Kraft Kennedy

M365 Purview for Law Firm Management
2025-12-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
M365 Purview for Law Firm Management
Kraft Kennedy and Association of Legal Administers (ALA) Puget Sound present this virtual session designed for legal administrators who want to learn about how to use Microsoft Purview, a unified data governance and risk & compliance solution, to keep their firm’s information organized and secure – without needing technical expertise.
Real-Life Law Firm Examples: You’ll see how small and medium-sized law firms use Purview to solve everyday challenges, including how to:

Identify sensitive firm work product, client data, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) stored in a Microsoft tenant;
Prevent the inadvertent sharing of documents with sensitive content outside the firm;
Ensure documents for clients who do not want to use AI are not processed by Copilot or other GenAI tools; and
Discover content in your Microsoft tenant to respond to a subpoena, or as support in dealing with internal matters.

Topics of discussion:

Overview of Purview Tools: Through these examples, we’ll introduce the main features of Microsoft Purview in straightforward terms.
Licensing Made Simple: We’ll explain what you need to know about Purview licensing, so you can make the most of the tools we talk about with your firm’s Microsoft tenant.
Practical Tips: The session will focus on real-world examples and straightforward steps you can take, without requiring IT expertise.

Goal: By the end of this session, you’ll feel confident about how Purview can save time in your daily work, help your team avoid mistakes, and keep your firm’s data secure.
Register Here
When: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Where: Zoom Meeting
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ALA Houston Holiday Luncheon
2025-12-11 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Houston Holiday Luncheon
Martin Leyendecker and Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Houston friends will gather for a Holiday Luncheon featuring a favorite things gift exchange.
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Barcelona Wine Bar
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ALA Puget Sound Winter Social
2025-12-11 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
ALA Puget Sound 2025 Winter Social
Chris Arrowsmith and Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Puget Sound friends will gather for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and cheer at the 2025 Winter Social.
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Hotel 1000
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ALA Cyber Educational Session: The Challenge of Change
2025-12-11 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Cyber Educational Session: The Challenge of Change
Kraft Kennedy and the Association of Legal Administrator (ALA) Cyber Chapter present an informal, interactive Education Session highlighting key areas of change that cause common challenges for ALA firms. We invite participants to share insights about processes that cause friction at law firms including:

Employee onboarding
User adoption to new tech
Policy Management
Password Management
AI Selections and Governance
& the topics you bring to the table

This session aims to create a forum for Actionable Intelligence, learning together and arming attendees with useful information.
Register Here
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Zoom Meeting
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Holiday Soirée
2025-12-11 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Holiday Soirée
Kraft Kennedy and Oddr are teaming up for the 2025 Holiday Soirée: An Evening at the Speakeasy. Step into Midtown’s hidden speakeasy where the spirit of the 1960s meets modern sophistication, and gather with friends and peers for an intimate evening of classic cocktails and chef-curated hors d’oeuvres among the city’s brightest minds. Expect an evening full of community, connection, celebration, and prize drawings.
Interested in attending? Reach out here
When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: The Boardroom
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Gatsby Winter Soirée
2026-01-14 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Gatsby Winter Soirée
Kevin Barry and Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) NYC community will gather for a Gatsby-themed evening of connection, conversation, and celebration.
Register here
When:Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Gatsby’s Landing
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Wine Tasting
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Wine Tasting
Stacy Jenkins and the Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Capital Chapter community will gather for an evening of new flavors, conversation, and connection.
Register here
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: Van Ness Feldman LLP
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2026 Business Partner Appreciation Event
2026-01-22 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
2026 Business Partner Appreciation Event
Caesar Rodriguez, John DiLullo, and Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Philly friends will gather for an evening of conversation, community, connection, and appreciation.
Register here
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: 1735 Market Street
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Business Partner Appreciation Event
2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Central Florida Business Partner Appreciation Event
Savannah Cameron and Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Central Florida friends will gather for an evening of food, fun, and a charcuterie board workshop.
Register here
When: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Legion Place Conference Center
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ILTA Microsoft SharePoint Symposium
2026-02-10 - 2026-02-11 | Chicago Microsoft Technology Center, 200 East Randolph Drive Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Fortifying SharePoint: Deep Dive into Security, Compliance, and Protection Tools in Microsoft 365
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
8:30 – 9:30 AM CT
Speakers:
Dan Paquette
Kraft Kennedy
Copilot Studio offers a way to turn that complexity into clarity by building custom AI agents tailored to the unique needs of legal professionals. In this session, we explore how organizations can design, deploy, and govern role-specific Copilot experiences that streamline high-value legal workflows.
We’ll showcase real examples of what’s possible today—from intelligent legal help desks that answer policy and process questions, to contract-triage assistants, to agents that surface precedent, analyze documents, automate intake, or guide users through compliance procedures. You’ll see how Copilot Studio’s low-code tools, connectors, and orchestration capabilities help legal departments build secure, governed AI solutions that work with their existing systems and data.
If you’re looking to modernize your legal operations, accelerate response times, or empower attorneys and staff with tailored AI support, this session will spark ideas and show you exactly what Copilot Studio can make real.
Register for the Microsoft SharePoint Symposium to attend this session.
Microsoft SharePoint Symposium
The Microsoft SharePoint Symposium is a technical focused, peer-driven event designed for legal technology professionals seeking to maximize SharePoint within their organizations. This one-and-a-half day program will deliver expert-led sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and strategic discussions on leveraging your firms investment in SharePoint for secure, efficient, innovative and scalable legal workflows.
Attendees will explore best practices and new tools for governance, integration with Microsoft 365, and advanced features for compliance and security, while networking with peers, business partners.
More Information

