Newsletter
Class Action - July 2026
VP of Business Partner Relations' Report
I want to extend heartfelt gratitude to our Business Partners for their continued support. These organizations invest in WALA because they recognize the value of building meaningful relationships with legal administrators like you — the decision makers and influencers within your firms. Their sponsorship allows us to provide excellent educational programming, valuable networking opportunities, and meaningful professional development — all while helping keep membership dues affordable.
Our Business Partners are experts in their respective fields and are ready to help you navigate the evolving challenges of legal management. I encourage you to connect with them personally, learn about their solutions, and explore how they can help your firm achieve its goals.
⭐ Renewed 2026 WALA Business Partners
Diamond Partner
Gold Partners
James Imaging Systems – Document imaging and print management solutions tailored to law firm needs.
LexisNexis – Industry-leading legal research, analytics, and litigation support.
M3 Insurance Solutions, Inc. . – Insurance brokerage and risk management, offering property & casualty, benefits, and employee solutions.
Silver Partner
ThomsonReuters – Delivering trusted knowledge and innovative solutions powered by AI, including advanced legal research platforms, document analysis tools, and information retrieval systems.
US Legal Support – Litigation Support including record retrieval, interpreting, remote depositions, translation & transcription services.
Bronze Partner
These partners are committed to building professional relationships — not just selling products. Whether you’re exploring new technologies, improving operational workflows, or seeking trusted expert guidance, these organizations stand ready to help.
Make the Most of Your WALA Membership
Next time you attend a WALA event, join a networking session, or browse our online resources, be sure to introduce yourself to our Business Partners. Ask about their services, discover how they support firms like yours, and forge connections that could enhance both your professional growth and your firm’s success.
Thank you for supporting the community that supports you — and please take a moment to personally thank our Business Partners for their investment in WALA.
Jess Beyer
VP of Business Partner Relations
Scholarship Recipient
I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Association of Legal Administrators Conference through a WALA Scholarship funded by Gordon Flesch Company’s Business Partner Sponsorship. This conference is one of the leading events for professionals in legal management and administration. The conference brought together legal administrators, industry experts, business partners, and thought leaders from across the country to discuss the evolving legal industry and the future of law firm operations.
Throughout the conference, attendees participated in a variety of educational sessions covering leadership development, legal technology, operational efficiency, talent management, cybersecurity, and workplace culture. The sessions provided valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s legal organizations.
One session that particularly stood out focused on identifying and avoiding “imposter” hires during the recruitment process. The discussion offered practical strategies for improving hiring practices, recognizing red flags, and ensuring candidates are the right fit for an organization’s culture and long-term goals. I plan to apply many of these insights in future hiring and recruitment efforts.
The conference also highlighted the growing importance of innovation and adaptability in the legal profession. Discussions surrounding artificial intelligence, automation, and evolving workplace expectations reinforced the need for forward-thinking leadership and continuous professional development.
In addition to the educational programming, the exhibit hall showcased a wide range of products and services designed to help legal organizations improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and enhance client service. It was encouraging to see the many innovative solutions available to support the legal community.
An exciting outcome of visiting the exhibit hall was the opportunity to establish a new relationship with an ALA Business Partner which will save money for my firm. Building this relationship was a direct result of the networking and collaboration opportunities available at the event. I look forward to exploring ways in which this partnership can provide added value, convenience, and a few gold stars for my budget.
Attending the 2026 ALA Conference was both informative and inspiring. The experience reinforced the importance of staying engaged with industry trends, building meaningful professional connections, and continuing to invest in growth and development. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent our organization at this outstanding event and look forward to implementing the knowledge and connections gained from the conference.
Educational Article
WALA's Annual Conference of Education Delivers Practical Insights for Legal Management Professionals
On June 10, 2026, the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators (WALA) hosted its Annual Conference of Education in conjunction with the State Bar of Wisconsin's Annual Meeting & Conference in La Crosse. The event brought together legal administrators, attorneys, and industry professionals for a day of learning, networking, and professional development focused on the business of law.
Before highlighting the educational sessions, WALA would like to extend its sincere appreciation to our business partners. Their sponsorship and support make it possible for WALA to provide quality educational programming throughout the year. The Annual Conference of Education is one of the association's signature events, and it would not be possible without the commitment and generosity of these valued partners. Thank you for investing in WALA and the professional development of legal management professionals across Wisconsin.
