About Tom
As Chief Marketing Officer, Tom is responsible for driving the firm's marketing and business development strategy. His leadership style combines strategic vision and a deep commitment to fostering a high-performing, collaborative team. Tom’s contributions to the firm are rooted in his passion for helping others unlock their potential and creating an environment where people flourish. He is known for his ability to connect with people at all levels and emphasizes the importance of building trust and leading with empathy.
Tom has worked in-house at commercial law firms for 25 years. Prior to joining Smith Gambrell & Russell, he held senior marketing and business development roles for an Am Law 100 firm and two regional law firms. Throughout his career, Tom has launched integrated marketing and communications campaigns, instituted business development coaching and training programs for lawyers and marketing professionals, and played an integral role in two law firm mergers.
Prior to working in the legal industry, Tom worked for a national nonprofit health agency where he led fundraising and client service education programs.
Recognitions
Woodruff Arts Center, "Charles R. Yates Award" (2017)
Jacksonville Business Journal "40 Under 40" (2010)
Credentials
Education
B.A. (Communications), University of North Florida
Organizational Involvement
Professional
Co-Chair, Annual Conference (2026), Legal Marketing Association (LMA)
Co-Chair, Client Value Shared Interest Group (2021-2022), LMA
Education Advisory Council (2018-2019), LMA
President, Southeastern Chapter (2012), LMA
Community
Employees for the Arts Committee (2017-2018), Woodruff Arts Center
Leadership Jacksonville, Class of 2012
Thought Leadership
- "Law Firm Disrupted: From Brand Stewards to Revenue Generation Gurus" - Law.com, May 28, 2026
- "Integrating Processes for Seamless Interdepartmental Collaboration" – Co-author, JD Supra Perspectives, April 9, 2026
- “Forward Thinking Strategies in Team Hiring & Retention” – Panelist, Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference, April 24, 2025
- Tom Helm of Smith Gambrell Russell on Leading with Intent: A CMO's Journey to Growth, Passle CMO Series (Episode 119), November 1, 2023
- “Collaborative Planning with Clients: Ideas From General Counsel” – Co-author, Legal Marketing Association Strategies & Voices, September 24, 2021
- “The Intersection of Marketing/Business Development and Practice Management” – Moderator, Legal Marketing Association Southeastern Conference, September 13-15, 2017