Register Here
View the agenda

When:
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Location:
Microsoft Technology Center
200 E Randolph St, Unit 200
Chicago, IL 60601
See our ILTA Copilot Symposium sessions & details here.

Dallas ALA BP & Member Social
2026-02-10 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
Dallas ALA Business Partner & Member Social
Martin Leyendecker and Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Dallas friends will gather for an evening of conversation, connection, and a cocktail making class.
Register here
When: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM CT
Where: The People’s Last Stand
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ILTA Microsoft Copilot Symposium
2026-02-11 - 2026-02-12 | Chicago Microsoft Technology Center, 200 East Randolph Drive Suite 200, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Microsoft Copilot Symposium
The Microsoft Copilot Symposium is a high-impact educational event focused on the transformative power Copilot and adoption in the legal industry. This program will provide deep dives into Copilot adoption strategies,prompt engineering, and ethical AI practices, helping firms unlock productivity while maintaining compliance and security. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and live demos, attendees will learn how to integrate Copilot across Microsoft 365 applications, measure ROI, and build structured programs for successful implementations. The event will also include networking opportunities with peers and business partners.
Kraft Kennedy Sessions
Copilot Studio for Legal: Building Custom AI Agents for Roll Specific: What’s Possible?
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
4:30 – 5:30 PM CT
Speakers:
Ragav Jagannathan
KL Software Technologies Inc.
Dan Paquette
Kraft Kennedy
Copilot Studio offers a way to turn that complexity into clarity by building custom AI agents tailored to the unique needs of legal professionals. In this session, we explore how organizations can design, deploy, and govern role-specific Copilot experiences that streamline high-value legal workflows.
We’ll showcase real examples of what’s possible today—from intelligent legal help desks that answer policy and process questions, to contract-triage assistants, to agents that surface precedent, analyze documents, automate intake, or guide users through compliance procedures. You’ll see how Copilot Studio’s low-code tools, connectors, and orchestration capabilities help legal departments build secure, governed AI solutions that work with their existing systems and data.
If you’re looking to modernize your legal operations, accelerate response times, or empower attorneys and staff with tailored AI support, this session will spark ideas and show you exactly what Copilot Studio can make real.
Register for the Microsoft Copilot Symposium to attend this session.
Monitoring & Troubleshooting Copilot in a Legal Environment

Thursday, February 12, 2026
2:30 – 3:30 PM CT
Speakers:
Dan Paquette
Kraft Kennedy
Carolyn Humpherys
Traveling Coaches

As legal teams adopt Microsoft Copilot, IT leaders face a new operational frontier, one where AI behavior, data governance, user expectations, and evolving Microsoft updates all converge. This session equips legal IT professionals with a grounded, practical understanding of how to monitor, manage, and troubleshoot Copilot in environments where precision and compliance matter most. We’ll clarify what you can control,and what you can’t. You’ll learn how Copilot’s behavior is influenced by Microsoft’s service layers, update channels, and roadmap cycles, and what legal IT teams should do to stay aligned with changes as they roll out. From there, we’ll dive into the heart of day-to-day operations:

