E. Walter Van Valkenburg

Stoel Rives LLP

Managing Partner, began working with Skillful Means in 2014

 

"We retained Mary to help us implement a business plan for our market. We are a 350 lawyer firm, with 130 lawyers in the market in which Mary is assisting us. A key part of our plan was to identify emerging leaders among the partners in our office and help them organize teams that would focus on seven clients for whom we hope to expand out representation. Mary has worked with the seven individual leaders, both individually and collectively, to help them develop the new skills they need succeed in these roles.

As Office Managing Partner for the market in question, I could not be more pleased with Mary’s work. She is a talented teacher and a true professional. I have watched her work with our seven leaders, and seen the progress they are making under her guidance. Additionally, she has worked with the teams themselves, all of which have their own challenges in terms of personalities, skill sets, and the like. As a former practicing lawyer, Mary brings both insight and credibility to this process. Also, she is not afraid to raise difficult issues and challenge us where we need to be challenged.

For any firm that wants to up its game in business development, I would highly recommend Mary."