After spending her career working in law firms, Christine moved over to the Association world by joining the staff at ILTA. Now she spends her time supporting members and volunteers by leading programs, education and committees that encompass the entire practice of law.
Catherine A. Bernard
Professional Support Lawyer – US Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Catherine A. Bernard Professional Support Lawyer – US Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Mayer Brown LLP
Catherine A. Bernard is the Professional Support Lawyer for the US Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice at Mayer Brown LLP. Using her extensive litigation experience, she advises and supports the practice while collaborating with other KM professionals, firm management, attorneys, and marketing and IT professionals on operational, educational, and business development initiatives. Catherine also works with the firm’s Innovation Department to assess, develop, and implement technology that allows the firm’s lawyers to better leverage each other’s knowledge and serve client needs. Catherine frequently speaks on knowledge management and innovation topics at industry conferences as well as customer panels for KM tools such as Lex Machina and Westlaw Litigation Analytics. She is a member of the DC Legal Knowledge Management Group and co-author of a chapter on “Process Improvement and Process Mapping” in PLI’s forthcoming treatise Legal Knowledge Management and Innovation.
Catherine maintains an active pro bono practice representing refugees in asylum proceedings and sits on the Board of Directors for the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition. In 2019, she was named Mayer Brown’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in recognition of the 1600+ hours she had spent representing asylees from El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. That same year, she was part of a team honored with CAIR Coalition’s Detained Adult Champion award. In 2018, she was Tahirih Justice Center’s Greater DC Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
In her previous role as Counsel at Mayer Brown, Catherine’s practice focused on complex commercial litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts, with a focus on securities and regulatory matters involving financial institutions and financial products. Catherine lives in Washington, DC with her family.
Elisabeth Cappuyns Director of Knowledge Management
DLA Piper
Elisabeth Cappuyns is the Director of Knowledge Management for DLA Piper (US), a global law firm. In this role, she creates and implements knowledge management strategies and programs for attorneys and clients to help optimize the practice and business of law. This includes the use of technology, such as GenAI, automation, and data analytics, plus innovative solutions.
Before she started focusing on knowledge management in 2013, she practiced corporate law for over 15 years at law firms in New York, London and Abu Dhabi. She holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A from Drew University.
Cynthia Cole is an Intellectual Property Partner in Baker McKenzie's Palo Alto office, as well as a member of the IP Tech Global Steering Committee. A former CEO and General Counsel, just before joining the Firm, Cynthia was Deputy Department Chair of the Corporate Section in the California offices of Baker Botts where she built the technology transactions and data privacy practice. An intellectual property transactions attorney, Cynthia also has expertise in AI, digital transformation, data privacy, and cybersecurity strategy. She advises clients across a wide range of industries including Technology, Media & Telecoms, Energy, Mining & Infrastructure, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Industrials, Manufacturing & Transportation. Cynthia has deep experience in complex cross-border, IP, data-driven and digital transactions, creating bespoke agreements in novel technology fields. She acts as outside general counsel to a number of executive teams and boards of directors.
Michael Ertel Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney
Paul Hastings
Mike Ertel is a seasoned innovation and knowledge professional with a proven track record of developing and implementing cutting-edge programs for stakeholders and clients. His 15 years as a practicing attorney combined with his In-depth expertise in legal technology and a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends in legal innovation allow him to deliver exceptional legal services in an efficient manner while increasing realization.
Dharma Betancourt Frederick Knowledge Management Counsel
DLA Piper
Dharma is an experienced litigator with a unique combination of both big law legal experience and targeted KM expertise at Thomson Reuters’ Practical Law division. After graduating from Harvard Law and completing an EDNY clerkship, Dharma joined Davis Polk’s litigation team, where she worked on securities, commercial, and white collar criminal defense matters. She then moved to Practical Law, where she planned, created, launched, maintained, and marketed securities litigation content including practical guidance, standard documents, checklists, and CLE training courses. As KM Counsel supporting attorneys in DLA Piper’s Disputes vertical, she optimizes the overlap of resources and technology between the different practices, while also using her specific expertise on targeted KM projects.
Peter Geovanes (JD/MBA) is a data scientist and accomplished executive who has implemented innovative data, analytic and AI solutions for both law firms and Fortune 1000 companies. As the Chief Innovation & AI Officer at McGuireWoods, he spearheads development and implementation of innovative business solutions, including the use of AI-enhanced tools, to better serve clients and to improve firm operations.
