Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Vivian Hood
Hannah Anderson: Leading JWLA with Authenticity
A self-described extrovert, Hannah Anderson has never been one to sit on the sidelines. Since joining the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association (JWLA) in 2019, she has actively served in many board positions — from development chair to events director, judicial reception director, secretary treasurer, and president-elect. Starting July 2026, she steps into the role of president, bringing with her a clear vision for what comes next.
Kathryn Stanfill’s Vision for JWLA: The Decisions that Define Us
As the incoming president of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association (JWLA) this summer, Kathryn Stanfill is poised to bring a fresh perspective to the organization. Her chosen theme for her tenure will wrap around “The Decisions that Define Us,” and she is excited to build upon JWLA’s strong foundation and introduce new initiatives that will benefit its members and the broader legal community.
Processes, Challenges and Solutions In Lateral Partner Integration
As law firms strategize to enhance their lateral partner hiring processes, they face mounting challenges, particularly with lateral market trends forecasting record activity in Q4 — despite a 35% decline in 2023. With nearly half of lateral hires leaving within five years, retention has become more crucial than ever. As lateral moves and firm mergers increase, ensuring successful integration is key to securing long-term growth and stability.
Processes, Challenges and Solutions In Lateral Partner Integration
Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30% Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
JWLA Launches Multi-Generational Mentoring Program
Women lawyers seeking professional mentors have a unique opportunity with Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association’s (JWLA) Mentoring Program starting in January 2025. As a young woman attorney and a first-generation lawyer in her family, program co-chair and Akerman LLP associate Paige Cham recognized the value a mentor figure could provide, and she understood her disadvantage by not having one. “I felt that gap. It’s difficult starting a new career path.
Tenesia Hall: Advocating for and Transforming Florida’s Families in Need
As the first attorney from a 501c3 on the executive committee of the Florida Bar Family Law Section, Tenesia Hall has the unique position to present the legal aid perspective on the most pressing needs for Florida families. Hall is the family law litigation director for the private nonprofit Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. (LASOCBA).
How AI Has Affected PR Original
It’s been just over a year since ChatGPT exploded on the internet, and the speed at which artificial intelligence (AI) and advancing powerful technologies are developing and improving is head-spinning. In the legal realm, AI is now a daily news topic and law firms and courts are paying attention.
Judge London M. Kite: A Passionate Criminal Justice Advocate
For more than 20 years, Judge London M. Kite has dedicated her professional career to bringing fairness, justice, legal education, and safety to the Jacksonville community. She serves as a circuit court judge in the felony criminal division in Duval County and presides over all felony-level cases from arraignment through trial. Kite has a long-time presence in the legal community.
How AI Has Affected PR
When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.
A Partnership Between the Guardian ad Litem Office and the Courts — Serving and Celebrating Children | Attorney at Law Magazine
Representing abused, abandoned and neglected children in court and the community is a passion and commitment to which Christine Meyer, managing attorney in Jacksonville’s Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, has devoted her entire career. “I can’t imagine practicing in any other area of the law,” said Meyer, who started her career as Broward County’s first full-time Guardian ad Litem attorney.
Dean Nicholas Allard: The Art of Starting a Law School
The high quality of the support and engagement of the bench and bar of Jacksonville truly sets us apart,” Dean Nicholas W. Allard recently reflected after the first completed year of the College of Law at Jacksonville University, and in anticipation of the school year ahead. Dean Allard, who joined the school last July as the founding dean to launch the College of Law in August 2022, radiated pride about the accomplishments and direction of the new school and its students.
The Wild West of LawCity, Web3 and the Metaverse
Marketing the Law Firm Internet Law Law Firm Marketing and Business Development Technology Media and Telecom But what is the metaverse? Is it a game? Is it virtual reality? Is it AI? Let’s put aside any scoffing that the metaverse is simply a gaming environment for teenagers to play in. We need to accept the real-world legalities and practicalities that law firms today have to understand about how they, and the next generations of their lawyers, will be conducting business.
BRADLEY LAUNCHES ATLANTA OFFICE
Firm enters Georgia market with more than 20 leading Atlanta attorneys Atlanta (May 22, 2023) – Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce its expansion into Georgia with the opening of a new office in Atlanta. Bradley’s Atlanta office opens with more than 20 lawyers practicing across a broad spectrum of industries and practice areas including real estate, healthcare, litigation, corporate M&A, franchise, securities, labor and employment, and financial services, among others.
