Sessions Overview

Home | Schedule | FAQs | Register

Track Session Codes:
FM: Financial Management
LM: Legal Management
HR: Human Resources
IT: Information Technology

9:00 – 10:00 AM Opening Keynote Session

Engagement, Investment, Commitment and Loyalty:
Why Some Relationships Never Leave and Others Never Stay

James Kane

Why do we connect with certain people, places, things, messages, ideas, and ideologies, while rejecting others? Why are some bonds so difficult to forge and others so difficult to break? Why do some relationships never leave and others never stay? James answers those questions and more by offering a revolutionary theory that explains the true nature of connections and dispels longstanding myths about how and why we “connect” with the world around us. His presentations challenge audiences to think differently about the way they build and maintain relationships—the way they give and receive help, the way they cooperate and collaborate, the way to adapt to change, the way to foster loyalty, and the way to break free from the dangerous and stifling connections that may be standing in their way.

Learning objectives:

Discover the drivers responsible for strong connections and loyal relationships—internally (with colleagues, managers, leaders, etc.) & externally (with clients, customers, fans, members, etc.)
Learn the cognitive signals that trigger trust and how to properly communicate them.
Understand how to establish a sense of belonging with key relationships by demonstrating awareness, insight, proactivity, inclusion, and identity.
Learn to improve collaboration with your team and organization.

CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hr (60 min) in the category of Human Resources Management OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Human Resources Management.

James Kane is considered the leading researcher and authority on what makes someone truly loyal – to another person, to an organization, or to a cause.

As a cognitive scientist and consultant who has helped some of the largest and most well-known organizations in the world, including Apple, Amazon, the Mayo Clinic, Marriott International, and Major League Baseball build nearly unbreakable relationships with not only their clients and customers, but with members, fans, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and employees, as well, James reveals the science behind the real human emotion called loyalty, and what anyone can do to receive its benefits.

James has presented to and worked with over 180 law firms around the world. We look forward to his motivating two-part presentation.

10:10 – 11:10 AM Sessions

LM Track

Are You Prepared to Respond to Active Shooter Threats?

The United States Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined or populated area”. When an Active Shooter is in your vicinity, you must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with the situation. In this session, you will learn about real life experiences faced by our presenter and gain hands-on knowledge to beat the odds. Come learn what it takes to be a survivor!

CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hr (60 min) in the category Operations Management OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Operations Management.

HR Track

Managing Through Mental Health Crisis: The Employee, The Firm, The Law

In this session the panel will discuss best practices for managing through a mental health crisis, i.e., meeting the needs of the employee requiring assistance, safety and care for all other employees, and protecting the firm by making sure legal guidelines are being followed which serve the employee in crisis as well as all other stakeholders.

Finance Track

E-billing Pains and Pitfalls: Is there a Doctor in the House?

Law firms no longer have control over their own invoicing process. Corporate clients and insurance companies are dictating both how and what law firms may bill their clients for and this doesn’t just extend to expenses such as travel, computerized legal research, photocopying, electronic lit support, etc. Clients and insurance companies are now dictating fee structures, staffing and assignments within their law firms. They are telling firms which employee should be doing which task and refusing to pay firms when their outside counsel guidelines (documents that are often 30 + pages long) are not followed exactly. And it gets worse, your attorney’s legitimate work may get rejected for payment because of a single word choice in the description of work done (i.e. “plan” instead of “analyze”). Traditional law firm billers are getting overwhelmed having to learn more than 15 different billing platforms and following through with the numerous rejections and appeals in order to get paid fairly for the work done by the firm. If you are suffering from these symptoms, please join us for the session to understand some of the remedies you can put in place to help heal this process.

CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hr (60 min) in the category of Financial Management OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Financial Management.

11:20 AM – 12:20 PM Sessions

HR Track

From the Boomers to the Zoomers – A Look at HR Scenarios Through Different Generational Lenses

Join this engaging session where ALANYC members from different generations come together and discuss how they perceive and approach various workplace scenarios. This session aims to foster understanding, empathy, and collaboration between generations, while addressing three critical topics: performance feedback, technology utilization, and how we spend our time.

Scenario 1: Performance Feedback
Chapter Members from different generations will explore their expectations and experiences with performance feedback. We will find out preferences in communication styles, frequency of feedback, and recognition between generations.

