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Above The Law logo vertical (1)With the onset of Covid, the legal profession entered extraordinary and uncharted territory.

Starting in the early days of the pandemic, a leading CLE provider partnered with Above the Law on sharing the message that the provider was up to the challenge of helping attorneys navigate all of the inevitable uncertainty and disruption.

The result of the collaboration was Unprecedented, a multi-channel media product that served as a hub for Above the Law’s comprehensive editorial coverage of the impact of the pandemic on the legal industry and integrated the CLE provider’s own relevant thought leadership.

The content published under the Unprecedented rubric covered the full spectrum of the pandemic’s impact: the emergence of remote and hybrid working models for law firms, changes affecting specific practice areas, the astonishing developments in the legal talent market, the accelerating adoption of new technologies, and much more.

Unprecedented functioned as a bespoke micro-site on Above the Law, a newsletter, and a podcast, all leveraging ATL’s social media presence to amplify the provider’s brand.

Over the 12-month run of Unprecedented, it generated over 876,000 visitors (from over 43,000 different law firms and companies), more than 50 million impressions, and over 32,000 website clicks for provider. The custom newsletter’s open rate was more than double the average for a sponsored campaign, and its click rate was more than triple this average.

Breaking Media’s campaign management team capped off the project by delivering a detailed report drawing on the company’s partnership with Bombora, the leading intent data company. The report included such metrics as the specific companies engaging the most frequently with the provider’s content, the top articles based on engagement, and even trending research topics among this audience.

By delivering value of this caliber and reaching the most U.S. lawyers of any publication, Above the Law works to maintain long-term, uniquely productive partnerships with all of its legal industry clients.

If you are interested in learning more about this program or other ways you can partner with Above the Law to craft an impactful marketing strategy, please contact Sales Manager Alicia Demonte.

Breaking Media Inc. has announced Ashley Spector as Vice President of Business Development for Above the Law, the largest and leading online news source in the legal industry. Ashley will oversee the business operations and focus on product development, brand strategy, marketing and sales to expand the growth and success of Above the Law.

Ashley started her career with Breaking Media in 2015 when she came on as Above the Law’s first Campaign Manager. Over the years, Ashley has grown the campaign management team and transitioned to the sales side of the business in 2017. Since then, she has been an integral part of the company’s growth and establishing long lasting client relationships.

“Ashley has been instrumental to the success of Above the Law over her time at the company,” said John Lerner, CEO of Breaking Media. “Her dedication to our marketing partners has created a successful business that delivers quantifiable results to our clients while our editorial team serves our readers. This collaborative approach has made Above the Law an integral part of the ever-evolving legal landscape, and I am excited to see the brand succeed further under her leadership.”

“It has been and continues to be a privilege to be a part of such an innovative and growing company like Breaking Media over the past 7 years,” added Ashley. “I look forward to continuing to identify strategic opportunities and partnerships to grow Above the Law alongside a group of talented and dynamic individuals.”

Breaking Defense is pleased to announce several key additions to its editorial staff, in an exciting and notable development that further solidifies the growth and leadership of Breaking Defense in the defense media market.

Valerie Insinna will be joining Breaking Defense as our Senior Reporter, Air Warfare and OSD. In this role, Valerie will have day to day responsibilities for covering the US Air Force, while serving as point person for major Pentagon policy and strategy developments. Valerie comes to Breaking Defense with extensive national security reporting expertise, having served as the air warfare beat reporter for Defense News for the last five years. During that time her work was recognized by numerous awards, including the prestigious National Press Club Michael A. Dornheim Award for defense journalism. She previously worked at Defense Daily, National Defense Magazine, and spent two years as the Washington correspondent for the Tokyo Chunichi Shimbun. A graduate of the renowned University of Missouri-Columbia journalism program, Valerie will start her new position at Breaking Defense on Oct. 4.

Andrew Eversden will be a new reporter for Breaking Defense, covering the Army and land warfare beat. Andrew previously worked as a staff reporter for C4ISRNET, covering the critical and transformational role networks play in contemporary defense. He also covered defense cybersecurity issues for Federal Times. Prior to that, Andrew served his internship at CBS News with its Capitol Hill team, was a Washington DC reporting fellow for the Texas Tribune and Washington Correspondent for the Durango Herald newspaper. Andrew is an alumnus of American University.

In a related development, Sydney Freedberg, Deputy Editor of Breaking Defense, has been elevated to a role as Senior Columnist, allowing Sydney to range his coverage and intellect across all military services and defense technologies. Sydney will work closely with staff to augment and enhance coverage across beats, including on key Army issues for which he is rightly known as an expert.

