Julie Chodos, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP
In this episode of Leaders with Ambition, host Nicky Acuña Ocaña is joined by Julie Chodos, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, for a candid and far‑reaching conversation spanning leadership, non‑linear careers, and what it truly means to build and scale high‑performing teams in professional services.
Julie brings a distinctive perspective shaped by a career that crosses law, tech start‑ups, public companies, consulting, and global law firms. Beginning her professional journey as a lawyer, Julie reflects on the pivotal moments that led her to transition from legal practice into business development, consulting, and ultimately senior leadership roles within professional services firm
Throughout the conversation, Julie shares how growing up as the eldest of five children in an immigrant family shaped her work ethic, resilience, and leadership style. She speaks openly about the importance of embracing risk, learning through doing, and valuing feedback — even when it is uncomfortable — as a critical driver of professional growth.
Nicky and Julie explore the realities of navigating complex partnership environments, scaling teams, leading change, and balancing commercial performance with culture and people leadership. Drawing on her experience at BDO, Freshfields, and now Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, Julie offers thoughtful insight into how CMBDOs and senior business leaders can add meaningful value within law firms today.
The episode also delves into mentorship, sponsorship, and psychological safety — including why having a trusted peer group outside your firm can be just as critical as internal networks. Julie reflects on her long‑standing involvement with the Legal Marketing Association (LMA), highlighting the power of community, generosity, and connection in building sustainable careers.
This conversation is essential listening for professionals navigating leadership roles in law firms or professional services — particularly those embracing non‑linear career paths and change‑driven environments.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Building an international career early
Why stepping outside traditional legal and professional services roles can accelerate leadership growth rather than derail it.
From law to business leadership
How Julie’s early legal training equipped her to operate confidently in commercial, client‑facing, and leadership roles.
Scaling teams and building culture
What it really takes to grow and develop high‑performing marketing and BD teams in partnership‑led environments.
Mentorship vs sponsorship
The difference between advice, advocacy, and opportunity — and why all three matter at different stages of your career.
Learning through action
Why “just do it” remains a defining leadership mindset — and how making mistakes can be a powerful development tool.
Impostor syndrome and confidence
How even senior leaders experience self‑doubt — and the role psychological safety plays in overcoming it.
Leading change in law firms
How to navigate resistance, fatigue, and discomfort during periods of transformation.
Networking with purpose
Why networking is really about trust, generosity, and relationships — not working a room.
Multi‑generational leadership
How leadership styles must adapt across Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z — and why context matters more than labels.
The evolving CMBDO role
What today’s law firm leaders expect from senior business professionals — and how that value continues to evolve.
Key Takeaways
Non-linear careers build strong leaders
Julie’s path across law, start‑ups, consulting, public companies, and law firms demonstrates how diverse experience strengthens commercial and strategic leadership.
Early responsibility builds resilience
Growing up in an immigrant family and taking on responsibility early shaped Julie’s work ethic, confidence, and tolerance for challenge.
Feedback accelerates growth
Seeking out honest, direct feedback — even when uncomfortable — creates faster learning and stronger commercial alignment.
Sponsorship opens doors
Mentors offer guidance, but sponsors take active steps to create opportunity — both are essential at different career stages.
Action builds confidence
Learning by doing, taking calculated risks, and accepting mistakes as part of progress are critical to leadership development.
Psychological safety enables performance
Trusted peer networks provide perspective, confidence, and support — particularly in senior, high‑pressure roles.
Change leadership requires empathy
Successful transformation depends on understanding discomfort, pacing change, and bringing people with you.
Commercial fluency matters
Understanding P&Ls, profitability, and client value strengthens credibility with partners and enables better decision‑making.
High‑performing teams are intentional
Strong leaders anticipate future skills, invest in people development, and build complementary teams rather than trying to know everything themselves.
Key Quotes
“Feedback is a gift — if people think you can take it, they’ll tell you more.”
“If you’re not breaking things, you’re probably not moving fast enough.”
“There isn’t a limit to what people can achieve if they’re willing to take a chance on themselves.”
“Good energy builds more good energy.”
“Leadership is about bringing people with you — not waiting to be asked.”
About Julie Chodos
Julie Chodos is Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, where she leads the firm’s global marketing, business development, branding, and growth strategy.
With a career spanning law, consulting, technology start‑ups, public companies, and global professional services firms, Julie brings a highly commercial and people‑focused approach to leadership. She previously held senior roles at BDO, Freshfields, and other professional services organizations, and is a long‑standing, active member of the Legal Marketing Association (LMA).
Julie is widely recognized for her ability to scale teams, lead change, and build trusted relationships across partnership environments.
About Nicky Acuña Ocaña
With over 25 years of experience leading high‑performing recruitment teams, Nicky Acuña Ocaña is President – Americas, UK & Europe at Ambition.
She oversees specialist recruitment teams supporting professional services firms, with a focus on Legal Marketing & Business Development in the US and Business Services roles across the UK & Europe.
A passionate advocate for Allyship, Belonging & Inclusion (ABI), Nicky is a sought‑after speaker on leadership, hiring trends, retention, and inclusive workplace cultures.
