2026 PLTG Leadership |
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| Dan Earley – Paul Hastings LLP
Dan is the President of PLTG and brings more than 30 years of experience in the technology field. His career began with a start-up company and a consulting firm, laying a strong foundation for a diverse and evolving technology journey. Dan’s legal technology experience started at Morrison & Foerster and continues through his current work with Paul Hastings. Throughout his career, Dan has held numerous roles across IT and Talent Management, consistently serving as a vital liaison between technology teams and the business. In his current role as a Digital Learning Specialist, he consults internally on learning and development initiatives, delivers live presentations, and creates engaging digital content to support organizational growth. Dan has developed and delivered webinars, designed educational programs, and contributed to the editing of e‑learning and legal technology publications. He is deeply passionate about helping others understand and adapt to technology that enhances their daily work and aligns with broader business goals. Dan has also been an active leader within PLTG, previously serving as Co‑Vice President of Membership and Co‑Vice President/Secretary on the board.
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| Nelson Valdez – Perkins Coie Nelson Valdez is Past President of PLTG, a role that supports continuity of the organization. Nelson serves as Technology Education Manager at Perkins Coie LLP, where he leads technology learning initiatives and champions the adoption of AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT-powered solutions, to drive innovation and efficiency in legal services. He holds a Master’s in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor’s in Information Systems. Connect with Nelson on LinkedIn. |
| Barbara Darby – Paul Hastings LLP
Barbara began her professional journey as an elementary school teacher in Houston, TX, before transitioning to a career in information technology training at various law firms in the Washington, DC area. Over the last 25+ years, she has contributed her expertise to several major law firms and currently serves as the Training and Applications Support Specialist at Klein Hornig LLP. In this role, Barbara integrates technology into legal practice by delivering comprehensive training on multiple applications, managing projects, and conducting thorough testing of software prior to deployment to attorneys and staff. Additionally, she provides ongoing support for firm applications and assists with service desk operations and is constantly expanding her knowledge in technology. Barbara holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Texas Southern University and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Houston. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she is actively involved with her local church and participates on the boards of several non-profit organizations. Her personal interests include walking, traveling, capturing travel experiences through photography, and spending quality time with family. |
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Scott Baron – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Co-Vice President/Secretary
Scott brings nearly three decades of experience in technology training, with a strong focus on the legal industry. His tech career began in the late 1980s as a mainframe programmer and has since spanned multiple sectors, including magazine publishing at Condé Nast—where he acquired a memorable Anna Wintour story he’s always happy to share. His training career started in 1995 while at Condé Nast. In 2004, Scott transitioned from publishing to the legal industry, starting at Reed Smith. He later joined DLA Piper, where he spent seventeen years honing his expertise, before moving to Simpson Thacher in 2022 as an IT Trainer and content creator. Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife, their three cats, and their black lab, Zora. A lifelong gamer, he and his wife are also enthusiastic sumo fans and travel to Japan when possible to immerse themselves in sumo-related events and culture. |
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Dawn Bolston – Latham & Watkins
Co-Vice President/Membership Dawn Bolston is the Technology Training Supervisor at Latham & Watkins LLP. She graduated from Pace University with a degree in Human Resource Management and a minor in Information Systems. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology from Purdue University Global and a Microsoft Expert Certification in Word 2016. Dawn has over 25 years of experience as a Technology Trainer. She began her career as a Training Consultant for Productivity Point International (PPI) before transitioning to the legal technology sector. Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Dawn worked at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, and Graubard, Mollen & Miller LLP. Dawn is a former two-term president of PLTG (2004 and 2016) and has served as co-vice president/secretary on the Board of Directors, as well as on the Programs and Events and Bylaws committees. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys dancing, spending quality time with her husband, Michael, and working with the youth at her church. |
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Moji Shabi – Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Co-Vice President/Membership In addition to working with firms such as Heller Ehrman and Weil Gotshal, Moji has also worked with companies in various industries such as the Blue Man Group, People Magazine, and Goldman Sachs. Even though Moji started as a computer engineer at Lehigh University, her eventual theatre degree and minor in computer science foreshadowed a flourishing career in technology training. Mojisola Shabi hails from Brooklyn, NY, likes listening to British radio shows and makes short films. |
| Mischa Kischkum – WilmerHale LLP Mischa Kischkum is WilmerHale’s Information Services Department’s Learning Management System Administrator and Technology Training Coordinator, the longest title he has ever held. He works with firm management developing training programs for staff, supports teams which deliver CLE training to attorneys, oversees a team of administrators for the firm’s Learning Management System (LMS), and manages the features and uses of the LMS. Ask him anything about law firm LMS providers; he's become an expert. |
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| Christina Carannente – Confirm
Christina Carannante is a learning, adoption, and change management leader with 10+ years of experience helping people embrace new technology with clarity and confidence. She builds human-centered training that makes change stick, from creative classrooms to corporate teams and global law firms.
She began her career as an art and photography educator, teaching everyone from children undergoing cancer treatment to senior citizens across New York City, including programs at the Guggenheim Museum. She then moved into technology training with Older Adult Technology Services, where she built accessible programs that helped older adults gain confidence using digital tools.
Christina later joined Hearst Corporate Technology, supporting enterprise technology initiatives and rollouts across all divisions. In 2018, she entered the legal industry at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where she spent seven years leading training, adoption, and change efforts for major platform transitions and innovation initiatives.
She is now a Practice Solutions Adoption Specialist at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, supporting firmwide rollout and adoption of legal technology, including AI-enabled tools, in close partnership with attorneys, business professionals, and vendors.
Christina remains active in her local arts community as a Board member of Staten Island Arts, and in her free time she enjoys swing dancing, roller skating, and seeing live music. |
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| Roberta Gelb – Chelsea Office Systems Roberta Gelb is President of Chelsea Office Systems and a recognized authority on productivity, software, and office systems solutions for law firms and businesses. She brings extensive expertise in systems design, implementation, training, and the human factors that influence the effective adoption and use of technology. In 1984, Roberta founded Chelsea Office Systems, a specialized software consulting and training firm that provides customized productivity assessments, application programming and development, education, and on-site support to law firms and corporate clients. Roberta serves as the Vendor Representative on the Board of the Professional Legal Trainers Group and is also a member of its Program Committee. Beyond her professional work, Roberta is a dedicated breast cancer advocate and activist. She supports individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer by helping them understand their diagnosis and by serving as an advocate throughout their treatment journey. Roberta is deeply engaged in community service. She has served on the Board of the New York State Breast Cancer Network and on the Scientific Advisory Board of Consano. In addition, she volunteers with animal rescue organizations in the New York area. Connect with Roberta on LinkedIn. |
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