The scarcity of experienced candidates for Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) roles has created a cycle of leadership shifts in Big Law.

Paul Hastings recently hired RJ Williams as CMO and Lisa Searing as managing director of business development and marketing, both from Skadden, Arps, Meagher, Slate & Flom. This follows Paul Hastings’ prior CMO, Kristen Zadourian, transitioning to chief strategy officer.

Skadden, in turn, appointed Luke Ferrandino as chief business development and marketing officer after longtime CMO Sally Feldman retired. Ferrandino had been CMO at Paul, Weiss, where his deputy, Shaina Aran, was promoted.

Despite growing interest in candidates from outside the legal field, many firms continue recruiting marketing leaders from rivals. Williams, with over 25 years at Skadden, brings expertise in global marketing and diversity initiatives. Searing also held a senior marketing role at Skadden.

Paul Hastings has made several C-suite additions recently, including general counsel Adele Moloney, COO Chris Davis, and chief practice innovation officer Kay Kim.