Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease Leadership

Brian Donato has worked in the field of Information Technology for over 20 years. With experience ranging from software developer to network architect to IT Director, Mr. Donato brings a broad technology background to his current position of Technology Director at the law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.

Mr. Donato is responsible for educating the firm’s attorneys about technology and its impact on the course of litigation. Recently, he wrote and presented an in-depth technical program to the firm’s lawyers on a range of e-discovery topics, including the details of how to locate and properly handle Electronically Stored Information (ESI). Mr. Donato frequently provides technical consultation to the firm’s attorneys and clients on topics such as data analysis, computer forensic investigation, ESI identification, preservation and collection, data security, electronic records retention, and litigation preparation.

Mr. Donato has served on several advisory committees included the Technology and the Law Committee of the Columbus Bar Association, a technology consulting committee for U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and, most recently, the Infrastructure and Interoperability Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He has authored several articles on the interplay between technology and the law and frequently speaks about the role a technology specialist must play in successful litigation.

I am a legal marketing professional with more than 12 years’ experience shaping, managing, and executing development strategies for AmLaw 200 firms. I lead the marketing, business development and professional development efforts for a 375-attorney law firm in seven markets in Ohio, Washington, D.C.; Houston, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I work closely with firm executives and committees to create, implement and evaluate marketing strategies for growth and help establish the strategic direction for firm initiatives, including: office, practice and industry group business planning; proposal and pitch development; pricing; attorney training and coaching; client service teams; new business opportunities; and special events.

I am responsible for creating Vorys University, an attorney training and professional development program focused on marketing, business development and client relationship building. I enjoy drawing upon my marketing and legal background to create and present on topics key to attorneys’ development and success.

I also oversee the business development onboarding and integration of lateral hires and work with attorneys at all levels on the development and implementation of their individual business plans.

Juris Doctor (J.D., 2004).

Specialties: Attorney Training | Individual Coaching | Lateral Integration | Strategic Planning | New Business Pursuits | Client Teams

Financial executive with proven leadership skills and a solid operations and finance background. Proven ability to partner with leadership in maintaining the financial strength and stability within a law firm of 350+ attorneys.

Positively effecting change through building strong financial teams, utilizing business intelligence and effectively communicating. Key skill of distilling complex financial transactions and concepts into meaningful and actionable data for management.

Justin Arnold is a Chief Product and Data Officer at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has worked as Vice President, Client Leadership at 84.51; Vice President, Client Solutions at dunnhumby; and Director, Data Solutions at dunnhumby. Justin studied at Miami University between 1995 and 1999.