2014 Hall of Fame Inductee Mark Beese: FROM RESTORING HOUSES TO BUILDING UP LAW FIRMS.

• Author: Mantick, Kelly
• Position: WINNERS

Mark Beese entered the world of legal marketing through the door of a crumbling house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This 2014 LMA Hall of Fame inductee began his career working as the director of marketing for Kideney Architects in Buffalo, New York. There, Mark learned the value of creating lasting relationships. Through Mark's relationship building, his architecture firm grew into new segments and geographic markets. "All business relationships are personal," Mark said. "One of the most basic business development skills is to develop a wide and strong network based on truly caring for other people."

Mark's next job materialized from a personal relationship, built upon a common interest in restoring historic landmarks, such as Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House in Buffalo. Attorney and marketer John Courtin approached Mark with an opportunity to become the first full-time marketing director at Hodgson Russ Andrews Woods & Goodyear, a regional firm with offices throughout New York, Florida and Canada.

New to legal marketing, Mark said that he owes much of his early success to a small group of LMA members who served as his mentors. "Mentors like 'Radio' Dave Milberg and Marcie Johnson from Schiff Hardin were helpful. They were a constant source of encouragement and sage advice. I hadn't a clue how to navigate the politics of a 200-year-old law firm. They kept me from making too many mortal mistakes," he said.

In 2001, he accepted the position of chief marketing officer at Holland & Hart in Denver, Colorado, an Am Law 200 firm with 15 offices throughout the west.

In Denver, Mark met Lisa Simon, who was the LMA Denver chapter president (and later, president of LMA International). Lisa recruited him to serve on the local board, serving first as programming co-chair and later as president of the Denver chapter. He and the board forged partnerships with ALA and the Colorado Bar Association, resulting in significant growth in chapter event attendance. Later, Mark served as co-chair of the LMA Your Honor Awards and on the international strategic planning committee. He was elected to serve a term on the international board of directors. Now, he is a frequent speaker at the chapter and national level on topics of leadership, business development and managing change.

At Holland & Hart, Mark experimented with new ways to lead the business development and marketing staff. "When a firm succeeds in...