Deborah Farone is one of the leading advisors to law firms on the topics of strategy, particularly relating to business development and marketing. She is an advisor to some of the country’s most successful law firms. As the former chief marketing officer for Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, and Debevoise & Plimpton, as well as a specialist at the international consulting firm Towers Watson, Deborah is a recognized expert, consultant, author and public speaker on business development and marketing for lawyers. Deborah is the author of “Best Practices in Law Firm Business Development and Marketing” (PLI 2019), a book based on more than 60 interviews with leading law firm leaders and marketers, general counsel, and innovators in the profession. The book has been called a unique resource for law firm leaders, practicing attorneys, legal marketers, consultants, and educators who want to uncover the best marketing practices in the legal profession.

Deborah has successfully worked with lawyers and consultants to produced innovative programs in the area of strategic planning, business development, marketing communications and key client management. All of these approaches have been geared towards driving profitability and helping professional service companies and individuals attain complex business objectives. Through her work, leading teams of lawyers and other professionals, Deborah has developed an expertise in the area of organizational strategy, departmental development and reorganization, business development systems, client and customer service programs and brand management.
Her passion is helping professionals reach their fullest potential and helping businesses to grow. She often speaks to and helps coach law firm leaders in relation to practice development, including the use of communications plans to help them with networking, social media and profile building.

She has recently spoken at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law as well as at Cornell Law School. Deborah is a past President of the Legal Marketing Association’s New York Chapter and was recently honored with LMA New York’s Legacy Award, in recognition of making “a distinguishable mark on the chapter and the profession.” She co-chairs the PLI program “All Stars in Business Development” along with Brad Karp, Chairman of Paul Weiss and serves as an advisor the Chairman of the Board of the New York Public Library.