How Copilot interprets legal workflows and why it behaves the way it does
Monitoring tools and telemetry available to legal-focused IT teams
Approaches to troubleshooting unexpected or incorrect Copilot outputs, including root cause analysis across data access, grounding, connectors, and tenant configuration
Legal-grade risk mitigation strategies and guardrails to reduce exposure while accelerating productivity
Ongoing governance practices that ensure safe, predictable Copilot performance over time

If your legal organization is scaling Copilot, or preparing to, this session provides the operational playbook to keep your AI aligned, accountable, and ready for the rigorous demands of legal work.
Register for the Microsoft Copilot Symposium to attend this session.
More Information

Register Here
View the agenda

When:
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – Thursday, February 12, 2026
Location:
Microsoft Technology Center
200 E Randolph St, Unit 200
Chicago, IL 60601
See our ILTA SurePoint Symposium session details here.

Annual Meeting
2026-02-11 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Capital Chapter Annual Meeting
Stacy Jenkins and Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Capital Chapter friends and members will come together for an afternoon of community and discussion.
Register here
When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Teddy & The Bully Bar
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Happy Hour & Business Partner Social
2026-02-18 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
Happy Hour & Business Partner Social
Martin Leyendecker will gather with Association of the Legal Administrators (ALA) Houston friends for an evening of cocktails, conversation, and connection.
Register here
When: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Hotel ICON
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Knowledge to Leadership Conference & Expo
2026-02-20 08:30 - 17:45 (America/New_York)
ALA Golden Gate Knowledge to Leadership Conference & Expo
Chris Arrowsmith and the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Golden Gate community will gather for a day of education, raffle prizes, and exchanging knowledge. Preview the featured sessions and speakers here.
Register here
When: Friday, February 20, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM
Where: Cooley LLP
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Charity Event
2026-02-24 17:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Chicago Charity Event
Sara Zezza, John DiLullo, and Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Chicago friends will enjoy an evening of darts, drinks, and community in support of the 100 Club of Illinois.
Register here
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Fight Club
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The 100 Club of Illinois is an organization dedicated to assisting the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty and supporting active-duty first responders across Illinois.

[Webinar] Securing AI: No Hype. No Panic. Just Strategy
2026-03-03 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Securing AI: No Hype. No Panic. Just Strategy
AI is no longer a future conversation. It is already embedded across products, workflows, and decisions, often moving faster than policies, architectures, and operating models can keep up.
This roundtable is not about headlines or theory. It is a practical, leader-level discussion anchored on one core question: how do we secure AI in a way that holds up over the next two to three years?
The starting point is straightforward and honest: there is no silver bullet for AI security. Organizations making real progress are applying strong security fundamentals to emerging AI architectures and deliberately evolving controls as adoption scales.
Register Here
When: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET
Where: Hybrid Event with Registration Link

Session Takeaways:

We will cut through the noise and focus on risks that show up in real environments, not slide decks. This includes how AI agents reshape identity and access assumptions, where data leakage and integrity fail as automation accelerates, what AI-native attacks look like in practice, and why governance often trails actual usage.
The conversation is structured, not scripted. We will reframe how AI expands the attack surface, pressure-test perceived risks against real exposure, and introduce a lightweight, end-to-end framework designed to stay relevant beyond the next quarter.
From there, the focus moves to application. You will map these ideas to your own environment, identify what can be extended from existing investments, and pinpoint real gaps. We will close by defining what “good” looks like, with practical priorities and milestones security leaders can stand behind.

Subject Matter Experts
William Varma, Global Chief Security Advisor and Field CISO, Microsoft

