Attending #WIECON2025 in person this year was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked into the venue, I felt that unique blend of energy, purpose, and community that only Women in eDiscovery can deliver. There was connection. There was inspiration. And there was absolutely no shortage of moments that made me pause and think, This—this is why we do the work we do.
Let’s talk about the keynote. Dr. Maura R. Grossman opened the conference with her session, “What’s on Maura’s Mind” (#AskAndFindOut), and let me just say—her mind is exactly where ours needs to be. With her signature clarity and candor, she tackled the legal industry’s evolving relationship with generative AI, raised some seriously eye-opening concerns about deepfakes in litigation, and called out the troubling pushback against DEI initiatives and affinity groups.
Her message resonated with me on a deeply personal level—especially her observations about how current social media and media platforms can create echo chambers, limiting the perspectives of their audiences. Her advice? Read widely. Read often. Reading, she emphasized, is one of the most powerful ways to break out of algorithm-driven bubbles and broaden your understanding of the world around you.
She even offered a practical LinkedIn tip: adjust your feed settings to diversify the content you see. (Yes, that’s right—you can actually teach your feed to show you more than just what you already agree with.) It was a small but powerful reminder that we all have the ability to be more intentional about how we consume information and how we expand our viewpoints.
And yes, I may have audibly cheered when she highlighted some of the best thought leaders and resources in our field—including my favorite, Doug Austin of eDiscovery Today. It was a well-deserved moment of recognition for someone who has consistently delivered thoughtful, timely insights to our community.
I was also incredibly honored to moderate our panel, “You and (WiE) Are Evolved: Stay Sharp, Stay Ahead”, alongside three phenomenal women—June Hunter, Sonya Sigler, and Rachel See. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, wisdom, and encouragement with such generosity. Our conversation touched on how to stay agile and relevant in a changing legal tech landscape, and your perspectives truly enriched the discussion.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of co-leading both sessions of the Skills Workshop, “Evaluating and Enhancing Durable Skills for Legal Tech Success.” The first session was with Stephanie Clerkin, where we explored key durable skills by discussing our personal journeys and the specific skills we each continue to work on. The second session, co-led with June Hunter, focused on the practical side, including how to plan and set goals for building and strengthening those skills. Both sessions sparked lively discussions and left attendees with a thoughtfully designed workbook that guided them through identifying their current durable skills, pinpointing areas for growth, and creating an action plan to continue developing those skills well beyond the conference.
But it wasn’t just the keynote or the panels that stood out. The entire conference was packed with meaningful sessions, honest conversations, and spontaneous moments of support that reminded me why I’m proud to be part of this network. Still, nothing captured the spirit of #WIECON2025 quite like the evening’s Awards Gala.
The honorees this year exemplified what leadership, innovation, and service look like in action:
- Cat Casey, Visionary Trailblazer, is pushing the boundaries of legal tech with boldness and brilliance.
- Rose Singh, Guiding Light, continues to uplift others through steadfast mentorship and quiet strength.
- Joy Murao, recipient of the Legacy Award, has spent decades shaping and guiding the eDiscovery landscape.
- Emily Bartkowicz, our WiE Community Champion, builds bridges through service and genuine connection.
- Blair Cohen, Rising Star, is already making a name for herself—and we’re all watching her trajectory with excitement.
- Maribel Rivera, Catalyst for Change, is exactly that—fearless, focused, and full of purpose.
- Hon. Tanya Kennedy, DEI Champion, reminded us that equity and justice must walk hand in hand.
- And the incredible Houston Chapter, Chapter of the Year, has raised the bar with their impactful programming and collaborative spirit.
As I sat in the audience, listening to these amazing women being celebrated, I felt a profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the trailblazers, the mentors, the changemakers, and the quiet supporters who show up, do the work, and lift others along the way.
I’m especially grateful to have been introduced to this incredible organization over ten years ago by Justine Phillips. I also want to thank both her and another mentor I met when I joined—Joy Murao. Their guidance and encouragement helped shape my journey, and I’m not at all surprised that #WIECON2025 was a masterclass in what it means to lead with heart, advocate with courage, and stay committed to progress—even when the road is tough.
If you were there, you know exactly what I mean. And if you missed it—don’t worry. This community will keep the momentum going, because excellence isn’t something we talk about. It’s something we live.
Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.