LMA27 Annual Conference Advisory Committee

Paul Bonner
2027 LMA President
Vice President, Marketing and Business Development
Venable

Paul Bonner is Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Venable LLP, based in Washington, DC. He leads the firm’s Marketing and Business Development Department, overseeing a broad portfolio of growth initiatives, client development strategies, and market positioning across practices and industries. A licensed attorney with a JD and MBA, Paul brings an integrated legal and business perspective to advancing revenue-focused programs and strengthening partner engagement.  Paul has extensive experience building and leading high-performing teams within Am Law 100 firms, with a focus on aligning marketing and business development efforts to firmwide priorities and delivering measurable results. He will serve as President of the Legal Marketing Association in 2027, reflecting his ongoing commitment to advancing the profession.

Patty Azimi
ACAC Co-Chair
Index Solutions
Director of Client Strategy at Index Solutions

As Director of Client Strategy, Patty Azimi brings more than fifteen years of marketing technology experience to her work, guiding clients through proper data accuracy and enrichment strategy, system migrations as well as implementing processes that leverage data to drive successful firm integrations. Throughout her career, she has led the implementation and execution of large-scale enterprise initiatives spanning from CRM, ERM, CMS, proposal generation, and email marketing platforms, helping firms transform fragmented technology investments into a cohesive marketing tech stack.

Julie Chodos
ACAC Co-Chair
Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

Julie Chodos is the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, where she partners with firm leadership and attorneys to enhance market visibility, deepen client relationships, and strengthen brand differentiation.  With 25 years of experience leading sales and marketing functions across technology startups, global accounting firms, public companies, and law firms, Julie brings a strategic and commercial perspective to growth. She is recognized for developing high-impact programs that align brand, business, and client objectives, and for leading teams that deliver measurable results in revenue, profitability, and client engagement.  At Axinn, Julie oversees brand strategy, communications, content, sponsorships, and marketing technology, integrating data-driven insights with a relationship-focused approach to business development. A former litigator turned marketer, she leverages her legal, business, and operational background to coach professionals in strategic growth and client relationship development.  Her leadership in Axinn’s firmwide rebrand earned industry recognition from LSSO and Transform America for innovation and execution. Julie holds a J.D. from the Pace University Elisabeth Haub School of Law and is admitted to practice in New York.

Amy Verhulst
ACAC Co-Chair
Director of Business Development
Jackson Lewis, PC

Amy P. Verhulst is Director of Business Development at Jackson Lewis P.C., where she helps drive strategic growth through business development coaching, strategic planning, and client development initiatives. She has over 25 years of experience in legal and professional services, business development, and marketing. Amy brings a broad, practical perspective to growth and relationship development. A longtime leader in the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), Amy has served in volunteer leadership roles since 2007, including the organization's International Board of Directors and as President of the LMA Southwest Region. She currently serves as the PTA President of her neighborhood school and is an active community volunteer.

James Barclay
CEO
Passle Inc.

James Barclay is CEO of Passle Inc., the AI-powered cross-selling and thought leadership platform built for law firms. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, James leads Passle’s growth in the United States, working with leaders in legal marketing, business development, and firm leadership to help lawyers showcase their expertise, build trust with clients, and create more cross-selling opportunities across their firms.

Alongside Passle’s co-founders, this is the third technology company James has helped grow over the last 30 years.

Through Passle’s Thought Leadership Suite and CrossPitch AI, James helps firms surface relevant expertise, connect colleagues around client opportunities, and make collaboration and cross-selling more practical, visible, and measurable. Outside work, James is usually found sailing or walking his dog, Leo.

Lindsey Bombardier
Executive Director, Brand & Market Strategy
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

As Executive Director of Brand and Market Strategy at BLG, Lindsey is a trusted advisor to firm leadership, developing strategies that strengthen client relationships and drive growth. Her experience spans nearly two decades at regional, national, and global firms, including close to a decade in progressive roles at BLG and business development at a Big Four professional services firm.   A recognized industry leader, she is a past LMA Canada Region Director, co-founder of LMANext, and a recipient of the LMA Rising Star award. Lindsey is also a frequent writer and speaker on legal marketing strategy, leadership, and client service.

F. Patrick Bustamante
Director of Communications
Wilson Sonsini 

(Frank) Patrick Bustamante is Director of Communications at Wilson Sonsini, based in the firm’s Palo Alto office. Since 2014, he’s worked with a talented team of communications professionals across a broad range of initiatives, including internal and external communications, executive communications, and strategic planning. He contributes to supporting the firm’s thought leadership initiatives, special content projects, and media relations efforts. Currently, Patrick is helping to lead strategic communications planning related to the firm’s upcoming management leadership transition, he’s significantly involved in a brand refresh project, and he’s participating in efforts to assess and deploy AI and other technology resources to optimize MarCom workflows and functions.  Patrick began his legal marketing career in 1996, shortly after earning his law degree, and has spent nearly three decades leading and supporting marketing and communications functions for regional, national, and global law firms. His experience spans brand strategy, media relations, crisis communications, website and content development, business development support, and change management communications tied to firm growth and mergers.  Originally from the Kansas City area, Patrick earned both his journalism degree and law degree from the University of Kansas. He now splits his time between the Bay Area in California and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Rachel Cohee
Director of Intelligence Solutions
Holland & Knight

Rachel Cohee is the Director of Intelligence Solutions, where she leads firmwide strategy to transform how data, insights, and experience are captured, connected, and delivered across the organization. She oversees Client Intelligence, Firm Intelligence, and Competitive Intelligence initiatives, partnering closely with data, technology, marketing, and legal operations teams to drive adoption, consistency, and measurable business impact.

