The LMASW Your Honor Awards (YHA) program recognizes creativity, execution, achievement and overall excellence in legal marketing across a range of categories that align with LMA’s Body of Knowledge.

A successfully executed project requires time, creativity, teamwork, and innovation. We invite you to share your recent successes, inspire your peers, and receive recognition during the YHA Ceremony, which will be hosted during the LMA Southwest Regional Conference in October 2022. Please review the award categories described below, in addition to the FAQs regarding eligibility requirements. 

We look forward to coming together as a region at the SW Region Conference to celebrate your achievements.

FAQs

Who can enter?

Either a law firm or a service provider may submit entries. However, consultants and vendors must provide written approval from the law firm on firm letterhead.

How long will it take me to complete a submission?

On average, a submission will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. 

What is the deadline?

Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

What timeframe is eligible for submission?

Any work produced to promote or market the services of a law firm between October 2021 and August 2022 is eligible to enter.

How much does it cost to enter, and how can I pay?

The cost to enter a firm submission is $100 per entry, which you can pay with a credit card through the website. Submissions for Individual-based categories do not have a fee.

Can I send in a hard copy to enhance my submission?

No, we cannot accept any hard copy submissions. 

Still have questions?

E-mail Jessica Cox.

Firm Initiative-based categories:

1.  Business Development

Drives new business and increased revenue for the law firm — both directly and indirectly — through client and prospect outreach, attorney coaching and mentoring, and market intelligence.

• Coaching / Training / Planning. This includes attorney coaching, training programs, business development plans, sales and networking techniques, and cross-selling initiatives.
• Events. This includes seminars, open houses, networking events and webinars.

2.  Business of Law

Demonstrates an understanding of the legal profession through evaluating firm financial and operational performance, building strategies to leverage market opportunities, and implementing practices that maximize performance.

Strategic initiatives the firm undertook that involved the marketing team. This includes projects that involve market and business intelligence, profitability and pricing, talent management, financial management, project management, and measurement of ROI.

• Example 1: Collaboration between multiple departments within the firm such as finance, marketing and professional development around succession planning.
• Example 2: Market research efforts designed to provide data for assessing high-potential growth areas.

3.  Client Services

Consists of the techniques, processes and standards by which law firms' professional staff serve the lawyers in the firm and the clients of the firm, including the disciplines of project management and process improvement.

This includes any programs or processes developed by a law firm designed to specifically help it better serve clients, such as client feedback programs, process improvement, client experience, and industry and client teams.

4.  Communications

Entails developing and implementing internal and external messaging strategies to broaden the impact of a firm’s programs and brand position.

• Brand enhancement. This includes logos and any kind of design or key messaging related to the enhancement of a firm’s brand identity.
• Promotional and collateral materials. This includes brochures, annual reports, integrated branded materials, advertising, promotional giveaways, holiday mailings/ announcements and tradeshow booths.
• Media relations/PR. This includes press releases, news conferences, crisis communications, other non‐paid media coverage, media training programs, COVID-19, charitable and community service programs, and pro bono projects.
• Content marketing. Includes the planning and execution of a campaign that primarily involves the creation of content around a specific topic that demonstrates the firm’s capabilities and experience in that area and helped to establish the firm as a player in the area/topic the content addressed. This would include the innovative use of rich media, a photo gallery, videos and podcasts.

5.  Marketing Management and Leadership

Establishes and effectively manages a highly functioning marketing organization through people and processes that foster collaboration and drive overall business objectives.

• Internal marketing. This includes internal marketing initiatives that are designed to improve the performance and relevancy of the marketing and business development departments within a firm.
• Diversity and Inclusion. This includes any firm-wide efforts that involved the marketing department to help the firm or the legal industry become more diverse, or to raise awareness for diversity.

6.  Technology

Includes identification, implementation and effective management of the technologies and technology staff that support marketing and business development.

• Social Media/Email marketing and Other Digital Promotions. This includes innovative campaigns that involve social media platforms, email and related campaigns. Additionally, any proactive efforts to improve website traffic through strategic SEO initiatives.
• Applications and innovative use of software, technology and other platforms. This includes noteworthy blogs or ancillary websites for the firm as well as the development of specific technology applications, such as mobile apps. Additionally, any initiative that involves the innovative use of software or technology platforms — such as CRM systems, proposal and pitch development tools, experience management tools, or marketing automation platforms — to help further a firm’s marketing goals.
• Website design and development. This includes firm-wide websites, blogs or microsites.
  • Projects totaling up to $85,000.
  • Projects totaling between $85,001–$185,000.
  • Projects totaling $185,001 or higher.

 

Submit Nomination

Individual Award Categories

The LMA Southwest Region is pleased to announce the LMA Southwest Regional Your Honor Awards. The individual-based awards of the LMA Southwest YHA program focuses on individual members who have made significant contributions to the LMA Southwest Region and the legal marketing industry between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2022. 

Categories included are:

• Member of the Year Award;
• Rising Star Award; and
• Distinguished Service Award.

