EP #38: Recruiting the C-Suite for Corporate Law Firms with Jennifer Johnson of Calibrate

As the legal profession evolves, the importance of C-suite executives in law firms is rising. Jennifer Johnson, CEO of Calibrate, shares her vision for a future where these executives are equal to managing partners and report to a board.

 

Calibrate is a management consulting and executive search firm that places top talent in essential C-suite roles within corporate law firms, freeing lawyers to focus on their practice. Jennifer sees these “revenue enablers” as vital for providing the business expertise needed to navigate the industry’s significant changes and challenges.

 

In this episode of The Future is Bright, Jennifer talks with host Chris Batz about the current state of leadership in the law firm industry, the recruiting process and more. She also shared a personal story of triumph sure to encourage anyone faced with life challenges. 

 

Tune in to hear her inspiring story and several insights for Law Firm executives!

 

Quotes

• “The candidates we present to our clients understand a law firm's business and not just their subject matter expertise. They know how to apply that and then work across the business. And, that’s been a breath of fresh air for a lot of law firm leaders.” (4:18 | Jennifer Johnson) 

• “They really do want to practice law, the lawyers, for the most part, that’s what they want to do. So, bringing in these business professionals to help them run the business with them and for them is the smartest thing any of them could do. The day of running law firms by committee and total consensus—I’m not sure you can do that anymore and survive at the rate and pace of change that’s happening.”  (11:32 | Jennifer Johnson) 

• “Just because somebody is really good at making rain, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be the best leader.” (16:15 | Jennifer Johnson)

• “At the end of the day, your lawyers are your salesforce. You’ve got a salesforce that are not trained to be salespeople.” (19:58 | Jennifer Johnson)

 

Links

Connect with Jennifer Johnson:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferjohnsoncalibrate/

Website - https://calibrate-strategies.com/about-calibrate/calibrate-team/jennifer-johnson/

 

Connect with Chris Batz:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/

Columbus Street: https://www.columbus-street.com/ 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm