Our Leadership

Each of our professionals has a track record of success in attorney career coaching. With our JD’s and leadership in legal career development, we help clients design and execute customized career plans focused on leadership, practice management, and transition goals.

Robert S. Wilson, President, JD

Bob is co-Founder and President of High Potential, Inc. Formerly the Engagement Partner for Right-Jannotta Bray, his leadership in providing outstanding service is recognized by clients as an HPi hallmark. His reputation for facilitating organizational and individual transitions was established while serving as Managing Director of Banque Indosuez, where he successfully reorganized corporate operations. A former practicing Lawyer, Bob served as Counsel for the City of Cleveland and a variety of health-care and publicly traded companies. A frequent speaker on legal career management, Bob delivered the keynote address to the International Trademark Association’s recent conference in Washington D.C. Bob received his JD from Case Western Reserve University, and completed a number of MBA courses as well. He is on the Executive Faculty of the Leeds Business School at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he lectures on Career and Executive Development.

Denise D. Russo, Vice-President of Professional Development, J.D.

As an accomplished marketing professional and practicing attorney, Denise brings personal experience in both the business and the practice of law. Denise recieved her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County. She subsequently moved to Mexico City where she transitioned to a career in marketing with the Leo Burnett Company. During her 16 year tenure, Denise managed high profile domestic and international businesses, rising to a sednior executive position. She then decided to combine her legal background and marketing expertise when she became Director of Marketing for DLA Piper LLp. Denise led the firm's marketing efforts through a number of mergers, name changes and strategic alliances. As a result, she has a keen understanding of the challenges and issues facing the legal industry today.

Christopher L. Wagner, Senior Executive Consultant

Chris Wagner, a Senior Career Coach specializing in high level attorney services, has been with HPi since inception. Previously, Chris served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the global law firm, McDermott, Will & Emory, as well as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the First National Bank of Chicago. His career consulting/coaching experience includes assessment work with hundreds of clients and the application of the full range of assessment tools including Myers-Briggs, DiSC, and 360° feedback. Chris has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations/associations including the Bank Administration Institute, the Chicago Clearing House and SWIFT. He holds a BBA Degree (Bus. Admin) from St. Norbert College and is an alumnus of the Loyola University Rome (Italy) Center for the Liberal Arts.

Audrey H. Rubin, Adjunct Client Service Consultant, J.D.

Audrey Rubin is a Client Service Consultant with HPI, concentrating in law firm leadership, practice development and executive coaching. Audrey is an experienced business executive and lawyer, having served as a law firm Chief Operating Officer, a General Counsel of several global companies, and a law firm partner. She is expert at designing and implementing professional development programs, talent recognition practices, compensation systems that promote a firm's business goals, and diversity, alternative career path, and team building initiatives. She is a strong believer in the value of improving leadership skills in order to retain talent and drive a firm's profitability and mission. Ms. Rubin is a frequent national speaker and author on law firm management, improving business profitability, and professional development. She has also served as a member of the Board of Managers of the Chicago Bar Association. Audrey is the current President of the Yale Club of Chicago. Ms. Rubin received her B.A. Cum Laude from Yale University, and her J.D. from Northwestern University.

Phil Staffa , Vice-President of Professional Services

Phil Staffa is Vice President Professional Services and Executive Coach with HPi. He has over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources field. Phil spent the breadth of his career with Quaker Oats/PepsiCo in a variety of roles. They included Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and, in particular, Human Resource Leadership & Management for the Sales and International Divisions. His HR expertise includes all aspects of Large-scale organization restructuring, rapid change and merger integration, coaching senior leaders, people assessment, strategic HR planning, employee development, and performance management. Mr. Staffa has worked in a senior consulting capacity for High Potential since August 2007. He has coached a wide range of attorneys as well as coaching leaders in organizations to maximize their leadership potential. He has completed the Life Coaching program with CTI (Coaches Training Institute), and has a BS degree form Seton Hall University.

Bob Allen , Senior Consultant, JD

Bob Allen is a Senior Consultant with High Potential Inc. He has twenty-five plus years experience in the areas of human resources, labor relations, mergers and acquisitions, career transition, training and both individual and organization development. He has held senior positions at two major corporations - Container Corporation of America and Baxter Healthcare Inc. At the later, he was Director of the Baxter Institute for Training and Development. He has managed thirty plus professionals in an international environment; delivered numerous career transition workshops; worked with many senior managers regarding their careers; developed many job search manuals for use throughout the world; and conducted 100+ seminars on subjects such as leadership, managing change, strategic planning, interpersonal impact and effective communication. He has served as President of 500-member Life-Long Learning Institute at Roosevelt University - Schaumburg and been on numerous boards of directors. He co-authored "Key Questions in Career Counseling" that is used at many universities throughout the world. Bob holds a B.A. in Economics and a M.B.A. from the University of Kansas; and a Doctor of Jurisprudence for the University of Texas School of Law.