The Unique Identity of OCBA’s LAS Raises the Bar
The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association (LAS/OCBA) has an incredibly unique identity. Our story is unlike any other LAS in the country; we are one of a kind,” says executive director and attorney Bethanie Barber with understandable pride. “As a private nonprofit legal aid society, we are not tied to any government entity, so it’s our decision to determine how we spend our funds.
Asbestos Law Warrior Alan Pickert Goes the Distance
“Don’t wake up to be mediocre.” These words of wisdom that Alan Pickert’s career Navy father insisted upon have instilled a life-long discipline of the importance of doing everything to the best of his ability. A litigator and partner with Terrell Hogan Yegelwel, P.A., Pickert has helped thousands of families and individuals in his challenges – David vs. Goliath style – against the largest law firms in mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer and vaccine cases, among others.
Managing Well-Being In the Legal Industry
This article appeared in Marketing the Law Firm, an ALM/Law Journal Newsletters publication reporting on the latest, and most effective, strategies for Chief Marketing Officers, Managing Partners, Law Firm Marketing Directors, Administrators and Consultants.
Managing Well-Being In the Legal Industry
Marketing the Law Firm Attorney Work Life Balance Law Firm Associates Law Firm Management Law Firm Marketing and Business Development A recent LMA Well-Being Wednesday program provided a range of big ideas and small tips for legal marketers and law firms on implementing a well-being program.
The Honorable Judge Michelle Kalil Serves to Change Lives
With nearly a decade of bench experience, Duval County Judge Michelle Kalil is a Jacksonville native whose early drive to enter law fueled her to becoming a respected judge who is changing lives every day. “I first became interested in the law in middle school, I was just fascinated by it. I did my eighth grade career day on being a Supreme Court justice,” Judge Kalil said. “The idea of studying law stayed with me all through high school.
Aligning with Client Expectations: Is Your Firm Walking the Walk In 2022?
What You Need to Know Businesses are taking a hard look at external relationships to ensure their law firms are walking the walk. Legal industry DEI efforts are heading in a positive direction, with increasing speed over the past couple years. Being flexible and achieving balance in any back to the office plan is most important. It’s now 2022 and despite the flip of the calendar, the Omicron variant is still sweeping the U.S., it feels like not much has changed. Or has it?
Aligning with Client Expectations: Is Your Firm Walking the Walk In 2022?
Marketing the Law Firm Law Firm Client Relationships Law Firm Marketing and Business Development It’s now 2022 and despite the flip of the calendar, the Omicron variant is still sweeping the U.S., it feels like not much has changed. Or has it? Let’s take a deeper look at some tectonic shifts that are changing the landscape and how they affect law firms and client relationships.
Freed to Run Raises Millions for Pediatric Legal Needs
Jacksonville attorney Mike Freed was motivated in 2016 to find a purpose that would bring together individuals in a positive effort focused on doing good. Raising money for indigent populations that were unable to obtain legal services was a logical choice for a lawyer, and Freed knew he wanted to go big to make an impact. But how? “I decided I would run across the state,” said Freed, a business litigation shareholder at Gunster.
Accountability Questions for Business Development Coaching Success
Working with a business development coach is an investment in yourself that can bring about career success by having a deliberate strategy in place. Having a successful career means different things to different lawyers, and at different times along their professional paths. It can mean having a track record of major trial wins, or becoming partner, or achieving recognition and awards, or being a rainmaker.
The Battle to Return to the Office for Remote Attorneys
Monday, August 23, 2021 Ever since the pandemic, most law firms have been struggling. At first, the problem was figuring out how to make remote work for law firms effective. Now, the issue is how and when to proceed into the new normal. Many industries have already decided how their offices will change, but the legal sector continues to show indecisiveness in the move forward. Most firms are uncertain what direction will best serve their clients and lawyers.
Jennifer Kifer: Finding Purpose in Law and Life
The moment of clarity about her purpose came by chance to Jennifer Kifer when she was an associate. A rather routine request by the executive partner of Holland & Knight’s Jacksonville office to provide some support to another partner outside of her commercial civil litigation practice enabled her to enter the world of charitable gifts. Immediately drawn to it, Kifer shifted her practice to focus on trust and estate matters that benefit nonprofit organizations.
