2024 May Meeting: Learning and Development Roles in Legal

Join us for another dynamic PLTG event where members will learn about lateral roles within the legal training sector. Our panelists, comprising accomplished professionals from various lateral roles such as Training Manager, Professional Development Manager, LMS Administrator, IT Communications Director, and Training Consultants, will share their experiences, expertise, and tips for career advancement.

• Skills and Requirements: From communication prowess to project management expertise, discover the key attributes that contribute to success in these dynamic positions.
• Career Growth Strategies: Whether you're aiming for a managerial position or seeking to specialize in a particular area, our panelists will help you to progress professionally.
• Community Service Initiative: As part of our commitment to fostering talent within the legal training community, we're extending an invitation to graduating students from select colleges. This presents a unique opportunity for our membership to learn what these younger voices are hoping for in their careers, and to be inspired by their inquisitive nature.

Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to expand your knowledge, network with industry peers, and embark on a journey toward career advancement within the legal training arena.

Moderators

Jeffrey Casper is the Manager of Learning & User Experience at Selendy Gay PLLC.

With over 25 years' experience leading change in major NY law firms and investment banks, Jeff has engaged in all aspects of learning and change management, both in-house and as a contractor. He is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, and specializes in a holistic, collaborative approach to information sharing and change management. An expert communicator, Jeff combines technical acumen, professional theater experience, and highly developed interpersonal skills to create positive learning experiences that stick. Along the way, he served for (too) many years as Training Coordinator at Kirkland & Ellis, helped lead Clifford Chance’s year-long Covid migration from SharePoint to iManage Work, partnered with Sherry Kappel for an experiential presentation on change at ILTACON, and has helped many small NY law firms increase their IT mastery and efficiency through his own consulting business, New Vista Consulting. When not managing somebody’s learning, Jeff can be caught tap dancing in elevators, swimming with the family, walking his fluffernutter dog, and taking way too many close-ups of flowers.

Mischa Kischkum is the Learning Management System Administrator & Technology Training Coordinator at WilmerHale LLP.

In his role developing training and onboarding at law firms, Mischa’s been in I.S. and in H.R., and is a Certified Professional Trainer (CTT+) by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).  Currently he’s helping develop weekly use case scenarios for Copilot, already in use at the firm.  Before entering the adult learning space, Mischa was an actor and writer for 25 years who appeared in several film festivals including Cannes, and appears in syndication playing a principal opposite Ice-T on “Law & Order: SVU”, the longest running TV show of all time.

Law Firm Panelists - 

Sharon Ford is a Program Manager (Enterprise Change Management) at Perkins Coie.

Sharon Ford is an experienced change management professional with a passion for enhancing the end user experience, training, and adoption of change initiatives. Sharon started her career in the consulting field then moved to the legal industry, with a short detour at a public company.  With nearly 20 years in the change management field, Sharon has honed her skills while working for several multi-national law firms, gaining valuable insights into the legal industry.

In her current role as an enterprise change management program manager, Sharon has successfully guided initiatives such as the implementation of hybrid work, a new attorney support model, and other organization-wide projects.

Amy Olson is the IT Training Manager at Lewis Roca.

Amy comes from a diverse background of supporting corporate initiatives by applying strong technical prowess and innovative training solutions. Along with 25 years of experience in healthcare information technology, she worked in key roles building training programs supporting software implementations, onboarding, and a wide range of technical disciplines. A milestone in her career came while driving a Knowledge Management initiative for a software development startup. Amy just recently changed industries, joining her current law firm last summer. The opportunity to meld her technical expertise with learning and development provided an exciting platform to delve into the work that she excels in.

Lisa Reminick is the Associate Director of IT Training at Dechert LLP.

Lisa Reminick is the Associate Director of IT Training at Dechert LLP, where she expertly guides a dynamic team comprising five trainers, a Manager of Instructional Design, and a Multimedia Specialist. Boasting over two decades of experience in legal IT training, Lisa has witnessed and adapted to the myriad transformations in learning design and delivery.

A staunch advocate for the enduring significance of technology training in our increasingly digital landscape, Lisa fosters a culture of innovation within her team. She encourages the exploration of new techniques and technologies to ensure that Dechert's training initiatives remain cutting-edge and captivating.

Renowned for her dedication to professional development, Lisa is celebrated within Dechert for her meticulous attention to nurturing her team's growth. Throughout her tenure, she has mentored numerous trainers, many of whom have successfully transitioned to other prominent roles within the firm and beyond.

