Get your legal tech plunder at #ILTACON2025

Ahoy, legal tech voyagers! ⛵ ILTACON 2025 has officially set sail at the magnificent Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and what a spectacular opening it's been. From August 10-14, over 4,000 legal professionals interested in legal technology are charting their course through the most comprehensive bounty of legal tech innovations ever assembled.

This year's pirate theme couldn't be more fitting. Legal professionals have truly become modern-day treasure hunters, seeking out the digital gold that will transform their practices. The opening reception on Monday morning perfectly captured this spirit, with maritime merriment setting the tone for what promises to be an extraordinary week of discovery.

Among the distinguished crew of attendees, we spotted previous podcast guest Stephen Embry, the brilliant mind behind the TechLaw Crossroads blog and former chair of the American Bar Association’s Law Practice Division. His insights on artificial intelligence adoption and legal technology competency continue to guide practitioners navigating the choppy waters of digital transformation. Also making waves is Brett Burney, Vice President of NextPoint Law Group, whose expertise in bridging the chasm between legal and technology frontiers has made him a sought-after guide for firms embracing Discovery solutions.

The exhibit hall, themed as the "Pirate's Bounty," features over 225 vendors displaying their technological treasures. From AI-powered legal research tools to advanced case management systems, the bounty available to legal professionals has never been more abundant. The challenge isn't finding technology—it's selecting the right tools that will genuinely enhance practice efficiency without overwhelming existing workflows.

What makes ILTACON unique is its peer-driven approach to education. Unlike vendor-heavy conferences, ILTACON sessions are crafted by practitioners who have firsthand experience with the challenges facing legal technology professionals. This year's 80+ educational sessions span eight focus areas, ensuring every legal professional finds relevant insights to take back to their firm.

For firms with limited to moderate technology skills, ILTACON provides the perfect environment to learn from peers who have successfully navigated similar challenges. The networking opportunities alone justify the investment, as connections made here often lead to solutions for specific practice challenges.

The pirate theme extends beyond mere decoration—it represents the adventurous spirit required to succeed in today's legal technology landscape. Legal professionals must be willing to explore uncharted territories, test new solutions, and occasionally take calculated risks to discover the innovations that will give their practices a competitive edge.

As we sail through this week of discovery, remember that the real treasure isn't the technology itself—it's the enhanced client service, improved efficiency, and competitive advantages these tools provide when properly implemented.

May fair winds fill your sails as you navigate this legal tech treasure trove! ⚓

#ILTACON2025

Our next guest is Sonya Palmer, COO of Rankings.io and host of the LawHer podcast.

Today, Sonya shares her expertise on women's roles in legal tech, AI-powered marketing, and optimizing workflows within the Apple ecosystem. She addresses common misconceptions about women in law and technology, offers top tech tips for using social media to grow a legal practice, and highlights frequent mistakes professionals make when adopting AI. Sonya also provides practical advice for disconnecting from work, especially for attorneys, and explores how men and women approach tech-based disconnection differently.

Join Sonya and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

It's an interesting fact that more women than men play video games. What are the top three misconceptions people have about women in technology and the practice of law?
What are our guest's top three tech tips for using social media to promote a law practice?
What are our guest's top three tech tips for disconnecting from work to get peace of mind while maintaining oversight of the practice? Is there a difference between how men and women better disconnect? If so, what are the top three differences and top three similarities between the two?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[00:56] Sonya's Tech Setup

[06:15] Misconceptions About Women in Technology and Law

[08:07] Tech Tips for Social Media Promotion in Law Practice

[12:30] Common Errors in Using AI for Marketing

[16:03] Tech Tips for Disconnecting from Work

[20:54] Differences and Similarities in Disconnecting for Men and Women

[22:35] Contact Information

Resources:

Connect with Sonya:

Podcasts Mentioned in the episode: