Explore the crucial aspects of succession planning for both large and small law firms to navigate the future of your firms with confidence and clarity. In the next five years, it’s vital to actively evaluate practice groups and consider how to empower the next generation of attorneys.

Succession planning is not just a political question or an item buried in partnership contracts; it's an essential strategy for client retention and firm stability. Our webinar will address these challenges head-on, providing insights on how to develop a seamless succession plan that not only retains clients but also creates clear career paths for emerging legal talent. Avoid the pitfalls of delayed decision-making and ensure your firm is prepared for the future.

This session offers actionable strategies and insights to help you communicate and implement succession plans effectively. We’ll explore:

• Overcoming Key Hurdles: Learn how to navigate the challenges of initiating succession discussions and how to turn them into productive conversations.
• Cultural Normalization: Discover tactics to align firm culture with leadership engagement, ensuring that succession planning becomes a natural part of your firm’s dialogue.
• Preparing for Exits: Understand what steps you can take to prepare for both planned and unexpected exits of Shareholders.

Join us to refine your approach to succession planning, ensuring you are well-positioned to support your firm’s leadership transition smoothly and strategically.

Locations:

• Los Angeles: Greenberg Glusker LLP, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, CA 90067
• San Diego: Meyers Nave, 600 B Street, Suite 1650, San Diego, CA 92101
• Seattle: Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4700, Seattle, WA 98104
• Portland: Miller Nash LLP, 1140 SW Washington St, Ste 700, Portland, OR 97205

A Zoom link will be emailed in advance of the event. Those selecting a watch party location will receive the Zoom link as well as a separate email communication from the in-person host with additional information. 

Cost:
LMA Member: Complimentary
Prospective LMA Members: $45

Speakers:

David Ernst
Law Firm Succession Planning Consultant, Ernst + Bernick LLC

David Ernst retired from law practice in the fall of 2022 after 37 years as a litigation attorney focusing on food safety. Dave worked at two firms over the course of his career, joining Davis Wright in 2011. Throughout his career, Dave served in many firm leadership and management roles. This included office managing attorney, firm president (175 lawyer firm), the compensation committees of two firms, and the firmwide succession planning partner at Davis Wright. Dave has a particular interest and expertise in succession planning for lawyers and law firms. He has worked with many lawyers over the years to develop thoughtful succession plans which ensure the continuation of client relationships and the development of younger lawyers.

Sheenika Gandhi
CMO, Greenberg Glusker

Sheenika S. Gandhi is the Chief Marketing Officer at Greenberg Glusker. She leads the firm’s marketing and business development, lateral partner recruiting, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. She serves as a trusted advisor to the firm and works seamlessly alongside the rest of the C-Suite to view the firm holistically, using this unique vantage point to pinpoint growth areas. She oversees a high-performing team responsible for sponsorships, events, communications, public relations, rankings and recognition, digital marketing, marketing technology, business development, and client service. In 2024, she joined the International Board of Directors for the Legal Marketing Association after previously serving as the co-chair of the Small Firm / Solo Team Shared Interest Group (SIG). She was a member of the LMA’s 2021 Annual Conference Advisory Committee and previously served as the chair of the Southern California Chapter of LMA.

Kelly Noonan
Managing Shareholder, Stokes Lawrence

Kelly Noonan has served as the Managing Shareholder of Stokes Lawrence for over 20 years, where she guides the firm’s mission to provide experienced, tailored, and practical legal advice to help clients succeed. She has steadily led Stokes Lawrence through influence, effort, talent, and consistent values-based strategic leadership. Kelly has created an open culture around strategic succession planning and has implemented a successful succession planning program at the firm. In addition to actively mentoring members of the firm, Kelly launched a female managing partner networking group for Seattle area law firms. For many years, Kelly was one of a small number of female law firm managing partners in Seattle. As more women rose to leadership positions in law firms, Kelly created a forum where they could connect, support, and share successes and challenges with each other.

Deborah Ruffins
Chief Marketing Officer, Perkins Coie

Deborah Ruffins is a versatile marketing professional with nearly 30 years’ experience in diverse top tier firms and a proven record of effectiveness, quality, and creativity. She lives for and is most energized by business, brand & marketing strategy development, and implementation in the professional services industry. Deb’s personal passion is to help people be at their natural best through coaching, training & development of relationships, business development, and presentation skills as well as individual personal and professional growth. In her current role as Chief Marketing Officer at Perkins Coie, she is responsible for all facets of the firm’s marketing and business development activities, where she guides and advances the firm’s commitment to exceptional client service. An active member of the Legal Marketing Association, Deb previously served as co-chair of the Annual Conference Advisory Committee.

Panel Moderator:

Kevin Guidry
Director of Class Action Services, Verita Global

Kevin Guidry is the Director of Class Action Services at Verita Global and is responsible for managing client relationships and facilitating the growth of new client engagements. Before joining Verita, he lead business development and strategy at leading law firms in Seattle for nearly a decade. Kevin takes his consultative approach with the legal community and applies it to Verita’s clients. His management experience provides clients with top-level service as he guides them through the administration process.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to LMAWest@legalmarketing.org.