ALA 2023 Annual Conference & Expo
ALA's 2024 Annual Conference & Expo Agenda
As of January 17, 2024. Subject to Change.
Click the session titles for full details
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
7:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Registration
8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Member Value Committee Meeting
8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Membership Ambassador Committee Meeting
9–11 a.m.
Standards Review Committee Meeting
9–11 a.m.
ALA Foundation Meeting
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Certification Committee Meeting
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee Meeting
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Product and Service Review Committee Meeting
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Professional Development Advisory Committee Meeting
12–1:30 p.m.
Committees Lunch
12:30–3:30 p.m.
Meeting of Minds: Personal Injury Plaintiff
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
12:30–3:30 p.m.
FirstFive Live!
The FirstFive Community is a forum for legal management professionals in the first five-ish years of their career. FirstFive Live! Is an in-person opportunity to advance your skill set in a collaborative, supportive environment. Come prepared to talk freely and have frank, open discussions for maximum value!
Facilitated by:
Abigail Davis-Hess, CLM
Owner
ADH-Consulting, LLC
Crystal Ludlow
Firm Administrator
Novus Law Firm, Inc.
12:30–3:30 p.m.
Meeting of Minds: Small Firm (1-30 attorneys)
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
2–3:30 p.m.
CLM Recognition Event*
3:30–4 p.m.
Session Managers Meet & Greet*
4–5 p.m.
ALA Ambassadors Mixer
Currently serving as an ALA Membership Ambassador? Interested in participating in this program? ALA is calling you to attend this mixer. Jump-start your Annual Conference networking by joining the Membership Ambassador Committee on Sunday afternoon for a celebration of ALA’s Membership Ambassadors Program. The Committee will share program highlights and explain how easy — and rewarding — participation can be.
5–6 p.m.
Newcomers Connection
Is it your first time attending the Annual Conference? Get acclimated and introduced to ALA leadership and staff at the Newcomers Connection. It is also your opportunity to connect with other first-time attendees at this fun, informal event.
6–9 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Located on the Front Range Lawn overlooking the majestic Rocky Mountains, the Welcome Reception offers an entertaining evening of live music, good food and drinks, and the opportunity to connect and reunite with your fellow attendees. With ample space to mingle or convene in quieter areas, this reception offers something for everyone!
Sponsored in part by:
MONDAY, MAY 20, 2024
7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Registration
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Networking Continental Breakfast
8:30–9 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9–10 a.m.
Keynote: Transforming Lives and Reimagining Mental Health: We ARE the Difference
Matt Vogl highlights the challenges that unmet mental health needs present to ALA members and the legal profession. Members of the legal community are particularly at risk for a variety of outcomes such as burnout, anxiety, depression and higher-than-average suicide rates.
By sharing his deeply moving mental health journey, Vogl encourages an open dialogue about mental health when addressing the stigma that keeps many from accessing the care they need. He challenges you to become part of a new mental health workforce dedicated to taking care of one another every day.
Matt Vogl
Mental Health Specialist (Workplace Safety, Stress and PTSD) and Comedian
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Hours
10–11:30 a.m.
Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
10:30–11 a.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Navigating People Management in an Era of Unprecedented Distractions: A Self-Coaching Approach for Today’s Legal Professionals
In today’s fast-paced world, distractions are everywhere, affecting our ability to stay focused and productive. How can you thrive in this environment? This transformative session provides practical strategies to help you navigate distractions, enhance focus and accelerate productivity. Through the seven core principles of self-coaching and the power of HypnoBreathwork®, you’ll learn how to reclaim your focus, create a more balanced professional life and manage distractions in a world filled with constant interruptions.
Objectives:
- Examine the impact of distractions on productivity and well-being, according to research.
- Develop self-coaching skills for post-distraction recovery, focus restoration, productivity enhancement and improved well-being.
- Generate and nurture awareness, authenticity, compassion, purpose, empowerment, self-care and team accountability.
- Use HypnoBreathwork® to heighten focus, improve decision-making and strengthen team collaboration through emotional release, visioning and goal setting.
Whitney M. Harvey, Esq.
Principal
The Self Coached Lawyer
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) Self-Management Skills
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: N/A
Law Firm Finance for the Non-Finance Professional
Take a deep dive into important basic, intermediate and advanced finance concepts essential to properly run a law firm. You’ll cover financial statements, key performance indicators, budgets and cash flow and best practices in client intake, timekeeping, billing and collections. New and seasoned administrators, marketing professionals, facilities managers — and yes, even finance professionals — should attend this session to quickly strengthen their working knowledge of critical financial practices and prepare to participate at a higher level.
Objectives:
- Discuss practical insights into law firm accounting and finance.
- Participate in and help make critical business decisions involving cost-savings, budgets, new projects, growth strategies and more.
- Recognize what can go wrong in a law firm (and what can go right).
Chris Sims, CPA
Firm Administrator
GBG LLP
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM)
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Workflow Innovation: How AI Will Impact Law Firm Operations and Significantly Reduce Costs
What is the future impact of generative AI? And what is its role for not just the delivery of legal services, but for the operations and finances of law firms? In this thought-provoking session, you’ll discuss the current and future state of generative AI products and dive into workflow innovations driven by the introduction of generative AI. Be ready to examine how generative AI will impact operations, what talent and staffing models may accompany it and the potential hard and soft savings firms are looking at as we hurtle toward the future.
Objectives:
- Identify workflow bottlenecks and inefficient processes common to most law firms.
