Are You an Outlaw? Meet despina c. kartson

Who has redefined what it means to think outside the law (aka OUTLAW) and is helping each of us in the process?

Meet Despina Kartson, Chief Marketing Officer at BakerHostetler. Despina Kartson has extensive experience spearheading global business development, marketing and communications initiatives, including strategic planning, practice and client development, public relations, design services, and internal, external and digital communications. She leads BakerHostetler's firmwide Business Development and Marketing department, and works closely with firm leadership to develop and implement targeted business development and marketing strategies.

Despina is a sought-after moderator and speaker at legal marketing conferences and is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management. She is also the Co-Chair of the New York CMO SIG and a past member of the New York Local Steering Committee of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA). Notably, she served two terms on the Board of the International LMA and as President of the Metro New York LMA chapter. Despina was awarded the Susan Benjamin Legacy Award from the Metro New York LMA chapter, a lifetime achievement award given to a long-standing member who has left a distinguishable mark on the chapter. In 2020, she received the prestigious Hall of Fame award from LMA in light of all she’s given to our community.

Enjoy getting to know this Outlaw!

Q: Where would you like to live?

A. In an urban setting and on a Greek island

Q. What is your idea of happiness?

A. Living in a peaceful home in a peaceful country with far less judgment and hate (and with direct access to an ocean beach!).

Q. Who is your real life hero?

A. Mother Theresa

Q. What is your motto?

A. Life is short - keep moving forward and don’t dwell on the past.

Q. To what faults do you feel most indulgent?

A. Buying yarn and cosmetics

Q. Finish this sentence, If I could have one super-power, it would be:

A. ...Healing the world

Q. If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

A. Maya Angelou. I love her poetry and the practicality of her wisdom.

Q. What got you into working in the legal industry?

A. After graduating from high school and before going to college, I worked as a legal secretary for a year because it paid a little more than a regular secretary!

Q. What is your current state of mind?

A. Grateful, happy, secure

Q. Your favorite virtue?

A. Kindness – moral integrity

Q. What would you consider your greatest achievement?

A. My daughter

Q. Who would you have liked to be?

A. A female rock and roll musician – think Tina Turner, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar