AUGUSTA, Ga. (April 21, 2025) — Best Lawyers®, the most established global network of legal professionals, today announces the formation of its first-ever CMO Advisory Board, a group of top legal marketing and communications leaders who will provide strategic guidance and industry insights to future Best Lawyers’ initiatives. This seasoned group will serve as a partner, advising on innovation in data, intelligence, marketing and business development. 

The Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board brings together an accomplished team of marketing and business development leaders with decades of combined experience shaping the success of some of the most respected AmLaw 100 and 200 law firms, global legal publications and organizations. With expertise in legal branding, market positioning and client engagement, they have shaped strategies at McGuireWoods, Barnes & Thornburg, Holland & Hart and ALM. 

“At Best Lawyers, we believe that collaboration with industry leaders is essential to driving meaningful innovation,” said Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. “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."

Throughout the year, board members will offer feedback to shape the brand offerings of Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms®. Their expert insights on emerging industry trends will be pivotal in helping Best Lawyers continue to enhance the value it delivers to law firms, attorneys and clients. 

“The legal industry is changing to meet law firm needs as they face new challenges in marketing, business development and brand positioning,” said Kevin Iredell, Global Marketing Executive and President of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA). “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.” 

Meet the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board

• Wendy Bernero – Founder and Strategic Advisor, Yate Collaborative

• Joe Calve – Strategic Advisor to the Chairman, McGuireWoods 

• Patrick Fuller – Chief Legal Industry Strategist, ALM 

• Anna Hedgepeth – Chief Strategy Officer, Cranfill Sumner 

• Kevin Iredell – Global Marketing Executive; President, LMA 

• Ryan King – Lead Strategist, R|Y Communications 

• Trish Lilley – Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Barnes & Thornburg 

• T. Elonide Semmes – Founder, Ravir; Past President, College of Law Practice Management 

• Lisa M. Simon – Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer, Holland & Hart 

By bringing together these top legal marketing professionals, Best Lawyers reaffirms its commitment to driving thought leadership, enhancing the legal industry’s marketing strategies and providing attorneys with the most relevant and valuable resources.  

“This board is not just about Best Lawyers, it is about the legal industry as a whole,” said Trish Lilley, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Barnes & Thornburg. “This collaboration will help drive better solutions, bolder marketing initiatives and stronger client engagement for law firms.” 

For more information on the Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board and its members, visit: https://www.bestlawyers.com/cmo-advisory-board