- Discover methodologies to implement innovation as a tool.
- Differentiate the business value of generative AI products.
- Calculate and balance the risk and rewards of implementing generative AI products.
Joel A. Wirchin
Client Strategist
RRD/GO Creative
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
Midsize Law Firm Priorities: 2024 Results Administrators
Can Act On
The inaugural 2023 Midsize Law Firm Priorities Report revealed factors that matter most to midsize firms, including broader business priorities, resource challenges, stress factors and mental health, overall work satisfaction, and the use of technology. The 2024 second edition will dig deeper into the state of midlaw and the key role administrative support plays in day-to-day operations and long-term business planning and execution. Learn how to ensure your firm is appropriately addressing the needs of legal and administrative support staff. Based on 2023 report data, administrative roles are more likely to say they are stressed by team or firm culture issues, not having clear processes in place to follow and a lack of support from leadership. What do 2024’s stats look like? Find out here.
Objectives:
- Identify the top trends affecting legal administrators in midsize law firms.
- Apply proven technology best practices to increase productivity, accelerate automation and help alleviate administrative burden.
- Demonstrate a reduction in the most time-consuming non-billable tasks using practical advice and examples.
Early Stephens
Chief Executive Officer
Actionstep
Beth Thompson
Senior Director of Market Growth
Actionstep
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI)
6 Mistakes That Erode Engagement
Engagement rates of professionals are at their lowest in a decade. Why? It boils down to the way people are being managed. Many managers are unintentionally making one or more leadership missteps that lead to exhaustion, feed mistrust, inhibit growth and increase loneliness and detachment. This session will provide concrete ways to manage always-on pressure, empower appreciation, enable autonomy, bolster psychological safety, conduct one-on-one check-ins and make purpose visible. Leave knowing how to greatly improve engagement with just a few shifts in management behavior.
Objectives:
- Recognize how to mitigate always-on pressure and burnout.
- Employ strategies for building trust and enabling autonomy.
- Define how to create meaningful connections.
- Model behaviors that reinforce purpose.
Tracy LaLonde
Chief Joychiever
CaJoychiever, LLC
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Convening with a Cause: Infusing Sustainability and DEIA into Meetings and Events
Join this interactive session centered on operational management strategies for implementing sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into meetings and events. Through multimodal techniques, you’ll discuss how your firm can implement the Four Principals of Sustainable Events, learn from event planning case stories and apply best practices for improving implementation.
Objectives:
- Apply skills and tools to incorporate the Four Principals of Sustainability Events into your firm’s meetings and events.
- Discover key strategies for reducing your meeting and event carbon footprint.
- Assess your planning processes to ensure the implementation of DEIA measures.
Meredith E. Flanagan, CMP Fellow, CMM, CPCE, SEPC
Workplace Experience Manager
Gensler
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
12:30–1:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
2–3 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Enough Old Hat! Freshen up Your Approach, Deliver Greater Value to Your Firm and Advance your Career
Providing spreadsheets or reports full of data to stakeholders is not enough. They must be accompanied by a story about the state of the firm, helpful predictions about what’s coming and action items. This requires you to wear or supervise three hats — one as the bank teller, one as the storyteller and one as the fortune teller. Discover why each hat is important, when to wear each and how the hats lead to success.
Objectives:
- Recognize and clarify the hats you, or your employee, can and should wear.
- Demonstrate why each hat is critical to your professional growth and your firm’s success.
- Apply the three-hat approach to your work and coach others to do the same to deliver more value.
Kimberly A. Ess
Chief Executive Officer
Nilan Johnson Lewis PA
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Neurodiversity 101
Join this enlightening session where you’ll learn everything you need to know about neurodiversity and navigating its intersection with the workplace and beyond. You’ll gain insights into the challenges neurodistinct individuals face in conventional settings and discover the untapped potential they bring. Plus, you’ll explore the synergy between neurodiversity and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. You’ll leave equipped with practical guidance to ensure a more neuroinclusive lens and actionable steps to create a supportive workplace that accommodates and celebrates neurodiversity.
Objectives:
- Recognize and understand the broad spectrum of neurodiversity and the unique strengths and challenges of neurodistinct individuals in the workplace.
- Analyze and assess the impact of neurodiversity on workplace dynamics.
- Apply strategies to align neurodiversity initiatives with broader DEI efforts to foster an inclusive culture.
Amanda Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D
President and Chief Executive Officer
Firefly Autism
Co-Founder
Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce
Danny Combs
Founder
Firefly Autism
TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)
Co-Founder
Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Brevity in Business Communication
Brevity is the lifeblood of excellent professional communication. How do you achieve it in your increasingly media-saturated world when you’re inundated with texts, instant messages and emails? During this session, you’ll focus on how to cut excess verbiage, prioritize main points and clarify your position. You’ll leave with concrete tips for mastering brevity and communicating clearly, precisely and convincingly.
Objectives:
- Express clarity in all your professional communication.
- Revise and edit your writing to reduce wordiness, increase readability and avoid errors.
- Analyze how readers skim information and process digital content.
- Produce writing that captures a reader’s attention and conveys information cogently and directly.