William is a Global Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft, where he works closely with CISOs, board members, and senior technology leaders to turn cybersecurity strategy into real-world outcomes. His focus is simple but hard to execute: understand where leaders want to go, identify what is getting in the way, and partner with them to make that vision achievable.
William’s work sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and emerging technology. He regularly facilitates high-impact problem-solving sessions with executives on some of the most complex challenges organizations face today, including securing the AI journey and preparing for a post-quantum world. His Secure AI Journey framework is product-neutral and forward-looking, helping organizations map critical controls from extreme shift-left through shift-right over a two to three-year horizon. It has become an anchor for leaders who want to move fast with AI without losing control, trust, or resilience.
In parallel, William advises organizations on quantum readiness and quantum-safe security. With quantum computing expected to materially impact asymmetric encryption over the coming decade, he helps leaders take practical steps today so they are not reacting under pressure tomorrow. The goal is not fear or hype, but preparedness, clarity, and confidence.
Before Microsoft, William spent the first half of his career in Big Four consulting, ultimately as a partner, followed by senior executive roles including Deputy CISO at a major bank and CISO within government. This blend of advisory, operational, and public-sector experience allows him to connect quickly with leaders and speak their language, whether the conversation is tactical, strategic, or board-level.
William is a frequent speaker and trusted voice in the cybersecurity community, known for creating executive conversations that are practical, candid, and outcome-driven. Outside of work, he values time with his family and believes strongly in giving back, particularly through initiatives that support youth development.
Neta Haiby, Head of Product, AI Security, Microsoft
Neta leads Security for AI at Microsoft. Neta is a product leader with passion for developing impactful AI products at a global scale. She has deep experience in generative AI, Vision AI and accelerating the adoption and positive impact of AI in organization by bringing together the latest innovations into products that enable the use of new AI technologies.
Prior to her current role at Microsoft, Neta led Azure OpenAI and Azure Document AI and held leadership roles in Product Management. She was also the CTO of Microsoft Venture Accelerator.
Nett Lynch, MBA, Chief Information Security Officer
Nett Lynch is an accomplished Cyber Security Professional, leader, educator, and mentor who brings pragmatic, business-focused cyber security leadership and a problem-solving mindset to every client discussion. For almost two years, Nett has been the CISO at Kraft Kennedy. She also serves as the Chair of the North American Executive Council for the Cybersecurity Interest Group. She is a frequent writer, speaker, and conference attendee, focusing on making cyber security and technology easier for executives to understand and implement.

Dan Paquette, Practice Group Leader, Modern Work
Dan Paquette is known for his strategic leadership and deep expertise in Microsoft 365, Copilot, and Purview. With a strong background in legal technology and IT consulting, Dan has successfully led initiatives in AI adoption, governance, and change management for law firms and corporate clients.
In 2023, Dan became the Practice Group Leader for Modern Work at Kraft Kennedy. Dan is a skilled and knowledgeable professional in modern workplace transformation. He joined Kraft Kennedy in 2007, previously serving as Practice Manager and Consultant, and has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s approach to Microsoft SaaS solutions.
Moderator & Host
Beth Anne Stuebe, Director of Sales Operations
Beth Anne Stuebe is a long time thought-leader and educational publisher, having worked for the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA), iManage, and FileTrail Litera in global press and publications roles, managing podcasts, webinars, educational sessions, and conference agendas for some of the leading conferences in North America and the United Kingdom.
Register Here

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Passwordless Future: Securing Legal Ops Beyond Passwords
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 1701 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103-2921, United States
Curious how law firms are increasing security by eliminating passwords?
Explore the transition to passwordless authentication in law firms and learn why Microsoft and leading technology partners are driving this shift to reduce risk and improve user experience.
In this interactive session, CIO Marcus Bluestein and Senior Account Executive Stacy Jenkins will lead ALA members through the security benefits, Microsoft 365 integration experience, and increased efficiency of a passwordless environment.
Actionable Intelligence:

Existing challenges driving firms to eliminate passwords
What is passwordless authentication?
The security and financial benefits of eliminating passwords

Featured Expert:
Marcus Bluestein, Chief Information Officer, Kraft Kennedy
Marcus Bluestein is known for turning the fast pace of emerging technology into clear, digestible guidance for strategic leaders and engineers. A true upstream problem solver, he pinpoints root issues early and designs pragmatic, durable solutions. Marcus has been leading technology Innovation at Kraft Kennedy since 1992 after earning a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Hobart College.

Location:
Morgan Lewis
2222 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
or
Virtual
via Zoom

Register here
SHRM: 1 PDC Credit

Annual Luncheon, BP Expo, & Happy Hour
2026-03-06 11:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Central Florida Annual Luncheon, BP Expo, & Happy Hour
Martin Leyendecker, John DiLullo, and the ALA Central Florida community will gather for an afternoon luncheon and Business Partner Expo, followed by an evening happy hour.
Register: here
When: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: Marriott Orlando Downtown
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Passwordless Future: How Biometrics Technology Drive Frictionless Login
2026-03-09 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | North Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York, New York
Passwordless Future: How Biometrics Technology Drive Frictionless Login

Description
Discover how biometric technology is transforming authentication and paving the way to a truly passwordless environment. Actionable Intelligence explore practical steps on the path to Passkey, share real-world success stories from organizations that have embraced passwordless strategies demonstrate how frictionless login enhances both security and user experience.

