Kenny Gary and I first met 15 years ago. I was covering the legal industry as an editor and journalist, and Kenny was publisher of ALM’s legal media brands. Even then, we kept coming back to the same idea: in legal and professional services, credibility is earned through great stories, sharp ideas and trusted media relationships, and that credibility should drive real business growth.
Years later, that shared idea became LIMELIGHT. Today, PRNEWS is honoring Kenny as one of its 2026 Agency CEOs People of the Year, and I couldn’t be prouder of my co-founder.
Standing here now, with a talented team and clients we admire across legal, legal tech and professional services, I can see how much of what we sketched out years ago has come true, right down to partnerships we once only talked about. Much of that is because Kenny saw early that the way buyers find and evaluate firms was changing fast. Buyers were starting to research firms on generative AI platforms, and most firms weren’t yet prepared for it. We built a firm designed for that shift from day one.
Building for where the industry is going
From the start, Kenny’s vision was to treat communications as a growth engine rather than a support function, putting AI visibility to work alongside media strategy and thought leadership. That thinking has shaped some of the milestones we’re proudest of:
- Helping clients show up in AI search. Kenny was an early advocate for generative engine optimization (GEO), helping clients understand how to be found and cited favorably in ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity and Google’s AI Overviews.
- A partnership with Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal. Kenny led an exclusive partnership that gives our legal industry clients new avenues to build credibility with the audiences that matter most to their growth.
- Research with JD Supra. Our ongoing research partnership studies how AI is reshaping the legal buyer journey, and its findings now inform a report, video series, speaking tour and, most importantly, the strategies we build for clients.
- Launching ALIGN. Kenny helped spearhead the AI Leader Innovation Growth Network, a working community of marketing and communications leaders navigating AI adoption inside their organizations.
- Assembling our advisory board. Nine senior leaders across legal, technology and marketing now lend their perspective as LIMELIGHT continues to grow.
Beyond LIMELIGHT, Kenny serves on the board and is President-Elect of the Legal Marketing Association’s Northeast Regional Chapter and speaks regularly at law firms, conferences and industry events about how the profession can evolve the way it builds visibility and trust with buyers.
An honor that belongs to many
Anyone who knows Kenny knows he’d be the first to say this recognition isn’t his alone. LIMELIGHT’s growth has been powered by a curious, talented team that brings editorial rigor and real care to every client engagement, and by clients across legal, legal tech and professional services who trusted a young firm with an unconventional point of view.
As his co-founder, I’ve had a front-row seat to Kenny’s clarity of conviction and his generosity as a mentor. He has always been willing to bet on where the industry is headed. It’s a privilege to build this firm alongside him.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees
We’re humbled to see Kenny recognized alongside so many accomplished communicators whose work continues to raise the bar for our profession. Congratulations to every one of this year’s honorees, and thank you to PRNEWS for continuing to spotlight the people and ideas moving the industry forward.
To our team, our clients, our advisory board and our partners: thank you. Many years ago, LIMELIGHT was an idea Kenny and I kept talking about. You’re the reason it’s a firm worth honoring today.
— Erin Harrison, Chief Client Officer and Co-Founder