WALA would also like to thank the State Bar of Wisconsin for its continued partnership and support. By hosting our conference alongside the Annual Meeting & Conference, the State Bar creates an opportunity for legal administrators and attorneys to learn from one another while strengthening the legal profession as a whole. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a well-organized and respected event each year.
Employee Performance, Documentation, and Terminations
The day began with a practical and engaging presentation from Attorney Colin Hargreaves on one of the most challenging aspects of management: employee performance issues and terminations. Employment matters often arise during stressful circumstances, making consistency and objectivity essential. Attendees walked away with realistic, straightforward strategies for documenting performance concerns, approaching difficult conversations, and ensuring employment decisions are handled fairly and consistently. The session served as an important reminder that preparation, documentation, and professionalism are key to successfully navigating employee relations challenges.
Finance 101: Making the Numbers Less Daunting
Finance can be intimidating for many legal professionals, but Kathy Pline and Attorney Robb Evans demonstrated that understanding law firm finances does not have to be overwhelming. Their presentation combined practical guidance with an approachable and engaging style that made financial concepts accessible to attendees of all experience levels.
Participants gained insights into budgeting, financial management, and the operational habits that contribute to a firm's financial health. The presenters also shared practical techniques for encouraging attorneys to promptly enter their time and collect outstanding fees, helping firms improve billing efficiency and cash flow. The session reinforced the reality that financial literacy is a valuable skill for every legal administrator.
Artificial Intelligence: Ethical Considerations and Practical Risks
The conference concluded with a thought-provoking presentation from Attorney Christopher Shattuck on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in legal practice. For many attendees, the session served as a powerful reminder that AI presents both opportunities and significant risks.
Attorney Shattuck challenged participants to consider the potential consequences of improper AI use and highlighted the importance of understanding the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules that govern attorney conduct. Attendees were encouraged to review applicable ethical obligations, evaluate how AI tools are being used within their organizations, and ensure appropriate disclosures are being made to clients when required. The presentation also emphasized the growing importance of addressing AI use within client fee agreements and engagement documents, so firms are not caught off guard as technology continues to evolve.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the legal industry continues to evolve, WALA remains committed to providing educational opportunities that help legal administrators develop the skills and knowledge necessary to support their organizations and clients.
Mark your calendars for the 2027 WALA Annual Conference of Education that will be held on June 9, 2027, in Milwaukee in conjunction with the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting & Conference. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming new attendees as we continue to learn, connect, and grow together.
Thank you to our presenters, business partners, attendees, volunteers, and the State Bar of Wisconsin for making the 2026 Annual Conference of Education a success.
WALA Annual Conference of Education Committee
Michelle Hove, Firm Administrator, Anderson O’Brien + WALA VP of Membership
Ohyun R. Kwon, Office Administrator, Ogletree Deakins + WALA VP of Education
Jess Beyer, Director of Human Resources, DeWitt LLP + WALA VP of Business Partner Relations
Business Partner Article
Agentic Workflows for Legal Professionals: A smarter way to work with AI
AI adoption is accelerating across the legal profession. The entire federal court system and courts in 47 US states have adopted AI-powered tools. More than 20,000 law firms and legal departments now use AI, including 80 percent of the Am Law 100.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a standard part of the legal workflow, the focus is shifting toward more advanced capabilities. One of the most transformative is the agentic workflow, a new way to work powered by AI that doesn’t just respond to prompts, but plans, executes, and adapts as the work unfolds.
Agentic workflows are gaining traction in law firms and corporate legal departments for one simple reason: they help legal professionals get complex work done faster without sacrificing oversight. And with rising pressure to do more with less, agentic workflows offer a real path forward. Not only do they support innovation, they also deliver tangible, measurable impact.
From Automation to Orchestration
Traditional legal work typically follows static rules. This work may involve document formatting, flagging key terms, or routing files for approval, but each step is predefined and inflexible. Generative AI introduced a leap forward: with the right prompt, it can create content, summarize documents, or analyze contracts. Yet it still depends on the user to guide each task.
Agentic AI goes further. These systems don’t just generate responses. They act. They identify objectives, plan the required steps, take action across platforms, and adapt based on new inputs or unexpected results. They can also escalate questions to a human when needed.
Agentic AI responds to input by planning, deciding, and performing, not just creating. That distinction is critical for legal professionals who need both speed and reliability.
