In the fiercely competitive legal services industry, successful marketing is essential to helping law firms stand out from the competition and accomplish their strategic goals. However, identifying and securing top marketing talent can be a significant challenge. KHS People addresses this need by providing specialist recruitment services focused exclusively on connecting law firms with experienced and skilled legal marketing professionals. With in-depth knowledge of the legal industry and a commitment to delivering precise recruitment solutions, KHS People is a trusted partner for law firms seeking to enhance their marketing capabilities.

Specialization in Legal Marketing Recruitment

KHS People’s specialization in this area was inspired by a combination of factors. The firm was founded on three core principles: upholding the highest standards of professionalism, innovation, and transparency; leveraging a unique blend of attorney and recruiting expertise; and a genuine passion for the legal industry, with a focus on the people-first and relationship-driven aspects of law firms.

The company’s founder received sage advice early in their recruiting career: become an expert in one specific area. As a former litigator trained to specialize in a narrow practice, this principle resonated deeply. It was applied to legal marketing executive search, which at the time was an untapped market. This laser-like focus has been the driving force behind the company’s success.

Today, KHS People is building on this foundation by expanding into executive search for business professionals in law firms. The corporatization of law firms is underway, and the company is well-positioned to support this evolution.

A Notable Success Story in Legal Marketing Placements

KHS People recently achieved notable success in placing a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at a law firm that had undergone significant leadership changes. The marketing team was in need of a fresh leader who could not only boost team morale but also establish themselves as a peer to the firm’s partners and contribute to strategic decision-making.

The stakes were high, and the firm required a CMO who could bring a forward-thinking approach to marketing. KHS People’s role was to reset the course for the firm’s marketing strategy and legacy. The company’s deep industry knowledge and prior experience in placing senior-level marketing professionals were instrumental in the success of the search.

Through their expertise, KHS People helped the firm envision what an ideal CMO would look like in 2025, including key accountability metrics, best practices, and strategic goals. The outcome was a transformative placement that positioned the firm for growth and enhanced market positioning. This success story showcases KHS People’s ability to deliver high-impact placements that drive meaningful change in the legal marketing landscape.

Staying Ahead of the Curve in Legal Marketing Trends

KHS People employs a multifaceted approach to remain up-to-date with the latest developments in legal marketing. Firstly, the company conducts its own research to ensure unbiased and timely insights. This commitment to transparency and innovation enables KHS People to provide accurate and relevant information to both firm clients and candidate clients.

A key component of this research is the annual KHS People Salary Data & Insights Report, now in its fourth consecutive year. This comprehensive report analyzes salary trends, compensation structures, market shifts, and engagement and retention strategies in the legal marketing industry. Initially designed to provide accurate salary transparency, the report has evolved into a detailed analysis of the industry as a whole, offering insights into hiring talent, engagement, and retention strategies.

This data-driven approach enables KHS People to offer tailored search and consulting services, helping firms with tasks such as pinpointing exact salary ranges, team right-sizing, and performance optimization. By continuously analyzing this data, the company empowers individual legal marketers and CMOs to make informed hiring decisions aligned with industry benchmarks, while also providing key insights into engagement and retention strategies.

Beyond its proprietary research, KHS People stays at the forefront of legal marketing trends through continuous engagement with industry leaders, participation in key conferences, and active involvement in professional networks. By staying close to the subject matter and leveraging technology and data analytics, the company monitors shifts in hiring practices, compensation expectations, and talent retention strategies. This combination of insights and commitment to innovation and transparency enables KHS People to provide clients with the most up-to-date and actionable guidance.

In-Demand Skills for Legal Marketing Professionals

The most in-demand skills for legal marketing and business development professionals are now firmly on the relational side. Technical expertise has been a basic requirement for many years. Now, it is looking deeply at how individual legal marketers can create demand for the partners and industries within the firm. Individuals who stay focused on client development and firm profitability, while distilling out key metrics and return on investment (ROI), are the most highly sought-after individuals.

There is a lot of noise in law firms, and the people who can filter and pivot to demonstrate exceptional leadership through consensus building and influence consistently are seen as the highest achievers. Additionally, there is the emergence of a “firm ambassador”; someone who can demonstrate the firm’s values and principles daily, and who can persuade others to do the same and bring them along.

While recruiting attorneys into law firms relies heavily on assessing their intellectual abilities, recruiting legal marketers into law firms is much more about assessing their emotional quotient (EQ). Their human skills (including communication, relationship building, and influencing) are essential to the success in these roles. Diplomacy, poise, grace, and gravitas are also considered key, as they move and work the ideas and strategies throughout the firm.

Each firm is truly different in this sense. KHS People has a tailored approach to assess these firm-specific needs, ensuring alignment with each firm’s leadership, growth trajectory, market positioning, and home-grown culture. Through strategic guidance, KHS People helps law firms attract the best legal marketing talent that will enhance their business and increase revenue in a tangible way.

KHS People’s Approach to Identifying & Attracting Top Talent in Legal Marketing

At KHS People, confidentiality is paramount in the search process. The company ensures complete discretion, safeguarding both client and candidate privacy. With an extensive network of top-tier legal marketing talent, KHS People is uniquely positioned to identify exceptional professionals.

