NDA 10th Annual Conference

Speakers

Zhakalazky Carrion Senior Manager - Docketing & Client Records Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. Zhakalazky Carrion has been at Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner, P.A. (SLW) for 19 years. Since starting with SLW in 2005, she’s been part of four different departments in the firm; starting as a Receptionist (Jan. 2005 – Feb. 2005), then moving to the U.S. Case Management department (Feb. 2005 – Aug. 2007), then being promoted to U.S. Paralegal (Aug. 2007- Aug. 2010), and finally moving to the Docketing department in Aug. 2010. Since July 2013, she’s been managing the Docketing & Client Records departments with a team of eleven hardworking employees. Among other responsibilities, the Docketing team deals with a variety of transferred-in applications for Patents & Trademarks - from a few files to thousands of files at a time from all over the world. She has a Law Degree as a background, but she found her career passion in Docketing and at the Innovative, Progressive, Diverse & Awesome firm (SLW) she is proud to be part of. She loves to collaborate with Docketing colleagues and share the techniques that are used at the firm she is part of to be successful, such as using automation as much as possible in their procedures. And by collaborating, she learns other techniques to implement in her processes as well.

Amber Goodenough Director of Docket Winston & Strawn LLP Amber Goodenough is Director of Docket at Winston & Strawn LLP. She is a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois and has worked for the firm for over seventeen years. In her role, she works to create and implement best practices in the areas of electronic court filing and centralized docketing. She collaborates with Business Development, Collective Intelligence and Research, and Information Services to find innovative ways to leverage her team’s work to contribute to the firm’s business development and knowledge management efforts.

Richard M. LaRosa Managing Clerk Kobre & Kim LLP Richard M. LaRosa is the Managing Clerk at Kobre & Kim LLP. With over 25 years experience as a Managing Clerk, and 30+ years working in law firms, Richard has spent that time training, advising and mentoring lawyers, paralegals and Managing Attorney and Clerk’s staff on State and Federal Court Rules/Procedures, electronic filing best practices, and creating, centralizing and managing Docketing/Calendaring Departments. He has implemented docketing system conversions at 3 firms and has vast experience on several docketing systems (MA3000, Compulaw, CourtAlert and eDockets).

Kenny Leckie Senior Technology and Change Management Consultant In his role as Senior Technology and Change Management Consultant, Kenny provides thought leadership and consulting to the legal community in areas of information security/cybersecurity awareness, change management, user adoption, adult learning, employee engagement, professional development, and business strategy. He also works with clients to develop and deploy customized programs with an emphasis on user adoption and increased return on investment. Kenny has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, is a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, a Certified Technical Trainer and has earned the trust of firms across the US, Canada, The UK, Europe and Australia. Kenny has more than thirty years of combined experience as a law firm Chief Information Officer, Manager of Support & Training, and now consultant providing him with a unique point of view and understanding of the challenges of introducing change in law firms. He combines his years of experience with a strategic approach to help clients implement programs that allows focus on the business while minimizing risk to confidential, protected, and sensitive information. Kenny is an author and speaker and a winner of ILTA’s 2018 Innovative Consultant of the Year.

Elyssa "Lys" LeFevre Chayo Founder and CEO Firm Forward Elyssa "Lys" LeFevre Chayo is the innovative founder and CEO of Firm Forward, a leading business development and marketing consultancy that specializes in lifting law firms and legal teams to unprecedented levels of success. A graduate of Old Dominion University with a BSBA, Lys further enriched her educational journey with immersive programs at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico and PUC-Rio, in Brazil. Her foray into the legal field began with legal assistant and paralegal roles, as she worked her way to earning her degrees, as well as intensive intellectual property training from the esteemed US law firms BSKB and DLA Piper. Lys rapidly ascended within the corporate realm, managing international IP portfolios for household names such as Gold's Gym International, Omni Hotels, Payless ShoeSource, and Stride Rite Corporation. Lys' international career took a significant turn in 2011 when she relocated to Rio de Janeiro. There, she excelled as the Head of International Business Development at Di Blasi, Parente & Associados. In a pursuit to share her wealth of experience with a broader audience, she founded Firm Forward in Houston, Texas, in 2014, providing strategic, results-driven guidance to law firms worldwide. In November 2023, Lys embarked on a new chapter by moving to Rochester, NY, where she continues to steer Firm Forward with her characteristic zeal and visionary leadership. Notably, Lys is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, enhancing her ability to connect with and support law firms in diverse global markets.

Michael Nega Managing Clerk Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Michael is well-versed in almost every facet of litigation, offers extensive knowledge in local, state, and federal court rules of civil procedure, and has a keen ability to research relevant rules that apply when needed for filings. With knowledge of and a high proficiency in various court and research databases, Michael is a key resource for legal support and can provide clients with a wide range of court-related services. Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Michael served as calendar court services manager at an AmLaw 100 firm. Additionally, he has experience as an intergovernmental affairs liaison at the Law Bulletin Publishing Company and as a chief deputy clerk in the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Albert (Bert) Phillips Primary Patent Examiner United States Patent and Trademark Office Bert received his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Mississippi and J.D. from Mississippi College. After graduating law school, he joined the USPTO in 2007 as a patent examiner in databases and data processing (2150/60). He became a Primary Patent Examiner in 2013. In 2020, Bert served on a work detail with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board where he drafted Ex Parte appeal decisions under the supervision of a Administrative Patent Judge. Before law school, Bert worked as a litigation technology consultant and a technical writer.

