Transforming Relationships Between Legal and Outside Counsel

As Head of Legal Operations and a member of the Senior Leadership team, is responsible for ensuring the goals and objectives of the Law Department are set, aligned to the broader organization and achievement of the goals and objectives.

Mike began his career in the financial industry after being honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps, and brings almost 30 years of this experience to Equitable. His leadership is focused on developing and delivering modern technology-driven business services and solutions, revising and streamlining existing processes and procedures, all while providing outstanding client service and reducing outside expenses.

Mike has been with Equitable since 1999, holding various Operations roles within the company focused on increasing revenue, implementing projects and technology, training and development. Prior to joining the Legal Department in 2018, Mike was the Chief of Staff to the Vice-Chair of Equitable Advisors, developing and driving innovative strategic initiatives across their field locations nationwide.

Aaron Kotok is the Executive Director of Legal Industry Solutions at Mitratech and AdvanceLaw, currently overseeing and growing the law firm network at AdvanceLaw while engaging with the broader legal industry. Aaron has spent over two decades in and around the law as a practitioner, consultant, advisor, and in various business roles. Most recently, he served as Director of Business Development and Special Projects at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, where he led revenue operations (including technology, data analytics, business intelligence, and insight) for the firm’s growth teams. Aaron began his legal career in private practice at Venable LLP as a Commercial Real Estate Transactions Associate in the Washington, DC office.

In various positions at the Corporate Executive Board (now part of Gartner, Inc.), Aaron advised general counsel, heads of legal operations, and chief strategy officers on strategy development, risk management, and team/department operations. His work included leading the legal practice at CEB, headlining executive education, workshop, and conference presentations, overseeing signature benchmarking and research studies, and providing on-call advisory and thought partnership support to corporate executives. Throughout, Aaron has been a frequent legal industry speaker and writer, including articles published in Bloomberg, American Lawyer, and Corporate Counsel.

Aaron received his B.A., summa cum laude, at the University of Pennsylvania, with majors in International Relations and American History, and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with his wife, four kids, and dog, where he also serves as Vice Chair of the City of Gaithersburg Board of Appeals.

As the firm’s Chief Client Officer, Angela ensures clients get exactly what they want and need – solutions that help them move forward, along with dynamic, creative legal service teams.

Angela identifies ways the firm can add value and improve results for clients, whether by revising traditional service models or adopting innovative new strategies. She has been a leader in developing and implementing the firm’s Legal Project Management program, working closely with client teams to facilitate the delivery of less costly but more effective legal service.

Angela cultivates a firm culture where team members from a variety of backgrounds feel valued and respected to fully contribute to forward-thinking strategies for clients. She understands that diverse teams secure better results.

Angela leads the firm’s client service, marketing, business development and legal operation teams. Through education and thought leadership, she ensures that all members of the firm maintain absolute focus on providing the attention, knowledge and industry insights that will help clients advance their business interests.

During her decade as a practicing healthcare attorney and her previous leadership roles as Director of Strategic Growth and Director of Operations for a Husch Blackwell industry unit, Angela gained keen insight into client needs. Her broad experience, as well as her willingness to challenge the status quo and embrace bold strategies, uniquely equips Angela to lead firm initiatives that elevate the client experience.