Strategic marketing—driven by a passion for words

Senior-level guidance in the legal and professional services space

Seasoned. Detail-oriented. Multifaceted. When it comes to marketing, I’ve done it all. That means I can see the big picture and draw on decades of experience to execute projects of every size and complexity—whether working solo or in close collaboration with other accomplished professionals.

A writer and editor at heart, I bring a strategic communications focus to everything I do. That’s a valuable perspective since every marketing activity should be carefully crafted to deliver your unique message to your most important audiences.

I’m also more than just a words guy. From social media and content development to branding and messaging to overarching strategy, my marketing arsenal is diverse and well-stocked. But I also know what I don’t know. If a project requires graphic design, photography or other expertise beyond my primary skill set, I’ll draw on my network of creative, talented peers to build the right team and get the job done.

Testimonials

“Michael is the most talented and creative person I’ve worked with in the marketing space. He guided the Clinic through a major rebrand and helped us define our mission, vision and values. He also assembled and led a talented group of peers who developed a fresh brand identity and an eye-catching website that allows us to better communicate with prospective clients, donors, volunteers and other important audiences—all on a pro bono basis. That’s huge for a nonprofit legal aid organization like GCLC.”

—Adam Salzman, Executive Director, Greater Chicago Legal Clinic

“Michael has been a valuable marketing resource for our business generally and our unique analytics solutions. He’s a talented writer who consistently brings great ideas to the table and knows how to execute them efficiently. Given our focus on the legal industry, his deep understanding of its special characteristics has been extremely beneficial.”

—Bill Mech, Principal, ofPartner LLC

“Thorough, thoughtful and great with a tight deadline, Michael has been an invaluable addition to our team. We work with a wide range of clients, many of whom have strict corporate brand guidelines. Michael quickly familiarizes himself with the needs of each editing project, and we're continuously impressed by his insight and attention to detail. Plus, he's kind, adaptable and an overall pleasure to work with. We'd wholeheartedly recommend him as an addition to any project.”

—Kris Mackenzie, Project Manager, Best Money Moves

“I enlisted Michael to help streamline my overall marketing approach. As a real estate broker, I felt that my messaging was inconsistent and didn’t always reflect my personality. Michael led me through a comprehensive branding exercise, including the development of concise mission and values statements, an overhauled bio and other content that I believe truly reflects who I am as a professional. Michael also provided design input for my new website and offered guidance on digital and print collateral. He took the time to understand my needs and delivered memorable messaging with a consistent vibe that’s true to my personality. I will continue to work with Michael in the future and 100% recommend him to anyone who has marketing needs of their own.“

—Jeremy Scott Fisher, Team Lead, The LIV Group

“I have worked with Michael since 2007, initially when he was my client for many years. More recently, I turned to him for help on a complex content development project that ultimately won an award from the Legal Marketing Association. He’s an extraordinary strategic thinker and writer who brings great value to any effort he touches. He’s also a tremendous collaborator, and all projects I have worked on with him—even the toughest to execute—have been made more enjoyable and successful by having him on the team. Now that Michael has launched his consulting business, I look forward to more joint projects and successes.”

David Schulte, Head of Marketing, McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.

Services

Marketing Strategy & Support

 

From big ideas to hands-on execution, I’ll help you define your vision and bring it to life.

Branding & Messaging

 

Distinctive branding supported by clear and consistent messaging that tells your unique story. That’s the MJ way.

Content Development

 

Need a killer bio, a memorable marketing brochure or a total website overhaul? If it’s got words, I’ve got you covered.

Social Media

Is LinkedIn where you live? Is Facebook your focus? What about Twitter and Instagram? Let’s build a unique social media strategy that fits your business and reaches your targets.

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“Words are the underpinning of everything I’ve done in my career, from publishing to PR to legal marketing and business development.”

– Michael C. James

Let’s Talk!

Do you need help creating compelling content? Are you slacking on your social media strategy? Are you raring to rebrand but not sure where to start? If you’re ready to work with a strategic thinker who’s also a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-it-done kinda guy, we should talk.