EJ Stern’s results-oriented approach focuses on identifying and leveraging a professional’s strengths, motivations and work style to grow his/her existing client base and cultivate new leads. Her clients range from associates who are at the beginning of the business development process and want to learn the tools needed to create a thriving practice to established partners who are seeking to increase their books of business and broaden their client base. EJ helps her clients create business development best practices and provides the accountability necessary for success. She also consults on time management issues and practice development.
EJ has more than 15 years of experience offering business development training, strategic consulting, and individual coaching to law firms, lawyers and other professional service firms. She most recently served as US Head of Client Development for Clyde & Co, an international law firm based in the UK. In this role, she led all aspects of strategic oversight for more than 200 lawyers across North America, including developing cross-selling initiatives, leading client accounts, devising lateral integration strategies, advising on alternative fee arrangements, and overseeing all marketing and practice management functions. Prior to joining Clyde & Co, EJ spent nearly 10 years at Troutman Sanders, an Am Law 100 firm, where she held the position of Associate Director, Business Development Coaching. In this role, she developed, launched and led several firm wide strategic initiatives including a business development coaching program for partners, a business development training series for associates and counsel, and a women’s business development initiative. She also held marketing positions at Steptoe & Johnson and Proskauer Rose.
EJ is a graduate of the Skillful Means Coach the Coach® and GrowBIG® training programs. She received her Master’s degree from New York University, summa cum laude, and her Bachelor’s degree from American University, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Business Development Coaching
- Partner at Am Law 100 firm to cultivate internal firm network and identify cross-selling opportunities, resulting in more than $250,000 in new business
- Service partner at Am Law 100 firm to transform into multimillion-dollar rainmaker by redefining sales process, developing a deeper understanding of client base, and refining value proposition
- Partner at boutique firm to identify, prioritize, and leverage network to deliver two new clients in first year of coaching
- Senior Associate at Am Law 100 firm to develop business development plan and sharpen marketing skills to grow book of business in order to become a partner
- Partner at boutique firm to refine brand and improve self-promotion in order to increase visibility in the industry
Testimonials
EJ is a terrific business development coach. She served as a sounding board for ideas, offered practical suggestions, helped track my progress and ensured that I consistently kept business development on the radar.
Partner, AmLaw 100 Firm
I wholeheartedly recommend EJ. Working with her, I was able to more clearly define my career objectives and create a business development plan that aligned with them. EJ held me accountable, encouraged me throughout the process, and had great out-of-the-box ideas for networking during COVID. The work paid off: in addition to building new relationships and strengthening existing ones, I saw my revenue increase.
Partner, Litigation Boutique