Redefining Legal Success: Elizabeth Kennedy on Collaboration, Innovation, and Client Focus

In this episode of This Legal Life, Ben Chiriboga sits down with Elizabeth Kennedy, Principal at New Edge BD, to explore her remarkable journey in the legal industry. From her early days at Jaffe Associates to leading innovative business development strategies at top firms like Weil Gotshal and Mayer Brown, Elizabeth shares insights on cross-practice collaboration, lateral integration, and client-focused growth. With reflections on the evolution of legal marketing and the challenges of aligning multidisciplinary teams, this conversation unveils practical strategies for adapting to an ever-changing legal environment while driving client success.

Meet Our Guest:

With three decades of experience driving business development and revenue growth in AmLaw 50 firms, Elizabeth founded NewEdge BD to help law firms drive value through their business development initiatives.

In-house Experience: Directed strategic initiatives and built business development infrastructure and teams at Mayer Brown, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (formerly Bryan Cave), Debevoise, Weil, and Hogan Lovells (formerly Hogan & Hartson).

Consulting Experience: Led impactful BD and strategic projects for law firm clients of all sizes, including boutique and mid-sized firms, at Jaffe Associates.

Favorite Projects: Busting practice silos by creating collaborative and multi-disciplinary solutions that bring the best of the firm to market.

Education: Fordham University, BS, Psychology and Economics

Personal: Native Washingtonian and long-time New Yorker, Elizabeth lives in Charlotte NC with her spouse, David, and their two Siberian husky-mix puppies, Jake and Roxy.