Emily Gallagher
Senior Director of Business Development
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Emily Gallagher is Senior Director of Business Development at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, focusing on translating strategy into execution across client growth and business development. With over two decades of experience, she partners with firm leadership to implement data-driven approaches that enhance collaboration, improve client service, and support sustainable growth. She serves on the LMA Southeast Regional Board and contributes to professional development and industry initiatives.

Kate Harry Shipham
CEO & Founder
KHS People LLC

Kate began her career as an attorney, focusing on complex commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and white-collar crime for nearly a decade. After moving from Melbourne to Chicago, she shifted to executive search, specializing in business professionals in law firms. In 2017, she founded KHS People, a firm that places senior marketing and business development professionals in law firms across the US. Leveraging her extensive legal and search experience, Kate ensures KHS provides unmatched service and data-driven insights for successful, long-term placements. Committed to honesty and integrity, she frequently travels for client and speaking engagements. Kate lives in the city of Chicago with her family.

Gail Harvey
Senior Manager Client Strategy
Jones Day

I have over 25 years of experience working in law. In my role as senior manager in client strategy, I work with Partners across the firm, working together to define business development and marketing strategies to position Jones Day in areas that have been designated as a strategic focus.   I have extensive experience in training and coaching in Business Development, including networking, strategic cross-selling, personal branding, and relationship building.

Jill Himelfarb
CMO
McCarter & English

Jill Himelfarb is the CMO at McCarter & English, where she leads the firm’s business development, marketing, communications, and client engagement initiatives from the firm’s Washington, DC office. She partners with firm leadership to advance strategic growth, strengthen client relationships, enhance the firm’s national brand, and integrate technology into marketing and business development operations. Jill also works closely with lawyers on coaching, training, and professional development initiatives that support individual and firmwide success. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the legal industry, including CMO and senior business development roles at other AmLaw 200 firms, including Reed Smith, Vorys, Venable, and ArentFox Schiff. A native Washingtonian, Jill is a proud Indiana University graduate (go Hoosiers!).

Jacqueline Madarang
Director, Marketing Technology & Operations
Bracewell LLP

Jacqueline Madarang is a leader in marketing technology, operations, and digital strategy, recognized for transforming how firms leverage technology to drive growth. Her award-winning work spans CRM implementations, BD technology integration, website innovation, and thought leadership—earning multiple LMA Your Honor Awards, a website award for technology and design innovation, and, in 2024, the LMA Mid-Atlantic Region Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact on the legal marketing profession. As Director of Marketing Technology & Operations at Bracewell, Jacqueline leads the firm’s marketing operations and technology strategy. She drives MarTech AI initiatives—leading implementation, selection, and adoption of advanced tools that deliver strategic impact and measurable value to the business. Her collaborative approach bridges marketing, business development, and IT to create data-driven strategies that elevate client engagement. 

Jacqueline’s influence extends beyond her firm. She served on the LMA Mid-Atlantic Regional Board from 2018 to 2020, co-chaired LMA’s Marketing Technology SIG, co-chaired the LMA Mid-Atlantic Senior SIG, and launched the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. She continues to shape conversations on innovation at both regional and national levels across LMA and ILTA.

Justin Portaz
Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer
Saul Ewing LLP

Justin Portaz is Saul Ewing’s Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, leading the firm’s Marketing Department and driving growth through innovative, client-focused strategies that strengthen relationships, elevate the brand, and expand market opportunities. With more than two decades of experience at AmLaw 100 firms, he has a strong track record of integrating marketing, business development, communications, branding, client intelligence, events, and digital strategy to deliver measurable results. Grounded in a client-focused approach, Justin serves as a trusted advisor to firm leadership on strategic planning, brand positioning, cultural alignment, and change management. He leads data-informed initiatives spanning client engagement, account management, client listening and feedback programs, lead generation, and market-facing campaigns that drive revenue growth and deepen client relationships, while fostering cross-functional collaboration across marketing, business development, and firm leadership that strengthens alignment, accountability, and impact.

Chris Walker
CMO
GLP Attorneys

Building successful growth programs for privately held companies has been Chris’ passion for over 30 years. She is an influential marketing and business growth champion with success in identifying opportunities, developing innovative solutions, and creating tactical marketing plans that support a company’s overall objectives. Chris applies her operational acumen and a creative mindset to formulate and implement effective strategies across product and service innovation, financial management and operations, and transformational tactics to drive significant growth. Her zeal for understanding business and delivering fresh innovative solutions has led to leadership and operations roles throughout her career. Chris has transformed privately held, middle-market companies into industry conquerors despite immense challenges and complex transitions.  Before joining GLP Attorneys, Chris held several executive leadership roles with technology, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services companies, including legal, accounting, and investment banking organizations. She has also worked as a consultant for growing organizations, helping them maximize enterprise value ahead of a transition, whether it be leadership succession or the eventual sale of the enterprise. She is a former EOS™ implementer and has helped companies and leadership teams clarify, simplify, and ultimately achieve their vision through formalized strategic planning and true accountability.