Why This Matters Now
Legal organizations are at a crossroads. According to the Thomson Reuters Future of Professionals report:
- 80% of professionals believe AI will transform their work within five years
- Only 38% expect to see significant AI adoption at their firm within the year
- 30% say their organization is moving too slowly on AI
This gap between belief and action is a competitive risk. As more legal teams adopt solutions with agentic workflows, those who hesitate risk falling behind. But the good news is that the first step doesn’t have to be a leap. Many teams begin with straightforward, high-effort tasks like document review or policy drafting, building momentum and confidence as they go. Agentic workflows are designed to be modular and adaptable, so you can start at your own pace and expand based on your team’s needs.
Beyond competitive pressure, professionals also recognize the benefits of AI. The report highlights that legal professionals expect to save nearly 240 hours a year with AI, equivalent to roughly $19,000 per attorney. With agentic workflows, that value is easier to realize, thanks to their ability to work through complex, multi-step processes with greater speed and minimal intervention.
Real-World Applications: What agentic workflows look like
Agentic workflows are already reshaping how legal professionals approach tasks across litigation, transactional work, and regulatory compliance. Here are a few examples:
Legal Research
Instead of manually searching databases and reviewing hundreds of cases, agentic workflows can:
- Interpret the legal issue
- Query authoritative sources like Westlaw
- Filter and synthesize relevant cases
- Provide summaries with citations
The result is more accurate research, faster turnaround, and built-in transparency.
Contract Review and Analysis
When reviewing NDAs, MSAs, or commercial agreements, agentic workflows can:
- Identify key clauses and deviations from standard language
- Cross-reference internal policies or playbooks
- Highlight risks and suggest redlines
These workflows reduce review time and improve consistency across contracts.
Company Formation
When incorporating a Delaware C-Corp, for example, agentic workflows can:
- Generate a multi-step plan
- Retrieve relevant templates
- Identify jurisdiction-specific requirements
- Prompt for missing details
- Deliver a ready-to-file draft
These workflows can also support follow-up tasks like initial regulatory filings or organizing corporate documents for easy access. At each step, the system documents its actions and flags anything that needs your review.
Curious how these agentic workflows perform in actual legal settings?
Addressing Concerns and Barriers
Despite their promise, agentic workflows aren’t without challenges. Common concerns include:
- Complexity: Some worry the technology is too advanced to implement easily
- Trust: Others question whether AI can be relied on for legal work
- Integration: Many teams aren’t sure how to fit AI into existing workflows
Additionally, many professionals are surprised by how accessible agentic AI has become. You don’t need deep technical expertise or a dedicated IT team to get started. With a solution like CoCounsel Legal, legal teams can begin applying agentic workflows with the same ease as using any modern productivity tool.
Where to Begin
The key to adopting agentic workflows is starting small and practical. Look for time-consuming tasks that follow clear rules, like document reviews, compliance checks, or early-stage drafting. For example, legal operations teams at mid-sized firms are starting with contract review workflows, while in-house counsel are using agentic AI for policy generation and risk assessment. These are ideal places to see quick wins in both speed and consistency.
But this isn’t just about saving time. Agentic workflows also lead to stronger research, more reliable outputs, and greater confidence in your work. They free up space for professionals to focus on what matters most: strategic thinking, client advising, and high-impact analysis.
With CoCounsel Legal, teams gain access to a growing library of agentic workflows built specifically for legal work. These are designed by attorney editors and continually updated to meet evolving needs, so firms don’t have to build them from scratch.
A New Standard for Legal Work
Agentic workflows aren’t just a technological upgrade. They represent a shift toward smarter, more strategic legal practice. By combining machine execution with human judgment, they create processes that are faster, more reliable, and defensible.
As these workflows become more accessible, they’re setting a new standard where professionals can focus less on repetitive tasks and more on high-impact thinking. That’s not just efficiency. It’s a better way to work.
For legal teams ready to lead the next phase of innovation, agentic workflows offer a practical, scalable path forward.
Explore how CoCounsel Legal brings agentic workflows to life.
Business Partner Article
Why Your Law Firm Needs Managed Print Services
In today’s legal environment, firms are steadily moving toward “paper-light” workflows, leveraging digital document management systems to improve efficiency and accessibility. However, despite this shift, printing remains an essential part of day-to-day operations. Contracts, discovery documents, case files and client records still frequently pass through multifunction printers (MFPs). That’s why law firm print security has become more critical than ever—and why investing in managed print services for law firms is a strategic decision, not just an operational one.
