Johnnie M. Jackson, Jr. - Executive Coach, Independent Consultant and Attorney

What people are saying:

"Johnnie is one of the best executive coaches I have worked with in my 25 year career. His experience in business, legal, executive, and corporate circles makes him incredibly adept at seeing through the complexity of being a leader in business today. One of his key strengths is he listens first and foremost, a rare trait in business today.

I attribute much of my success to his wise counsel and collaborative approach and would recommend him strongly to individuals and corporations who want to get a "A+ executive coach" on their team!"

(Susan Paternoster, Chief Information Officer
New York Life Investment Management LLC)

"I heartily recommend Johnnie Jackson as a coach and business consultant. Prior to hiring Johnnie, I interviewed several other consultants. I was in the process of selling my business to a large, public company and each of them spoke of how difficult this time would be and the challenges we would be facing. Johnnie had a different and far more successful approach. He spoke about working together to make this business transition a successful and pleasant time. He was astute in reminding me that I was going to be working for the CEO after the acquisition and he was mindful that we handled this business process in a professional manner and that the result was one that served everyone in the process. His thoughtful approach was terrific and we completed this acquisition very successfully. Johnnie was always available, delivered what he promised and had excellent advice. Taking a privately owned company and successfully transitioning it into the mainstream of a much larger company presented many challenges. Johnnie’s unique corporate experience and background were essential to having him guide me through this process. I continue to reach out to Johnnie for his advice and guidance because I find his insight to be so helpful and essential for a senior executive. I recommend him as a coach and a business advisor because his knowledge is vast and he has excellent business advice and perspective."

(Corinne McCormack, President of Corinnie McCormack, Inc. and Vice President, Fashion,FGX, Providence, RI and NY,NY)

"As Managing Partner of Barton, Barton & Plotkin, I had the opportunity to work with Johnnie as a consultant, of counsel and partner. In each position, he always played the role of “the coach” and I came to rely on his keen insights about managing lawyers, how general counsels manage their law departments and how best to serve public and private corporate clients. He is known for his forward thinking legal management skills and for good reason - I can recommend him without qualification as a person who is easy to work with, keeps his promises and gets results."

(Roger E. Barton,Managing Partner, Barton, Barton & Plotkin, LLP, NY, NY.

"I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jackson on an in depth assessment and analysis of a complex, multi-state operation within our organization. This was a difficult project due to many variables, but was made even more so because there was a 6 week completion deadline. Mr. Jackson coordinated an outstanding and strong multidisciplinary team to work on this project. My interactions with Johnnie and the team from start to finish were stellar in every way. Every timeline, action, or commitment that was made was honored and exceeded. The results of the assessment were right on target and greatly assisted our organization in enhancing our operations to meet the demands of future growth. I highly recommend Mr. Jackson!! I would be privileged to work with him again because I know that every project he accepts will be met with professionalism, enthusiasm, intelligence, and sound business sense!!"

(Debbie Davis, National Vice President of Government Relations, Boys and Girls Clubs of America.)

"When we pursued the development of www.BoardMemberServices.com board assessment and training services, we turned to Johnnie Jackson for corporate governance, risk management and regulatory compliance subject matter knowledge and consulting. Working one-on-one with Johnnie, I have grown to appreciate not only his knowledge of boardroom best practices, but his integrity that drives serving a higher good for our clients and personable communications skills in working with our clients. We call on Johnnie for expert board, director and executive coaching and are pleased with his final output. We turn to Johnnie for our GRC prep work for Board Assessment, Director Training and Board related M&A, Public Offering or Reverse Merger work. If you have any corporate board management needs, I'm pleased to recommend Johnnie Jackson as a resource."

(Michael Atkins, President and CEO, Board Member Services and CEO of The Atkins Group, Warrenton, VA)

"I don’t think there is anybody better equipped to talk to outside lawyers about their roles when working for their corporate clients or better able to advise them on how to work successfully within the structures of big organizations like law firms and major corporations."

