Promoting Legal Excellence! The legal industry is characterized by its constant pursuit of justice and the rule of law. Lawyers play a crucial role in handling complex legal systems, advocating for their clients, and upholding the integrity of legal processes. The profession demands a blend of analytical integrity, compelling advocacy, and ethical commitment, shaping intellectually strong practitioners dedicated to public service. The legal field is not just about understanding statutes and precedents; it is about interpreting them to advocate effectively for clients, ensure fair outcomes, and contribute to societal order. Iris Jones, the Chief Marketing & Client Development Officer, embodies this blend of legal expertise and client-centric dedication. Her journey began with a childhood dream inspired by the Perry Mason television show, which instilled in her a passion for law and justice. Another real life inspiration for Iris came many years later in a magazine article. The late Congresswoman, Barbara Jordan, during her younger years, was appointed Governor of Texas for a day on June 10, 1972, under Governor Dolph Briscoe. This historic event made Ms. Jordan the first African American and the first woman to hold the office of Governor of Texas. From that point on, Barbara Jordan, and her incredible life story inspired Iris to pursssue her legal education with determination despite skepticism from others. Her career is marked by significant achievements, including serving as an Assistant Attorney General of Texas, where she participated in landmark cases such as the Vietnamese Fisherman’s Case against the KKK. Her experiences have shaped her into a leader who values justice, integrity, and client service. Currently, Iris employs her extensive experience at Akerman LLP, where she leads marketing and client development initiatives. Her role is pivotal in shaping the firm’s market presence, attracting new clients and enhancing brand recognition. By leading a team of skilled professionals, Iris ensures the alignment of marketing strategies with the firm’s goals, nurturing a culture of empowerment and innovation. Her efforts are central to Akerman’s growth, reflecting her lifelong commitment to excellence in the legal field and her ability to inspire and guide her team towards achieving remarkable outcomes. Let’s explore Iris’s innovative leadership journey in the legal sector: Journey from a Dream to the Courtroom Iris’s journey towards becoming an attorney started after discovering the Perry Mason television show in fifth grade. She loved how the main character argued for justice and truth. Each episode she watched cemented her desire to become a lawyer, despite disbelieving teachers and fellow students. Nevertheless, she continued with her pursuit without hesitation. One of her fondest childhood memories was in sixth grade, when she received a response letter from Harvard answering her questions surrounding a law degree. Even as a 12-year-old, she wanted to make sure she took the proper classes in school, so the package Harvard sent meant the world. They even included a coursework catalog and someone took the time to answer specific questions about which subjects to study. She was just a kid, one of nine children, from Ohio, craving information, enlightenment, and encouragement. The person who prepared and sent that package to her will never know the impact it had on her life. Remembering this story reminds her of the meaning behind an encouraging word and the gift of your time. After earning her law degree, she was incredibly fortunate to serve as an Assistant Attorney General (AG) of Texas for eight years. The job was a dream come true because it allowed her to practice law, defend the state, and defend cases in state and federal courts. In 1982, she represented the AG’s office in the Vietnamese Fisherman’s case against the KKK. Alongside Morris Dees and David Berg, she took the depositions of 12 Klansmen in Houston’s US Federal Courthouse. It was one of those career-defining experiences that taught her about what it is to be a good attorney. This meant she had to set aside personal feelings, fears, and resentments to serve one’s clients honorably and nobly. After the AG’s office, she was appointed the City Attorney for the City of Austin. She was both the first female and the first African American to hold this position. She has many monumental memories of that position, but representing the city of Austin in Federal Court and arguing on its behalf in the Voting Rights Act case before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals was a dream come true. Later in her career, she entered private practice and served as a partner and shareholder in two Austin firms. She loved and learned from each place she worked because each experience made her the person she is today. Her daughter, Amanda, was born in 1979. A gift from God and the best dream to come true for her. She mentions this because she believes, “As we strive to make a difference, to achieve, excel, and make a living, the best gifts are our families.” Not at or near the end of our careers, but throughout. She has always prioritized her life as follows: 1. God; 2. Family. 3. Career! It always works itself out! She learned many lessons along the way, but the most important is the “Platinum Rule” by Tony Alessandra, Ph.D., and Michael J. O’Connor, Ph.D., which emphasizes the importance of treating others the way “they want to be treated.” How do we know that? We need to ask, listen, and learn. Empowering Teams for Success As Chief Marketing and Client Development Officer at Akerman LLP, Iris’s primary responsibilities are to lead a team of highly trained professionals, develop and implement marketing strategies to promote Akerman’s services, attract new clients, and enhance the firm’s brand recognition. She works closely with firm leadership, partners, and associates to identify target markets, create marketing campaigns, and measure the effectiveness of these marketing efforts. Additionally, she and her team are involved in client relationship management, conducting competitive intelligence research, and competitive analysis. Ultimately, in her role of supporting the firm’s strategy, her team and she serve to support