The Hidden Risks in Your Printer Fleet
MFPs are powerful devices capable of printing, copying, scanning and even faxing. But with that functionality comes risk. Each MFP is effectively a networked endpoint that can store data, transmit documents and connect to your internal systems. Without proper safeguards, these devices can become potential entry points for cyber threats or sources of confidential data leaks.
For law firms handling sensitive client information, even a minor breach can have significant ethical, legal and financial consequences. That’s why proactive print security measures aren’t optional—they’re essential.
Secure Configuration from Day One
A strong print security posture starts at setup. At Gordon Flesch Company, we design print fleet solutions with security at the forefront. One of the first steps we take is eliminating common vulnerabilities by replacing manufacturer default settings.
Default passwords are widely known and easily exploited. Our team ensures every device is configured with secure, customized credentials tailored to your firm’s policies. We also disable unused manufacturer protocols as a part of our managed print device setup. Many law firms also opt to implement access controls, ensuring user authentication to access specific devices or print jobs.
This foundational step significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and sets the tone for a secure print environment.
Ongoing Firmware Management
Security isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. Printer manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to address vulnerabilities and improve performance. Unfortunately, some organizations do not address these updates in a timely manner, leaving devices exposed.
When you partner with Gordon Flesch Company, you’ll have peace-of-mind knowing that the details will be covered. This includes having an established firmware management cadence that aligns with your needs. Whether you prefer scheduled updates or more frequent patching, Gordon Flesch Company will establish a firmware management cadence that fits your cybersecurity posture.
This proactive approach minimizes risk while keeping your print environment running smoothly.
Data-Driven Insights for Better Performance
Security and productivity go hand in hand. Understanding how your printer fleet is used can reveal opportunities to improve both.
Our managed print services include ongoing analysis of your printer fleet data. We help you analyze usage patterns, print volumes, device performance and user behavior to identify inefficiencies or potential risks.
These insights allow us to recommend strategic changes—such as right-sizing your fleet, redistributing workloads or implementing new features—to enhance productivity while maintaining strong law firm print security.
Secure Data Destruction at End of Life
What happens to your printers when they’re retired? Many firms overlook the fact that MFPs often contain hard drives that store sensitive information. If not properly handled, decommissioned devices can become a major security risk.
Gordon Flesch Company takes a comprehensive approach to lifecycle management, including secure data destruction. When a device is removed from your fleet, we ensure all stored data is thoroughly erased using industry-approved methods. This protects your firm from unintended data exposure and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
A Complete Technology Partner
Managed print services are just one part of the broader technology ecosystem your law firm relies on. Gordon Flesch Company goes beyond print to provide integrated solutions, including office phones and managed IT services.
Our expertise allows us to align your print environment with your overall technology strategy, ensuring seamless integration, improved efficiency and enhanced security across all systems.
Why It Matters Now
As law firms continue to balance digital transformation with real-world document handling, the importance of secure, efficient print operations will only grow. Partnering with a managed print services provider isn’t just about saving costs—it’s about protecting your clients, your reputation and your business.
If your law firm is searching for an expert office technology provider with a local presence—contact Gordon Flesch Company at gflesch.com/contact-us
Calendar of Events
Social - DockHounds Baseball Game
August 24, 2026
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Location:
DockHounds Ballpark
1011 Blue Ribbon Circle N.
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Register to attend.
First pitch is at 6:35 p.m.
Beverages will be provided.
Parking is $5 per car. Tailgating is not allowed at the ballpark.
Please RSVP by 8/7/26.
Social - Happy Hour
October 7, 2026
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Location:
DeWitt LLP Cafe'
25 W Main St Ste 800
Madison, WI 53703
Register to attend.
Parking will be validated.
Full calendar of events can be found here: Calendar of meetings and events
Management Resources
- "Rising Healthcare Costs: What Wisconsin Employers Need to Prepare for (2026-2028)" If you want a tidbit of advice on how to address healthcare costs for your firm and employees, take two minutes to read this article. Costs will continue to rise, however, there are care cost tools you can share to aid in educating employees on quality healthcare at an appropriate cost. Rising Healthcare Costs: What Wisconsin Employers Need to Prepare for (2026-2028) Spring 2026. Also see Price Point WHA for Transparency to view procedures and estimated costs across various hospitals and medical networks in Wisconsin.
- "Beyond the Spreadsheet: How a CRM Can Help You Rethink Business Development" Have you been pondering a CRM tool or have one but not making the best use of it? Read on for practical insights on seeing and using your business development data. Beyond the Spreadsheet: How a CRM Can Help You Rethink Your Business Development June 30, 2026.
