Role at BarkerGilmore
Audrey Rubin is a Strategic Advisor and Coach at BarkerGilmore, nationally acclaimed as both a legal operations pioneer and a preeminent leader in the business of law. She brings unparalleled expertise in advising law departments on operations, technology and artificial intelligence, finance, resource optimization, leadership, and team engagement, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Audrey has advised a wide range of clients in the global technology, financial services, and hospitality industries, in addition to higher education and law and accounting firms. Her vast experience has empowered her with a unique understanding of today’s multi-faceted business world.
Board Affiliations and Accolades
Audrey currently sits on the boards of Metropolitan Family Services and the Chicago Bar Foundation/Illinois Bar Foundation Task Force on the Sustainable Practice of Law and Innovation. Formerly, she was Director of the Yale Alumni Association and the Chicago Bar Association and served as Corporate Secretary and a member of several international boards of directors. Additionally, she was appointed to the ABA Presidential Task Force on Women in the Profession and was the Founder and Chair of the Illinois Task Force on Gender Bias in the Courts.
Her numerous honors include the “ACC Value Champion Award,” the “Early Adopter” award from Illinois Legal Aid Online, and the “Women of Achievement Award” from the Anti-Defamation League. Audrey was the focus of a cover story “Comrades in Ops” in Inside Counsel and was featured in “How Lawyers are like Office Supplies” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
She has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law for the past decade and is a former Adjunct Professor at IIT Chicago Kent College of Law. Additionally, she was a Special Lecturer at the Northwestern University School of Law and is a Faculty and Consultant of the Legal Lean Sigma® Institute.
Education
Audrey earned her B.A., cum laude, in American Studies from Yale University and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. She is a Certified Mediator and holds an Executive Finance Certification from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Expertise
Executive Search, Leadership Development, Organizational Strategy, Succession Management
Experience
Most recently, Audrey was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Law and Compliance Department of Aon Corporation, where she oversaw all financial, talent, strategic planning, technology, process improvement, and other business matters. During her tenure, Aon’s law department earned the ACC Value Challenge Award and recognition from the Process Excellence Network, Thomson Reuters, the Chicago Bar Foundation, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and the Legal Aid Society.
Before Aon, Audrey held prominent leadership roles at three other global firms. She was Acting General Counsel at Orbitz Worldwide, Inc.; Chief Legal Officer and Acting Chief Human Resources Officer for Grant Thornton; and Vice President & General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Apollo Travel Services. Before then, she held the position of Chief Operating Officer at law firms Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP and Butler, Rubin, Saltarelli & Boyd LLP.
Now, as President of Rubin Solutions, Audrey utilizes her extensive experience to help professional services firms and law departments increase profitability, refine their processes, eliminate inefficiencies, grow revenue, and cut expenses.
Industry Experience
Financial, Technology
Audrey's Insights
Strategic utilization of external counsel plays a crucial role in navigating the complex legal landscape. Productive relationships are economical and drive outcomes that align with the organization's business objectives. [...]
Thinking of succession planning might make some General Counsel feel like it is time to prepare for their retirement or dismissal. However, succession planning can be a positive experience [...]
In these times of remote work, the ability to bond and brainstorm is scarce, and most General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers are worried about the expense of a [...]