Ellen is the President of EMK Consulting Group, LLC, a firm specializing in marketing and business development coaching, consulting, and public relations services for lawyers and law firms.

Ellen has over 20 years’ experience working in and with law firms, serving in coaching, business development, marketing, and public relations roles. Her firm just celebrated its 11th year in business.

Ellen has written for numerous publications and appeared weekly on RadioBDC’s Global Business Hub segment. She is a known authority on networking, personal brand building, marketing, and business development, has been quoted extensively and featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, and she speaks at conferences and events. Additionally, Ellen regularly wrote for her “Ask Ellen” column in Lawyers Weekly and writes for her column in the Business of Law DIGEST.

Ellen is active in the community and is the Past President of the National Association of Women MBAs, serves on the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women’s Network Advisory Board, serves as a past Vice Chair for City Year’s Legal Community and Women’s Leadership breakfasts, has served on the United Way Women’s Leadership Council (WLC) and Lawyers Have Heart Executive Committees and is a past Co-Chair of the 2020 Women on Boards National Conversation on Board Diversity event.

Ellen is a graduate of Northeastern University summa cum laude and is a Certified Professional Coach, trained by the International Coaching Federation Accredited Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).

Ellen has been recognized as a Top Business Development Coach and Top Public Relations firm for law firms by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for the past several years. She is a previous Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly “Excellence in Marketing” award recipient. Ellen also received an Idealism in Action Award from City Year.

What coaching services do you provide?

Marketing & Business Development Coaching

What services do you provide in addition to coaching?

I am also a Public Relations/Publicity/Personal Brand/Firm Brand expert and regularly get lawyers quoted as experts in both local and national media as well as article placements in industry publications. Additionally, I review clients' bios, LinkedIn profiles, and provide networking advice.

What is your coaching philosophy?

I believe that when lawyers actively seek coaching, it is much more impactful. I view coaching as a collaborative process helping clients uncover insights and solutions that are already within them.

My approach would focus on asking the right questions and setting actionable goals, all with the aim of helping clients uncover their unique strengths and interests. By empowering clients to build confidence and reframe limiting mindsets—such as discomfort with asking for business— I guide clients to develop effective self-marketing strategies, strengthen their personal brands, and attract more client work. I aim to energize clients to overcome barriers and create personalized, practical plans tailored to their goals.

What interests or excites you about coaching women lawyers?

I've been actively involved in numerous women’s leadership organizations and initiatives, helping firms establish their first-ever women lawyers' initiative programs back when this was a pioneering concept.

I’ve had the privilege of supporting numerous professional women lawyers' associations over the years, and I’m energized by helping women lawyers find excitement in marketing and business development, boost their confidence, and start bringing in more client work!

Tell us about your training and certifications as a coach.

I went through an extensive Coach training program and am a Certified Professional Coach, trained by the International Coaching Federation Accredited Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).