ILTA Voices

Many law firms are interested in the productivity gains offered by Generative AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, but they struggle with organizational skepticism and a commitment to security, ethics, and accuracy. This session is dedicated to bridging that gap. Part one of three. Moderator: Aaron Barbee, Learning & Development Manager, Thompson Coburn Speaker: Jonathan Woolley, Cloud Engineer, Husch Blackwell

We are pleased to introduce the third ILTA Content Teams and NextGen Innovators Group podcast series—an initiative designed to repackage high‑value, evergreen content in a format tailored for today's Next Gen legal professionals.

In-house legal teams are adopting technology and AI solutions at a faster pace than many law firms, creating a growing gap in innovation and efficiency. This podcast explored why this gap exists, how it impacts client expectations, and what outside counsel can learn from corporate legal departments’ approach to tech adoption. Moderator: @Thomas Daemen - Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation - Legal and Corporate Affairs Speakers: @Brad Blickstein - CEO, The Blickstein Group @Amy Monaghan - Senior Counsel, Director of KM and AI Enablement, Policy & Legal Ops, Ford Motor Company Justin Moon - Partner, Technology Transactions & Privacy, Perkins Coie LLP

In this episode of ILTA Voices, ILTA’s DEI Committee member, Anna Corbett, sits down with JJ Thompson and Giles Thompson of Avvoka for an open, practical, and deeply human conversation about neurodiversity in the legal profession and beyond. Together, they explore how workplace culture, technology, and leadership choices can look and feel under different approaches to inclusion. This episode offers concrete takeaways for attorneys, managers, and leaders who want to build workplaces where people can do their best work—without having to hide how their brains work. Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself, manage diverse teams, or simply care about designing better systems for everyone, this conversation will leave you with new language, new perspectives, and plenty of hope for what’s possible. Want to learn more about DEI at ILTA? Visit https://www.iltanet.org/resources/dei to explore resources or get involved. Speakers: Giles Thompson, CRO, Avvoka JJ Thompson, Account Executive, Avvoka Moderator: Anna Corbett, Practice Innovation Strategist, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Leadership development is a long game—and when it’s rushed or misaligned, the consequences ripple far beyond one role. In this episode, we explore the delicate art of growing future leaders without leaving a trail of collateral damage. - How do you spot leadership potential early—and nurture it with intention, not assumption? - What happens when a promotion doesn’t go as planned? We share a moment we missed the mark, and what we’d do differently now. - How do you model leadership culture instead of simply managing tasks? - And how do you balance mentoring others while still delivering your own results? This mid-series episode zooms out to examine the broader impact of leadership decisions—on teams, culture, and the leaders we’re shaping for tomorrow. If you’ve ever wrestled with the tension between growth and risk, this one’s for you.

What does resilience really look like in today’s rapidly evolving workplace? In this episode, Julia Montgomery, Beverley Seche, Nicole Monroe, and Doreen Kaminsky from the Women Who Lead Committee discuss the inspiration and themes behind Women Who Lead: Catalyst, and why resilience has become one of the most critical skills for the future of leadership. Haven't registered for Catalyst yet? Register now: https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/catalyst

Why do some legal tech pilots soar while others stall? This session explored what it takes to design pilots that lead to lasting change. The speakers looked at lessons from success and failure, balancing risk reduction and validation with the need to test business hypotheses - not just tools. With GenAI and other emerging technologies, the stakes are higher than ever: MIT research shows 95% of pilots fail to deliver measurable ROI, and legal tech is no exception. Listen as they discussed how sponsorship, culture, and clear outcomes can turn pilots into launchpads for adoption. Moderator: Floor Blindenbach, CEO, Organizing4Innovation LLC Speakers: Sam Harden, Director of Litigation Support, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Adam Licht, Legal Tech Consultant James Mosher, Chief Innovation Officer, McInnes Cooper

As Generative AI moves from pilot to practice, firms need to equip their teams with a new skill set: the ability to serve as “AI editors." Firms need to think about how to train their teams to review and validate AI-supported work to ensure accuracy, ethics, and client trust. This podcast explored why this skill set is critical, how firms can upskill attorneys to do it, and practical steps to maintain quality and keep matters moving fast. Moderator: @Patrick DiDomenico - Founder & CEO, InspireKM Consulting Speaker: @Kathy Harford - Senior Knowledge Lawyer - Innovation & IP, Stevens-Bolton Recorded on 03-05-2026.