Attendees will be positioned to unlock the potential of Passkey for a secure, seamless digital future.
Speaker

Marcus Bluestein, Chief Information Officer – Kraft Kennedy
Location Name
Room 409
Date & Time
Monday, March 9, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

ALA Puget Sound Pass the Gavel
2026-03-24 11:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
ALA Puget Sound Pass the Gavel
Chris Arrowsmith will gather with the ALA Capital Chapter community for an afternoon Pass the Gavel luncheon session focused on reflection, dialogue, and practical takeaways that help set an inclusive, confident, and forward- looking tone for the year ahead.
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Perkins Coie
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ALA Capital Chapter Change of Gavel
2026-03-24 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Capital Chapter Change of Gavel
Caesar Rodriguez and the ALA Capital Chapter community will gather for an afternoon Change of Gavel luncheon.
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Where: Joe’s Seafood
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Copilot Isn’t Broken, It’s Being Literal: Governance & eDiscovery for Legal
2026-04-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York)
Copilot Isn’t Broken, It’s Being Literal: Governance & eDiscovery for Legal
This ACEDS webinar is designed for legal, compliance, and eDiscovery professionals seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of AI-powered tools, like Copilot. Discover actionable strategies to manage risk, ensure litigation readiness, and align information governance with operational workflows. Attendees will gain practical insights into defending Copilot decisions and understanding discoverable data, empowering your team to confidently integrate AI into legal operations.
Webinar Session Takeaways:
By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

Explain why Copilot errors are usually governance issues, not AI defects
Identify what Copilot data is discoverable, where it lives, and under what conditions it can be accessed
Apply a root cause framework to Copilot incidents that supports defensible investigations
Align information governance, retention, and eDiscovery workflows to Copilot usage

Daniel Paquette is the Practice Leader for Kraft Kennedy’s Modern Work Group. With almost 20 years at Kraft Kennedy, Dan is a seasoned speaker, writer, and advocate for technology in the legal and innovation ecosystems.
Dan’s proficiency in Microsoft’s programs, including Purview and Copilot, is unmatched. With several Keynote sessions across the US, he is also a frequent speaker at conferences such as ILTACON, Evolve, ALA, and more.
When: April 7, 2026 1-2pm ET
Where: Zoom
Register: here
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Using AI Hype: Updating Aging Systems
2026-04-08 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Using AI Hype: Updating Aging Systems
AI promises transformative efficiency, but only if a firm’s underlying systems are ready. This session explores how to use AI momentum as a strategic lever to modernize outdated infrastructure. Attendees will learn which foundational elements must be updated before meaningful AI adoption is possible, and how to leverage AI enthusiasm to secure funding, build alignment, and accelerate long overdue modernization initiatives.
Session Takeaways:

Understand prerequisite infrastructure requirements for AI adoption in law firms.
Identify outdated systems in member firms that limit AI capabilities and introduce risk.
Use AI momentum to justify modernization budgets and prioritization.
Build an AI ready roadmap with updates to identity, compliance, data, and cloud platforms.
Communicate modernization needs in business centered, attorney friendly language. Centered, attorney friendly language.