Shannon H. Andrus, EdD
Speaker and Trainer
Word Nerd Consulting
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Writing Skills
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Rethinking Your Firm’s Workplace Design: An Intimidation-free Guide to Office Renovations and Relocations
As the person managing lease expirations, your role is dynamic and multifaceted. This session focuses on the value you bring to the decision-making process. You’ll get an education on current office trends, topics and strategies. Through case studies, you’ll deepen your understanding of how to translate strategy results into successful workplace design solutions. You’ll also explore how to build consensus among partners, strategic activities to understand your firms' challenges and opportunities, alternative workplace solutions, metrics and benchmarking, and how to make the decision-making process seamless.
Objectives:
- Identify strategic real estate considerations, including stay versus go analysis.
- Assess the current benchmark metrics and new space types being considered for the law firm workplace of the future.
- Discuss how to navigate designing for hybrid work.
- Evaluate recently completed law firm designs and solutions.
John F. Hopkins
Design Director
IA Interior Architects
Caryn Fairlie
Director of Client Services
IA Interior Architects
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
The New Law Firm Model: How a People-First Strategy Will Increase Innovation, Collaboration, Profits and Firm Loyalty
Imagine if your law firm was designed by Antoni Gaudi and your leadership modeled after Ted Lasso. Sounds fantastical, but it’s realistic. In this session, you’ll consider how the world has changed and relevant businesses are putting humanity first by “investing” in people. Find out how to do the same in your firm to achieve greater loyalty, retention, growth and revenue. Gain a new perspective on the values that matter and are reshaping law firm cultures.
Objectives:
- Define how to lead and increase profits the Ted Lasso way.
- Examine DEIA and how bringing one’s whole self to work directly connects to increased profits.
- Breakdown the client journey and get tips from inside counsel on what they look for in a pitch.
- Model new tools that are more efficient and effective in the pursuit of new clients and attorneys.
Terry M. Isner
Owner/Chief Executive Officer, Branding and Business Development
Jaffe
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Meeting of Minds: Mental Health/Wellness
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
3–4 p.m.
Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
3:15–3:45 p.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
4–5 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Procrastinate Now: How to Use the Behavior of “Doing Nothing” to Get Everything Done in Your Firm
Imagine what would happen to your firm if everyone thought their procrastination was a mark of intelligence rather than a sign of incompetence. This session will challenge what you think you know about procrastination by taking an innovative, up-to-date and scientific (yet simple) approach to the fundamentals of productivity and performance. Consider how “doing nothing” gets in the way of adapting to the changes your firm goes through and recognize how avoidance is a killer of change. Plus, you’ll understand the psychological reasons behind procrastination and how to use them to achieve goals that will help your entire firm relax into the way legal business is done.
Objectives:
- Recognize blocks to productivity and performance that are psychologically based.
- Apply a simple strategy that creates reliable productivity.
- Design a change management protocol leveraging the psychological disruption of change as evidenced by procrastination.
- Translate business psychology into a solution to most business concerns and use it to bring innovative thought leadership to your firm.
Nancy Morris, MSc Applied Psych
Certified Business Psychologist
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Self Management
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
From Traditional to Transformational: Lead the Way by Unleashing the Power of Authentic Leadership
Authenticity is not just a buzzword. It is the cornerstone of modern leadership and vital for building trust and maximizing team potential. This session provides a tool kit for excelling in an environment that encompasses remote work, office settings and a multigenerational workforce. You’ll gain actionable strategies for understanding the motivations of both remote teams and those down the hall. You’ll focus on the essential skill of giving effective feedback — a game-changer for boosting performance and job satisfaction. You’ll also clarify how to craft an inclusive culture that honors generational differences and emphasizes the importance of being an authentic leader.
Objectives:
- Describe the evolving nature of leadership and key changes in leadership expectations and practices over time.
- Demonstrate your ability to adapt leadership styles to effectively lead multigenerational teams.
- Evaluate the impact of effective communication skills on team productivity and morale.
- Analyze the role of authenticity in effective leadership and construct a personalized approach that works for you.
Debbie Foster
Managing Partner
Affinity Consulting Group
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Law Firm Operations: A Return to Basics to Achieve Real-World Success
Whether you’re a new or seasoned office administrator, you’ll gain in this session a quick start in navigating the matrix environment of law firm operations. You’ll learn how spheres of influences can contribute to your success. In addition, you’ll take a matter-of-fact look at the basics of law firm operations, vendor relationships, budgets, empowering and developing your staff and supporting their professional development.
Objectives:
- Prepare to negotiate lease renewals, expansions and relocations.
- Identify positive, actionable steps to maximize productivity and build strong vendor relationships.
- Produce positive outcomes using goal alignments within the budget process.
- Express a vision for establishing and maintaining successful legal operations.
Daniel J. McCormack, CLM, MBA, ACC
Chief Executive Officer
Dan McCormack & Associates, LLC
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
How Law Firms Get Hacked (and What You Can Do About It)
Hackers want your data! The information you need to keep your office running is a gold mine for cyber criminals and new risks pop up every day. Your team, their passwords, your software and your third-party providers are all targets. In this fast-paced session, you’ll discover how hackers break in and what happens to your data after it is stolen. Come dive into case studies and identify best practices for securing your digital goods and protecting yourself and your firm against the latest hacker threats.
Objectives:
- Provide examples of cloud and file storage hacking.
- Prepare to protect your firm against voice cloning and social engineering attacks.
- Analyze a demo of an actual business email compromise attack.
- Develop a practical understanding of the dark web where data is for sale.
