In this episode of True Tales from the Virtual Trenches, host Jeff Berardi speaks with Gillian Ward, Global Chief Marketing Officer at the international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP).  Gillian leads the firm's business development, branding and marketing efforts on a worldwide basis and brings a wealth of insight and expertise to the program.  Together, Gillian and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics related to building strong relationships and marketing professional services including:

• 1:50 – Gillian's background and journey to becoming an industry leader in her field, as well as the unique nature of legal marketing and what makes it such a compelling career choice.  
• 12:24 – Implementation of strategic planning initiatives & ongoing process of integration prior to, during, and following mergers..
• 13:29 – What it was like for Gillian and BCLP at the onset of the pandemic & how she pivoted in response to various challenges.
• 20:46 – How allowing yourself to be open and vulnerable can establish greater bonds and trust with colleagues.
• 24:29 – Managing up, down, and sideways as a keystone of effective leadership & how to do so in a virtual world, and the two-way street of working with colleagues in a constructive, focused and supportive manner.
• 31:29 – Gillian’s commitment to providing good training, role models, and mentors in legal marketing, and her support of expanding the membership of the Legal Marketing Association outside the U.S.

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