Beth Anne Stuebe is a long time thought-leader and educational publisher, having worked for the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA), iManage, and FileTrail Litera in global press and publications roles, managing podcasts, webinars, educational sessions, and conference agendas for some of the leading conferences in North America and the United Kingdom.
Chris Owens is the Chief Technology Officer at Kraft Kennedy after previously serving as the Practice Group Leader for the Enterprise Client Systems Group. Responsible for maintaining partner relationships and alignment with Kraft Kennedy, he focuses much of his time on focusing on improvements for his customers and educating them on the changing landscape of technology. Serving on numerous partner advisory and strategic leadership committees, Chris helps shape the future of applications and systems to best meet the changing needs of the business of Kraft Kennedy, as well as our clients.
Charles Ottenweller is a legal-tech industry leader with over twenty years of experience as a CIO and Management Consultant. He combines experience with law firm operations and their successes with the people, process, and technology required. He has spoken at events for ILTA, American Bar Association, Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), DRI, ALAS, and more.
When: April 8, 2026 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Where: Virtual
Register: Here
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ALA Annual Conference 2026
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-15 | Gaylord National Harbor, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD, 20745, United States
Association of Legal Administrators will shine at the ALA Annual Conference & Expo 2026! Held every spring, this marquee event is where 1,000+ legal management professionals and business partners convene for three days of professional development, networking and fun. You’ll leave inspired and ready to take on the challenges back at your legal organization.
Location: Music City Center, National Harbor, MD
Dates: Sunday, April 12 – Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Conference Agenda: session listings and will be shared closer to the date.
Kraft Kennedy Booth: 151
Details:
The Association of Legal Administrators Annual Conference & Expo 2026
Sunday, 4/12/26- Wednesday, 4/15/2026
Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
National Harbor, MD
Featured Local Support Effort:
Strings of Hope
About The Association of Legal Administrators
ALA members are critical to the success of their legal organizations.
Since 1971, ALA has strived to give those responsible for vital roles within law firms the support they need through education, networking and a community hub where they come to work out challenges and innovate together. From human resources and operations to strategy and finances, ALA members keep the business side of law firms running.
Plan ahead with our team to select the ALA Annual Conference 2026 sessions and events that align with your goals for learning and fun at the conference.

ILTA Evolve 2026
2026-04-30 - 2026-05-02 | Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, 6700 N Gaylord Rockies Blvd, Aurora, CO, 80019, United States
ILTA Evolve 2026 will take place April 30 – May 2 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colorado.
Registration is open now! Join Kraft Kennedy onsite and have all your pressing #legaltech, #security, and #AI questions answered by our Subject Matter Experts. We look forward to helping you solve your business problems and make long-lasting connections.
About ILTA Evolve
ILTA EVOLVE 2026 is a high-profile, peer-driven conference designed to tackle the two hottest topics and most pressing challenges in legal technology. Building on the success of previous years, this event will deliver three days of immersive education, networking, and collaboration, focusing on Generative AI, Cybersecurity, and Leadership in Legal Tech.
The program includes 2 keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and 20+ educational sessions curated by industry experts. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for AI adoption, cybersecurity risk management, and governance, while exploring emerging standards and best practices. The event also features business partner exhibits, networking receptions, and the Distinguished Peer Awards, creating a dynamic environment for learning and relationship-building.
About ILTA
The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) is a volunteer-led, staff-managed association with a focus on premiership. ILTA aims to educate and connect people with their peers to support your work in the legal sector. While they have a strong focus on technology, their offerings support professionals of every stripe in law firms and corporate/government legal operations.
Kraft Kennedy Happenings

The Evolving AI Policy & Legal Landscape
Thursday, April 30th | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
This presentation will review some of the challenges and questions related to AI law and policy in the last year. It will provide an overview of key legal and policy developments as well as a discussion of “what’s next” in terms of notable proposed legislation and regulations. It will cover Federal and State efforts to regulate AI law and drive policy, as well as global developments in Asia, the EU, and the UK.
Speakers: Joe Hoegler, Kraft Kennedy CTIO | Josh Schwartz, Phaselaw CEO
See details & agenda here

Don’t Bore the Board: Presenting CyberSecurity Metrics that Matter
Thursday, April 30th | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
When presenting the success of your cybersecurity program to leadership, it’s essential to share metrics that are not only SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), but also clear and meaningful to lawyers focused on business risk. This session will cover best practices for selecting and communicating cybersecurity metrics that resonate with leadership, demonstrate alignment with business objectives, and highlight progress under standards like ISO 27001.
Speakers: Nett Lynch, Kraft Kennedy CISO | Brian Clarke, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. Cybersecurity Director | Joshua Smith, Ogletree Deakins Information Security Manager | Nicholas Spencer, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Senior Security and Network Analyst
See details & agenda here

I’d Give Away My Password and MFA—And Still Sleep at Night
Friday, May 1st | 9:05 AM – 11:05 AM

As remote work and cloud migration expand the attack surface, identity has become the new crown jewel — and the prime target for compromise. This session explores how organizations can harden defenses through different identity provider’s controls, conditional access policies, and zero-trust architectures that ensure stolen credentials alone can’t breach systems. Experts will also highlight how layered solutions such as SASE, SIEM, and advanced email protections build resilience in SaaS-first environments. Attendees will leave with a practical roadmap for securing their digital identity and protecting client trust.
Speakers: Marcus Bluestein, Kraft Kennedy CIO | Bryan Pryor, Stoll Keenon Ogden CIO | Daniel Perkins, SecureIt360 Sr. Information Security Officer | Ethan Powell, Ogletree Deakins Information Security Analyst | Seth Bowling, FRSecure Research and Development Lead
See details & agenda here
More Information
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Dates
Thursday, April 30, 2026 – Saturday, March 2, 2026
Location
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Please reach out with questions, we are happy to help.

