief marketing & business development officer (CMBDO) at Foley & Lardner LLP where she is responsible for leading the firm’s business development, marketing, client service and branding efforts across all practices, industries, sectors and offices to help the firm achieve its strategic objectives. With 20 years of professional services marketing experience, Koree is adept at crafting and implementing growth strategies for new and existing clients.  Learn More:  * Connect with Koree [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreekhongphandbuckman/] This episode is brought to you by Lateral Hub [https://lateralhub.com/]: Lateral Hub is the premier job board for top large, midsize, and boutique firms. Over 75 firms use their flat-fee membership to promote openings to laterals and judicial clerks as a transparent, targeted, affordable alternative to headhunters or LinkedIn. No hassle. No placement fees. Hiring in 2026? Don’t recruit like it’s the Stone Age.   Stay Connected: Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.  Bring these types of conversations to your law firm. These podcast conversations are the same ones happening quietly inside law firms. Through stage, we work with lawyers at every level and with legal marketing teams on client service, business development, and growth built on real relationships. If these themes are coming up inside your firm, let’s chat.  * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/]

5 Ways Lawyers Can Grow a Sustainable Book of Business (Minis with Megan)

Building a book of business does not begin with finding the perfect strategy. It begins with taking thoughtful, consistent action before you feel completely ready. In this mini episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast for People, Megan Senese shares five principles that helped stage grow from an idea into a legal marketing and business development consultancy. These are not shortcuts; these are practical, relationship-first approaches that lawyers can use to become more visible, build stronger professional relationships, and grow a sustainable book of business over time. More importantly, they are designed to be realistic enough to keep doing, because the best business development strategy is one you can actually sustain. Who this episode is for:  * Lawyers who want to build or grow their book of business sustainably  * Attorneys beginning a new role, launching a practice, or building a firm * Legal marketers supporting lawyer business development * Anyone who has been waiting for the “right time” to begin or needs a kickstart Five sustainable ways lawyers can kickstart their business development 1. Start before you feel ready There is rarely a perfect time to begin business development. Momentum comes from taking the first step and continuing to show up. 2. Get specific about who you help The clearer you are about the people you serve and the problems you solve, the easier it becomes for others to understand your value and connect you with the right opportunities. 3. Reach out like a real person Strong business development is built through genuine relationships, not polished sales pitches. Lead with curiosity, generosity, and a real interest in the person on the other side of the conversation. 4. Build your network in a way that fits you You do not have to follow someone else’s networking formula. Choose approaches that reflect your personality, strengths, and capacity so your business development feels natural, realistic, and sustainable. 5. Play the long game Business development is relationship development. Trust, credibility, referrals, and meaningful opportunities grow through consistency, not one-time efforts or quick wins. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You need clarity about who you want to help, a willingness to connect authentically, and a business development approach you can keep showing up for over time. Ready to take the first step? Email us at info@stage.guide with “Kickstart” in the subject line, and we will send you our one-page guide, 5 Ways to Kickstart Your Business Development. Tell us what you are working toward or where you are feeling stuck. We would love to hear from you. Stay Connected: At stage, we believe business development isn't about chasing clients, it's about building trust. We help lawyers create authentic, relationship-first strategies that grow practices one meaningful connection at a time. * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

“I’m Not a Rainmaker”: The Story You Might Be Telling Yourself as a Lawyer (with Mary Ellen Murrah, Vista CMO)

“99% of the time, the folks on the team know what needs to happen.” - Mary Ellen Murrah What if the biggest thing holding your career back is not your skill, your experience, or your ambition, but the story you have been telling yourself? "I'm not a rainmaker." "I'm bad at business development." "I'm just not wired for networking." They shape how we show up, what opportunities we pursue, and what kind of growth we believe is possible. In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey sit down with Mary Ellen Murrah, Chief Marketing Officer at Vista Consulting Team, for a candid conversation about career identity, authentic relationship development, law firm growth, consulting, operations, and the changing plaintiff-side legal market. Mary Ellen shares how she moved from aspiring lawyer to legal marketing leader, what she has learned helping plaintiff firms grow, and why meaningful progress rarely comes from strategy alone. It comes from implementation, accountability, and the willingness to stop copying someone else’s version of success. This episode is for anyone who has ever thought, “That’s just not who I am,” and wondered whether there might be a more honest, more effective way to grow. You’ll hear about: * Why the labels we place on ourselves can quietly shape our careers * How to reframe business development as relationship development * Why authentic networking works better than forcing yourself into someone else’s style * Mary Ellen’s path from aspiring lawyer to legal marketing leader * What Vista Consulting Team helps plaintiff law firms actually implement * Why accountability is often the missing piece after a consulting engagement * The operational differences between plaintiff firms and traditional billable-hour firms * How private equity is reshaping the plaintiff-side legal market * What makes a law firm attractive for acquisition * Why growth often begins with questioning the story you have been repeating Whether you are building a book of business, leading a team, growing a law firm, or trying to step into your next chapter with more confidence, this conversation offers a more human way to think about success. Listen to the episode and consider what might change if you stopped defining yourself by the labels that limit you. About Mary Ellen Murrah [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryellenmurrah/]: Mary Ellen Murrah is the Chief Marketing Officer at Vista Consulting Team, where she helps plaintiff law firms grow through operational strategy, leadership development, and marketing. With more than two decades of experience in legal technology, law firm leadership, and business operations, she works closely with firms across the U.S. and Canada to improve efficiency, strengthen culture, and prepare for sustainable growth. Learn More: * Check out Vista Consulting [https://vistact.com/] * Download Vista’s PE Readiness Guide [https://ss-usa.s3.amazonaws.com/c/308482259/media/191669ef98ecb8d7409745193664477/Vista_PE_Readiness_Guide.pdf] Stay Connected: Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.  * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Bring these types of conversations to your law firm. These podcast conversations are the same ones happening quietly inside law firms. Through stage, we work with lawyers at every level and with legal marketing teams on client service, business development, and growth built on real relationships. If these themes are coming up inside your firm, let’s chat.

