I love the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) community. LMA has played an integral role in my career and professional development. Some of my closest friendships began at a fun night out at an LMA annual conference. This makes my commitment to giving back to the community a no-brainer. Volunteering fuels my excitement in meeting and helping the next generation of LMAers.
And I’m not alone in feeling this way. I’m honored to be partnering with Kaitlin Hart, Senior Business Development Manager at Womble Bond Dickinson and Director-at-Large for Advocacy for the LMA Southwest Region, who is spearheading the 2026 LMANext Program. I was able to catch up with Kaitlin at the outset of the LMANext Program, and here are some highlights from our conversation:
Holly: Tell me about your role as Director-at-Large for Advocacy for the LMA Southwest Region.
Kaitlin: In my role, I am responsible for overseeing two key initiatives: The LMANext Program and the Your Honor Awards. LMANext is focused on professionals earlier in their careers, and the awards program is designed to recognize impactful work in legal marketing. I am also part of a new university outreach initiative aimed at introducing students to legal marketing and business development careers. The initiative is currently being piloted in the Southwest region.
Holly: How did you get involved in LMA leadership and what have you enjoyed most about volunteering?
Kaitlin: Colleagues encouraged me to get involved in LMA early in my career and I quickly developed a passion for the community. Legal marketing professionals are so generous with their knowledge and willing to support one another and help foster growth.Being a part of LMA leadership is so rewarding, and I appreciate having the opportunity to support others and be a part of this dynamic community.
Holly: What can you tell us about the LMANext Program?
Kaitlin: LMANext is special because it was created just for early career legal marketers and has a strong focus on professional development and relationship building skills.The program pairs early career professionals with experienced mentors for one-on-one meetings and includes four interactive webinars running from April to November. The program aims to strengthen the pipeline of legal marketing talent in the Southwest Region by building confidence and providing networking opportunities. The mentorship component of the program is a unique differentiator for the Southwest region, with many experienced mentors returning year after year.
Holly: What do you think is the most exciting opportunity for up-and-coming legal marketers and business developers?
Kaitlin: The legal marketing profession is evolving. Early career marketers have the opportunity to leverage AI and technology to build influence and bridge strategy and execution. There is a real opportunity to focus on strategic thinking and proactive involvement in the future of the field.
Holly: What are some of the challenges up-and-comers face?
Kaitlin: I think the broad scope of legal marketing, the complexity of understanding law firm ecosystems, and the pressure to think strategically while managing client relationships are all challenges. It can also be intimidating to work with experienced attorneys, affecting confidence in communicating your value and being seen as a strategic partner. LMANext is working to address these challenges by providing mentorship and real-life learning opportunities. This is designed to encourage new marketers to stay curious and proactively seek professional development.
Holly: What’s the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you?
Kaitlin: Stay curious, ask questions, and be authentic in your professional relationships.
Holly: Now that the LMANext Program is underway, what observations do you have that excite you?
Kaitlin: It has been exciting to see the level of engagement and enthusiasm from both mentors and mentees. Participants are asking thoughtful questions, building meaningful connections, and actively investing in their professional growth. It reinforces that there is a strong appetite for community and mentorship in the Southwest Region, and seeing participants grow in confidence even in these early stages has been incredibly rewarding. It also reinforces the collaborative spirit that makes the LMA community so special and speaks to the impact LMANext can have on developing the next generation of legal marketing professionals.