The pace of technology updates can be difficult to keep up with. From security vulnerabilities that must be addressed in operating systems or specific software, to feature enhancements and critical bug fixes. While automatic updates offer convenience, they can also introduce unexpected disruptions. How does a firm stay current with constant changes while still maintaining productivity and focus on core work? In this podcast episode, we explored how organizations can strategically manage ongoing updates, minimize risk, and create processes that keep teams informed without overwhelming them. Moderator: @Shannon O'Connor - Legal Systems Manager, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LL Speakers: @Michael Buckwell - IT Security & Compliance Manager, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP @James Kody - Senior Desktop Engineer, Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP @Jenny Shanks - User Experience Team Lead, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP @Justin Siess - Enterprise End User Technology Architect, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP Recorded on 02-27-2026.

Triona Buckley is Chief Product Officer at Actionstep, and a strategic leader with more than 20 years’ experience driving growth, innovation, and transformation across law firms and legal technology businesses in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Known for challenging conventional thinking and aligning innovation with real business outcomes, Triona is focused on delivering solutions that empower firms to embrace the thriving future of midmarket law. To learn more about Actionstep, visit: https://www.actionstep.com/ For more information about Trace, check out: https://www.actionstep.com/trace/ To book a demo, go here: https://www.actionstep.com/book-a-demo/ Find Triona Buckley, Chief Product Officer at Actionstep on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trionabuckleysaunders/

In leadership, trust isn’t a given—it’s earned, protected, and sometimes rebuilt. This episode gets practical about the quiet power of credibility and how to lead without playing politics. - How do you build trust with IT, attorneys, and senior leadership—without overplaying your hand? - What do you do when you're caught off guard, and your credibility is on the line? - What are the trade-offs between being liked and being respected—and how do you navigate them with intention? - And what happens when trust breaks down? We share a moment that didn’t go as planned, and the lessons that followed. This episode earns its place in the series by grounding listeners in the real work of influence—before we dive into heavier leadership terrain. If you’ve ever led from the middle, the margins, or the hot seat, this one’s for you.

For decades, people have been suggesting that the death of the billable hour was inevitable. Evan Chesler said, “[t]he billable hour makes no sense, not even for lawyers” in his 2008 Forbes article "Kill the Billable Hour.” We haven't seen a lot of movement since that article, but with the explosion of GenAI in legal, there has been increased discussion and focus suggesting that AFAs will replace the billable hour. Will we be looking back on this time in 20 years and saying, “Remember when we thought the billable hour would go the way of the dodo bird?” Moderator: @Michael Ertel - Director of Practice Innovation, Crowell & Moring Speakers: @Jared Applegate - Chief Legal Operations Officer, Barnes & Thornburg @Purvi Sanghvi - Director of Strategic Pricing, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP @Cassie Vertovec - Chief Practice Management Officer, Loeb & Loeb LLP Recorded on 02-23-26.

We are pleased to introduce the second ILTA Content Teams and NextGen Innovators Group podcast series—an initiative designed to repackage high‑value, evergreen content in a format tailored for today's Next Gen legal professionals.

We are pleased to introduce the ILTA Content Teams and NextGen Innovators Group podcast series—an initiative designed to repackage high‑value, evergreen content in a format tailored for today's Next Gen legal professionals. This series highlights compelling conversations and thought‑provoking discussions from recently delivered sessions, offering members an accessible way to stay informed, inspired, and connected to emerging ideas shaping the legal industry.

We are pleased to introduce the ILTA Content Teams and NextGen Innovators Group podcast series—an initiative designed to repackage high‑value, evergreen content in a format tailored for today's Next Gen legal professionals. This series highlights compelling conversations and thought‑provoking discussions from recently delivered sessions, offering members an accessible way to stay informed, inspired, and connected to emerging ideas shaping the legal industry.

Every executive was once an expert—until the job demanded more than mastery. In this episode, we explore the pivotal shift from doing to leading, and what it really takes to make that leap. - How do you evolve from technical excellence to strategic influence? - What skills matter most when stepping into executive leadership—and which ones quietly fall away? - What leadership cliché did you once believe, only to discard with experience? - And what did you have to unlearn to thrive in your second or third C-suite role? This episode bridges the gap between ambition and reality, offering honest reflections for anyone preparing to lead at the next level. If you’re standing at the edge of the leap—or already midair—this one’s for you.

