Meet the Successful Firm Project
Leadership Advisory Board
Laura J. Broomell, CLM
Greene Espel PLLP
Chief Operating Officer
Laura is the Chief Operating Officer with Greene Espel PLLP, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In this role, she works collaboratively with attorneys to oversee all aspects of the firm’s strategic and operational functions. Laura has held numerous leadership positions in the Association of Legal Administrators on the local and international levels, including serving as the ALA International President from 2016-2017. Laura was the recipient of the 2020 Women in Business award from Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, in addition to being selected in 2021 as one of Minnesota’s Most Powerful Business Leaders by Minnesota 500.
April Campbell
Bennett Bigelow & Leedom, P.S.
Executive Director
April Campbell is a leader in professional service and not-for-profit organizations for more than two decades. She is passionate about developing leaders and productive teams. She focuses her energy on the philosophy of change experimentation, using innovation methods to foster new solutions and empower leaders to a deeper understanding of how change happens. Currently the Executive Director at Bennett Bigelow & Leedom P.S., April formerly served as the Executive Director of the Association of Legal Administrators. She has held additional roles in both large and small law firms in the areas of HR, pro bono and operations. Before her career in legal management, she practiced as an attorney. April holds a Bachelor of Science in Spanish with a business option from Penn State and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon School of Law.
James L. Cornell
Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP
Office Administrator – Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
James L. Cornell leverages 20-plus years of management and leadership experience in law firms, along with service as a volunteer leader and Past President with the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) to bring together the holistic perspective of today's legal management professional and the business of law. James focuses on communication, collaboration, leadership, vision, and creative solution-generation to address the administrative and operational challenges of modern legal organizations. James has the privilege of being the Office Administrator for Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP in their Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. offices, and can be reached at (202) 210.5321, jcornell@shb.com or via Linkedin.
Jim Ries
Offit Kurman
Director of Business Development
Jim Ries is Director of Business Development at Offit Kurman. They are a full-service law firm, serving the legal needs of small and mid-size privately-held owner managed businesses with 240 attorneys in 14 offices from Charlotte to New York City, with a heavy concentration in the Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia region. Jim has access to a deep network of attorney advisors and problem solvers in over 35 practice areas, and he connects business owners to the right attorney who can solve their legal disputes and protect their assets. Jim is a master networker, and he prides himself on being able to make meaningful connections. Let Jim be your Google.
Carolyn Shomali
Successful Firm Project
Community Manager
Carolyn is the Community Manager for The Successful Firm Project. Directing content strategy, webcasts and interviews is almost as hectic as raising three little girls, which Carolyn and her husband adore doing. With a remarkable background in television and digital production, Carolyn's 15 years of experience is helping SFP raise the bar for ideas and content.
Tiffany Teal
The Successful Firm Project
Project Director
Tiffany is the Project Director for The Successful Firm Project. With extensive experience in business development, Tiffany has worked in both global and domestic markets including legal, life sciences and food & beverage. Driven by connection, she takes pride in providing the best client experience possible.