Deborah Farone

Deborah Farone is recognized as an authority on law firm marketing and business development. Farone was the first person hired to develop and lead a marketing program for Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, a firm known for its influence in the legal industry. She is considered among the chief marketing officers who established the business development and communications profession within law firms.

Over two decades, Farone distinguished herself as chief marketing officer at two leading law firms and founded both firms' business development and communications departments, building on experience gained at a global management consulting firm. Farone joined Debevoise & Plimpton from Towers Perrin (now Willis Towers Watson), where she coordinated national press relations and marketing, and previously worked at Ketchum Communications on investor and public relations accounts.

Before launching Farone Advisors, Farone spent 14 years as chief marketing officer at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she built a business development infrastructure that incorporated best practices from investment banking and other industries. She also created a client and industry intelligence unit that generated new business opportunities, shaped practice development plans, and prepared partners for high-stakes presentations. Prior to joining Cravath, Farone was chief marketing officer at Debevoise & Plimpton.

Farone later founded Farone Advisors LLC, where she advises law and professional service firms on business strategy and targeted marketing. As CEO of Farone Advisors LLC, she consults with law firms, professional services organizations, and executives across the United States, Europe, and Asia on business development, branding, and leadership strategy.

Farone is the author of the book "Best Practices in Law Firm Business Development and Marketing," which is used by firms globally. The book features perspectives from law firm leaders, general counsels, chief marketing officers, and other experts on increasing revenue through business development techniques, and is available at Harvard, Yale, and Columbia Law Schools. Farone is also the author of "Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Partners Develop Thriving Practices," based on interviews with rainmakers, general counsel, and law firm leaders across four continents. "Breaking Ground" emphasizes authenticity in building client relationships and fostering a diverse workplace culture.

Farone has lectured at institutions including UPenn Carey Law, Cornell Law, and New York University, where she served as adjunct professor teaching the first university courses on legal marketing. Her courses at New York University, including "Effective Marketing and Public Relations for Professional Service Companies" and "Marketing and Public Relations for Law Firms," were among the first of their kind offered by a major university. Farone is a frequent lecturer in the United States and Europe and appears regularly as a columnist for Forbes, Bloomberg, and The American Lawyer. She co-chairs the PLI program "All Stars in Business Development" and is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, a recipient of the LMA Legacy Award, and an advocate for women's advancement in law and leadership.