Scenario 2: Resources: Technology and Delegation
Technological advancements and the use of different resources drastically changed the workplace. This discussion will revolve around each generation’s familiarity and comfort with technology and the extent of their use of resources. We will explore ways to embrace technology and resources to enhance productivity while addressing concerns and bridging the digital divide among generations.

Scenario 3: If Only I Had More Time
Time management approaches differ from one generation to the next. Through open discussion, we aim to understand how individuals from various age groups prioritize their time and why. We will explore how distinct generations perceive the concept of time and its value. We will analyze how factors such as upbringing, societal norms, and technological advancements have influenced each generation’s approach to time management and discuss how to manage these differing viewpoints. The focus will be on understanding the varying degrees of time allocation for work, family, hobbies, and self-care among different age groups.

By attending this session, you will learn: Perspectives on Work-Life Balance; Time Allocation for Professional Pursuits, Personal Time and Leisure as relates to Compensation and Technology’s Impact on time management.

LM Track

Preparing for and Managing Difficult Conversations

The ability to handle difficult conversations effectively is an essential management skill, as disagreements and conflict do not disappear when they are ignored. Managers and employees alike are often concerned about having an uncomfortable conversation because they are worried their colleagues may react negatively or become emotional. These conversations need to be handled in a way that achieves the desired result, while maintaining healthy working relationships.

This highly engaging and informative presentation will offer participants valuable tools and strategies that will make it easier for them to give and receive feedback and get comfortable with having a difficult conversation. Participants will learn how to prepare for and start the conversation, as well as understand the importance of managing their emotions during the conversation. Also, participants will be introduced to the model based on the book, Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High.

As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Understand the drivers of conflict and how preconceived notions create unnecessary tension
Learn new tools for giving and receiving feedback
Learn how to set up the opening of a difficult conversation more effectively

IT Track

Ready or Not, Here They Come: How To Prepare for Hackers at Your Law Firm Door

It’s not if, but when. Highly confidential client data and multi-million dollar financial transactions are just two of the factors that make law firms a prime target for cybercriminals looking to extort large sums of money or steal credentials for resale on the dark web.

Bad actors have identified the human element as the weakest point in the majority of security programs, and prey heavily upon this vulnerability. The rush to get through high volume inboxes make phishing emails one of the most popular techniques for infiltrating law firms. Arm your firm with the knowledge to thwart these inevitable breach attempts and stay one step ahead of the hackers.

Learning Objectives:

How advanced phishing and compromised credentials pose a threat to law firms. We’ll share real examples of phishing emails used to target law firms.
How to spot phishing emails using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) phish scale. Learn proven techniques to identify even the most sophisticated phishing attempts.
Why traditional cybersecurity tools and education are not enough. We’ll discuss how to implement innovative solutions like phishing simulation and cybersecurity awareness programs to create a strong human firewall.
Best practices for developing a comprehensive cyber security program. How the combination of policy management, ongoing education, response planning, pr and a proactive technology approach create a strong security posture.
How to respond quickly and effectively if you suspect your firm has been the victim of a phishing attack. Timely action can help limit damage and liability.

CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hr (60 min) in the category Operations Management OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Operations Management.

12:30 – 1:30 PM

Labor Law Updates

NLRB Relies on Section 7 of NLRA to Put the Squeeze on Companies

Under General Counsel (GC) Jennifer Abruzzo’s leadership, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) is poised to dramatically expand the definition of “protected concerted activity” under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The Board also has taken a tougher stance against workplace policies and common provisions in employment and severance agreements. These sweeping changes are likely to have a significant impact on employers this year and beyond.

The Labor Law session will arm attendees with these takeaways:

Intro to Section 7 and how the NLRB interprets it
Who is covered by Section 7
Specific policies and provisions that are being scrutinized
How to prepare employers for these changes

Join us as we unpack what will be a powerful learning session!

2:25 – 3:15 PM

Part-Two Session with James Kane
Game Changer: Building Loyal Relationships

Of the 7.6 billion people on this planet, there are only a few hundred thousand (at best) who actually understand how the human brain works. Loyalty has a formula, at least as far as our brain is concerned. To create unbreakable relationships you need to know what that formula is and how to use it.

