Senior legal marketing professional partnering with lawyers on business development strategies and the business of law.
Heather Morse began her career in legal marketing in 1998, after spending 10 years working with non-profit and member service organizations. After serving in senior marketing positions with AmLaw 100 law firms, Heather is currently the Chief Business Development Officer for a mid-sized firm based in New Orleans.
As CBDO, Heather is responsible for overseeing the firm’s business development initiatives, including strategic planning, client development, firm branding and positioning, market analysis/research, and marketing communications. She leads a nationwide team of business development, public relations, events, and marketing communications professionals. She works closely with the firm leadership crafting strategies to drive the firm’s business development, directly contributing to the firm’s top line.
In May 2008, Heather launched The Legal Watercooler, a blog dedicated to the conversations surrounding the business of law, a 2013 and 2014 ABA Journal Blawg 100 honoree. An early adopter to social media and social networking, Heather can be followed on Twitter at @heather_morse and connected with on LinkedIn. In addition, you can become a fan of The Legal Watercooler on Facebook.
An active member of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) since 1998, Heather’s service roles have included: Member-at-Large for the International Board of Directors (2005-2006 and 2012-2013); National Conference Advisory Committee (2011); Task Force Chair, Nominations & Elections (2014); and, Co-Chair Technology Committee (2014-2015). She has also served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter; founded what is now the Continuing Marketing Education (CME) seminar; and served as the National Task Force Chair, Special Interest Groups (SIGs).
A frequent speaker and commentator, Heather’s research on the generational divide between law firm leadership and corporate CEOs and CLOs has been featured in the New York Times and American Lawyer. For a list of recent articles and speaking engagements, click here. In 2018, Heather was inducted as a Fellow with the College of Law Practice Management and appointed to the California State Bar’s Task Force on Access Through Innovation of Legal Services.
Heather is a fan of the Oxford Comma and (for a partner at a prior firm) researched why a single space after a period is the correct mode of punctuation. She spent 10 years as a Girl Scout Leader, hawking cookies and even camping in a tent. The Sports Dude and Maxwell, “the puppy,” joined Heather in NOLA, quickly followed by Clouseau. The kids, not so little anymore, continue to live life on the West Coast.
Thoughts, comments, and opinions are my own.