The Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer Forum 2026, organized by the Thomson Reuters Institute, is a premier event designed for senior legal marketing and business development leaders. Held from January 21 to 23, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida, the forum offers a platform for professionals to explore strategies for firm-wide development in a dynamic legal services market.
Key topics covered during the forum include harnessing artificial intelligence to personalize client journeys, building demand generation frameworks for resource-constrained environments, developing non-equity partner programs, navigating high-stakes communications, and reimagining business models amid market transformation. Sessions feature practical approaches such as managing client portfolios, leveraging agentic AI authentically, and positioning firms for international growth.
Attendees can engage with thought leaders through interactive sessions, workshops, and a keynote address. The program also offers ample networking opportunities, including receptions and luncheons, set against the backdrop of the oceanfront venue, providing a conducive environment for professional connections and idea exchange.
This forum is ideal for Chief Marketing and Business Development Officers, Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, law firm managing partners, executive committee members, practice group leaders, and client service or relationship partners. Participants will gain valuable insights and tools to help their firms thrive in a fast-changing market.
Speakers(30)
Alessandra Almeida Jones
Global Chief Marketing Officer at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Alessandra Almeida Jones serves as the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, overseeing global marketing strategies.
Ashraf Lakhani
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Porter Hedges LLP
Ashraf Lakhani serves as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Porter Hedges LLP, leading marketing and business development initiatives.
Aubrey Bishai
Chief Innovation Officer at Vinson & Elkins LLP
Aubrey Bishai is the Chief Innovation Officer at Vinson & Elkins LLP, focusing on driving innovation within the firm.
Azeema Batchelor
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Azeema Batchelor serves as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, overseeing marketing and business development strategies.
Brian Colucci
Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Brian Colucci is the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, leading business development and marketing efforts.
Charlotte Croker
Principal at Caldwell Partners
Charlotte Croker serves as a Principal at Caldwell Partners, focusing on executive search and leadership consulting.
David Ackert
Founder & CEO at PipelinePlus
David Ackert is the founder and CEO of PipelinePlus, specializing in business development solutions for professional services firms.
Erin Banks
Chief Business Development Officer at Husch Blackwell LLP
Erin Banks is the Chief Business Development Officer at Husch Blackwell LLP, leading the firm's business development efforts.
Fran Lebowitz
Keynote Speaker
Fran Lebowitz is a renowned author and public speaker known for her sharp wit and insightful commentary on American life.
Gina Carriuolo
Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP
Gina Carriuolo is the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP, leading the firm's business development and marketing efforts.
Heather Morse
Chief Business Development Officer at McGlinchey Stafford PLLC
Heather Morse is the Chief Business Development Officer at McGlinchey Stafford PLLC, focusing on business development strategies.
Ian Ribald
Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Ian Ribald serves as the Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, leading business development and marketing efforts.
Jen Dezso
Director, Client Relations at Thomson Reuters Institute
Jen Dezso is the Director of Client Relations at the Thomson Reuters Institute, specializing in client engagement strategies.
Jennifer Reeves
Lead Innovation Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
Jennifer Reeves serves as the Lead Innovation Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, specializing in legal innovation.
Jon Brewer
Senior DealCloud Growth Director at Intapp
Jon Brewer serves as the Senior DealCloud Growth Director at Intapp, specializing in growth strategies for DealCloud.
Jonathan Fitzgarrald
Managing Partner at Equinox Strategy Partners
Jonathan Fitzgarrald is the Managing Partner at Equinox Strategy Partners, focusing on business development consulting for professional services firms.
Julie Amos
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Julie Amos is the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, leading the firm's marketing and business development initiatives.
Julie Chodos
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
Julie Chodos serves as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, overseeing marketing and business development strategies.
Julie Cohen
Chief Marketing Officer at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
Julie Cohen is the Chief Marketing Officer at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, leading the firm's marketing initiatives.
Justin Edmondson
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Duane Morris LLP
Justin Edmondson serves as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Duane Morris LLP, overseeing marketing and business development initiatives.
Laura Fulton
Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Laura Fulton serves as the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, leading business development and marketing efforts.
Lisa Azzuolo
Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Lavery de Billy LLP
Lisa Azzuolo serves as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Lavery de Billy LLP, directing the firm's strategic growth initiatives.
Maura Connell Brandt
Chief Marketing Officer at Crowell & Moring LLP
Maura Connell Brandt serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Crowell & Moring LLP, overseeing the firm's marketing strategies.
Michael Idinopulos, PhD
Co-Founder at MyMai
Michael Idinopulos, PhD, is the Co-Founder of MyMai, focusing on innovative solutions in the legal industry.
Mike Abbott
Head of Thomson Reuters Institute at Thomson Reuters
Mike Abbott leads the Thomson Reuters Institute, focusing on providing insights and thought leadership for the legal industry.
Mimi Eingorn
Director of Client Operations & LPM at Ropes & Gray LLP
Mimi Eingorn is the Director of Client Operations & Legal Project Management at Ropes & Gray LLP, focusing on client operations and project management.
Robin Gerard
Chief Marketing Officer at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP
Robin Gerard is the Chief Marketing Officer at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP, overseeing the firm's marketing strategies.
Silvia Coulter
Co-Founding Principal at LawVision
Silvia Coulter is the Co-Founding Principal at LawVision, specializing in business development consulting for law firms.
Will Eke
SVP, Sales at Passle
Will Eke serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Passle, specializing in sales strategies and client engagement.
Zena Applebaum
Senior Vice President, Market Development at Harbor Global
Zena Applebaum is the Senior Vice President of Market Development at Harbor Global, focusing on strategic market development.
Event Details
- Date
- January 21-23, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Amelia Island, United States
- The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
- Pricing
- $3,500 (includes 2 nights hotel)
- Audience
- Chief Marketing and Business Development Officers, Chief Strategy Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, law firm managing partners, executive committee members, practice group leaders, client service or relationship partners.