Brand Photography Spotlight: Jackie Stelling, Founder, JMS Legal
Today, I am excited to introduce you to my client, Jackie Stelling. Jackie is the founder of JMS Legal LLC, a U.S.-based intellectual property (IP) boutique firm.
JMS Legal prides itself on delivering practical, business-minded advice and works with clients to develop and protect their IP assets both in the US and abroad.
With JMS Legal, Jackie created an IP practice that draws on decades of insight gained from working in corporate legal departments and prides herself on being business and brand focused and solution oriented, while providing pragmatic legal advice. She has nearly twenty-five years of experience specializing in trademarks, copyright and other "soft IP," primarily spent in-house at companies including Novartis, Nestlé and Coty.
Due to the international nature of Jackie’s work and clientele, she chose NYC as her brand photoshoot location to add a global feel to her brand photos. We sourced a cool Soho loft and then hit the city streets! Keep reading for more about Jackie and to see the fabulous photos from her brand photoshoot…
Please describe your ideal client and the transformation your clients experience by working with you.
My ideal client is someone who believes in collaboration and has a passion for what they are doing, whether they are an entrepreneur starting their own business, or another lawyer looking for some U.S. IP expertise.
I provide IP counseling and services to businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large organizations across diverse industries. My firm has also seen a recent influx of work from foreign law firms that need to protect their clients’ trademarks in the U.S.
I want my clients to understand the trademark process, feel confident that they are taking the right steps to protect their business, and know that they can not only trust me, but can reach out with any questions at any time (and not worry about getting nickeled and dimed with getting charged for every email or conversation).
How did you get started as an Intellectual Property lawyer? How has your career path evolved over time?
I have been practicing intellectual property for almost 25 years with a primary focus on trademarks. I started out in IP boutiques, moved on to a big NYC-based firm and then spent the majority of my career in-house working in the legal departments of global Fortune 500 companies.
Although I was very happy in my role as an in-house trademark lawyer and aspired to lead a global trademark team, along the way the balance that I always valued and had so vigilantly and purposefully protected started to chip away and I knew that I needed to take control and make a change. Once I started JMS Legal, I realized that running my own legal practice was exactly where I was meant to be.
What sets you apart from other lawyers?
There are honestly so many amazing IP lawyers. But, I’d probably say that my personality and approach to dealing with people in general is what sets me apart. I am very approachable and down to earth, not traits often associated with attorneys. I am also able to offer incredibly practical, seasoned legal advice that comes from years of working from the inside of a business.
Another thing that sets me and my firm apart is our approach to billing. After my experience in-house, and the frustration that I personally felt when I’d get invoices that I wasn’t expecting, I have created a "no surprise" and largely flat fee billing structure.
What do you love most about what you do?
I LOVE the international aspect of my work and I love helping people to get their Intellectual Property in order. And I love the variety of industries and types of companies that I am able to work with and the flexibility and empowerment that comes with running my own business.
Why did you decide to invest in visual branding for your business at this time?
My firm is coming up on its 5-year anniversary and I wanted to refresh my brand photos in anticipation of recognizing this milestone with a website “facelift.” I also have several planned posts in the upcoming weeks and months on social media, including using the photos to highlight my participation at upcoming events and conferences and am excited to have some great new photos to share.
What is the best way for someone to learn more about your services and/or contact you?
Please visit www.jmsip.com or email me at jackie@jmsip.com
HERE’S WHAT JACKIE HAD TO SAY ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE….
“Working with Rebecca on the photo shoot for my brand refresh was a fantastic experience! Her professionalism, amazing pre-shoot process, and skill resulted in a library of photos that I will proudly use across my platforms. And we had a lot of fun! I would definitely recommend hiring Rebecca. You won’t be disappointed!”
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