In another strategic move for Breaking Defense, Lee Ferran has joined the team as Managing Editor, a new role reporting to Editor-in-Chief Aaron Mehta. Lee brings significant journalistic experience to the role, working at ABC News for over nine years as a national security reporter, investigative reporter and editor of their enterprise investigations unit. Over his career Lee has covered US military budgets and spending,
cybersecurity vulnerabilities and controversial counter-terrorism programs. He’s the recipient of two News Emmy Awards. In his new role as Managing Editor at Breaking Defense, Lee will be responsible for editing coverage, organizing, scheduling and optimizing editorial operations, and developing our content platforms. Lee brings particular expertise and interest in media technology. A native of Georgia, Lee is a graduate of Wake Forest University.

These three additions, combined with staff developments earlier this year, means the Breaking Defense editorial team has doubled in size since the start of 2021, a reflection of the impressive growth of the brand. And Breaking Defense continues to expand its team of reporters from around the globe, with greater international coverage to come in the next year.

“Thanks to the hard work put in by founding editor Colin Clark, Sydney and the team, Breaking Defense had a wonderful base of talent when I joined this summer,” said Aaron Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of Breaking Defense. “I’m thrilled we’re able to keep growing the staff with our new additions, who all bring something different to the table. Having worked with Val and Andrew previously and having worked with Lee for a few weeks now — along with Theresa, Brad, Justin, Sydney and Colin, who will soon become our Asia Bureau Chief — I can’t imagine a better team to grow Breaking Defense into the future.”

“We’re excited to be growing our staff with journalists of such talent, quality and integrity,” said David Smith, Publisher and Managing Director of Breaking Defense. “The great additions of Val, Lee and Andrew to our editorial team are testament to the extraordinary growth Breaking Defense has achieved in the last years. Building upon an outstanding foundation, Aaron has assembled an all-star team of defense journalists, a mix of highly experienced reporters of immense reputation along with the next generation of talented and impressive rising stars. The breadth and quality of the Breaking Defense editorial team and its coverage is unsurpassed. I look forward to the continuing expansion, growth and leadership of Breaking Defense in this market.”

Exciting growth developments for BreakingDefense.com

January 21, 2019 – Breaking Media Inc. has named David Smith as Managing Director, Defense and Government to lead its defense and federal sector based in Washington DC. Mr. Smith will be responsible for business and product development, brand strategy, sales and marketing and is tasked with expanding the growth and success of BreakingDefense.com, the premier news analysis digital brand serving the defense and national security sector. In addition, Mr. Smith will explore and develop plans for growth within the federal civilian with an eventual relaunch of BreakingGovernment.com.

David Smith has more than 25 years of experience in all facets of media communications — digital media, audience, product and brand development, sales, marketing, production and content strategy. Mr. Smith is an expert in defense, government and international markets and a leader in how to craft innovative, creative and engaging media approaches to these markets.

“We are extremely excited to have David join our team leading our growing Washington DC presence.  David’s business experience and market knowledge will accelerate Breaking Defense’s ascent as a media leader in the defense and national security sector,” stated John Lerner, CEO of Breaking Media.   “David will work closely with our editor, Colin Clark, our Group Publisher, Hsiaolei Miller, and me as he develops new products and marketing solutions for the Defense, Security and Government markets”

“I’m delighted to join Breaking Media, to lead their growth strategy forward in public sector markets in Washington, DC,” said Mr. Smith.  “Breaking Defense has earned an avid audience following for the depth of our news analysis, which is unrivalled in the defense media markets. With expertise gained in a variety of markets, Breaking Media’s digital marketing execution for clients is exemplary and a cornerstone for its success. I look forward to building upon the Breaking Defense success path, providing clients powerful new media solutions while increasing the breadth and focus of our product offerings.”

Mr. Smith has worked in a variety of media and corporate settings, including 1105 Media and TIBCO Software, and was vice president of marketing and business development for Army Times Publishing Company (now Sightline Media) at a prior point in his career. While there he conceived and developed the Military Times Service Member of the Year program, the C4ISRNET Conference, the Middle East Air Chief Conference, the launch of Space News. David was a key player on the original team that developed Defense News, and he planned its successful international expansion. In his most recent role as President /Managing Director of Sightline Media, Mr. Smith developed and launched the C4ISRNET brand, conceived and launched FifthDomain.com and the Defense News Conference, while stabilizing and growing the company after its divesture from TEGNA Inc.  Mr. Smith is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and did his graduate study at the University of Virginia.

