Michael Blachly
Chief Marketing Officer

It's my goal to work collaboratively with our firm leadership and attorneys to help define our brand, determine what makes Gray Reed unique, and assist in understanding our clients and their needs. In a sense I feel my role is to view all that we do from the eyes of our clients so we can connect with them and provide the best service we can. 

Michael Blachly is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of Gray Reed’s business development and marketing initiatives, ensuring their successful implementation in alignment with the firm's overall strategic direction and driving a measurable business impact. He works closely with its practice groups, industry teams and lawyers to maintain a strong client-centric approach, enhance marketplace visibility, and foster seamless collaboration across various offices and practice areas.

In addition, he also serves as a marketing consultant for Gray Reed Advisory where he works directly with clients in their strategic planning and marketing and business development strategies.  He also serves on the firm’s strategic planning committee, diversity committee and Gray Reed Foundation board of directors.

Throughout his career, Michael has developed extensive expertise in diverse areas, including business development, client interviews, marketing and business development training, competitive intelligence, public relations, brand management, marketing communications, and event planning. As a Certified TeamSight Consultant, he excels in fostering collaboration, building strong teams, and solving complex problems, thereby maximizing company potential.

He is a frequent speaker to national and international audiences on legal marketing, business development, client service and the business of law.

Michael served as the first president of the Legal Marketing Association’s (LMA) Southwest Region and has held numerous other leadership positions within the organization. He was the first recipient of the southwest region’s President’s Award and was recognized with the 2021 Distinguished Service Award.

Michael graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and from the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business’s Graduate Marketing Program.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Michael’s lifelong passion is exploring the outdoors and capturing its beauty through nature photography. His landscape, travel, and outdoor scenes have been published in various magazines and earned him numerous awards. Visit www.michaelblachly.com to view his work. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory Board for the Trinity River Audubon Center of the National Audubon Society, furthering his commitment to the preservation of nature and its habitats.

Thought Leadership / News
March 19, 2024 
 Speeches and Presentations
CMO Panel: Navigating the Future of Legal

Legal Marketing Association - Dallas Chapter Meeting

June 14, 2023 
 Speeches and Presentations
Unleashing Legal Marketing Success: Best Practices & Lessons Learned Roundtable

Lawyers Associated Worldwide

April 24, 2023 
 Speeches and Presentations
Worst Case Scenarios: What Steps Will You Take?

Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference - PR & Communications Pre-Con

October 14, 2022 
 Speeches and Presentations
CMO Panel: Charting the Future of Legal Marketing

Legal Marketing Association Southwest Regional Conference

Honors
  • Gray Reed won a Gold Horizon Interactive Marketing Award for its 2022 holiday e-card.  
  • Recognized by the Legal Marketing Association Southwest Region with their 2021 Distinguished Service Award. 
  • Gray Reed won Honorable Mention in the Legal Marketing Association's 2021 LMASW Your Honor Awards in the Brand Communications category for its brand launch video
  • Gray Reed won a Gold Horizon Interactive Marketing Award for its 2021 holiday e-card.  
  • Gray Reed won First Place in the Legal Marketing Association's 2020 LMASW Your Honor Awards in the Technology category for its proposal generator and experience database system. 
  • Recognized by the Legal Marketing Association as the first recipient of the LMA Southwest Region President’s Award in 2018. 
  • Gray Reed won a Gold Horizon Interactive Marketing Award for its 2018 holiday e-card.  
  • Gray Reed won honorable mention in the Legal Marketing Association’s 2016 Your Honor Awards in the Website category for its internet microsite system that allows for the creation of mini-websites relating to niche areas of law or legal issues.
  • The Legal Marketing Association, International Association of Business Communicators and the American Advertising Awards recognized Gray Reed in 2015 for its advertising campaign “Lawyer Jokes”. The campaign uses “old school” lawyer jokes but with the twist that they really are not jokes at all.
Related Employment
  • Vice President - Gray Reed Advisory Services (2021 - Present)
  • Director of Communications - Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University (2003 - 2008)
  • Communications & Marketing Consultant, Hamby & Blachly LLC (2002 - 2003)
  • Communications Director, Texas Credit Union League (1999 - 2002)
Organizational Involvement

Professional Activities, Memberships & Affiliations

  • Legal Marketing Association (2008 - Present)
    • PR/Communications Pre-Con Co-Chair - LMA Annual Conference (2023)
    • Co-Chair - Southwest Region Conference (2022)
    • Member - LMA 2030 Strategic Planning Task Force (2021)
    • Past President - Southwest Region (2018)
    • President - Southwest Region (2017)
    • President-Elect - Texas Chapter (2016)
    • Secretary - Texas Chapter (2012 - 2013)
    • Chair - Dallas Local Group Chapter (2010)
  • Lexwork International (2010 - Present)
    • Governing Board (2010 - Present)
    • Marketing Committee (2010 - Present)
      • Marketing Chair (2017 - 2018)

Community Involvement, Memberships & Affiliations

  • Gray Reed Foundation
    • Board Member (2021 - Present)
  • National Audubon Society
    • Advisory Board Member for the Trinity River Audubon Center (2023 - Present)
  • Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
    • Master of Ceremonies (2008 - Present)
    • Verger (2010 - Present)
    • Fellow of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church (2017 - Present)
    • Diocesan Delegate to the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas (2020 - 2022)
  • Family Compass (a child abuse prevention center)
    • Advisory Board (2013 - 2019)
  • Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park
    • Young Professionals Steering Committee (2014 - 2016)
  • Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
    • Marketing & Communications Advisory Board (2011 - 2012)
Education
  • Graduate Marketing Certificate, Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business (2008)
  • B.S., Journalism, Texas A&M University (1999)
When I Feel Most At Home
  • Avid photographer (check out my work at www.michaelblachly.com)
  • Traveling (and photographing) the world
  • Exploring the Dallas food scene
  • Spending time with my wife, family and dogs