Everybody Leads with Tim Lupinacci

Jennifer Keller – President and Chief Operating Officer, Baker Donelson

Episode Summary

This week, Jennifer Keller, President and COO of Baker Donelson, joins Tim Lupinacci to celebrate the 50th episode of the Everybody Leads podcast. Jennifer shares her leadership journey to becoming the President and COO of a national law firm. Her story is rooted in having faith, pursuing her dream, giving grace, and living out the values instilled by her mother.

Episode Notes

This week, Tim Lupinacci celebrates the 50th episode of the Everybody Leads podcast with

Jennifer Keller, president and chief operating officer of Baker Donelson, one of the largest law firms in the United States. In her role as President and COO, Jennifer’s leadership extends across multiple operational areas, including information technology, marketing, and business development. Before assuming her current role, she chaired Baker Donelson’s nationally recognized Labor and Employment Department and served on the firm’s board of directors. She also served clients as an employment litigator, defending and advising them on a wide variety of workplace issues. She has been listed in Chambers USA as a leading Labor & Employment lawyer and recognized by Lawdragon and Human Resource Executive Magazine as one of the most powerful employment lawyers since 2017.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jennifer is deeply committed to community service and leadership development. She has served as President of the Johnson City Evening Rotary Club and the President of the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors. Jennifer received her J.D. from the University of Tennessee School of Law, where she graduated with highest honors, and received her B.S. from the University of Tennessee. Her leadership is characterized by authenticity, strategic insight, and a relentless focus on excellence.

Jennifer discusses her leadership journey and how she applies her core values while leading a large organization. She shares her perspective on what it means to treat your job as a calling, give grace, and pivot from mistakes. She also shares how making lists and writing notes to others helps her stay grounded and start her day with gratitude and perspective.