Legal Excellence in Innovation Awards & Virtual Summit
Overview: This a hybrid program combining a virtual panel series with an in-person awards ceremony.
Event Date
Details coming soon!
Virtual Panels
Cybersecurity & Data Privacy: How Law Firms Can Navigate Risk
- Understanding cybersecurity and privacy risks, including ransomware, phishing, third-party vendor exposure, and evolving data protection obligations affecting client information.
- Implementing layered security and governance measures, such as access controls, incident response planning, vendor due diligence, and alignment with applicable privacy laws and ethical duties.
- Building a culture of security and preparedness through regular training and continuous monitoring to reduce risk.
AI and Legal Ethics: What Lawyers Need to Know
- Understanding ethical duties implicated by AI use, including confidentiality and supervision, as well as how bar guidance and rules of professional conduct apply to AI-enabled tools.
- Managing risk through responsible AI practices, such as verifying AI outputs, avoiding unauthorized practice issues, and ensuring appropriate human oversight in legal work.
- Communication best practices for clients and courts, addressing disclosure expectations, consent, and the limitations of AI tools.
How Technology Can Help Build a More Efficient, Profitable Law Firm
- How firms can streamline operations with legal tech, using automation and workflow tools to reduce administrative burdens, improve turnaround times, and allow attorneys to focus on higher-value work.
- How AI can drive increased profitability through the use of analytics, AI-assisted research, and billing optimization tools.
- Enhancing the client experience with secure client portals, collaboration platforms, and technology-enabled communication that allows lawyers to deliver faster and more responsive legal services.
Innovation Awards:
The event also features a live Awards Reception, celebrating innovation across legal practice. Categories include:
- Law Firm Excellence in Innovation
- Mid-Size Firm Innovation Award
- Small Firm Innovation Award
- Innovation in Legal Education
- Best Use of AI in Legal Services
- Emerging Technology Innovation
- Practice Area Innovation
- Client Experience Innovation Award
- Innovation Champion (Individual) Award
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Innovation Award
2026 Honorees
Law Firm Excellence in Innovation
Rhonda Tobin, Robinson+Cole
Peter Lando & John Anastasi, Lando & Anastasi
Robert Plotkin, Blueshift IP
Shannon Kirk, Ropes & Gray
Lee Gesmer and Andrew Updegrove, Gesmer Updegrove
Small Firm Innovation Award
Logan Brown, Soxton
Christos Viores, Ligris + Associates
Innovation in Legal Programs
Theresa Wilson, Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
Jef Pearlman, BU/MIT Student Innovations Law Clinic
Melissa Pacheco, UMass School of Law
Best Use of AI in Legal Services
Lorie Almon & Ariel Cudkowicz, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Practice Area Innovation
Richard M. Goldstein, solo
James Bucking, Foley Hoag
Mark Bettencourt, Goodwin
Innovation Champion Award
John Weaver, McLane
Bruce Sunstein, Merchant & Gould
Mary Lou Wakimura, Hamilton, Brook
Mark Borenstein, Prince Lobel
Patrick Parker, Royal Parker Spruce
Quinten Steenhuis, Suffolk University Law School
We offer a full suite of products and services to support your business marketing needs ranging from logo licensing to electronic article reprints to plaques and beyond!
- Leverage positive editorial coverage with official content licensing.
- Electronic reprints of original editorial coverage featuring your company, product, service or industry.
- Plaques, Desktop Awards, etc are eye popping in high traffic areas, showrooms, trade show exhibits and POP displays.
To learn more about the only official, approved way to get content licensing and reprints, please visit EVG Media.
Get Plaques & Reprints here!
Free Newsletter