Matt Durrin
Director of Training and Research
LMG Security
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technolofy
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
Cash Is King: Strategic Cash Flow Management for Small Firms
Take a deep dive into the fundamental aspects of cash flow management. From planning to presentation, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of what cash flow entails and how to plan, manage, report and deliver it. You’ll examine the critical components of planning and how to think through it. You’ll discuss the management and reporting elements of your cash flow plan and the importance of performance indicators, regular checks, updates and analysis. You’ll also focus on presenting your plan and reporting. Leave with new skills that can be the key to change management, attracting investors, securing loans, planning for future growth and making informed, data-driven decisions that contribute to your firm's development.
Objectives:
- Define how to think about and through cash flow.
- Prepare to strategically organize cash flow for its optimal use.
- Plan how to manage, forecast and effectively report your cash position.
- Recognize your cash runway and how to spot a cash crunch well before it happens.
Matthew P. Sullivan, JD
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Unravel Legal
CLM® Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM)
Meeting of Minds: Human Resource Management
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
Facilitated by:
Andrea D. Everage, MHR, CLM, PHR
Director of Human Resources
Meyers Nave
Taylor Aston-Nielsen
HR Manager
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
5:15–6:45 p.m.
ALA’s 2024 Awards Reception
ALA’s Awards celebrate outstanding projects, initiatives and individuals that have inspired the legal community. Help recognize your industry colleagues during this high-energy event. hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Registration
8–9 a.m.
Continental Breakfast Available in Exhibit Hall
9–10:30 a.m.
David W. Brezina Memorial Session: From Homeless to Harvard
In this session, Liz Murray shares a fascinating, inspirational story of growing up that is so powerful it was made into a movie. At age 10, she began supporting two drug-addicted parents. By age 15, she’d lost her mother and was homeless. It became the wake-up call that inspired her to break free of her circumstances and pursue a different path in life. While living on the streets of New York, Murray graduated from high school in two years going on to win a full scholarship to Harvard University. Her message is one of the most moving, elegant and uplifting you’ll ever hear.
Liz Murray
Author, Breaking Night: My Journey from Homeless to Harvard
Founder, The Arthur Project
Sponsored by:
10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Hours
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
10:45–11:15 a.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Navigating the Next Normal: Practical Strategies for Cultivating Resilience in the Age of Uncertainty
There is a clear link between the quality of mental health and one’s level of professional competence. Attend this session to cultivate the skills necessary to effectively manage stress, anxiety and relationships and enhance contentment, productivity and the quality of your work. You’ll explore ways stress can manifest individually and collectively from a neurobiological perspective. You’ll redefine resilience by understanding that it’s about how you recharge rather than about how you endure. In addition, you’ll identify customizable, science-backed strategies for cultivating resilience as you continue to navigate constant change.
Objectives:
- Illustrate how changing thoughts and behavior can rewire the brain.
- Develop customized strategies for using your body to calm your mind.
- Differentiate resilience from endurance.
- Identify, customize and prioritize science-backed strategies to cultivate resilience.
Stacey Dougan, JD, LLM, MS, LPC, NCC
Owner/Psychotherapist
Stacey Dougan Counseling & Consulting LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Self Management
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Rest — Not Sleep — Is What You Actually Need to Avoid Burnout
You have been misled. Sleep is not the cure-all for burnout, fatigue, or the blues. Of course, sleep is imperative for survival. But being able to rest the brain is habit No. 1 for people who are consistently performing at the top level. In this session, you’ll explore how turning off your brain through rest can turn on your natural intelligence, which minimizes psychological and physical exhaustion. Identify your own burnout risk factors and those in the firm. Plus, by planning your own burnout-busting rest habits during the session, you’ll acquire a framework to take back to the firm for others to apply.
Objectives:
- Recognize the why and how of psychological rest in relation to top work performance.
- Design your own simple habit plan based on work environment and firm objectives.
- Evaluate potential burnout risks within your firm.
- Develop a plan for minimizing short- and long-term risk.
Nancy Morris, MSc Applied Psych
Certified Business Psychologist
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Self-Management Skills
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: N/A
Finding Common Ground: The Language of De-escalation and Conflict Resolution
Misunderstandings, disagreements and conflict are inevitable in the workplace. And the words you use — both verbal and written — in these conflicts can lead to mistrust and hostility. Join this session in which you’ll learn to recognize the different types of conflict and how to address each for the best outcome. You’ll also explore how to employ communication to make your point without minimizing the position of the other party. You’ll leave with strategies for choosing language that defuses tense situations, convinces others to see your side and improves connection and harmony in your professional interactions.
Objectives:
- Prepare for a challenging exchange by developing a strategy for the situation.
- Use inclusive language to improve engagement — not alienate others.
- Examine how to defuse tense situations through word choice and body language.
Shannon H. Andrus, EdD
Speaker and Trainer
Word Nerd Consulting
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Communication Skills
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Reimagining Law Firm Operations
In a world where hybrid work environments are no longer novel, your firm needs to innovate processes and operational practices to thrive in a fluid environment and future-proof your strategies. So, what does the future of law firm operations look like? In this session, you’ll hear a panel of representatives from firms across the Am Law 50, 100 and 200 discuss challenges they are facing and areas that are ripe for innovation.
Objectives:
- Identify the biggest operational challenges today’s firms face and how to solve them.
- Discover creative ways to approach your operational strategy.
- Discuss tactical ideas for reimagining your operational practices.