How Law Firms Are Supporting Women Lawyers in The Pandemic
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 This year’s celebration of Women’s History Month is especially appropriate because it comes during the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown. Working women have felt a tremendous amount of pressure in juggling demanding careers with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, especially closed childcare facilities and schools and eldercare.
Top 5 PR Opportunities for 2021
Law firms experienced enormous shifts in 2020 due to COVID-19, and the impact is expected to extend well into 2021 and beyond. Early on, we saw that the firms with flexibility in their ability to adapt to change experienced resilience with the least disruption. Not surprisingly, law firm management relied on marketing and public relations to help their firms navigate these uncharted waters.
JWLA Names Lindsay Tygart as 2020 Woman Lawyer of the Year
Lindsay Tygart’s love of the law and passion to help others is a family genetic trait, unavoidable and admirable. With eight family members serving as lawyers and judges, Tygart has always known that her purpose to be a champion for others who couldn’t help themselves and make a lasting difference would be encouraged and supported. 2020 Woman of the Year Lindsay Tygart with her daughters.
Marketing Innovative Law Firms
Best Practices Law firms today are increasingly looking at innovation to help distinguish their practice offerings, strategy, and leadership, and need inspiring marketing to develop meaningful campaigns that resonate with their audiences. This article appeared in Marketing the Law Firm, an ALM/Law Journal Newsletters publication reporting on the latest, and most effective, strategies for Chief Marketing Officers, Managing Partners, Law Firm Marketing Directors, Administrators and Consultants.
Marketing Innovative Law Firms
Marketing the Law Firm Law Firm Management Law Firm Marketing and Business Development Law firms today are increasingly looking at innovation to help distinguish their practice offerings, strategy, and leadership, and need inspiring marketing to develop meaningful campaigns that resonate with their audiences.
Beyond The Valley + Wine Reception at the CIA at Copia
Wine To Water (W|W) is proud to announce the premiere of a 20-minute documentary highlighting its clean water projects around the world at “Beyond The Valley,” a free special event at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa on January 17, 2019. Keynote speakers will include David Cuthbert, CEO of W|W and others, to be announced. “This inspirational film is a showcase about how people can find their purpose within their passions while serving those around them,” said Cuthbert.
Women’s Initiatives: Women’s Initiatives Create Opportunity and Benefits in Law Firms
According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 400,000 women lawyers today who comprise just over 1 in 3 (38%) lawyers. The year 2018 marked the 25th anniversary of the appointment of Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as attorney general of the United States, and still only a few firms focus on women in the legal profession, including judicial law clerks and judges.
Law Firms and Cyber Attacks – What’s a Law Firm to Do? Part Two
Targeted cyber attacks on the legal industry are a daily occurrence. What’s a law firm to do? Part One in this two-part series examined how breaches are affecting law firms, the steps to take, and essential responsibilities of law firms and lawyers to help prevent cyber weaknesses. Part Two focuses on communications after a breach and reputation management.
Law Firms and Cyber Attacks – What’s a Law Firm to Do? Part One
Cyber attacks targeting the legal industry are a daily occurrence. What is a law firm to do? Part One in this two-part series examines how breaches are affecting law firms, the steps to take, and responsibilities law firms and lawyers must have to help prevent cyber weaknesses. Part Two will focus on communications after a breach, as well as reputation management.
In an Era of Crises and Controversies, How Ready Is Your Law Firm?
2018: What Last Year's Trends Can Mean for Big Law With the new year upon us, law firms have just been through the typical year-end crush of collections, budgeting, compensation decisions and more. The authors recently took a look at 2017's hottest trends, and explored what we could expect from them in 2018. To Train or Not to Train? That Is the Question Before starting a training program, conduct a needs assessment when performance is inappropriate or inadequate.
Media & Communications: In an Era of Crises And Controversies, How Ready Is Your Law Firm? Although the current news cycle is a barrage of negative situations, the silver lining is that they offer law firms a wealth of teachable moments about the importance of preparing for and responding to a crisis situation. In today’s media environment, crisis communicators must remain on full alert.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Vivian
Contact Vivian, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack