Note From the Editor

Well we're off to another exciting year here at Marketing The Law Firm. I thought that I would give everyone a heads up on this year's “Best Of” competitions. So here's a thumbnail of each competition:

Best of Visual Identity Innovators ' April issue. All entries must be submitted by March 1st. Categories:

• Most Innovative makeover to reposition a law firm;
• Most innovative makeover using a logo;
• Most innovative makeover involving a name change, branding and launch.

Best of Women in Law and Diversity Programs in Law Firms ' July/August Special Report issue. All entries must be submitted by June 1st. Criteria: Women in Law and Diversity programs that impact the bottom line relating to retention, lateral hiring, business development and community outreach.

Best of Law Firm Leaders in Marketing ' October 2005 Special Report issue. All entries must be submitted by October 1st. Criteria: Law firm leaders who genuinely understand the value of marketing and are committed to marketing by personally and professionally supporting efforts of the CMO or Director.

Best of Communications and Public Relations Directors in Law Firms ' November 2005 issue. All entries must be submitted by November 1st. Criteria: Communications and Public Relations Directors who have created and implemented a communications/public relations plan that has enabled their firm to make a positive impact in print and and/or in the electronic media world.

We're also in the planning stages of creating a year of exciting Web audio conferences. Our first for 2005 will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. EST. The topic is How Diversity, Pro Bono, Recruiting & Marketing Can Work in Tandem to Impact Profitability: A Case Study. We are privileged to have the firm of Davis Wright Tremaine and Starbucks Coffee Company presenting this exciting and innovative program. Some of the topics that will be covered will include: How diversity relates to meeting clients' expectations and goals both from the client side and the firm side; how clients and their outside counsel can partner to achieve their diversity and pro bono goals; and how recruiting and diversity work in tandem.

Future programs that we are working on include: Crisis Management Avoidance; Sales … Making it Work in a Professional Services Environment; How to Get Hired … What it takes to Cop the Top Spot in Professional Services Marketing; and our Women in Law Series: Let's Not Skirt the Issues.

And finally, as always, I would like to have your input on what you would like to read about and hear about on our Web audios. Do not hesitate to contact me.

' Elizabeth Anne “Betiayn” Tursi, Editor-in-Chief

Well we're off to another exciting year here at Marketing The Law Firm. I thought that I would give everyone a heads up on this year's “Best Of” competitions. So here's a thumbnail of each competition:

Best of Visual Identity Innovators ' April issue. All entries must be submitted by March 1st. Categories:

• Most Innovative makeover to reposition a law firm;
• Most innovative makeover using a logo;
• Most innovative makeover involving a name change, branding and launch.

Best of Women in Law and Diversity Programs in Law Firms ' July/August Special Report issue. All entries must be submitted by June 1st. Criteria: Women in Law and Diversity programs that impact the bottom line relating to retention, lateral hiring, business development and community outreach.

Best of Law Firm Leaders in Marketing ' October 2005 Special Report issue. All entries must be submitted by October 1st. Criteria: Law firm leaders who genuinely understand the value of marketing and are committed to marketing by personally and professionally supporting efforts of the CMO or Director.

Best of Communications and Public Relations Directors in Law Firms ' November 2005 issue. All entries must be submitted by November 1st. Criteria: Communications and Public Relations Directors who have created and implemented a communications/public relations plan that has enabled their firm to make a positive impact in print and and/or in the electronic media world.

We're also in the planning stages of creating a year of exciting Web audio conferences. Our first for 2005 will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. EST. The topic is How Diversity, Pro Bono, Recruiting & Marketing Can Work in Tandem to Impact Profitability: A Case Study. We are privileged to have the firm of Davis Wright Tremaine and Starbucks Coffee Company presenting this exciting and innovative program. Some of the topics that will be covered will include: How diversity relates to meeting clients' expectations and goals both from the client side and the firm side; how clients and their outside counsel can partner to achieve their diversity and pro bono goals; and how recruiting and diversity work in tandem.

Future programs that we are working on include: Crisis Management Avoidance; Sales … Making it Work in a Professional Services Environment; How to Get Hired … What it takes to Cop the Top Spot in Professional Services Marketing; and our Women in Law Series: Let's Not Skirt the Issues.

And finally, as always, I would like to have your input on what you would like to read about and hear about on our Web audios. Do not hesitate to contact me.

' Elizabeth Anne “Betiayn” Tursi, Editor-in-Chief