He provides a unique hybrid background that combines deep data and analytical capabilities along with proven technical, project management, legal and business consulting skills. He specializes in applying state-of-the-art analytics, business intelligence tools and modeling techniques to generate legal insights and improve firm performance. His work has garnered the following industry awards and recognition:
OnCon 2024 Top 100 Data & Analytics Professional Award Winner
Innovations in AI for Law Firms 2023 Law.com Finalist announcement
Innovations in Diversity and Inclusion 2023 Law.com Finalist announcement
OnCon 2023 finalists for the Top 100 Data & Analytics Professional Award
American Legal Technology Awards 2022 Award Winner
Business of Data Awards 2022 Award Finalist article
Winner of the 2022 Data Value Awardby Corinium Intelligence - “presented to the leader whom has worked to extract large amounts of value from their data & analytics projects”
Innovative Leader of the Year Award ILTA 2021 runner-up
Legal Innovator of the Year article 2021 runner-up
Named a Top 100 Innovator in Data and Analytics awarded by Corinium Intelligence
Prior to joining McGuireWoods, Peter led Data Strategy, AI & Analytics at Winston & Strawn, was a Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal, a Director and Analytics Market Leader with PwC, a Principal for a regional consulting firm, a senior project manager for SPSS and proudly served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy.
Ashley Gibbs is the Director of Product Value Engineers at Litera with more than 14 years of experience in the legal industry, mostly focused on enterprise technology. She has spent her career implementing various solutions at law firms and leading the change management efforts that come along for the ride.
Ashley’s true passion is people and cross-team collaboration which is why her technology “tools of choice” must aim to breakdown silos - both data and function. Nothing makes her happier than bringing people into a room for the purpose of accomplishing a common goal.
She enjoys all things outside and keeps active by running, biking, and skiing. In her downtime she loves reading, working on her house with her husband and spending time with her family.
Michael P. Glasser is a Senior Knowledge Attorney with the North America Transactional Practice Group in Washington, DC. He focuses on Mergers & Acquisitions and Cross-Border Transactions and Integration, and serves as the Knowledge Lead for our Digital Transformation client solution. Michael assists fee-earners in drafting model precedential documents and is also responsible for collecting, storing and maintaining precedent forms and samples in document repositories. Michael also plans, prepares and implements internal and client-facing external training sessions and assists fee-earners with authoring firm-issued client alerts and other publications, as well as internal newsletters and practice notes. Michael also identifies trends and developments in M&A, including market terms, to enable fee-earners in his practice group to better advise their clients in their transactions and works with members of Baker McKenzie's products team to help identify tools and resources that can help fee-earners work more efficiently and effectively.
Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Michael worked for a major global law firm where he was also a Knowledge Lawyer in the US Corporate Transactional Practice and practiced general M&A and corporate law at another major law firm prior to that.
Joe Green is the Chief Innovation Officer of Gunderson Dettmer. In this role, he leads the firm’s innovation strategy, with a focus on transforming the service delivery platform to provide a more modern experience for both internal and external stakeholders. He is also of counsel in the Gunderson’s New York office, with extensive experience advising startup and emerging technology companies and venture capitalists.
Joe has authored dozens of articles on startup-related issues, the business of law, legal technology and the future of the legal industry. He speaks regularly on these topics at industry and academic conferences, law firms and law schools. Joe’s academic work has been cited by SEC commissioners and staff in public speeches and reports on numerous occasions.
Joe was previously a senior associate at Gunderson and left to join Thomson Reuters as a Senior Legal Editor at Practical Law, the premier online legal know-how service for business lawyers. At Practical Law, Joe created content and technology solutions enabling thousands of law firm and in-house attorney customers in the startup and venture capital space to deliver services more efficiently and effectively. Joe started his legal career as a securities lawyer with Simpson Thacher in New York.
Eric Helal combines his JD and coding skills to integrate technology with legal practice. Recognizing the potential of advanced large language models in mid-2022, he has developed solutions for litigation case assessments, data standardization, and automatic drafting. Eric’s expertise in AI has significantly enhanced the firm's efficiency and service offerings.
Myka Hopgood Chief Knowledge Management and Innovation Officer
Dykema
As a former practicing attorney, and over 20years of experience in legal tech, Myka Hopgood drives the vision and strategy for innovation, including: fostering a culture of innovation, identifying emerging technology, tech/vendor evaluation and selection, technology implementation, and adoption, while ensuring alignment with the firm’s strategic initiatives.
Laura Jakubowski is a Knowledge Management Attorney with Goldberg Kohn. She leads the firm’s knowledge and data management strategy, and provides legal, technical, market and practical expertise for the firm’s Commercial Finance and Bankruptcy practices.