Michelle Connolly
Senior Vice President, Strategy and Solutions
Epiq Global
Panelists
Travis A. Larson
Chief Administrative Officer
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jason Marty
Global Chief Operating Officer
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Norma Spearman
Chief Legal Support Officer
DLA Piper
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
CFO Perspectives: Exploring Profitability Improvement Opportunities at Your Firm Part 1
(Note: This presentation is part one of a two-part series. Feel free to attend one or both.)
Would you like to expand productivity measures beyond the traditional “utilization — realization — collections” paradigm and identify high-impact profitability improvement opportunities across the enterprise? In this session, you’ll learn the impact disciplined commitment to strategic planning has on profitability. You’ll discover how to use the framework of portfolio management theory to evaluate firm assets (cases) in the context of risk, reward and profitability. And you’ll improve your understanding of return on investment (ROI) and how to appropriately use it within your firm.
Objectives:
- Identify how the lack of a clear and specific strategic plan erodes firm value.
- Explain how operational measures of success align with strategic planning goals.
- Define law firm budgeting to include strategic targets and nonmonetary goals that drive profitability across multiple reporting periods.
Josh Kalish, CLM, MBA, CFA, MA
Managing Partner
Law Firms of the Future, LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM)
How to Become an Insta Social Animal (in a Snap) Without Losing Face or Getting Ethically X’d
Like just about every law firm, you’re probably using social media in your marketing. But be careful — one inappropriate post can have a negative effect on your reputation and your revenue. Join this lively discussion to learn how to avoid social media pitfalls and ethical booby traps.
Objectives:
- Examine how lawyers are effectively (or ineffectively) using social media.
- Identify and understand the potential ethical risks involved.
- Assess the good, the bad and the unethical in your own social media strategy.
Charles F. Luce, Jr.
Chair, Intellectual Property Group
Moye White LLP
CLM® Application Credit: - Application Management Category: 1 hour(s) of Communication Skills
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
AND
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Business Ethics (BE)
12:45–2 p.m.
Association Luncheon
Refuel while staying up to date on the latest ALA happenings with a dynamic presentation from ALA’s Executive Committee.
2:15–3:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Building a Diverse Candidate Pipeline
Struggling with ways to create a more diverse organization? To diversify your workforce, you need a diverse pool of job candidates to choose from. Join this session to discover strategies for attracting diverse talent. You’ll focus on outreach, networking, partnerships, mentorship programs and other approaches to creating a talent pipeline that matches your firm’s needs.
Objectives:
- Formulate a real-world plan for connecting with and retaining diverse candidates.
- Develop ways to better utilize your teams, community and clients.
- Define and establish clear, realistic and measurable ways to connect and build solid relationships.
- Analyze the art of building teams that are loyal and feel a sense of belonging.
Kesha Kent
DE&I Talent Strategist
Husch Blackwell LLC
Will Verchereau
DE&I Manager – Programs & Communications
Husch Blackwell LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Super-Charged Productivity with Legal Document Automation + AI: Critical Steps in Beginning Your Journey
Legal document automation can be a huge accelerator for both administrative and legal teams. Find out how to add artificial intelligence (AI) to turbocharge your results and greatly improve client responsiveness, legal and administrative workflows, and new employee time-to-competency with reduced risk. You’ll learn how to start this journey the right way so that you and your teams don’t end up disillusioned — or in the news for using AI improperly. You’ll leave with concrete steps you can follow to see the value of automation combined with AI while reducing your risk.
Objectives:
- Identify security risks and ethical considerations when using generative AI in the legal industry.
- Apply a framework for evaluating and testing generative AI solutions.
- Select use cases for testing AI and document automation that will likely have successful outcomes.
Michelle Spencer
Lead Product Marketing Manager
NetDocuments
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
Unleashing Potential: Revolutionizing Employee Experience and Retention in the Legal Business Landscape
Join this session to explore the pivotal role of competency frameworks in reshaping the legal industry's employee experience and retention strategies. You’ll delve into how competency frameworks serve as catalysts for positive change, enabling legal organizations to attract, nurture and retain all top talent. Be part of the journey to unlock their potential and transform your firm's approach to enhancing employee experiences and bolstering retention. This session delivers the tools you need to effectively implement competency frameworks within your firm.
Objectives:
- Analyze and evaluate the significance of competency frameworks in legal organizations.
- Set up and apply competency frameworks to attract, develop and retain top talent.
- Develop a tailored competency framework strategy for your organization.
- Discuss in meaningful conversations the implementation of a real-world competency framework.
Catherine Dupra
Managing Director, Executive Search – Talent Management
Calibrate
Haley J. Revel
Managing Director, HR and Talent Management
Calibrate
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
CFO Perspectives: Implementing Profitability Improvement Opportunities at Your Firm Part 2
(Note: This presentation is part two of a two-part series. Feel free to attend one or both.)
If you have a role in implementing profitability improvement initiatives, come learn how to create a change management governance structure at your law firm. You’ll focus on how to apply elite consulting methodologies for getting your initiatives implemented. You’ll learn how to create a governance structure that uses return on investment (ROI) benchmarks for decision-making and an internal Program Management Office that manages the implementation of profitability initiatives across multiple reporting periods. You’ll also cover each phase of the profitability improvement life cycle, from discovery to measuring and monitoring and beyond.
Objectives:
- Create a framework that aligns market opportunities with law firm capabilities.
- Recognize the impact of corporate overhead on profitability, allocation methodologies and ruptures between profit centers and actual decision-making.
- Modify your financial chart of accounts to differentiate between profitability from ongoing operations and strategic growth.