(Thomas M. Carney, Senior Partner and Former Managing Partner of Husch Blackwell Sanders, LLP St. Louis, MO and other Midwestern Cities)

"This assessment is a terrific piece of work!"

(Board Member, Committee Chair,
A National Non-Profit Organiztion)

(Editor-in-Chief, Directors Monthly)

"Johnnie not only understands how corporate law offices work (having run one, and having held leadership positions in organizations of chief counsel), he also has made a study of people, and how they work. He clearly has valuable insights to share. If the Executive Committee is looking for a program like the (Young Associates Program), I do not believe it could find a better presenter than JMJ."

(Stephen Dvorkin, Partner at Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP, a large, prestigious New York City law firm.)

"I would agree that you have contributed much to the efforts to reshape Olin. I feel you have been one of the most creative and aggressive of all the General Counsel I have dealt with – pushing your outside law firms hard to maximize the value to Olin, but also accompanying those efforts with an underlying recognition of mutual loyalty and warmth of friendship that has given stability and strength to our relationships. It has been a pleasure to know you and work with you..."

(John R. Quarles,Formerly Senior Partner and Chairman of Morgan Lewis Bockius LLP
and former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protectin Agency, Washington, D.C.)

"I just wanted to let you know that I thought the Seminar was great. It was a combination of helpful, practical information as well as an entire approach to practicing law and managing relationships to become more productive, happy and profitable. It was motivational and gave me a lot to think about."

(Email after a seminar. A law firm associate early in her career.)

"It is official. I am working full time ... and it feels great. *** I must credit (you) with helping me get to a place where I was able to take advantage of the opportunity when it came. (Your) advice on the variety of matters one faces in transition was right on target!"

(Email after a seminar. A senior CT/NY attorney joining a NY law firm.)

"Thanks. I start in 30 minutes. *** By the way, the prep session came in incredibly handy for my last interview ... powerful."

(Laurence H. Midler, EVP and General Counsel CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Los Angeles, CA.)

"I didn’t get a chance to personally thank you last evening for your talk. I was racing home to my new baby. But I was so moved by the substance and sincerity of your message that I had to take the time today to thank you. I have heard quite a few career speakers since graduating law school in 1991 and I must say that I always felt there was something missing. A laundry list of tasks (update resume, network, etc.) can only carry one so far. I was inspired by your words to sit down with my husband and design an honest job (and lifestyle) description that we can live with, and that I will find fulfilling."

(Email after a seminar. A senior in-house lawyer thinking of a career change.)

"Thanks again for our dinner meeting and conversation. *** Your insight into some of the things I am dealing with was incredible and eye-opening."

(Email after a seminar. A mid-level in-house lawyer rising through the ranks of a major NY company.)

"...again, you were a tremendous help to me ...thanks for all your help."

(Email after a seminar. A senior level lawyer who became general counsel to a public company.)

"Thank you for all your help (advice, networking and coaching...). It was enormously helpful to have the kind of sensible advice and seasoned perspective that you provided. I very much appreciate everything you did for me."

(Email after a seminar. A mid-level attorney who changed law firms.)

"The transformation was incredible. After meeting Johnnie M. Jackson and working with him on just a few occasions, I was able to transform during my career search from a frightened senior attorney unemployed for the first time in 20 years to a dynamic executive exploring business opportunities that I never would have imagined. Unlike other career counselors who focus on the mechanics of the search and the number of people you can network with to obtain new employment, Johnnie focuses on the person. Through his guidance I was able to remain centered, focused and shed the fear, the insecurity and the desperation to chase every job with the right compensation. Today, even in this down turned economy, I am confident in my own abilities and the job opportunities are now finding me! Indeed, Johnnie's guidance provided an opportunity for me to positively transform every aspect of my life - and I did. I recommend him to you without reservation."

(Jannet Gurian, Senior Vice President Integrations, Thomson Reuters, NY, NY.)

"I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the excellent advice you gave me last week ... (and) let you know now that because of you, I feel better about the whole process, as well as more in control, and for both I am most grateful."

(Email regarding one coaching session. A lawyer in transition who became deputy general counsel of a public company.)