Laura rejoined Goldberg Kohn in her current position in August 2021. Prior to that, she was an Assistant General Counsel at a large financial institution where she focused on middle market lending and digital, data use and privacy law matters for its commercial banking group. Previously she was a Commercial Finance Associate at Goldberg Kohn.
Scott Kaiser Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney
Paul Hastings LLP
Scott H. Kaiser is a Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney at Paul Hastings LLP. Mr. Kaiser works with the firm’s Employment, Complex Litigation, Securities Litigation, and Antitrust practice areas and is based in the firm’s New York office.
Mr. Kaiser‘s work with the Practice Innovation and Legal Solutions department focuses on optimizing and creating efficient legal processes and workflows, identifying and developing innovative tools and content delivery systems, and leveraging innovative practice technology that ensures practice and client service excellence. Mr. Kaiser works on high-level knowledge initiatives to assess internal knowledge needs and collects, creates, and delivers critical legal content to the attorneys in his practice areas to support their efforts to provide the highest level of substantive legal advice to clients.
Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Mr. Kaiser was a Senior Legal Editor at Practical Law for four years, creating legal know-how content to help litigation attorneys provide better, more efficient service to their clients. Before that, Mr. Kaiser was a practicing attorney for over twelve years, working primarily as an associate at Bryan Cave LLP in that firm’s commercial litigation, labor and employment, and securities litigation and enforcement practice groups. Mr. Kaiser was also Of Counsel at a litigation boutique firm. Mr. Kaiser graduated from Harvard Law School and Duke University.
Tiffany leads the firm’s knowledge management (KM) and records/office services functions while chairing the firm’s internal Technology Innovation group. With over 25 years of experience in KM and research, she oversees the firm’s investigative, business and legal research as well as evaluates and implements KM tools and processes. Tiffany trains attorneys and staff on efficient research strategies; conducts contract negotiations, budgeting and supervising; and advances the performance of various legal and administrative departments by establishing and implementing valuable workflow solutions. She is also a member of the Firm’s Technology Committee. In addition to working in the legal field, Tiffany was an information specialist with McKinsey & Company, a leading management consultant firm.
Sarah Pullin is the Global Director of Knowledge at Baker McKenzie and part of the global leadership team. She leads the Knowledge Lawyers, KM Managers, Information & Research teams, Global Knowledge Experts, four off shore Knowledge teams and KM systems & tools in support of the Firm’s clients and business strategy. Sarah qualified and practiced as a lawyer before becoming a Professional Support Lawyer and has spent over 20 years managing and leading all aspects of Knowledge, including now as a global lead for the generative AI firmwide program for Baker McKenzie.
Casey Rauschenberg is the Experience Manager at Frost Brown Todd leading the firm's experience , CRM, and document automation initiatives. Casey develops and implements processes to collect data and automate workflows and documents. Prior to joining Frost Brown Todd, Casey worked at an AM Law 100 firm managing their experience and document automation systems.
Jennifer Reeves Practice Innovation & Knowledge Attorney
Crowell & Moring
Jennifer Reeves is a Practice Innovation & Knowledge Attorney at Crowell & Moring LLP specializing in regulatory practice groups. In her role, she also supports Crowell’s Chief Innovation & Value Officer in advancing the Firm’s generative AI initiatives. She earned her B.A. in English from Baylor University and her J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Jennifer’s career began in legislative services as a Legislative Director and Committee Clerk for the Texas House of Representatives’ Committee on Environmental Regulation, followed by a role as a legal compliance associate at Meta. Prior to her current position, she worked in legal knowledge management at another AM Law 100 Firm, optimizing legal services through strategic technology integration.