In related developments, Breaking Media has inaugurated a new central office for its Washington DC operation, located at 1440 G Street NW.  Breaking Defense will also soon be adding an additional defense reporter to its editorial staff, and has secured a new media sales representative, Melissa Rettig.  Ms. Rettig has over 20 years of experience in media sales in defense and federal markets, including Defense News, Space News, Jane’s Defence Weekly and Homeland Security Today.

About Breaking Media

Breaking Media runs a network of next-generation business-to-business media brands targeting influential professionals: Above the Law, Dealbreaker, Fashionista, MedCity News, Breaking Defense, Breaking Energy and Breaking Gov. Because of its authentic, inside-the-industry content, Breaking Media reaches over 5 million affluent, decision-making professionals per month and connects brands with this deeply targeted, engaged and influential audience through innovative content integration, custom research products, event marketing and more.  The company was founded in 2006.

Since 2014, Evolve Law has built the largest community of legal tech startups and innovators in the world with 150+ member companies. In 2017, Evolve Law partnered with Above the Law to significantly member benefits and reach, and in 2018, Evolve Law will merge into Above the Law.

Evolve Law CEO Mary Juetten commented, “I have enjoyed developing our strategic partnership with Above the Law and the plan to merge Evolve Law’s legal tech toolkit into Above the Law’s Innovation Center: Evolve the Law. Above the Law is a natural home for the Evolve Law members and this transition will allow me to focus on Traklight and my writing.”

Above the Law will oversee day-to-day operations while Juetten will collaborate on the strategic vision, support and attend many signature events, and contribute regularly to Above the Law as a columnist. Juetten added, “I am looking forward to seeing Above the Law build on Evolve Law’s community, particularly as we open up membership to public interest companies, legal departments, and law schools.”

“As the largest community for lawyers in the US, we are excited to fully integrate the Evolve Law community into the Above the Law brand” stated Hsiaolei Miller, Group Publisher of Above the Law. Above the Law now reaches 1.58 million members of the legal community monthly across its media platforms. All Evolve Law members will receive special access to this community as part of the merger.

This merger is the foundation to many new developments at Above the Law, including:

  • Launch of Evolve the Law, ATL’s Legal Innovation Center (ETL), and upcoming legal tech directory
  • Expanding access to Evolve Law Signature Events to reach a larger audience
  • Focus on innovation across industries in health,IT, Fintech, RegTech, and legaltech

The first ATL | EL signature event is in NYC on Jan 30 th , 2018 and Darwin Challenge applications are now open. For more information email [email protected].

Photo: Above the Law

October 18, 2017 – Breaking Media today announced the promotion of Elie Mystal to Executive Editor of Above the Law (ATL). Elie joined ATL in 2008 by winning the ATL Idol Contest. Over the past 9 years, Elie has served in numerous editorial roles at Above the Law and Breaking Media, most recently serving as Editor at Large of Breaking Media.  Prior to joining ATL, Elie wrote about politics and popular culture at City Hall News and the New York Press. Elie received a degree in Government from Harvard University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He was formerly a litigator at Debevoise & Plimpton, and has been with Above the Law for nine years.   In his new role, Elie will oversee all day-to-day editorial operations of the Above the Law brand.

David Lat, Founding Editor of Above the Law, after taking family leave to care for his new-born son, will move into the role of Editor at Large at Above the Law, which will allow him to continue contributing to the pages of ATL. In his new role, David will work on long-form pieces, features, profiles, and other stories about the legal profession.

“As media consumption becomes more polarized, and decentralized, Above the Law stands out as a place where our readers and writers are all operating from the same set of facts. We have the luxury of facilitating discussion and building communities around a common, shared reality, and that is all too rare in online media these days,” said Mystal.

“Having worked alongside Mr. Mystal for the past 7 years, I can think of no writer more qualified to take on the leadership of Above the Law” stated John Lerner, CEO of Breaking Media.  “Elie’s experience in online legal journalism is unparalleled.  We are incredibly fortunate to have such a creative and talented editorial team (Staci Zaretsky, Joe Patrice and Kathryn Rubino), and Elie gets David back as a writer after his leave as part of that team.  They are always the smartest and funniest people in the room!” added Breaking Media Group Publisher, Hsiaolei Miller, who oversees the business side of Above the Law.

About Above the Law

Above the Law takes a behind-the-scenes look at the world of law. The brand provides news and insights about the profession’s most colorful personalities and powerful institutions, as well as original commentary on breaking legal developments. The site was founded in 2006, and now reaches over 1,200,000 unique visitors per month to its website, and 500,000 subscribers and followers offsite.

