Global law firm, Holland & Knight LLP, appoints Patrick O’Connor to lead business development and marketing strategy.
Client: Holland & Knight LLP | Role: Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer | Candidate: Patrick O’Connor
Recruiters: John Lamar, Managing Director; Jean Lenzner, Managing Director; William Lepiesza, Managing Director
Overview
Holland & Knight LLP, an internationally recognized law firm renowned for its collaborative culture and strategic growth, has partnered with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer. As the firm continued to grow and evolve in an increasingly competitive global market, it required a proven leader to build integrated marketing strategies, enhance client engagement, and align business development initiatives with practice group priorities.
Key Leadership Need
The firm needed a Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer who could design and execute firmwide growth strategies, elevate branding efforts, and strengthen cross-practice collaboration. The ideal candidate would combine deep experience in business development leadership with the operational excellence needed to support attorneys across diverse practice groups and geographies.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Managing Directors John Lamar, Jean Lenzner, and William Lepiesza led a targeted search across professional services and consulting firms for senior executives with proven experience leading complex marketing and business development initiatives.
Search priorities included:
- Expertise driving cross-practice collaboration, client engagement strategies, and brand evolution
- Success leading marketing operations at scale within sophisticated, matrixed organizations
- Ability to align marketing, sales, and business development functions around strategic goals
Patrick O’Connor emerged as the ideal choice due to his extensive leadership at EY, where he served as Principal and Americas Chief Operating Officer for the Forensic & Integrity Services Practice, as well as his proven success designing and executing business development initiatives across global teams.
Successful Placement and Impact
Patrick O’Connor brings nearly two decades of business development leadership, sales management, and strategic planning expertise within global professional services organizations.
Immediate Impact:
- Launched integrated business development strategies aligned with firmwide priorities
- Strengthened internal collaboration between practice groups and client-facing teams
- Implemented scalable marketing operations systems to support global brand visibility
- Enhanced strategic targeting and client engagement initiatives across industries
About Holland & Knight LLP
Holland & Knight LLP is a global law firm with more than 2,200 lawyers and professionals in 34 offices across the United States and internationally. The firm is recognized for its experience in real estate, litigation, energy, and government matters, and is known for fostering strong client partnerships through collaborative legal solutions.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is an executive search firm in Houston. The firm serves industries such as legal services, life sciences, healthcare, financial services, energy, technology, consumer goods, and nonprofit organizations, delivering strategic, results-driven leadership placements tailored to each client’s specific needs.
Interested in learning more about our executive recruitment services? Contact The Alexander Group today.