Hear from CEO Joy Heath Rush and Board President Jason Dirkx as they recap event successes from 2025, membership growth, new volunteer roles, and what's ahead—including Leadership Days, EVOLVE 2026 in Denver, and ILTACON 2026 in Nashville.

Join host Mary Nehring and guests Tiffany McLean and LaToya Deese-Richardson for an empowering conversation about advocating for yourself in the workplace. In this episode, the ILTA Women Who Lead team explores why self‑advocacy matters, the barriers many women face, and practical strategies for confidently articulating your value. Through real experiences, actionable tips, and inspiring stories, listeners will gain tools to speak up, seek opportunities, and champion their own growth. To learn more about the Women Who Lead, visit: https://www.iltanet.org/resources/wwl2 To learn more about ILTA's myMentor program, visit: https://www.iltanet.org/resources/mymentor

Have you ever heard the saying, "We all have the same 24 hours in a day?" The problem is, we know that's not true. Beyoncé, for example, has a whole team of people to eliminate tasks and burdens from her life, leaving more time to focus on what she wants. IG programs need to “Beyoncé-ify” their workflows, i.e., develop procedures that reduce the burden of the incoming work to create bandwidth for other projects. AI has thrust Legal’s ROT problem into the spotlight, but who has time to clear out old data when hundreds of requests come through daily? This session highlighted case studies and insights from firms that have implemented a proactive approach, including how they got leadership's go-ahead and what they learned. Moderator: @Sarah Prause - Information Governance Senior Analyst, Latham & Watkins Speaker: @Crystal McFarland - Director of IG, Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP Recorded on 01-27-2026.

Leadership often comes wrapped in glossy language—vision, impact, influence. But behind the brochure lies a messier truth. In this episode, we step into the stories executives rarely tell: the moments that looked impressive on paper but felt anything but behind the scenes. - That “C-suite moment” that checked every box—except the one labeled fulfillment - The disconnect between expectations and reality, and how leaders navigate the emotional fallout - The conversations you wish you could have had, but didn’t - And the quiet recalibrations that keep you grounded when everything around you feels off-script This episode moves past the polished narrative and into the lived experience of executive leadership. If you’ve ever felt like the role didn’t match the promise, you’re not alone—and this conversation proves it.

Practicing somatic awareness can help you manage your day, work, and life differently. In this podcast, the speakers dove into what somatic awareness is, provided practices to deepen your overall somatic awareness, and practiced several brief exercises. Moderator: Helen Stocklin-Enright, Legal Project Manager, Perkins Coie Speaker: Ruth Hauswirth, Special Counsel and Head of Litigation and eDiscovery Services, Cooley

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 6 showcases Robbyn Andersen and Kimberly Romano, and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend an information session we are hosting on Jan 13 - register here Huge thanks to all our participants over this 6-part series!

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 5 showcases Alexa Isaacs, Eric Halterman and Ana Karolinne Frota Dias, and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend an information session we are hosting on Jan 13 - register here

As we look back at 2025 DEI podcasts, Jannise Vinson walks us through key lessons learned in each podcast.

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 4 showcases Christine Becker chatting with Rex Balboa, John Graves, Erin Cunningham and Tim Doody, and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend one of the information sessions we are hosting: Dec 12 or Jan 13 - register here

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 3 showcases Christine Becker talking with Reid Cram, Christine Dauchez and Jared Gullbergh and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend one of the information sessions we are hosting: Dec 12 or Jan 13 - register here

Join LexisNexis for a discussion on how AI is reshaping the legal tech industry—and how LexisNexis is turning it into a true strategic asset. Want to learn more about LexisNexis? Check out their website: https://www.lexisnexis.com

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 2 showcases Kim Thomas, Mayisha Khan and Francine Zangwill and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend one of the information sessions we are hosting: Dec 11, Dec 12 or Jan 13 - register here