Josh Kalish, CLM, MBA, CFA, MA
Managing Partner
Law Firms of the Future, LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Financial Management (FM)
Tales from the Trenches: Our Thorniest Legal Management Experiences
Join this compelling session to explore the trials, tribulations and downright terror of our thorniest management experiences. You’ll uncover what others have learned the hard way, so you don’t have to, along with examples of what to do and not to do. This fun, highly interactive session will be conducted in a “fishbowl” style. Newer administrators will be able to bolster their experience and seasoned administrators will be encouraged to share their own scary stories.
Objectives:
- Recognize the types of unusual events that may arise in law firms.
- Define effective strategies to manage problematic situations.
- Identify the drivers of ineffective responses.
- Apply recognized best practices to future complex problems.
Maria S. Mason, CLM
Business Director
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Eden S. Minucci, CLM, SHRM-CP
Partner, Legal Operations
Clear Guidance Partners
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI)
Meetings of Minds: Benefits/Employee Assistance Programs
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Networking Break in the Exhibit Hall
3:30–4 p.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
4:15–5:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Improving Team Dynamics to Create Greater Efficiency
Chances are, your professional development opportunities are segregated based on title, department, level of experience and revenue vs. nonrevenue generating positions. Join this session to explore blended learning opportunities that improve team performance, increase engagement, elevate client service and inspire team loyalty and more creative outcomes. You’ll learn how to design and implement a successful cross-discipline training initiative for improving the team-based performance of human resources, information technology, office administrators and other administrators who supervise cross-vertical teams.
Objectives:
- Identify projects that require multidisciplinary teams and the benefits of implementing such a team.
- Examine the organizational benefits of a multidisciplinary team aligned with your firm’s strategy and the characteristics of a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team.
- Summarize and communicate the benefits of adopting a multidisciplinary training approach to key internal stakeholders and those participating in the integrated training.
Carrie Anne English
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
New Eras Coaching & Consulting LLC
Kelly Druten Green
Director of Attorney Development
Ogletree Deakins
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Substance Use Disorders and Brain Neurobiology: How Are We Different and How Can We Help?
Powering Your Success: Leveraging Technology to Drive Your Firm’s Potential
Discover how you and your staff can reclaim control of your time and maximize productivity. Using real-life use cases, this session explores how technology can give you the tools and insights you need and help you redefine success for you and your firm. Stop feeling overwhelmed by administrative tasks, research, matter setup, client intake and countless other time-consuming activities. Attend this session and gain the tools and strategies you need to streamline processes, prioritize your time and refocus on providing exceptional service to your clients and solidifying your professional success.
Objectives:
- Plan your day and time and your staff’s using dashboards to quickly see all your important metrics and tasks.
- Design workflows that saves time and improves quality using automatization, including integrated document management.
- Support the optimization of everyone’s tasks and reduce redundant processes with personalized workspace views and setup.
Keren Gavra
Vice President of Product
Centerbase, LLC
David Strathy-Miller
Senior Product Manager
Centerbase, LLC
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
Families and the Future of Work: Supporting Parents Creates a Talent Advantage
Rethink organizational priorities with an eye toward the future of work. Employers who prioritize caregivers and families will have a clear talent advantage in the decade to come. Join this discussion of why the parent-lawyer and business professional populations are critical to your organizational success and identify the specific obstacles they face. Then, dive into actionable ways you can develop innovative support structures to attract, retain and promote caregivers. You’ll leave with best practices for parental leave policies, structural support focused on parents, coaching opportunities and resources and community-building.
Objectives:
- Review the benefits of supporting and retaining parents.
- Define the obstacles parents face in the workplace.
- Point out opportunities to support parents and hear about what’s working in practice.
- Formulate potential solutions for your organization through collaboration with your peers.
Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Mindful Return
Julie Thuy-Anh Tran
Senior Director of Talent
Vinson & Elkins
Alexandra M. Williamson, JD
Manager of Parent Lawyer Programs and Resources
Latham & Watkins LLP
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Client Experience Surveys: Creating a Competitive Advantage
Examine how to use the power of client experience surveys to improve work quality, drive strategic planning, create referral sources and strengthen client loyalty and profitability. You’ll learn how to use surveys to explore the client’s experience by asking them how they feel about the services provided, how well your firm performed and where your firm needs to improve. You’ll leave with a checklist for putting together a client experience survey and feedback program that will help you exceed your clients’ expectations for service.
Objectives:
- Point out the benefits and feasibility of client experience surveys.
- Discuss the methodology and best practices when carrying out client experience surveys.
- Formulate questions you should ask in your surveys.
- Analyze survey data and utilize the findings to impact positive changes and client service initiatives.
Bill E. Sansone, CPA
Practice Leader, Law Firm Advisory and Team Leader, Law Firms
Withum Smith + Brown
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/Business Management (LI)
Meetings of Minds: Legal Support Staff
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
Facilitated by:
Ashley Frisch
Senior Director of Legal Support
Rimon
Suzanne Schwartz
Office Administrator – Milwaukee
Quarles
5:15–6:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Networking Reception
Take part in the tradition! Relax at the end a full day of education while you explore the products and services from our valued ALA business partners.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Registration
8–9 a.m.
Continental Breakfast Available in the
Exhibit Hall
8 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Hours
9–10 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Knowing Your Crowd: How to Adapt to Different and Ever-Changing Firm Cultures
Regardless of your position in your firm, you deal with multiple personalities, wear numerous hats, work under difficult individuals and go through management changes regularly. To be successful, you must be able to adapt to an ever-changing firm culture. Join this session to learn how to identify and deal with different employee personalities while changing the many hats you wear throughout the day.
