Our conference coverage continues from our previous ILTACON highlights blog, we invite you to come aboard:
What We Learned at ILTACON 2025: Part 2
Brian Podolsky, Kraft Kennedy Practice Group Leader – Enterprise Content Management
10th time attending ILTACON
Area of Expertise: Document Management, Innovation in Content and Collaboration
ILTACON* 2025 was a great conference… especially if you wanted to talk about the pervasiveness of artificial intelligence! The exhibit hall was truly remarkable; everywhere you turned, the refrain seemed to be AI, AI, and once again, AI. ILTA Business Partners showcased solutions powered by AI for virtually every facet of legal work: DMS platforms now tout intelligent information retrieval and auto-classification, document drafting tools offer predictive text and context-aware suggestions, while matter intake systems are evolving to leverage natural language processing for more intuitive client onboarding. Conflict checking is being revolutionized with real-time pattern recognition, and litigation support benefits from smart analytics that sift through data mountains to surface crucial insights.
This relentless march of AI raises a pivotal question—how will these advancements reshape law firm billing practices? As automation and AI-driven efficiencies accelerate tasks that were once time-intensive, firms are actively reconsidering the billable hour model. Discussions centered on transitioning from billing based solely on time to models emphasizing deliverables, value, or tangible results. Some forward-thinking firms are piloting outcome-based billing, where fees are aligned with the client’s objectives or success metrics. Others are experimenting with subscription-based pricing or hybrid models that blend traditional and innovative approaches, seeking to strike a balance between efficiency gains and client expectations.
Sweet Suite at ILTACON 2025
I’d love to also talk about our Sweet Suite! One distinct advantage of this year’s venue at the Gaylord National Harbor was the flexibility it offered to its Partners in the way they could hosting meetings. Executive and presidential suites were transformed into private, comfortable hubs for deeper conversations, away from the bustle and noise of the exhibit hall.
These suites allowed for more personalized demonstrations, collaborative strategy sessions, and even informal networking over refreshments, creating an environment that fostered meaningful connections. While some companies opted for the familiar setup of demo rooms on the main conference floor—providing easy access and visibility, the suite experience offered a welcome respite for attendees seeking focused, high-value interactions. It was clear that the choice of meeting space played a role in shaping not only the substance of discussions but also the overall atmosphere of collaboration and hospitality at the conference. (The restaurants nearby were pretty good, too!)
As the conference unfolded, it became evident that the intersection of cutting-edge technology and thoughtful engagement—whether through AI-powered solutions or the intentional design of meeting spaces—was propelling the legal industry forward, encouraging attendees to reimagine how work gets done and how relationships are cultivated in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Catch Brian and more of our Subject Matter Experts at Kraft Kennedy University: MS365 for Legal, NYC, an insider’s track to the latest in legal technology education.
*What is ILTACON?
ILTACON is a leading annual conference focused on legal technology, hosted by the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA). It brings together legal professionals to explore the intersection of technology and the law, featuring educational sessions, networking opportunities, and an exhibition hall with vendors showcasing legal tech solutions. The event provides a platform for attendees to learn about industry trends, solve challenges, and connect with peers and experts in the legal technology community.