Submit Nomination

Individual-Based Award Categories

LMA Southwest Region members are encouraged to submit nominations for their peers in the following individual-based award categories:

Member of the Year Award

This award recognizes the contributions of an individual regional member who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the growth and success of our region by furthering the goals of LMA. A candidate should be an active volunteer to be considered for this award. It is not required to be an elected leader.

Candidates for the Member of the Year Award will be selected based on the following weighted criteria:

1. Contribution to the LMA Southwest Region (60%)
   Provide a summary with evidence and specific examples of significant contributions to the LMA Southwest Region and/or any local group within the region since January 2022.
2. Contribution to LMA, Outside of the Southwest Region (20%)
   Provide examples of contributions to LMA outside of the LMA Southwest Region. Include years of membership and service at the international, conference or committee levels. This may or may not include elected or appointed leadership roles.
3. Contribution to the Legal Industry (10%)
   Achievements and contributions outside of LMA but still within the legal industry. State the most significant examples in which the nominee has contributed to the advancement of the legal marketing profession since January 2022.
4. Leadership Characteristics (10%)
   Describe the characteristics of the nominee that can poise him/her to become a leader in their profession, in LMA and/or their community, and reflect the values and standards of the LMA community.

Rising Star Award

This award recognizes a professional in the association who has fewer than 7 years of overall professional work experience. They should be one who is truly ‘one to watch’ because of their contribution to the profession, the association and their community, and shows promise of leadership in the future. Candidates for the Rising Star Award will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. Contribution to Their Firm/Organization (30%)
   State the most significant examples in which the nominee has contributed to the overall advancement of the firm – not necessarily for a single, specific project.
2. Leadership Characteristics (30%)
   Describe the characteristics of the nominee that can poise him/her to become a leader in their profession, in LMA and/or their community, and reflect the values and standards of the LMA community.
3. Contribution to the Profession (15%)
   State the most significant examples in which the nominee has contributed to the advancement of the legal marketing profession (e.g., publications, thought leadership, participation in other industry associations).
4. Contribution to LMA and the LMA Southwest Region (15%)
   Provide examples of contributions to LMA and the LMA [Region Name] Region. Include years of membership and service at the local group/city group, regional/chapter, international, conference or committee levels. This may or may not include elected or appointed leadership roles. A candidate may be an active volunteer and be considered for this award and not have been an official “leader” in the organization to date.
5. Contribution to Their Community (10%)
   Provide examples of the candidate’s involvement in non-business related activities that benefit their local or global community. For a fully rounded Rising Star, a candidate will make contributions outside of their industry and profession in an attempt to have a broader worldview that will ultimately serve their industry/profession and association.

Distinguished Service Award

This award is given to an individual member who has made significant contributions to the legal marketing industry, LMA, the Southwest Region (or its predecessor chapters) and its members, and has consistently demonstrated the highest levels of leadership, innovation and mentorship. Regional members in good standing who have been in the legal marketing profession for a minimum of 10 years, and actively involved in LMA for a minimum of 5 years are eligible for consideration or have previously been an LMA member for at least 10 years. This is not intended to be a lifetime achievement award (e.g., the international Hall of Fame). Candidates for the Distinguished Service Award are selected based on the following weighted criteria:

1. Contribution to LMA and the LMA [Region Name] Region (30%)
   Provide examples of contributions to LMA and the LMA Southwest Region. Include years of membership and service at the local group/city group, regional/chapter, international, conference or committee levels. This may or may not include elected or appointed leadership roles.
2. Advancement of the Profession (30%)
   State the most significant examples in which the nominee has contributed to the advancement of the legal marketing profession generally through development of new initiatives; writing of articles, books or trade publications; speaking/presenting; industry advocacy; etc.
3. Role Model/Mentor (25%)
   Provide examples of individuals who have benefitted from training or mentoring from this individual. Also, provide examples of how the nominee is viewed as a positive force in the organization and/or industry.
4. Professional Experience and Capability (15%) Provide a summary with evidence and specific examples of significant achievements in the workplace or industry that demonstrate the applicant’s role in the advancementof his/her firm/company.

Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

Entry Criteria and Rules

• Please use the online ballot to nominate individuals who have achieved distinction through service in our region and reflect the values and standards of the LMA community.
• All LMA members in good standing are eligible to submit nominations and are encouraged to participate.
• Current LMA Board members at the international or regional level and/or members of the judging panel are not eligible for nomination for the Member of the Year, Rising Star or Distinguished Service awards.
• Past recipients of the Rising Star Award or Distinguished Service Award may not be recognized in that same award category additional times. Past recipients of the Member of the Year Award are eligible to receive that same award category more than once, but are not eligible for the following year of their award (e.g., if awarded the Member of the Year in 2021, that individual is not eligible to receive the Member of the Year Award in 2022).
• If a member is nominated for a Member of the Year, Rising Star or Distinguished Service awards by an individual within their own firm/organization (i.e., they are nominated internally), at least one letter of recommendation from outside of the nominee’s firm/organization is required. Self-nominations are allowed, providing that a letter of recommendation is included.
• In addition to filling out an online ballot, the nominator has the option to submit supplemental information to support your nomination(s).