Stop Pitching, Start Helping This Summer (Minis with Megan)

Business development doesn't have to start with a sales pitch - it starts with a conversation. In this mini episode with Megan Senese, we explore why the most effective networking isn't about selling yourself or asking for work. It's about getting curious, building genuine relationships, and showing up with a simple question: How can I help? Megan shares the outreach strategy that transformed stage's first year of business and offers a simple challenge to help you build meaningful connections this summer. Who this episode is for: * Lawyers looking for a more authentic approach to business development * Professionals who feel uncomfortable reaching out to new contacts * Anyone who worries networking feels too transactional * People wanting to grow their network through genuine relationships rather than sales Episode takeaways: * Business development begins with relationships, not sales * Most people are far more open to connecting than we assume * A simple, thoughtful outreach often works better than a perfectly crafted pitch * Asking "How can I help?" creates stronger, more memorable relationships * Small, intentional conversations today can become opportunities tomorrow What to do this summer to build your network: * Reach out to someone new: Invite them to a 15-20 minute virtual coffee or meet-and-greet. * Lead with curiosity: Ask about their work, their interests, and what's keeping them busy. * End every conversation by asking, "How can I help?": You may be surprised by the answer. * Remember what matters to them: Take notes and follow up later on the things they shared. * Plant seeds now: Thoughtful relationships built during slower seasons often grow into meaningful opportunities later. Stay Connected: At stage, we believe the strongest business development strategy isn't about selling, it's about building trust one conversation at a time. We help lawyers create relationship-first approaches that feel natural, authentic, and sustainable. The next meaningful opportunity probably isn't waiting in your inbox. Send the note. Start the conversation. Build the relationship. * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/] * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/] Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.

The Bad Boss Episode: Mita Mallick on Toxic Workplaces, Burnout, and Boundaries

“If anyone takes anything out of today's conversation, it's you gotta find ways to recharge and replenish so you can go back to work and make impact.” - Mita Mallick Why do so many smart, capable people stay in unhealthy work environments? And why do bad bosses seem to exist in every industry? In this episode of So Much To Say: A Legal Podcast For People, Megan Senese and Jennifer Ramsey are joined by Mita Mallick, bestselling author, workplace culture expert, and speaker on a mission to make work more human. Drawing from the stories in her book The Devil Emails at Midnight, Mita shares why toxic leadership is often enabled by systems, why self-awareness is the foundation of great leadership, and how many high achievers unknowingly normalize unhealthy behavior. This conversation unpacks everything from micromanagers and "rainmakers" to people-pleasing, burnout, and the surprising ways our childhood experiences can shape the bosses we tolerate. If you’ve ever given a bad boss a code name, this episode is for you. You’ll hear about: * Why Mita believes bad bosses aren't born, they're made * The essential role self-awareness plays in becoming a better leader * How organizations unintentionally protect toxic high performers * Why fear creates short-term results but destroys culture over time * Why people often normalize unhealthy workplace behavior * The importance of boundaries in a 24/7 world * Why taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's good leadership * What Mita is exploring in her upcoming book, Office Villains About Mita Mallick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/]: Mita Mallick is a bestselling author, speaker, workplace culture expert, and business leader focused on creating more human, inclusive organizations. She is the author of The Devil Emails at Midnight and Reimagine Inclusion, and her work has been featured by major organizations and media outlets around the world. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Mita helps leaders build self-awareness, navigate change, and create healthier workplaces. Learn More: * Mita’s Website [https://www.mitamallick.com/] * Check out Mita’s books [https://www.mitamallick.com/book] This episode is brought to you by: Latitude Legal [https://latitudelegal.com/] In partnership with Latitude Legal, stage offers four free business development sessions for any lawyer returning from parental leave. We call it Corduroy. It is open to any lawyer. We know how challenging it can be to be a working parent, and this is our way of giving back to the legal community through business development support. If you are interested in learning more about Corduroy for yourself or your team, you can email us at info@stage.guide. Thank you to Latitude Legal and Kyle Robisch for being the sole partner supporting our Corduroy initiative. They recognize the importance of supporting working parents in the legal industry and are generously underwriting this program. To learn more, visit www.latitudelegal.com [http://www.latitudelegal.com] or contact Kyle directly at KRobisch@latitudelegal.com. Stay Connected: Love So Much To Say? Let us know! Drop a review, give us 5 stars in your favorite podcast app, and tell us what made you laugh, think, or just go “yep, that’s me.” Every review helps us reach more awesome humans who want to make legal…well, human.  Want to go deeper? Curious about 1:1 coaching with Megan or Jen? Or want the inside scoop on stage? Hit us up below, we’d love to chat! * Learn more about stage [https://stage.guide/] * Connect with Megan Senese [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/]  * Connect with Jennifer Ramsey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferramseysd/]