Objectives:
- Recognize how to manage personalities — the good, the bad and, yes, even the ugly — and evaluate and deal with various employees.
- Discover how to prioritize, put some tasks on the back burner and not miss deadlines.
- Identify techniques to overcome and flourish when working under or with a narcissist — without losing sight of who you are.
- Examine how to handle management changes and adapt.
Laura L. York
Firm Administrator
Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A.
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
How to Retain Attorneys and Staff in the “Job-Hopping Era”
Retaining employees has never been tougher. In this session, you’ll investigate how to engage new hires from day one to day 365. You’ll learn strategies for engaging with employees during their first year through surveys and stay interviews. And you’ll gain insight into the characteristics and motivations of job-hoppers in the legal industry. Take what you learn and build a long-lasting and effective structure for reducing turnover in your own firm.
Objectives:
- Analyze the current trend of frequent job changes among new hires and their impact on the workforce.
- Evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different policies and benefits in increasing employee retention, with a focus on compensation, work/life balance and competitive benefits.
- Synthesize strategies to identify signs of employee dissatisfaction in the first year and respond effectively, including the use of anonymous surveys.
Juanita Kendall, HRIC, SHRM
Chief Human Resources Officer
Hall Booth Smith P.C.
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
How To Reenergize Your Firm’s Mentorship Program
Hear how leading law firms engage their attorneys in their mentorship program by adding structure and providing clear direction for maximizing their relationships. You’ll discuss what makes a strong mentor relationship and how to encourage proactive relationship-building across the firm. You’ll gather proven strategies for strengthening relationships in a hybrid work environment. In addition, you’ll address the elements of building trust across generations and common intergenerational tensions, along with ideas for integrating mentorship programs into your diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.
Objectives:
- Generate proven strategies to excite attorneys about participating in your firm’s mentorship program.
- Prepare experienced attorneys to coach and inspire the next generation of attorneys.
- Analyze how to empower early career attorneys to take initiative in developing their “personal board of directors.”
- Breakdown the intergenerational dynamics that often create tension in mentor relationships.
Elise Powers
Founder
Eleview Consulting
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
Stay Ahead of the Game: E-Billing Is Here. Is Your Firm Ready?
A record number of clients are transitioning to e-billing. To stay ahead of this growing demand, attend this session where you’ll learn to manage this process to avoid delayed payments and lengthy service-to-cash cycles. You’ll identify the pain points associated with the e-billing process and how to mitigate them by leveraging technology, implementing best practices and proactively managing your e-billing data.
Objectives:
- Describe steps to proactively increase the timeliness of the successful submission of e-bills.
- Use technology to create, submit and track invoices through real-time integration.
- Demonstrate financial visibility to the collections team and fee earners using reporting strategies.
- Model and implement best practices to improve your e-billing process.
Kasey Methot
Senior Manager, eBilling Solutions
Fulcrum Global Technologies
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Information Technology
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Operations Management (OM)
Non-Equity Partners and the Law Firm Structure
Explore the distinction between partners and other professionals and identify why it’s important under state partnership and tax laws as well as for legal ethical rules. You’ll examine the potential economic and intangible cultural consequences for the professional and the firm. You’ll also learn variations some law firms are adopting which allow professionals to
be partners for some purposes, but not for others. This session is packed with insight into the inherent flexibility of partnership relationships, ethical guidelines regarding a lawyer's representations pertaining to partner status and the legal dynamics among the partners and the partnership.
Objectives:
- Describe the importance of legal structure in a law firm.
- Recognize the effect of structure in the operation of your firm and economic relations within it. Explain the basic nature of the partnership and the effect of legal, tax and ethical variations on the structure.
Robert Keatinge
Of Counsel
Holland & Hart LLP
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI)
Meeting of Minds: (31-99 attorneys)
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
10–11 a.m.
Networking Break in Exhibit Hall
10:15–10:45 a.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Succession Planning: The Key to Law firm Stability and Sustainability
Conversations about succession planning rarely translate into actual planning and even more rarely into action. And firms that do plan typically focus on client relationship issues and ignore leadership succession. In this session, you’ll examine succession planning through the lenses of continuity and risk management as you explore talent, clients, knowledge/intellectual property, strategy and adaptability. You’ll learn how to analyze your firm’s succession strengths and weaknesses and create a plan that you can easily implement, evaluate, and adjust.
Objectives:
- Analyze how succession planning leads to stability and sustainability in law firms.
- Apply succession planning strategies to your own firm.
- Recognize and prioritize areas that require attention in your approach to planning.
- Develop a simple action plan to facilitate succession in your firm.
John Mitchell
Managing Director
KM Advisors LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI)
Strategies for Effectively Hiring, Managing Performance and Terminating Employees
The hiring process is complex and requires several important elements to be successful. What are the key strategies and best practices for hiring, managing performance and terminating employees productively and legally? Find out in this interactive session. Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or a manager responsible for personnel decisions, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to navigate these critical aspects of the employment lifecycle.
Objectives:
- Recognize the significance of cultural fit and diversity in the hiring process.
- Discuss performance management and develop clear expectations and goals for employees to drive their productivity and engagement.
- Identify and employ effective communication techniques for providing feedback and coaching.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and ethical considerations when terminating employees.
- Model how to manage difficult conversations and terminate sensitively.