Learn to develop loyal connections utilizing James’s methodology which has been adopted by numerous Fortune 500 companies, leading nonprofits, and prominent foundations and institutions around the world.

3:20 – 4:20 PM

Finance Track

Decision Nirvana: How to Select a Financial System that is “Right Sized” for Your Firm

Implementing a new Financial Management/Matter Management system is often a dreaded exercise for most law firms. It’s not a decision-making process for the faint of heart. Many firms are forced into this process when their existing Financial Management system is being “sunsetted” by the software vendor. Others are navigating this new pathway to obtain more productivity and to deliver modern tools for the firm’s users. In this session, we are focusing on how you accomplish this goal by providing you with tips, tricks, and insights on how to make this evaluation and selection process less painful. Topics to be discussed include:

Providing an overview of the Financial Management Application Landscape
Performing a Business Requirements Process to identify the firm’s needs
Building a supporting evaluation team at the firm
Conducting the Discovery Process to identify those vendors who align with the firm’s business requirements
Tracking the Vendor Analysis process
Performing the Reference Check process
Fine-tuning of the Contract/SOW process
Coordinating the vendor research information to present to the Executive Team

CLM® Application Credit for Functional Specialists: 1 hr (60 min) in the category of Financial Management OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Financial Management.

IT Track

From Bumpy Road to Breakthroughs: Revolutionizing both the Business and Practice of Law with Generative AI

Embark on a transformative journey with us, as we navigate the burgeoning world of Generative AI (GenAI) in the realm of law. In today’s era, legal entities stand at a pivotal crossroads: how can they integrate this groundbreaking technology effectively and ethically?

Join our panel of experts as they unravel GenAI’s multifaceted impact on the legal domain – both now and in the future. From discerning the business edge it offers to understanding its associated challenges, our discourse promises an incisive look into how GenAI is poised to redefine legal operations and the practice of law. More than just theoretical insights, we emphasize real-world applications tailor-made for your firm’s unique requirements.

Key takeaways:

Spotlight on Success: Explore current GenAI applications by New York firms and identify the upcoming trends that can set your firm apart.
Balancing the Scales: Dive deep into the merits and pitfalls of GenAI, enabling informed decision-making.
Blueprint for Brilliance: Gain invaluable insights on leveraging GenAI for firms of all sizes – whether you’re a budding law firm or a sprawling law department.
Strategize with Precision: Equip yourself with the tools and wisdom to chart a GenAI journey that resonates with your firm’s ethos and goals.
Guidance Galore: Navigate the maze of governance structures, upcoming regulations, ethical dilemmas, and privacy conundrums with confidence.
Your Next Move: Walk away with actionable steps to integrate GenAI seamlessly and responsibly into your legal practice.

CLM® Application Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the category of Information Technology OR CLM® Recertification Credit: 1 hr (60 min) in the Subject Area of Operations Management.

4:30 – 5:30 PM Closing Speaker Session

Up Close and Personal: Mind-Blowing Magic and Mentalism

We will end a fantastic Symposium with a one-of-a-kind experience! Coby’s magic show will amaze attendees with professional magic and mentalism effects that will captivate you from start to finish.

Coby will get up close and personal delivering an interactive, team-building experience. This is a mesmerizing corporate magic/mentalist show that will bring our attendees together in the most entertaining way possible.

There is nothing quite like it! Sit back, relax, and let Coby blow your mind with a spectacular experience that will leave you speechless at the 18th Annual Symposium!

Meet the Man Behind the Magic…….

Coby is widely regarded as the “James Bond” of mind reading. He performs over 500 shows per year and has been featured in dozens of television performances and talk shows in over 30 countries around the world. Clients include FedEx, Google, GM, and dozens more. His blend of magic, mentalism and illusions intertwined with his charm and charisma, make him the perfect choice for Corporate Events, Trade Shows, and Private Parties – more importantly, the ALANYC 18th Annual Symposium grand finale.

Coby’s unique and interactive performances have delighted and mystified audiences all over the world. He has had the privilege of performing before many heads of state including Canadian Prime Minister Harper and the Prince of Morocco. His audience include a who’s-who of celebrities, royalty, and other notables such as; Samuel L. Jackson, Charlize Theron, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Spacey and David Copperfield and his crew.

Join us – you won’t believe your eyes!