Superstar Speakers
Michael Cohen
Debbie Foster
Debbie Foster is a nationally recognized thought leader on efficiency and innovation in professional legal organizations. Her 20+ years of experience, combined with a mix of strategic management and strong leadership skills, has enabled Debbie to develop a unique ability to work with law firms and legal departments to help them navigate the ever-changing legal services delivery landscape.
Debbie has been working with law firms and legal departments since 1995, earned her Lean Six Sigma Certification, and is relied on by firms all over the country as a management consultant. Debbie is very active in the Association of Legal Administrators, the Law Practice Division of the American Bar Association, and was the Co-Chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2018.
Alan Wilson
Alan Wilson started working with GLJ Benefit Consultants (GLJBC) in 2004 as an Employee Benefits Specialist. Since 2006, Alan has spearheaded the effort within GLJBC to reach out to law firms nationally regarding their benefits and business operations and how to use them to help attract and retain quality personnel. While in his current role, Alan and GLJ have created 10 National VIP Business Partner Programs for the Association of Legal Administrators with hundreds of firms attorneys and tens of thousands of their employees enjoying the value- added benefits of these businesses.
Alan has written articles for the Association of Legal Administrators’ Legal Management, speaks frequently on benefits, leadership and client relationship building at conferences, and consults with individual law firms nationally.
Rich Wilson
Rich Wilson is the Founder and Filmmaker/Director of VIBE Media. Rich developed a passion for storytelling from his time in college at Southern Utah University where he hosted a daily radio program The Morning Brew listening to the stories of his fellow students, and onto working as Backstage Manager for an Arizona Based Performing Arts Center where he has been host to many well-known figures such as, Lorrie Morgan, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, The Oak Ridge Boys and Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Si. Currently, he directs video content for VIBE's Youtube Channel and for many client projects.
Through these experiences, Rich has cultivated the idea that every person, business, and brand has a unique story and believes these stories need to be told through modern visual storytelling and shared through online influencer style marketing
Michael S. Cohen is a partner in Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits and
Immigration Practice Group. Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. He has trained and counseled employers throughout the country on subjects including harassment prevention; workplace diversity; discipline and discharge; hiring and recruiting practices; performance evaluations; FMLA, ADA and FLSA compliance; leave of absence policies; performance management; workplace privacy; sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace; substance abuse testing; workplace violence; records retention; conducting background checks; teens in the workplace and managing attendance problems. Michael also has conducted investigations into claims of harassment and discrimination and has drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, non-compete agreements and post-termination agreements. Michael has conducted nearly 300 trainings in each of the past two years. He has represented clients throughout the country in EEO and other administrative proceedings.
Michael has been cited as a national authority on employment issues by The New York Times, The Associated Press, USA Today, MSNBC.com, HR Magazine, SHRM On-Line, Employment Law 360, Inside Counsel Magazine, as well as many other publications. Michael is a 1997 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania
Proma Dewanjee
Debbie Elsbury
Proma Dewanjee is a passionate, experience media maven whose days are filled with both strategic development and tactical execution as she leads the frim's marketing and SEO management.
Prior to joining Gesmer, Proma has led multiple marketing media efforts in the healthcare, legal, and finance industries. Proma even founded Jhankar 4 Kids, working to support a sustainable musical therapy center and funding ongoing medical expenses for children with physical deformities from ISIS and Taliban-affected areas as well as local shelters in Kolkata, India.
Debbie is the Firm Administrator for Threlkeld Stevenson. She attended Marian College and earned her Certified Legal Manager (CLM) certification in November 2009.
Debbie is a proud member of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). Having been a member of her local chapter since 2003, she has served in many capacities. At the International ALA level she served as ALA’s President 2020-2021. She often speaks in Law Firm Business of Law settings and is always a crowd favorite!
Debbie and her husband, Mark, are the proud parents of 3 and grandparents of 8. They live on a grain and livestock farm, mainly raising corn, soybeans, and various livestock along with random wildlife from time to time.
Elyas Shaiwani
Elyas Shaiwani is the VP of Product at Legalfit. He has been at the company for over seven years and brings over 15 years of experience building web platforms. Elyas received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and currently resides in Overland Park, Kansas!
Jenna Carter
Jenna Carter recently served on the Association of Legal Administrator’s Board of Directors, where she has also assumed the role of the Association’s Treasurer. She is also a Past President of the Association of Legal Administrator’s Capital Chapter in Washington, D.C. She works as the Director of Administration for Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s Northern Virginia, office. Jenna earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her master's degree in accounting from Strayer University in Washington, D.C.