In this Voices episode, the speakers explored LDI—a new organization and framework designed to showcase how data skills and approaches transcend traditional boundaries. They also discussed how leveraging data strategies can unlock value across diverse use cases, driving innovation and adaptability in the legal tech landscape Moderator: Monique Sever, Litigation Support & eDiscovery Supervisor, Harper Grey LLP Speakers: Kelly Friedman, Partner, Heuristica Discovery Paul Park, Director, Data Breach, Cyber and Data eDiscovery Solutions, BDO

Welcome to the kick-off of the 2026 myMentor Program! Registrations are now open. We want you to hear from ILTAns like you about why they joined myMentor, what they found most valuable, and why they think you should participate as well. Part 1 showcases Michael Klavansky and Skip Lohmeyer, and you won't want to miss their insights! If you would like more information about myMentor, please feel free to attend one of the information sessions we are hosting: Dec 11, Dec 12 or Jan 13 - register here or email [email protected]

Join Michael Foster, Laura Wenzel, and Paul Walker as they discuss all things iManage, from Data Management to Generative AI. Want to learn more about iManage? Check out their website at www.imanage.com for more information or to get in contact!

In this Voices episode, the speakers dove into a critical workplace question: Does your employer value your output more than your well-being? They explored the balance (or imbalance) between productivity and employee care, shared insights on company culture, mental health, and what truly drives sustainable success. Moderator: Shannon Stevens, Legal Tech Enthusiast & Experienced Litigation Paralegal Speakers: Donna Medrek, Senior Director, Bluestar Jonathan Sabin, Litigation Partner, Kane Kessler, P.C. Adam Wehler, Director of eDiscovery and Litigation Technology, Smith Anderson

Ambition can be a powerful force—but when myths and missteps fuel it, the climb to the top can feel more like a trap than a triumph. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on executive leadership and ask: What’s really behind the chase for the title? - Why would anyone actively pursue C-Suite roles? - What are the wrong reasons to chase the C-suite—and how can you spot them before they derail your path? - What did we think mattered in landing the role, only to discover it didn’t? - And when the pressure peaks, have we ever considered walking away? What made us stay? This episode hooks aspiring leaders early with honest reflections and hard-earned wisdom. If you’ve ever wondered whether the title is worth the trade-offs, this conversation is for you.

In this podcast, the speakers focused on the strategies and best practices for adopting new technologies within Corporate Legal Departments (CLD). The group explored the dynamics between leadership roles and operational roles, provided insights on managing change, overcoming resistance, and ensuring the successful implementation of new tech solutions. They also touched on project management best practices through the CLD lens. Moderators: Tom Daemen, Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation - Legal and Corporate Affairs Reid Cram, Product Marketing Manager, NetDocuments Speakers: Jaime Emerson, Executive Director within Legal Operations, Wells Fargo Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting

In this ILTA Just-in-Time podcast, hear from a leading expert on Denmark's groundbreaking new law designed to protect individuals' images and voices from misuse by AI. The discussion also examined how the United States was addressing similar challenges—and what these developments could mean for the future of digital rights. Moderator: @Corey Thomas - Chief Technology Officer, Lightfoot, Franklin & White, L.L.C. Speaker: @Jack Sharman - Partner, Lightfoot, Franklin & White, L.L.C. Recorded on 11-19-2025.

In this third installment of the podcast series, the speakers explored what it takes to build an AI-ready workforce—examining emerging roles, evolving skill sets, and how existing talent is reshaping the future of work. Moderator: @Elizabeth Suehr - Director of Legal Risk Systems & Strategy, Jenner & Block LLP Speakers: @Reggie Pool - Principal, Practical IG LLC @ Sumit Tenaja - SVP & Global Head of AI Consulting and Implementation, EXL Recorded on 11-07-2025. About the Speakers @Reggie Pool is the founder of Practical IG, where he helps law firms and corporate legal teams modernize their information governance programs for the era of Microsoft 365 and AI. With more than 25 years in legal technology and compliance, he focuses on making governance practical, defensible, and future-ready. Reggie believes AI isn’t replacing IG—it’s redefining it, and IG professionals need to evolve their skills to stay at the center of that transformation. Sumit Tenaja leads EXL’s AI Consulting practice, driving innovation by integrating AI across business operations and reimagining customer journeys to enhance experience and outcomes. With over 25 years of experience across Insurance, Healthcare, Banking, and Energy, he is recognized for thought leadership in transformation, process excellence, and delivering impactful, scalable solutions.