NerdioCon 2026
2026-05-04 - 2026-05-06
NerdioCon 2026 | May 4-6 | Palm Springs, CA
Registration is open for NerdioCon 2026.
Date & Location
Monday, May 4, 2026 – Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA.
Kraft Kennedy Session
Kraft Kennedy: Break Free from Citrix > A Roadmap to Nerdio + Azure Virtual Desktop Success
May 5, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM PT | Diego 3
Speaker: Jeff Silverman, Kraft Kennedy Practice Architect
Ready to say goodbye to Citrix complexity and embrace Azure-native freedom?
Join Jeff Silverman, Practice Architect for Infrastructure and Enterprise Systems at Kraft Kennedy, as he shares battle-tested insights from real-world Citrix-to–Nerdio-managed AVD migrations in the demanding legal vertical. Drawing on 18 months of hands-on experience, this session covers critical decision points, common pitfalls, and hard-won lessons—leaving MSPs and enterprise teams with a practical framework and the confidence to execute their own transition successfully.
See full agenda here.
About NerdioCon
NerdioCon is where innovators, problem-solvers, and rebels unite to fight back against complexity, cost, and downtime.
Over three action-packed days, you’ll join IT leaders, MSPs, and industry partners on a mission to modernize cloud desktop and endpoint management. Together, we’ll secure every corner of the Microsoft Cloud, bring balance to IT, and equip you with the tools you need to lead your organization to victory.

ALA NYC Business Partner Appreciation Night
2026-05-12 18:00 (America/New_York)
ALA NYC Business Partner Appreciation Night
Kevin Barry, Caesar Rodriguez, and ALA (Association of Legal Administrators) NYC friends will gather for an evening of appreciation, craft cocktails, and mini golf.
When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 6:00 pm start
Where: Swingers NoMad
Address: 35 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
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ALA Philly 2026 Legal Showcase
2026-05-13 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
ALA Philly 2026 Legal Showcase
Stacy Jenkins, Caesar Rodriguez, and the ALA (Association of Legal Administrators) Philadelphia Chapter community will gather for the 2026 Legal Showcase.
When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: The Pyramid Club
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Streamline Your Bottom Line: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Fixing Law Firm Finance & Administration
2026-05-13 11:45 - 13:15 (America/Denver) | Dentons
Streamline Your Bottom Line: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Fixing Law Firm Finance & Administration
Is your law firm’s back office running you ragged, or are they just running up costs? Join our focused in-person session for legal administrators seeking practical ways to improve financial and administrative operations. Discover strategies to identify bottlenecks, cut waste, and implement efficient processes that truly benefit your firm. Learn how to optimize workflows, boost cash flow, and handle administrative challenges without overburdening staff or forcing partners into ineffective systems.
Session Takeaways:

Identify the most common financial and administrative inefficiencies in law firms and learn practical methods to address them.
Develop a step-by-step plan to streamline finance and administrative operations, increasing productivity and reducing stress for your teams.
Implement proven strategies to control firm costs, boost cash flow, and create sustainable administrative processes.

Sara Zezza is an Account Executive at Kraft Kennedy with more than 15 years of experience in technology sales, specializing in IT consulting, managed services, and cloud solutions. She partners with law firms and corporate legal departments to identify operational pain points and connect teams with practical, right-sized technology and service strategies that improve efficiency, strengthen security, and support business growth.
Keith Kallen is Chief Financial Officer at Kraft Kennedy and a member of the firm’s management team. He oversees corporate finance and financial operations, as well as key internal functions including HR and business systems, supporting the firm’s strategic growth and service delivery to clients across legal and other highly regulated industries.
When: May 13, 2026 | 11:45 am – 1:15 pm MT
Where: Dentons
Register: Here
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