Leading Through Change: Leap to the CMBDO Seat

What does it take to go from a high-performing manager to leading an entire department during one of the most disruptive moments in modern business?

In this episode of The Legal BD Corner, Nexl’s Senior Account Director Jason Broomfield sits down with Valerie Lyons, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Weber Gallagher, to explore what leadership looks like when the world turns virtual overnight.

This candid and insightful conversation covers:

• The mindset shift from manager to strategic leader
• Aligning marketing with firm-wide business goals
• Embracing AI to streamline processes and elevate BD performance
• Collaborating across departments for bigger impact
• And why human connection still matters most—even in an AI-first world

Valerie’s leap into leadership came at a time of uncertainty, but her story is one of clarity, resilience, and reinvention. A must-listen for legal marketers, firm leaders, and anyone navigating change.

Meet Valerie

Valerie Lyons develops and implements strategic marketing, business development, public relations and communications priorities for Weber Gallagher. Valerie leads a team of marketing, communications, and client relations professionals, and works closely with firm leadership to develop and execute targeted marketing tactics to enhance the firm’s visibility and reputation. She has experience in every aspect of marketing, communications, and business development, actively participating in business growth initiatives throughout the firm. Prior to entering the legal marketing field, Valerie was in legal and public relations roles.

Valerie is active in the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) serving on the Northeast Chapter as the Philadelphia Chapter Steering Committee CMO SIG Chair. Valerie is an active leader in the firm’s DEI, Professional Development, and Pro Bono committees. She also serves her community on the Board of Directors of Old City District and their Marketing Committee for nearly a decade.

Valerie joined Weber Gallagher in 2020 as the firm’s chief marketing officer, driving the firm’s marketing and business development strategies and communicating Weber Gallagher’s values to clients and the market at large. Her background in law and accounting offers a unique perspective on the business of law, supporting her to ability to deliver strategic and unique marketing and business development solutions to the firm.

Professional & Community Involvement

• Legal Marketing Association, Member and Philadelphia Chapter Steering Committee CMO SIG Chair

• Old City District, Board of Directors, Vice Chair, and Marketing Board Committee Vice Chair

Education

• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, J.D., International and Corporate Law, 2013

• St. John’s University, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, Master of Science, Accounting, 2009

• St. John’s University, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, Bachelor of Science, Marketing and International Business, 2008

Awards & Recognition

• Diversity in Business, Philadelphia Business Journal, 2022

News & Publications

• Pushing Forward on Strategy, Weber Gallagher Grows Exec Team With New CMO and CFO

• Diversity Matters! Newsletter: Returning to Work as a New Mom‍

Contact‍

D: 267.765.4124

vlyons@wglaw.com‍‍