Over the past two days, ILTA has released not just one, but two partnership announcements during this week’s ILTACON.
As I discussed here and here, the International Legal Technology Association’s (ILTA) annual conference ILTACON 2026 is being conducted this week at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. So, what better time for two partnership announcements, right? Here is the first announcement, released yesterday:
ILTA and Cosmonauts Partner to Deliver Four Future Lawyer Regional Events Across the U.S. and Europe
The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA), the trusted global resource community for legal technologists, and Cosmonauts, a leading connector of innovative technology vendors with legal decision‑makers worldwide, have partnered to deliver four regional events in the USA and Europe.
This collaboration brings together ILTA’s reputation for high‑quality, peer‑driven technology content and Cosmonauts’ expertise in designing and delivering innovation-related programming for practicing lawyers. Together, the organizations aim to convene technologists, lawyers, and business professionals to explore the future of the legal profession and the transformative role technology will play.
The four regional events – part of the Cosmonauts Future Lawyer series – will take place in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Madrid in 2027. ILTA and Cosmonauts have previously collaborated on Future Lawyer events in Milan. This expanded partnership will extend the reach of legal technology and innovation programming to new roles, organizations, and geographies.
Joy Heath Rush, CEO of ILTA, emphasized the value of expanding ILTA’s community‑driven programming to new audiences:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Cosmonauts in a way that brings the ILTA experience of content, connections, and community to even more people in the legal profession.” She noted that Cosmonauts’ broad network across the legal ecosystem introduces additional voices to critical conversations about the future of legal practice.
Timo Karakashev, Founder and CEO of Cosmonauts, highlighted the shared commitment to collaboration: “For 10 years, Cosmonauts has been built on one premise: collaboration fosters innovation. Today, we deepen that mission.” He added that the partnership will help build regional communities across Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, and Madrid, bringing the legal profession closer to top‑tier education and innovation.
In short, ILTA and Cosmonauts are “stronger together.”
Both organizations reaffirm their belief that innovation thrives when smart people share stories and solutions.
And here is the second of two partnership announcements:
The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and BARBRI, Inc., a leading provider of legal education and the parent organization of the Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), today announced a multi-year strategic partnership designed to expand access to eDiscovery education and certification for legal technology professionals worldwide.
ILTA members will now receive a twenty percent (20%) discount on ACEDS certification and training products and membership, making it easier for practitioners across ILTA’s global community to build and validate specialized eDiscovery expertise.
The partnership also deepens collaboration between the two organizations at ILTA’s flagship events. BARBRI will be recognized as an educational partner at ILTACON, ILTA Europe, and EVOLVE, with exhibit presence at each conference, and the organizations will jointly promote each other’s programs, resources, and membership offerings to their respective communities throughout the year.
ILTA and BARBRI will further collaborate on a new eDiscovery conference for legal technology and eDiscovery professionals, with the inaugural event planned for Q2 2027 and a second edition in 2028. The two organizations will jointly develop the program and secure speakers through a shared planning committee, bringing together practitioner expertise from both organizations’ communities.
“ILTA is thrilled to partner with BARBRI and ACEDS to provide even more value to our Member organizations and the broader legal technology community globally. The timing is especially exciting given the upcoming introduction of ACEDS’ international certification!”
— Joy Heath Rush, CEO, ILTA
“This partnership brings together two organizations committed to helping legal professionals stay ahead of change. By combining ILTA’s unmatched community with BARBRI and ACEDS’ expertise in legal education and certification, we’re creating new pathways for professionals to build skills, earn credentials, and shape the future of legal technology and eDiscovery.”
— Lucie Allen, Co-CEO, BARBRI
“We’re thrilled to launch this strategic alliance with ILTA,” said Michael Quartararo, President of ACEDS. “As AI and emerging technologies continue to transform the legal industry, bringing our communities together creates new opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to education, innovation, and professional development.”
— Michael Quartararo, President, ACEDS
“This partnership with BARBRI and ACEDS is exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens our industry as a whole. By partnering with organizations so deeply committed to eDiscovery education, we can provide our members with even more resources, expertise, and opportunities to advance their careers. We’re excited to see where this partnership takes us and the impact we can make together.”
— Tyler Howes, Chief Revenue Officer, ILTA
The education partner discount will be available to active ILTA members via a dedicated discount code, distributed directly to members. Additional details on the new eDiscovery conference, including dates, location, and program information, will be announced at a later date.
Sounds like a lot more events for ILTA! I’m particularly interested in the announcement of a new joint eDiscovery conference for ILTA and ACEDS – looking forward to hearing more details about that event down the road!
So, what do you think of ILTA’s two partnership announcements? Are you interested in attending a joint ILTA-ACEDS eDiscovery conference next year? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.
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.
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