About Breaking Media

Breaking Media runs a network of next-generation business-to-business media brands targeting influential professionals: Above the Law, Dealbreaker, Fashionista, MedCity News, Breaking Defense, Breaking Energy and Breaking Gov. Because of its authentic, inside-the-industry content, Breaking Media reaches over 5 million affluent, decision-making professionals per month and connects brands with this deeply targeted, engaged and influential audience through innovative content integration, custom research products, event marketing and more.  Headquartered in Manhattan, the company was founded in 2006.

CONTACT: John Lerner, CEO, [email protected]

Over the past three years, Evolve Law has built a community of more than 140 innovators, ranging from emerging companies to investors, law firms, and industry leaders like Thomson Reuters and Wolters Kluwer. We are excited to announce a strategic partnership with Above the Law (ATL) that will enable Evolve Law to continue its momentum by expanding visibility and offerings.

Evolve Law was founded in 2014 by Mary Juetten of Traklight and Jules Miller, formerly of Hire an Esquire. They recognized that the innovatively lagging legal industry could use a community to help speed up the pace of adoption of new technology.  Evolve Law became the legal industry catalyst for change and innovation, filling a void left by Reinvent Law.  The collaborative project took off, and companies large and small clamored to Evolve Law to work together and drive innovation and adoption of technology within the legal industry.

In merely three years, the legal technology landscape has grown dramatically, and Evolve Law will, well, evolve accordingly, and provide its membership with access to the world’s largest audience of lawyers through Above the Law.  Starting in late 2017, Evolve Law’s Legal Toolkit, podcast, and content will appear on ATL’s pages and social channels. Members will have opportunities to publish directly onto Above the Law, and gain recognition and insight from ATL’s expert columnists and 1.3 million reader audience.

“Above the Law believes future law is practiced hand-in-hand with technology, and partnering with Evolve Law gives our lawyer and law student readers access to cutting-edge innovation and innovators.  While ATL will always be a place for insider news, commentary, and advice for lawyers, it is a natural next step to feature innovation within our incredible roster of legal tech columnists like Bob Ambrogi, Jeff Bennion, Monica Bay, Niki Black, Joe Borstein, and Ed Sohn. The innovation community needs lawyers as much as lawyers need innovation,” said Hsiaolei Miller, Group Publisher of Above the Law.

At last count, Evolve Law’s 50 events, over 120 blog posts, and close to 100 podcasts have attracted thousands of lawyers, students, and technology entrepreneurs.  Our future will feature 10 signature events, ambassador events around the world, and expanded networking opportunities for our members through Slack Channels.  Upcoming fall events can be viewed here.

Mary Juetten will continue her involvement in Evolve Law, collaborating with Above the Law to drive even more value for the community members.  This partnership allows her to refocus on Traklight, her writing, and projects like her work with LegalShield as an Access Advocate and KPI education for small law.

Interested in membership? Visit the website here or reach out at [email protected]. Starting in October, some fees may change, and members will have access to exclusive ATL research, discounted advertising, and content on ATL.

Breaking Media, a Manhattan-based B2B digital publishing company, is seeking an email marketing manager with a (healthy) obsession with detail, data and design.

The e-mail marketing manager will:

  • Work with business development and product teams to develop, launch, optimize and report on editorial email newsletters, event marketing campaigns, and client-driven email campaigns.
  • Develop, manage and optimize automated drip campaigns and workflows, to deliver the right marketing messages to the right users, at the right times.
  • Master Hubspot, our email marketing platform, which we use to administer all of our email marketing campaigns, from the simplest to the most complex.
  • Establish email marketing best practices and benchmarks, assessing what sorts of combinations of design and copy generate the best response in specific contexts.
  • Manage list growth and list health strategies and tactics across six distinct brands.
  • Collaborate with the editorial teams to develop unique products to drive email acquisition
  • Manage list-use – for example, segment lists based on user behaviors to better target the right messages to the right users.
  • Manage, execute and optimize email campaigns, including designing templates and writing copy.
  • Develop documentation and road maps for processes, A/B tests, and promotions that succeed through email.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 1-2 years hands-on email marketing experience
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Extreme attention to detail
  • Knowledge of e-mail marketing best practices
  • Knowledge of Google Analytics
  • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
  • Comfortable with basic HTML and Photoshop
  • Good sense of aesthetics
  • Experience with Hubspot a major plus