Best Lawyers® is proud to announce the establishment of its inaugural CMO Advisory Board. This seasoned group of legal marketing and communications leaders will advise on upcoming Best Lawyers initiatives.
The board will work closely with internal teams to drive innovation across intelligence, data marketing and business development.
Board Engagement Begins at LMA 2025
For the first time, the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board will convene in person at the 2025 Legal Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Conference to select a board chair and other key members. The LMA brings together professionals driving strategy and business development in the legal industry, making it a fitting venue for this milestone.
Demonstrated Leadership in Legal Marketing
The Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board consists of a distinguished group of marketing and business development experts, each with extensive experience in advancing the success of leading AmLaw 100 and 200 law firms, global legal publications and industry organizations.
Members have held leadership roles in marketing, branding and client development at McGuireWoods, Barnes & Thornburg, Holland & Hart and ALM.
Vision for Development and Growth
Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers, said collaboration with industry leaders is essential to driving meaningful innovation. “By bringing together some of the most experienced minds in legal marketing, our CMO Advisory Board will help us refine our offerings, develop new resources and better support the needs of law firms and attorneys.”
Kevin Iredell, global marketing executive and president of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), explained that the legal industry is adapting to meet the evolving needs of law firms as they face new challenges in marketing, business development and brand positioning.
“I’m excited to be part of this advisory board, working alongside industry peers to help shape how legal marketing can advance firms of all sizes,” Iredell said.
Over the course of the year, the CMO advisory board will provide valuable feedback to influence the direction of Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms®. Their expertise on emerging industry trends will play a key role in helping Best Lawyers refine its services and strengthen the value offered to law firms, attorneys and clients.
Introducing the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board
The panel brings together distinguished marketing leaders with extensive experience in the legal industry:
With 25 years in the field, Wendy has guided organizations through strategic planning, branding and crisis management in both executive leadership and advisory capacities. Her career includes senior positions at Baker McKenzie, Proskauer Rose and Paul Weiss.
As co-author of "Leveraging Practice Management to Drive Profitability and Market Position" and a regular speaker, she maintains professional recognition as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and participates in Chief, a network supporting women executives.
With over two decades in the legal industry, Calve currently serves as Chief Strategic Advisor to the Chair of McGuireWoods LLC. His background includes marketing and business development leadership at four Am Law 100 firms and a role as VP, Editor and Publisher at The American Lawyer.
Calve's experience spans practice as a Wall Street attorney, complemented by a JD, an MA in American Literature from NYU and a BA from Colorado. As a longstanding officer of the Legal Marketing Association, he contributes regularly to discussions on legal business through his writing and speaking engagements.
Bringing over 25 years of expertise in strategy, analytics and executive leadership, Fuller currently holds the position of Chief Legal Strategist at ALM. His career encompasses extensive collaboration with law firms, legal departments and service providers to enhance performance and stimulate growth. His industry contributions include over 200 published articles, co-authorship of two books and regular speaking engagements.
His professional standing is recognized through his Fellowship and Trusteeship with the College of Law Practice Management and his selection as a Fastcase 50 honoree in 2021.
Hedgepeth stands out as a leader in legal business development and strategic growth. As the inaugural Chief Strategy Officer at Cranfill Sumner, she directs firm expansion, spearheads business development efforts and manages strategic initiatives.
Her professional involvement includes service on the LMASE Regional Board, chairmanship of the 2023 LMASE Conference and previous leadership of the LMA Raleigh City Group. A recipient of multiple industry accolades, Hedgepeth maintains an active commitment to community service through leadership positions across various organizations.
Iredell brings extensive legal industry marketing experience to his role as Global Director of Marketing at Ropes & Gray, a position he took on in 2024. He previously held senior roles at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, Greentarget Global Group and ALM Media, LLC. A Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and former president of the Legal Marketing Association, he earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Villanova University and is based in the New York City Metropolitan Area.
As Lead Strategist at R|Y Communications, King brings extensive experience in communications, PR and marketing across global professional services, media and agency settings. He has led cross-functional teams focused on delivering results aligned with organizational goals and budgets. Recognized for his practical leadership and emotional intelligence, he is a trusted advisor known for his cultural awareness, strategic focus and ability to help organizations communicate their values effectively.
Lilley holds the position of Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Barnes & Thornburg, an Am Law 100 firm. As a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, she has established a reputation for implementing digital-first, data-driven strategies that enhance client development and market presence. With a background in journalism, she has produced award-winning work across global and national organizations.
Her professional involvement includes volunteer activities and past board membership with the Legal Marketing Association and various community-based nonprofit organizations.
Founder of Ravir, a brand experience consultancy, Semmes works with organizations to strengthen client relationships and build meaningful engagement. With nearly 20 years leading a previous branding firm, her experience spans law firms, schools and corporate clients.
Known for her collaborative approach and strategic insight, she delivers actionable guidance to help teams create authentic brand experiences that align with their values and resonate with their audiences.
Simon functions as Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Holland & Hart, directing firmwide initiatives to foster growth, enhance client relationships and increase brand visibility. Known for her expertise in client experience and data-driven marketing approaches, she regularly presents at industry events and previously served as president of the Legal Marketing Association.
Her professional achievements include induction into the LMA Hall of Fame in 2017 and selection as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management in 2025.
Reinforcing Commitment to Legal Marketing Excellence
By uniting top legal marketing professionals, Best Lawyers strengthens its dedication to advancing thought leadership and improving the marketing strategies within the legal industry. This collaboration will provide attorneys with the most relevant and valuable resources available.
Expert Guidance for Legal Marketing
This endeavor represents a forward-thinking approach. Through the CMO Advisory Board, Best Lawyers aims to anticipate industry trends and create practical solutions that benefit law firms and their clients alike.
Visit the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board page to learn more about this transformative partnership and its vision for the future.
