Earlier this week I spoke with Cathy Reilly, Executive Director of Martin Clearwater & Bell LLP and long-time ILTA volunteer and organizer of ILTA’s fourth annual leadership seminar. Inspired by the “persistence, toughness and tenacity” of Chief Warrant Officer Five Sharon T. Swartworth (deceased), an ILTA member, this seminar developed because Cathy and other ILTA members saw a gap in leadership training for legal technology professionals. Those enlisted in the military receive extensive training not only in combat but in leadership development. Cathy Reilly, a friend of Sharon’s, wanted to honor Sharon and all she represented with a leadership training seminar for ILTA members that would provide our members with training somewhat similar to what Sharon received in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. This year the seminar has a new name, Leadership New.0. Cathy said she and other Leadership New.0 planners wanted the seminar “to look to our future and the needs of the next set of leaders.”
The Leadership New.0 agenda includes a keynote and four sessions. Jack L. Rives, Executive Director and COO of the American Bar Association and retired Lieutenant General of The Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Air Force, will begin the day with a keynote on developing the next generation of leaders. Following this, Matt Homann will facilitate a Leader’s Lab to envision the skills our next leaders must possess to thrive in organizations. After a networking lunch Eric Anderson, Tracy Elmblad and Erin Baxendale will discuss how to lead through change and innovation. Joy HeathRush will then moderate a session on giving and receiving feedback and lastly Rick Krzyminski will moderate a session on building formal or informal mentoring programs in organizations.
With the advances in technology and the aging of management in law firms, Cathy noted the legal industry is in transition. The current generation of partners saw law changing from a “collegial society” to a business when they ascended to partnership. They have a well-managed law firm business but the law firm as a business is a sideline initiative and seen as a distraction for many partners. Cathy noted lawyers have moaned about needing to do the business work. The Millennials already understand the need and want to manage a law firm like a business. Today’s leaders must train and prepare tomorrow’s to lead effectively and to drive agility and innovation in their organizations.
Cathy has noticed the future leaders work differently than today’s executives. We may not see them in the physical office space every Saturday but they work hard and achieve results. She believes we need to recognize their approach and celebrate their initiative as a step toward developing the next leaders. Those attending the Leadership New.0 seminar will share ideas like Cathy’s and bring strategies back to the office to foster and train the next generation of leaders.
You can register for the Leadership New.0 seminar today. It will take place at Dentons US LLP in Chicago on Thursday, November 3rd from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.