The company’s rigorous process involves two formal rounds of assessment, supplemented by three informal evaluations throughout the search journey. This comprehensive approach enables KHS People to thoroughly vet potential candidates.

A key aspect of KHS People’s methodology is empowering candidates to make informed decisions about their career moves. The company provides advocacy and support, fostering trust with candidates as they navigate their career transitions.

KHS People’s highly personalized approach involves carefully assessing potential candidates to guarantee the ideal fit. Through this meticulous selection process, the company connects firms with legal marketing professionals who not only meet but exceed skill requirements. These individuals can seamlessly integrate into the team and firm culture, driving long-term success.

Unlocking Cultural Harmony: KHS People’s Distinctive Approach

KHS People’s ability to assess the cultural fit of legal marketing candidates with its clients’ organizations is a key differentiator. The company’s team brings a diverse range of experiences, having worked in professional services, corporate environments, and entrepreneurial businesses. This breadth of experience enables KHS People to take an open, unbiased, and flexible perspective when evaluating cultural fit.

While the company’s judgment is valuable, KHS People recognizes that its clients’ perspectives are paramount. By applying their expertise through the lens of their clients’ needs, KHS People ensures that cultural fit is prioritized. The company has witnessed firsthand how cultural alignment can outweigh technical expertise, with firms consistently prioritizing this aspect.

In today’s competitive landscape, it’s assumed that candidates possess the necessary technical skills. However, what sets exceptional candidates apart is how they approach their role and demonstrate value to the firm on a daily basis. KHS People looks for candidates who are driven, innovative, and relentless in their pursuit of excellence – traits that are essential for success in a fast-paced legal marketing environment.

Evaluating Success in Legal Marketing Recruitment Services

KHS People measures the success of its legal marketing recruitment services by focusing on the quality and longevity of placements, ensuring that both clients and candidates achieve their strategic objectives. The company prioritizes a consultative approach, aligning candidates with job requirements, as well as the culture and long-term vision of the law firm.

To assess the effectiveness of its matching process, KHS People tracks key metrics, including:

• Time-to-fill, measuring efficiency in securing top talent
• Salary alignment, ensuring firm ranges meet market-driven salary expectations
• Offer and acceptance rates, indicating the strength of candidate-client alignment
• Placement longevity, assessing how long candidates remain and thrive in their new roles
• Firm feedback, evaluating candidate growth and success

In addition to quantitative data, KHS People places strong emphasis on qualitative insights, such as client testimonials, candidate career progressions, and firm feedback conversations. This comprehensive approach ensures that the recruitment process consistently delivers meaningful, long-term results for law firms and marketing professionals alike.

Dynamic Legal Marketing Revolution Unleashing Recruitment & Talent Management Possibilities

The legal marketing landscape has undergone significant changes, with a growing emphasis on return on investment (ROI) and a broader scope of work that spans across the firm. Legal marketing professionals now play a critical role in driving revenue growth, market positioning, and profitability, with their impact felt across various functions within the firm.

As a result, these professionals have become more visible and influential, leading crucial growth decisions, such as firm acquisitions and lateral hires. Their expertise is also sought in discussions around partner compensation models and the adoption of emerging technologies like generative AI.

In essence, legal marketing professionals have evolved into business professionals who work across multiple lanes within their firms, with a vast and largely untapped impact. As the legal industry continues to evolve, KHS People anticipates a growing demand for management and leadership positions within the business services lanes of law firms.

To address this shift, law firms are creating more structured career paths for business professionals, defining and forging purposeful roles that support the firm’s growth and development. While this is still an evolving space, it presents exciting opportunities for legal marketing professionals and talent management experts alike.

As the corporatization of law firms continues, KHS People is adapting to the changing needs of its clients, expanding its focus beyond marketing and business development to encompass all business services. With marketers increasingly woven into the fabric of the firm’s business, KHS People is poised to support this growth, navigating the exciting developments in the industry.

Leadership Philosophy and Culture at KHS People

Kate Harry Shipham, Founder & CEO of KHS People, has played a pivotal role in propelling the organization’s achievements in the legal marketing recruitment industry. At the helm, Harry Shipham’s leadership philosophy is rooted in trust, transparency, and long-term relationship building.

Shipham observed the legal profession’s shift towards a “lead with empathy” approach during the pandemic, a change she sees as a significant positive development within the profession. This shift has inspired Shipham to foster a similar approach within KHS People.

From its inception, KHS People’s core values have remained unchanged. The company practices these values daily, both internally and with clients. A clear set of values and ethics has been instrumental in establishing KHS People as a reliable and innovative partner for legal marketing teams.

The company’s approach emphasizes professionalism, quality over quantity, acting with integrity, and finding innovative solutions. This philosophy has set KHS People apart and continues to guide its growth and development. By adhering to these principles, Shipham has built a reputation as a trusted and innovative leader in the legal marketing recruitment industry.

Company Name: KHS People LLC
Founder & CEO: Kate Harry Shipham
Website: www.khspeople.com
Email: Kate@khspeople.com