Professional Development

In Part Two of this three-part conversation, we moved from understanding the importance of mentorship to exploring where and how to find the right mentor. Where should you start, and what should you look for in a mentoring relationship that aligns with your goals and career? We discussed ways to find mentors through professional organizations, networking, and other connections, as well as what makes a mentor the right fit for you. We also explored the value of internal mentors and how mentoring within your own organization can offer different perspectives, opportunities, and insights than an external mentor. Join us for Part Two as we look more closely at building meaningful mentoring relationships that can support your professional growth and career journey—and stay tuned for Part Three of the conversation.
Missed Part 1? Check it out here.
Moderator:@Samuel Smith - Information Governance Senior Analyst, Latham & Watkins LLP
Speakers:@Lydia Flocchini - Founder & CEO, Scarab Strategies@Ann Gorr - Legal Technology Consultant & Information Governance StrategistRecorded on 09-15-2026.

Your legal expertise gets you into the room. Your leadership identity determines whether your voice shapes the outcome.As expectations of legal professionals continue to rise, influence, credibility, and executive presence have become essential leadership skills. This session introduced Leadership Identity—a practical framework for intentionally shaping how you show up, how you’re experienced, and the reputation you build when it matters most.Listeners learned how Leadership Identity becomes a real advantage when others trust your judgment, seek your perspective, and rely on you in high‑stakes moments. Through real‑world examples and immediately applicable strategies, listeners gained tools to strengthen credibility beyond technical expertise, expand their influence in decision‑making conversations, and bring a steady executive presence to complex, high‑visibility situations. Walk away ready to move from a trusted legal expert to a strategic leader others rely on.
Moderator:Andrea Webster - Associate Director of Legal Innovation and Operations, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Speaker:Kristen Sonday - Co-Founder, Paladin

We are pleased to introduce the fifth 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.
 
Sessions included:
Tabletop Exercise on CoPilot
Work-First Or People-First?
Introduction of Legal Data Intelligence

In this podcast, discover how to best navigate California's new employment AI regulations that recently went into effect on October 1st. 
 
The speaker highlighted how the usage of Automated Decision Systems, which includes AI, when making employment decisions, can directly violate California law if these tools are found to discriminate against employees or applicants, either directly or indirectly, on the basis of already protected characteristics such as race, age, gender, etc. 
 
In addition, they highlighted other recent AI regulations taking place around the world, such as the EU AI Act and more. 
 
Moderator: Adam Wehler, Director of eDiscovery and Litigation Technology, Smith Anderson
Speaker:Kassi Burns, Senior Attorney, Trial and Global Disputes, King & Spalding

In this podcast the speakers discuss law firms' challenges when introducing new processes or technologies, such as AI or document automation, They also highlight the importance of buy-in from senior partners, clear communication, and phased implementation.
 
Moderator:
Tanya Pereira, Business Transformation Specialist, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
 
Speakers:
Ali Avink, Legal Operations + Innovation Manager, Warner Norcross + Judd
Julia Montgomery, Director of Practice Enablement King & Spalding

A candid conversation unpacking the practical realities of DSARs today—from personal experiences to legal nuances and how organisations handle these ever-present privacy requests in the UK and Ireland.
Moderator:James MacGregor - Founder & Managing Director, Ethical eDiscovery
Speaker:Dina Hetherington - Founder, DKH Legal Tech Consulting 

Another tech rollout. Another merger. Another industry upheaval. Change is constant, but your team and your firm’s performance doesn't have to suffer. Stop managing disruption and start leveraging it.  This analysis will examine key patterns that distinguish resilient teams from those that falter strategic approaches for converting uncertainty into competitive advantage.In addition, this podcast will share research-backed methods for building highly adaptable performing teams and practical frameworks for maintaining momentum through major transitions.
Creator: Dr. Melissa L. Brown, Learning & Development Manager, Holland & Hart

Most law firms have a retention policy on paper—but how are those policies playing out in practice? In this session, the speakers dive into the real-world application of client record retention: from managing physical and electronic files, to the complexities of client communication.
Are firms only focused on boxes in storage, or are they embracing a full-spectrum approach? How are they also navigating the sensitive task of reaching out to clients when records are set to be destroyed? Tune in for a practical conversation on turning retention policies into meaningful action and more.Moderator:@Madeleine La Cour - Director, Risk and Compliance Operations, Baker Botts L.L.P.  Speakers:@Christiana Naeser - Sr Manager Information Governance, DLA Piper LLP (US)@Doug Smith - Assistant Director of Records, CrowellRecorded on 07-23-25.

In this session, the speakers explored how law firms and legal professionals can safeguard sensitive data and systems by implementing AI-specific security strategies and effective governance controls. It also builds on part one, diving deeper into practical approaches for mitigating risk in an AI-driven environment.Moderator:Elizabeth Suehr, Director of Legal Risk Systems & Strategy, Jenner & Block LLPSpeakers:Morgan Llewellyn, Director, AI Practice Hike2Chris Hockey, Manager, Information Risk and Governance Alvarez & Marsal

Challenge traditional onboarding assumptions by exploring optimal training timeframes for legal professionals. This data-driven session will reveal how to create streamlined, effective onboarding programs that prevent information overload while ensuring competency. 
 
Listeners will learn practical strategies for prioritizing Day 1 essentials, structuring follow-up training, and measuring onboarding success through concrete metrics. 
 
In addition, they will receive real-world examples from firms that successfully shortened their onboarding while improving results.
 
Moderator:
@Jeffrey Roach - Partner, EncoreTech
 
Speaker:
@Daniel Kent - Training Manager, Foley HoagRecorded 6-3-2025

The shift to remote and hybrid working has transformed how leaders should effectively manage their teams. 
Understanding skills required to manage engagement, motivation, relationship building, effective communication, cultivating collaborative, cohesive teams, from a distance, are now essential. 
In this podcast interview, we will discuss key tips and tricks to build and grow remote and hybrid leadership with empathy. 
 Moderator:Melanie Prevost, Senior Director of Infrastructure and Technical Support Services, Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.
Speaker:Michael B. Stevens, Managing Partner, Derrevere Stevens Black & Cozad