We are pleased to present James McKenna, ILTA Executive Vice President and Senior Manager of Infrastructure at Morrison and Foerster LLP, as the subject of this week’s Profile in Leadership. James is well-known for his myriad talents that extend beyond the technology realm (he even appeared on Monster Garage back in 2003!), his spirit in the regional competition, and his drive to get to the point of any discussion. James’s term as EVP ends at ILTA ‘09, as does his service in ILTA’s Board of Directors; his unique leadership style has helped the organization immensely over his years of service.
What excites you the most about ILTA ‘09?:
Learning how we can simplify and gain efficiencies during this economic condition.
Describe a highlight of one ILTA conference that made you a hero when you got back to your firm.
Strategic information about e-discovery trends, tablet pcs, and PDAs all come to mind.
Conference is a whirlwind of activity; can you share your strategy or any tips to making it through and getting the most out of it?
About a month before conference, I make a list of areas I need to learn more about and things my firm wants me to research. I then go through the educational content and map out my days. If I decide to meet with any vendors, I already have my “must attend” events scheduled. I find this maximizes my experience and keeps things very simple.
What volunteer roles have you held for ILTA?
Regional Vice President, Northern California, Treasurer, Regional Vice President Liaison, and Executive Vice President. I have presented at conference, written articles for Peer to Peer, hosted meetings, and managed some of ILTAs annual surveys.
What prompted you to get involved with ILTA?
I was brand new to legal 10 years ago and my boss at the time, Jo Haraf, suggested ILTA as a way to learn a lot about the industry. It was without a doubt one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.
What does leadership mean to you?
Making decisions, being accountable, trying new things, learning quickly from mistakes, letting the team have all the credit and you taking all the blame, saying “yes, no, please and thank you”, and helping people have fun with what they are doing.
What makes you a leader?
I enjoy seeing people and processes work very well. I also really like to hear laughter and see people smile.
Has ILTA helped you become the leader you are today?
ABSOLUTELY. ILTA has afforded me the opportunity to work with the best of the industry, see what does and does not work for me style wise, and expose me to many different ways to approach a given problem. ILTA has helped me develop my financial, managerial, and networking acumen. ILTA is by far the best venue for one gain experience and develop talent by volunteering to help.
Filed under: Profiles in Leadership
