Are You an Outlaw? Meet The Legal SLant Duo
Who has redefined what it means to think outside the law (aka OUTLAW) and is helping each of us in the process?
The Legal S/ant
Meet Jessica Jaramillo (a former Society 54 Outlaw) and Vanessa Petrea, the duo that together hosts the popular podcast, The Legal S/ant. The podcast is focused on bringing the legal marketing community together to provide wisdom, humor, camaraderie, and life hacks. Jessica lives and works in Denver, and Vanessa hails from Texas. In each episode, Jessica and Vanessa interview legal marketing professionals and dive deeper into top-of-mind topics. The Legal S/ant also spotlights the unique challenges legal marketers face and how seasoned professionals avoid burnout and even thrive.
Co-Host Jessica Jaramillo: Jessica is a solutions-focused legal marketer helping attorneys grow their marketing and business development skills and their practices. As the marketing director for a mid-size law firm in Denver, Colorado, she’s always on the hunt for the win-win. For nearly 15 years, Jessica has worked with small to mid-size commercial law firms developing internal programs and client-focused campaigns that move the needle. When she’s not working she’s out making memories with family and friends.
Co-Host Vanessa Petrea: Vanessa finds joy in building up others and genuinely loves getting to know people on a deeper level. An unapologetic extrovert, Vanessa created an unlikely path into legal marketing. More than 20 years ago, she started as a legal secretary and currently serves as the Senior Business Development Manager covering the IP practice for a global law firm. When she’s not working, she loves date nights, family game nights, dancing, and laughing with friends. Others describe her as driven, passionate, friendly, courageous, generous and outgoing.
We asked Jessica and Vanessa a few questions, and their answers can be found below - some responses were done together and others separately. After all, they are a team made up of individuals! Enjoy getting to know this combo-Outlaw.
Q: Where would you like to live?
A: Jessica: Hands down - Maui. / Vanessa: By the ocean…any ocean.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
A: Jessica: Getting to know all of the amazing guests on The Legal S/lant and sharing them with our listeners. / Vanessa: Getting to exercise my creative muscles and chatting alongside my ride-or-die pal, Jessica Jaramillo.
Q: Who is your real life hero?
A: Jessica: Michelle Obama / Vanessa: Karen Hughes
Q: What is your motto?
A: Jessica: Be a solutionary! / Vanessa: Build others up!
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Jessica: Clowns - they’re just creepy! / Vanessa: Getting attacked by an alligator. I Google “alligator attacks” and the name of any lake any time I visit a new swimming hole.
Q: To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
A: Jessica: I work too much. / Vanessa: I’m constantly rushing. I always feel compelled to finish one more task but often results in me being late to the next thing.
Q: Finish this sentence: “If I could have one superpower it would be…”
A: ….all of them, including:
Invisibility
Telekinesis
Superhuman strength
Superhuman speed
The ability to fly, etc.
Q: Who are your favorite authors or what are your favorite books?
A: Some of our favorites over the last year, for fun, include: The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. When it comes to professional thought leadership, we love Atomic Habits by James Clear, Just Listen by Mark Goulston, Start with Why and Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek, and Crucial Conversations. Vanessa also often recommends The Feminine Mistake by Leslie Bennetts and Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. And, of course, we love reading the content, articles, and books written by our guests.
Q: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: We would love, LOVE, LOVE to have dinner with the guys from the SMARTLESS podcast, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. Yes, they’re hilarious and successful individually, but the chemistry they have on the podcast is incredibly fun.
Q: What got you into working in the legal industry?
A: Jessica: While going to college, I worked as a legal assistant. I found that I really enjoyed the marketing/operations side of the business. My first job as a legal marketer was with a legal marketing/PR firm. / Vanessa: I recall being riveted in Government class as a senior in high school while everyone around me was nodding off. I started out my legal career as a litigation paralegal when I was 19 years old. In 2006, I landed my first legal marketing job which required me to spend half my time as a legal secretary.
Q: Your favorite musician or band?
A: Jessica: There is no way you can pick just one! But I do love me some Jack Johnson. / Vanessa: Music is a huge part of my life. My dad played guitar and my husband is a vocalist. BUT, if I have to pick just one, it has to be The Offspring.
Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
A: We cannot imagine a world without The Legal S/ant. We’ve had such an amazing time creating the show and getting to know so many amazing people in our profession while also developing a deep friendship with each other.
Q: What is your current state of mind?
A: Jessica: Hopeful / Vanessa: Grateful
Q: Your favorite virtue?
A: Jessica: Courage / Vanessa: Kindness
Q: What would you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Aside from our personal accomplishments, we’re so proud of the fact that we launched and sustained a podcast in the midst of a pandemic, great personal loss and hardship. The Legal S/ant was truly born out of a desire to build camaraderie and tout the contributions of those in our profession.
Q: Finish this sentence: “If I won the lottery tomorrow I would…”
A: Jessica: VAC to Maui for me and all my gal pals! / Vanessa: Go on an epic shopping spree with my teenage daughter in New York City…and then to Maui with Jess!
Q: Who would you have liked to be?
A: We would have liked to have been Carly Zaikin and Danielle Weisberg, founders of theSkimm. Everything about theSkimm is genius. We love the mission of this company, its creative branding and the devotion to their audience.