Ben M. Schorr is Innovation Strategist at Affinity Consulting Group. He was previously a Senior Content Manager for Microsoft and is also the author of several books on technology including “The Lawyer’s Guide to Microsoft Outlook,” “The Lawyer’s Guide to Microsoft Word” and “OneNote in One Hour.” He was a Microsoft MVP for 20 years and involved with management and technology for more than 25. In his free time, he’s an Ironman triathlete. Follow him @bschorr.

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Gene Commander is an executive business counselor and thought leader for the legal industry, with a special focus on smart growth strategies for law firms. Through its research team, Gene Commander Inc. helps law firms stay ahead of the curve by adapting to the demographic, professional, and technological trends that are transforming the business of law. Gene is also an accomplished author and speaker drawing on over 40 years of experience in the legal profession while practicing law with small, midsize and national firms. His past roles include serving on the management committee of a midmarket law firm and as managing shareholder in the Denver office of an Am Law 100 firm. Gene can be reached at gene@genecommanderinc.com.

Theda “Teddy” Snyder is a freelance writer and (she says) recovering attorney in Los Angeles. She has written six books for lawyers, including The Lawyer’s Marketing Journal published by Attorney At Work. Her other works include numerous articles and “Personal Injury Case Evaluation,” available on Amazon.com. Teddy has been writing for Attorney At Work about how lawyers can communicate better for more than 10 years. Find her @SnyderWriting on Threads and her website TeddySnyder.com.

Karen Dunn Skinner is Co-Founder and CEO of Gimbal Lean Practice Management Advisors, co-author of the bestselling Power Zone Playbook for Lawyers, and a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management. She and her partner David Skinner are sought-after consultants and speakers who’ve taught thousands of lawyers how to build profitable practices they love — without burning out. They’re also Global Advisors to the International Institute of Legal Project Management. They live in Montreal, where they’ve raised two awesome kids and built a business that gives them the freedom to follow their passions. A gifted artist, Karen paints the landscapes of the boreal forests. Follow her on LinkedIn and @KarenSkinner.

Jim Calloway is co-author of the ABA books “How Good Lawyers Survive Bad Times” and “Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour: Strategies That Work.” He is a Past Chair of ABA TECHSHOW, a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, and a popular speaker and author on law practice management and legal technology topics. Jim served 28 years as Director of the Oklahoma Bar Association Management Assistance Program until his retirement in 2025. Jim blogs at Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips.

Stacey DiGerardo is the Director of Case Management at Veritext, with over 15 years of experience in the court reporting industry. She began her career as a senior case manager, developing deep operational expertise, and later transitioned into a senior sales executive role specializing in complex litigation with a focus on multijurisdictional matters spanning all major U.S. markets. In her current role, she leads the development and national rollout of strategic case management initiatives focused on consistency, scalability and elevated client experience.

Annette Choti graduated from law school 20 years ago, and is the CEO and owner of Law Quill, a legal digital marketing agency focused on law firms across the United States and Canada. She is the author of “Click Magnet: The Ultimate Digital Marketing Guide for Law Firms” (2022). Annette used to do theater and professional comedy, which is not so different from the legal field if we are all being honest. She can be found on LinkedIn or at annette@lawquill.com.

Amy Coats is the founder of Accounting Atelier, a boutique bookkeeping firm that works exclusively with law firms on trust accounting, IOLTA compliance, and financial reporting. She’s a Clio Certified Partner and QuickBooks ProAdvisor serving firms nationwide. Connect Amy on LinkedIn.

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Susan Cohodes is a trial attorney who practiced for more than 35 years, first in Chicago and for the last 31 years in Seattle. Susan has spent her entire career fighting for injured clients. In 2024, Susan became Of Counsel to her firm and is now pursuing her passions of knitting, writing — and following her beloved Green Bay Packers around the country.

Sally Schmidt, President of Schmidt Marketing, Inc., helps lawyers and law firms grow their practices. She was a founder and the first President of the Legal Marketing Association, is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and was one of the first inductees to LMA’s Hall of Fame. Known for her practical advice, she is the author of two books, “Marketing the Law Firm: Business Development Techniques” and “Business Development for Lawyers: Strategies for Getting and Keeping Clients.” Follow her @SallySchmidt.

Spuds Powell, CPWA, is Managing Director of Kayne Anderson Rudnick Wealth Advisors and serves on the firm’s Wealth Advisory Investment Committee. Spuds advises lawyers through both ends of the partnership transition: the buy-in and the exit. He has received numerous accolades, including being ranked No. 4 on Barron’s Top 100 Independent Advisors list in 2025 and maintaining a Top 10 position for 13 consecutive years (2013-2025). He was inducted into the Barron’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jamie Jackson Spannhake is a writer, coach for lawyers, and speaker. She helps busy lawyers create lives they truly want, lives with time and space to do all the things she was told she couldn’t do as a successful lawyer. Her work with clients is based upon the principles in her book, “The Lawyer, the Lion, & the Laundry.” She spent nearly 20 years practicing law in New York and Connecticut, in BigLaw, as a solo, and as a partner in a small firm. Learn more about her at JamieSpannhake.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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