Toseef Fayas is a Senior Technical Trainer at Dechert LLP.

Toseef is a Senior Technical Trainer, a role that underscores his vital position in the firm's technological advancement and educational initiatives. With five years in the legal sector, Toseef has become proficient in navigating the landscape of law and technology.

At the forefront of AI, innovation, and mobile technology, Toseef is the lead trainer in implementing training programs that empower the firm's personnel to harness cutting-edge tools. His expertise is not confined to a single aspect of technology but spans a diverse career in various IT domains.

Understanding that each individual's working methods are unique, Toseef constantly tailors his approach to align with the specific workflows of his colleagues. His methods are designed to enhance overall productivity and client service. Toseef's results-driven ethos and commitment to service excellence have not only elevated the firm's training programs but have also solidified his reputation as a catalyst for change within the organization.

Vendor Panelists - 

Michael Kraft is Co-founder and General Counsel at Kraft Kennedy, Inc.

Michael is a co-founder and the General Counsel of Kraft & Kennedy, Inc., a consulting, and systems integration firm founded in 1988. He began practicing law in 1970 as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New York. Michael moved to private practice with the firm of Choate Doman Moore & Hahn, specializing in international litigation. Thereafter, he joined a financial printing firm as Executive Vice President in charge of marketing, sales, and product development. Michael is a member of the Bar Association of the City of New York, the American Bar Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel. He previously served on the Board of the New York Chapter of ACC for more than ten years, co-chaired the Technology / Privacy Committee for the New York Chapter. In addition, he was one of the founding board members of the Members-in-Transition Committee, which provided support to members of the corporate bar who were seeking new opportunities to use their extensive skills. Michael was also a contributing author of a book, Managing Outside Counsel, published by ACC and a contributing editor of a report issued by the New York Chapter on the Selection of Outside Counsel.  He was a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Law & Technology News. Michael has been a frequent speaker on technology and the practice of law for both law firms and corporate legal departments. Michael graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1969 and received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Miami in 1966.

Danette Shaifer is Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer at Florishion Consulting & Coaching, LLC.

Danette has been a working member of IT, HR, and Professional Development departments and has partnered with just about every function in a law firm during her professional evolution. Her ability to pick up on unspoken opportunities for improvement, her passion for ongoing development and her ability to connect the dots when designing solutions, have proven invaluable to her clients.

Danette developed a blueprint to strengthen team dynamics by intentionally focusing on communication, collaboration, connection and clarification. The Strategic C4 Blueprint outlines common issues teams and organizations experience when any of the 4 Cs, require attention. The blueprint provides recommendations that guide you through continued improvement in each area while creating a culture where your people can flourish! While she is available to be your guide on the side to implement these recommendations, this blueprint was designed to bring fresh engagement ideas and empower people managers as a standalone resource. 

Joy Hewitt is a Training Specialist at Traveling Coaches.

Joy is a dynamic Training Specialist with a knack for igniting learning passions. With over six years in the training field her journey has focused on empowering and educating individuals, while creating a learning culture that aims to elevate the entire organization.

Joy's journey includes spearheading onboarding transformations and crafting engaging learning materials that captivate audiences. Her expertise extends to document management, where she's revolutionized processes and elevated organizational efficiency. Joy’s commitment also extends to accessibility, where she champions inclusivity, adapting curriculums for all. Whether delivering client based virtual instructor lead (VILT) courses or orchestrating seamless onboarding, her impact is profound. With a focus on individualized or group training and unwavering dedication, she's a driving force in empowering teams to reach new heights.

Gunnar Widercrantz is a Revenue Productivity Specialist at Harbor Global.

Gunnar began my career with Harbor Global (Wilson Allen at the time) in January, 2022 as a Solutions Architect after graduating from Vassar College. While at Vassar, he majored in economics with a correlate in mathematics, and also played for Vassar’s varsity baseball team. At Harbor, Gunnar was a member of the training team for my first six months and then transitioned to the Revenue Operations team where he became a Revenue Productivity Specialist. As a Revenue Productivity Specialist Gunnar created a renewals program, assisted with proposal creation, managed CRM data, and assisted our go to market team with providing the best possible client experience. Following the creation of Harbor Global in 2023, Gunnar has been involved in client programs which includes relationship management and account planning.

Social Time 9:00am - 9:30am