As legal technology expands and plays a greater role in the practice of law, lawyers have a greater need than ever before to learn to use those technologies efficiently and effectively. Our panel will discuss some of the ways training and support professionals can help fill that need.
Panelists:
Ben Kusmin will discuss his experience launching the Excel Esquire CLE program, and training attorneys with vastly different backgrounds to use Excel effectively. He will also suggest ways to motivate attorneys to learn more about the technology they use, and how to hold their attention once they show up.
Ben J. Kusmin is a commercial litigation associate at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf LLP in New York City, where he manages large eDiscovery projects and document reviews, creates and challenges privilege logs, engages in motion practice, and supervises expert accounting witnesses. Microsoft Excel plays a role in all of these activities. Ben developed the Excel Esquire CLE program and the Excel Esquire blog to give other attorneys the skill and confidence they need to successfully navigate in Excel.
Amy Manint: As law firms continue to evolve, so do Traveling Coaches’ innovative approaches to learning and user adoption. In this session, we are going to talk about what we have found to be the top 5 best practices for engaging and training lawyers, as well as the technology requirements for lawyers continue to change.
Amy Manint has been with Traveling Coaches for over six years. As a Senior Account Executive her responsibilities include being a strategic partner in L&D, information security and change management solutions, and partnering with clients to facilitate the development of clear strategic business objectives and tailor customized change management solutions and offerings in the legal industry. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, singing and spending time with her family.
Jim Pratt: Adapting to a new crowd. This discussion will address the importance of tailoring training tactics to your audience. You will hear of Microsystems experiences developing lawyer-oriented software, and the pains and solutions encountered therein.
Jim Pratt serves as a Senior Process and Production Specialist on the Customer Adoption and Engagement team with more than six years of experience. He has led over 100 client implementations across DocXtools, Contract Companion (formerly EagleEye), and other services. He also records many of the training videos for Microsystems, including DocXtools, Contract Companion, and Patent Companion. You may recognize his voice!
Karen Kucinski & Rebecca Shulman:
Two speakers from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Karen Kucinski, Manager of IT Training, and Rebecca Shulman, Recruiting and Associate Development Manager, will engage in a lively discussion about successful strategies for encouraging attorneys to participate in technology training. Bridging the fields of IT training and professional development, they will help us identify the key elements necessary for success -- communication, collaboration and creativity --- and how to apply them at our firms.
Karen Kucinski is the Manager of IT Training at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. In this role for the past eleven years, Karen works to promote the use of technology within the Firm and manages a team of technical trainers who strive to provide innovative ways to keep staff and attorneys on top of the latest technology. Prior to working at Wachtell, Karen worked as a Technical Trainer at various law firms and investment banks in New York City. She is a Certified Information Professional (CIP), an active member and former officer in the Professional Legal Trainers’ Group (PLTG) and a member of the Conference Planning Committee of the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). A native of Buffalo, New York, Karen currently resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with her wife and two young sons. She is an avid photographer and aspiring gardener.
Rebecca Shulman is the Recruiting and Associate Development Manager at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. In her role, she oversees associate development initiatives including onboarding, training, mentoring, and career development. She is also involved in recruiting and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Prior to her role at Wachtell Lipton she was a Professional Development Manager at Shearman & Sterling. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University and an Executive and Organizational Coaching Certificate from New York University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning at The George Washington University, with an expected graduation date of December 2017.
