John Hodder is Chief Client Development Officer at WilmerHale, responsible for leading the firm’s business development, communications and marketing functions and working closely with firm leadership to shape positioning and branding strategy. His role at WilmerHale—a top AmLaw A-List firm and The American Lawyer’s 2021 Law Firm of the Year—builds on his more-than 30 years’ experience managing marketing and business development programs, leading comprehensive media relations and communications efforts, and directing branding and positioning strategy for multinational law firms headquartered in the United States. 

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Mr. Hodder was the Managing Director for Marketing and Business Development at O’Melveny & Myers for seven years, a role he began in 2016. He was also previously Chief Marketing Officer at Paul, Weiss (2008 –2016) and at Orrick (2001–2008) and held senior marketing and client services positions at entertainment law firm Troop, Steuber, which merged with Akin Gump; Nossaman; and at Morgan Lewis. 

Throughout his career, the marketing and business development teams led by Mr. Hodder have won numerous awards, including “Best Law Firm Website” honors from the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and the LMA’s award for “Exemplary achievement in developing a market research program.” He has successfully built and sustained effective business development, communications, competitive intelligence, and marketing operations and brand management programs through periods of rapid law firm growth, mergers and acquisitions, and major changes in the legal industry.

Mr. Hodder is an active member of the LMA and previously served as president and as a member of the board of the organization’s Los Angeles Chapter. He is also a member of the American Marketing Association and a frequent speaker on marketing, law firm culture, technology, and management issues. 

Prior to his legal marketing career, John was a business and communications consultant in London and Los Angeles.