Business Development Solutions that Grow Your Firm

David Ackert, M.A., is the President of The Ackert Advisory and a mentor to high-achieving professionals in the legal, corporate, finance, and accounting sectors. David has advised hundreds of lawyers, CEOs and professional-services executives on overcoming business development and marketing challenges. He has developed and implemented business development programs for countless firms, from AmLaw 100s to local boutiques.

Darryl Cross, MBA, is a former law firm CMO-turned business development coach. He specializes in maximizing lawyer performance and profitability. Over the past 15 years, Darryl has spoken on the topic of business development to over 10,000 fee-earners and business executives from over 100 countries. Darryl has served as a TEDx speaker coach and helps others create lasting impact on audiences. Darryl was the Chief Marketing Officer and member of the Executive Committee at Benesch.

Martin Gold, JD, is an experienced legal marketer, coach, and facilitator. He has helped lawyers succeed in developing new business for nearly 20 years. Before joining Ackert Inc., Martin held marketing leadership roles at Signal, and before that, at Blank Rome. His skills include strategic business development, client development best practices, and leadership, among others. Martin, a graduate of the George Washington University School of Law, is a member of the DC Bar, and inductee into the Legal Marketing Association’s Hall of Fame.

Judith Gordon, JD, has been helping law firms achieve their business and professional development objectives since 2006. Judith is the founder of LeaderEsQ, a consultancy that provides emotional intelligence and wellness tools needed to execute stellar management, leadership, and client service. Judith is also on faculty at UCLA School of Law and is certified in mediation by the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Previously, Judith practiced law and was director of marketing & professional development at Buchalter Nemer.

Susan Longo, MBA, has more than 20 years of experience marketing and developing business in and for law firms. Her focus is building smart and actionable plans based on client feedback and market intelligence, and that deliver in terms of new business opportunities and revenue. Having held senior positions at law firms, a Big 4 accounting firm, and advising as a consultant, Susan knows what works to grow a practice and to get results. She earned her BA from the University of Florida and her MBA in Marketing from Georgia State University. Susan co-founded the Southeast chapter of the Legal Marketing Association and has presented at numerous retreats and industry conferences, including the annual Marketing Partner Forum.

Carmelo Millimaci has 20 years of client development and marketing experience and four years of professional coaching experience. He was most recently a senior leader at Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm, and previously at Osler. He is an Adler Trained Coach and founder of Attune Coaching and Consulting. He coaches on leadership, team and career development. Carmelo is a member of the International Coach Federation. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Management at Ryerson University.

Rebecca Nassi, JD, MA, is a Senior Advisor on our faculty and facilitates at both the associate and partner levels. Because her background includes the practice of law, the entrepreneurship of two companies, and a Masters in psychology, she brings a unique perspective to the nuances of legal business development. Prior to her coaching work, Rebecca practiced law in the private sector, most recently as a Partner at Libertas Law Group.

Katie Rutter is a seasoned marketing and business development professional with 17 years of experience working with lawyers. She has broad experience developing and implementing business development programs for practice groups at AmLaw 50 firms, boutique firms and for solo practitioners. Katie’s mission is to ensure that lawyers are well-positioned in the marketplace and focused on initiatives that help them grow their business and better serve their customer base.

Kim Stuart has more than 17 years of experience in constructing and advancing successful business development initiatives and critical marketing strategies for law firms and professional services firms. She has also also managed fund development for non-profit organizations and political campaigns. Prior to joining The Ackert Advisory Kim was part of the senior business development team at Dentons, where she regularly assisted lawyers in developing and implementing effective client development plans.

Sim Saran, JD, MBA, brings her experience as an in-house litigator at a Fortune 500 company, a VP at a small business, and several years of practice as a professional coach to her Practice Boomers facilitation. Because of her unique background, she can incorporate the client’s perspective into her coaching. She holds a J.D. and M.B.A. from Boston University and a Master’s in Psychology from USM. Sim is an avid world traveler and focuses her charitable time on the Ladder Foundation, which helps impoverished children in India, where Sim was born.