Shirley Laboy
Director of Administration
Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Business Ethics (BE)
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Session details to be confirmed
Cracking the Code of Human Connection
Discover the transformative power of empathy and sympathy and unlock the secrets of human connection. You’ll learn to elevate your leadership skills by cultivating empathy and sympathy to connect more deeply with your team and to support your executive team in doing the same. In addition, you’ll explore how to harness your capacity for active listening, a vital tool for building meaningful relationships and gaining insights into your team's needs and perspectives. You’ll leave with scientifically proven HeartMath tools to enhance your resilience and your team’s.
Objectives:
- Formulate ways to resolve workplace conflict.
- Define how to increase employee and client retention.
- Evaluate your next steps in enhancing resilience and performance.
- Develop greater EQ through cultivating empathy and sympathy.
- Demonstrate how to reframe challenging people and situations.
Jennifer K. Hill
Chief Executive Officer
OptiMatch
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Meeting of Minds: Branch Office
Meeting of Minds sessions are facilitated roundtable discussions on pertinent legal management issues. They are an opportunity for participants to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges by leveraging shared experiences and the collective knowledge of industry peers.
Facilitated by:
Carrie A. Valenzuela
Branch Office Manager
Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P.
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
12:45–1:15 p.m.
Business Matters! Sessions
Specific session topics and speaker details coming soon.
These practical, 30-minute sessions take place directly on the Exhibit Hall floor. Learn from our featured business partners as they share insights, product demos and the latest products and services that can help you excel and simplify your day-to-day responsibilities.
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Unlocking Effective Communication with Attorneys: Building Bridges for Productive Conversations
Here’s an opportunity to delve into the unique personality traits of attorneys. You’ll explore each trait along with written and face-to-face communication techniques tailored specifically to engage attorneys and navigate challenging conversations. You’ll also consider the power of social influence when driving behavioral change within the legal profession. Come discover how to overcome hurdles such as skepticism and autonomy to foster a positive and productive working environment and create an empowered legal team.
Objectives:
- Analyze the psychology of attorneys by identifying key personality traits.
- Evaluate the impact of these traits on leadership and management within the firm.
- Apply effective communication strategies for engaging with challenging personalities in both written and face-to-face interactions.
- Assess social influence as a tool for behavioral change in attorneys and performance improvement.
Abigail L. Davis-Hess, CLM
Consultant
ADH-Consulting, LLC
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Communication Skills
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
From Chaos to Control: Navigating Interruptions, Distractions and Delegation
As a busy law firm administrator or executive, you’re overwhelmed with countless tasks, priorities and responsibilities and a to-do list that is constantly growing. In this engaging session, you’ll discover how to determine which activities are necessary and which are distractions. You’ll feel empowered to identify and eliminate distractions and interruptions and create a more productive day. You’ll leave with effective strategies to help you delegate wisely, regain control and maximize your most valuable resource — time.
Objectives:
- Recognize the significance and impact of distractions on personal productivity.
- Apply practical techniques to identify and manage distractions in your workplace.
- Analyze and evaluate time-consuming distractions and how to make informed decisions about prioritization.
- Design a personalized strategy for proactively minimizing unproductive interruptions and regaining control of daily workflow.
Sarah M. Tetlow
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Firm Focus
CLM® Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Self Management
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: N/A
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Communications & Organizational Management (CM)
Legal Research Negotiation Tips That Can Win Your Firm Six-Figure Savings (or More)
Making informed decisions to control the costs of your legal research contracts and proactively manage your content subscriptions is challenging. The lack of transparency in legal research pricing practices could be costing you six or seven figures. This session will walk you through the pricing practices of the industry's two leading vendors, LexisNexis and Westlaw. You’ll analyze case studies of the wild variability in costs and leave with concrete steps you can take to get a fair price from your legal research vendor.
Objectives:
- Breakdown the pricing practices of the industry's two leading vendors, LexisNexis and Westlaw.
- Predict the potential financial impact of these pricing practices.
- Review case study examples of the wild variability in legal research pricing practices.
- Define concrete tips any law firm can take to improve legal research negotiations and save money.
Ken Purse
Principal and Founder
Research Contract Consultants
CLM®Application Credit: N/A
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Legal Industry/ Business Management (LI)
Breaking the Mold: Tackling Tokenism in Law Firm DEI Strategies
Elevate your diversity, equity and inclusion game by tackling the elephant in the room: tokenism. This session will empower you to go beyond surface-level diversity efforts that often do more harm than good. You’ll unveil the hidden impacts of tokenism on organizational culture and gather game-changing strategies to inspire genuine inclusion. If you’re committed to meaningful change, attend and walk away with transformative tools and insights that will revolutionize your approach to DEI in your law firm.
Objectives:
- Identify the hidden pitfalls of tokenism that compromise authentic DEI efforts.
- Assess the state of your own firm's DEI initiatives in the context of tokenism.
- Design transformative strategies that drive meaningful inclusion and diversity.
- Generate excitement among colleagues and stakeholders for championing genuine DEI change within your organization.
Vivian Luiz Coco, MSc
Director of Marketing and Client Relations
Licks Attorneys
CLM®Application Credit: 1 hour(s) of Organizational Development
CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR) towards the additional hours required of some Functional Specialists to fulfill the CLM application.
CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hour(s) in the subject area of Human Resources Management (HR)
2:30–3 p.m.
Refreshment Break
3–4 p.m.
Closing General Session
Dawn R. Rosemond, Esq.
