Please enjoy this blog post authored by Alina Antonov, Senior Information Technology Project Manager, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
ILTA: I'm a proud volunteer at ILTA, the International Legal Technology Association. Founded in 1980, ILTA is like the ultimate clubhouse for legal tech enthusiasts—where lawyers and tech geeks unite to make legal work less, well, work! With over 25,000 members worldwide, this non-profit is all about sharing tips, tricks, and tools to help legal pros stay ahead of the game. Run by a dedicated board and an army of volunteers, ILTA offers everything from conferences to webinars. If you want to talk shop about the latest legal tech, this is the place to be.
The Journey: What I Gave to ILTA and What ILTA Gave to Me
My ILTA volunteering journey began a few years ago. I started as a mentee, soaking up knowledge like a sponge, and eventually transitioned into a mentor role. But, like any good story, I wasn't satisfied with just dipping my toes in the water—I wanted to dive in headfirst. So, I started looking for more ways to contribute, leading me to ILTA committees.
Now, getting on a committee at ILTA can be challenging. The selection process is like trying to get into a VIP club—only the best of the best get in. ILTA has the luxury of cherry-picking its volunteers, looking at previous experiences and attitudes. I got rejected (okay, maybe a few times), but eventually, ILTA and I found the perfect match in the CCT (Content Coordinating Team).
What Do We Do? The Magic of Content Creation
So, what do we do in CCT? We generate the content that the ILTA audience craves right now—like the tech equivalent of delivering hot, fresh pizza to a hungry crowd. Much collaboration is involved, with small and big firms, vendors, and IT professionals all coming together. Somehow, ILTA cultivates a professional, friendly, and supportive environment. It's like being part of an innovative, tech-savvy family.
But let me tell you, only some things always go smoothly. One time, a topic I had carefully developed—complete with ideas, format and questions, finding the few amazing speakers —suddenly merged with another group's project. It felt like somebody had swiped my idea right out from under me! But as the saying goes, 'Life's like a puzzle; all the pieces eventually fit together for the big picture.' And sure enough, the final content was fantastic, and the other facilitator delivered it flawlessly. I was grateful that I didn't let my frustration show.
Learning Through Challenges
Then came my next challenge—a complicated and fast-changing topic that even my coworkers didn't want to touch. It was like trying to nail jelly to the wall! However, ILTA's community came through in a big way. Someone found a fantastic speaker, another person helped me refine the content, and yet another volunteer stepped up to be a speaker. Even one of my wonderful coworkers bravely joined the talk at the last second. The support I received was incredible, and the delivery was good. It was OUR team's delivery, and I appreciated everyone's help.
After that experience, I felt guilty about my earlier possessiveness in the previous project. ILTA fosters an environment where we all help each other, and ultimately, the ILTA community—our users—are the real winners.
Looking Ahead: Competing with Myself
Everything comes with experience. Last year, I could propose just a few topics I was interested in and selected by ILTA. This year, I'm overflowing with ideas, and now I find myself competing with, well, myself—trying to figure out what to propose and what the ILTA community really needs out of many ideas this time.
Conclusion: The Joy of Sharing
In the end, it's not just about learning, earning, or collecting achievements; it's about sharing and feeling that sense of accomplishment. Meeting professionals from other firms and vendors, freely exchanging ideas, and generating content together have been invaluable. Sometimes, these collaborations lead to new friendships, especially when meeting in person at conferences. All these experiences not only enrich our professional lives but also make us better as volunteers and as individuals. I've found tremendous satisfaction in being part of ILTA's CCT. Volunteering here isn't just work—it's a lot of fun!
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