Damien Riehl is a lawyer and technologist with experience in complex litigation, digital forensics, and software development. A lawyer since 2002 and coder since 1985, Damien clerked for the chief judges of state and federal courts, practiced in complex litigation for over a decade, has led teams of cybersecurity and world-spanning digital forensics investigations, and has built AI-backed legal software. Co-Chair of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles, he is helping recommend changes to Minnesota statutes, rules, and policies — all related to connected and autonomous vehicles. Damien is Chair of the Minnesota State Bar Association's working group on AI and the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) plus Access to Justice (A2J). At SALI, the legal data standard he helps lead, Damien develops and has greatly expanded the taxonomy of over 17,000 legal tags that matter, helping the legal industry's development of Generative AI, analytics, and interoperability. At vLex Group — which includes Fastcase, NextChapter, and Docket Alarm — Damien helps lead the design, development, and expansion of various products, integrating AI-backed technologies (e.g., GPT) into a billion-document dataset from 100+ countries, all to improve legal workflows. “This guy [Damien] rocks!” - Elon Musk
Nita is a transformational C-Suite professional with expertise in working with large, mid, and small-market players in the legal ecosystem (Law Firms, Corporate Legal Departments, LegalTechs, Investors and Legal Associations) to optimize go-to-market strategies, grow revenues and streamline operations for sustained top-line growth and improved bottom-line. Nita has advised leadership of several large, medium & small law firms to transform their business for growth. She has also worked with multiple start- & scale-ups, & strategic acquirors in legal as an advisor and/or a member of their C-Suite (Chief Operating Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, or Chief Transformation Officer) to drive organic and inorganic growth, support post-acquisition integration, and transform their go-to-market and business operations, to position the firms for sustained market growth. Nita has guided PE firms looking to invest in legal, to identify market opportunities, assess investments in businesses, and optimize performance of companies in their portfolio. Nita has guided several GCs in evolving their role to be a trusted advisor to the C-suite and transforming their Corporate Legal departments for success. Nita is the former Head of Global Innovation for Wolters Kluwer’s Legal & Regulatory division.
Paul Saunders Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer and Partner
Stewart McKelvey
Paul is responsible for driving strategies for Firm growth through innovation, continuous improvement, change management, Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, business development, external consulting, financial data analysis and application development, and Partner coaching, compensation and knowledge transfer. This includes facilitating the development and execution of Stewart McKelvey’s strategic plans and staying up to date on legal industry trends and best practices.
Paul partners with lawyers, staff, and business professionals both internal and external to the firm, to solve problems by implementing strategies and developing new tools and processes. Paul does so by leveraging his expertise in process improvement, legal project management, pricing, profitability analysis, data analytics, financial dashboards, intranets, document management, law firm partner compensation redesign, database design, application development, MS Excel, SharePoint, automated document assembly, and other related fields and technologies. Ten years of corporate practice experience, specializing in M&A and coordinating large corporate transactions, combined with eight years as a member of the Firm’s senior leadership team, has enabled him to develop countless solutions that have had far reaching benefits for the firm and its clients.
As an award winning KM professional, Amanda partners with lawyers to develop modern and practical solutions to increase profitability, utilization and efficiency. She leads strategic firmwide projects, and she excels at focusing on the people elements of innovation, ensuring that stakeholders embrace and adopt change
Recognized as a 2021 ILTA Young Professional to Watch,Amanda works on some of the most challenging projects in the industry. She is a former practicing lawyer, led customer success for the legal tech vendor Casetext, and has been a part of the industry's most accomplished teams in KM and Innovation at Shearman & Sterling, Cleary Gottlieb and Ogletree Deakins
DLA Piper’s first Chief Knowledge Officer, Barbara is responsible for developing and implementing a Knowledge strategy that helps lawyers practice smarter by optimizing the collective legal and client knowledge of the firm. She is also responsible for a variety of legal practice transformation initiatives including the adoption of generative AI. Barbara leads the Knowledge Department which includes the Knowledge Management, Technology, Resources and Research Services teams.
Barbara joined DLA Piper with 25 years of legal experience, including a lengthy tenure at BDO USA and BDO Seidman, where she held various positions on the legal team, including serving as General Counsel from 2001 through 2012.
Susan Woodhouse Executive Director of Knowledge Management
Littler Mendelson
Susan Woodhouse manages the Knowledge Management (KM) department, comprising attorneys, researchers and technologists. As an advocate of innovation, she is deeply committed to developing tools, services, and products that allow attorneys to consistently deliver the highest quality client services across practice areas and geography. Susan’s vision, creativity and employment-law experience were crucial to the development of several Littler products and services, including PolicySmart®, an online compliance tool that enables employers to track legislative and regulatory changes in HR policies and procedures; Littler GPS®, an online database that provides employers with instant access to recent legislative and regulatory developments and surveys of legal requirements across every U.S. jurisdiction; and LittlerEdge, the firm’s client portal that provides access to Littler’s collective knowledge and experience.
Susan’s contributions to the firm’s KM department have led to several recognitions, including being named 2015 Knowledge Management Professional of the Year by International Legal Technology Association’s (ILTA) Distinguished Peer Awards, “Most Powerful Employment Attorneys” in Human Resource Executive and Lawdragon Inc., which identifies employment lawyers nationwide for professional excellence. Susan’s contributions help Littler remain agile and responsive in an environment where clients increasingly expect their outside counsel to provide more efficient and cost-effective service.