John Robinson Docketing Manager Fennemore John Robinson has been the Co-Chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Docketing Association since May, 2020. He is a Docketing Manager with over 20 years of experience as a senior docketing specialist, docketing specialist, paralegal, records supervisor, file clerk and legal assistant. John received his MPA from California State University East Bay and a BA in Political Science, Minor in Latin American Studies from Boston University. He also has his Paralegal Certificate from ABA-approved San Francisco State University.

Hope Shimabuku Regional Director Texas Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) As the Regional Director of the Texas Regional United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Hope Shimabuku carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, and is responsible for leading the Texas regional office. Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community, Ms. Shimabuku ensures the USPTO's initiatives and programs are tailored to the region's unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders. Ms. Shimabuku brings to the USPTO nearly three decades of experience as an engineer and intellectual property attorney. Most recently, Ms. Shimabuku was part of the Office of General Counsel at Xerox Corporation serving as Vice President and Corporate Counsel responsible for all intellectual property matters for Xerox Business Services LLC. She also worked for BlackBerry Corporation advising on United States and Chinese standards setting, cyber security, technology transfer, and intellectual property laws and legislation. As an engineer, she worked for Procter & Gamble and Dell Computer Corporation. Ms. Shimabuku is a leader in the Texas region. She currently sits on the Emerging Leaders Board for the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, the Texas Intellectual Property Alliance board, and the board for the Texas Chapter of the ChIPs. She is also an honorary member and inaugural member of the Barbara M.G. Lynn IP Inn of Court. She is a past chair for the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Texas, served as past president of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association, chaired the Dallas Diversity Task Force, and served on the board of the Dallas Bar Association and as a member of the Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas – District 6. Throughout her career, Ms. Shimabuku has championed diversity efforts, including service as the first Asian-American Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and was honored with the Champion of Diversity Award by the Association of Corporate Counsel and separately by the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas. She is also the recipient of the Justice David Wellington Chew Award by the Asian Pacified Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas for her commitment to pave the way for the advancement of Asian Pacific American attorneys in Texas. She has received numerous professional honors, including being honored as a Hero of Innovation by the Center for American and International Law, being selected as a Dallas Business Journal "Top 40 Under Forty," named Dallas Business Journal's Corporate Counsel Rookie of the Year, selected as one of DCEO's "500 Most Powerful Business Leaders", being awarded the Women's Leadership Award by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and being awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Government Services for SMU Dedman School of Law. Ms. Shimabuku has had the opportunity to participate in various events throughout her tenure with the USPTO, including SXSW Interactive, the Houston Tech Rodeo, Craft Brewers Conference and Brew Expo America, Center for American and International Policy, the Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit, FIRST Championships, and as a casting call guest on ABC's Shark Tank. Ms. Shimabuku received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and graduated cum laude with a J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston.

Jessica Trudeau Legal Process Specialist Butler Snow, LLP Jessica Trudeau is the Legal Process Specialist at Butler Snow, LLP. She supports practice group leaders and law firm management with the design and implementation of practice innovation projects and business intelligence initiatives across the firm. For nearly 30 years, Jessica has been employed in the legal services profession with mid-sized to large law firms, wearing multiple hats as she progressed through her career. She began as a litigation paralegal while attending law school in California and practiced law for 10 years until transitioning to law firm operations and legal process innovation when she relocated to Nashville in 2014. In her current role at Butler Snow, Jessica leads the firm-wide rollout of the Milana-supported centralized docketing system and the docketing team that supports it.

Krista Wilmot Litigation Docketing Manager Faegre Drinker Krista Wilmot is the Litigation Docketing Manager at Faegre Drinker. Krista has been involved in litigation docketing for over 30 years. She has held similar positions at Akin Gump and Dickstein Shapiro (Blank Rome). Upon joining Faegre Drinker she oversaw the consolidation of multiple docketing systems and processes and converted them into a centralized docketing platform. She currently oversees a dedicated team of docketing professionals, ensuring the smooth and efficient management of all litigation related deadlines. In her role, Krista has implemented policies and procedures, significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of her department. Krista has been a member of the NDA for over 10 years, has served as the co-chair of the NDA membership committee for the last several years and is currently serving as Secretary of the NDA.

Sarah L. Wood Director of Docketing Services Husch Blackwell LLP Sarah L. Wood is Director of Docketing Services at Husch Blackwell LLP, tasked with implementing and managing high-quality policies, procedures, and teams related to docketing services, overseeing docket operations for both the Litigation and IP groups. She has more than 20 years of experience as a legal professional and has extensive expertise in docket management, litigation support, and compliance-related issues. Sarah leads a dedicated team of docketing specialists and managers, ensuring that all case and legal filings are meticulously tracked and managed with the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for process improvement, Sarah has implemented numerous innovative solutions to streamline workflows and enhance productivity within her organizations. Sarah is an advocate for the development of best practices in docketing and case management and enjoys sharing knowledge and insights with peers in the legal community.