NEOSUMMIT SPEAKERS
the voices reimagining.
Explore the NeoSummit speakers who reflect thoughtful, forward-looking perspectives across law, technology, and legal operations.
Amanda Knox
Keynote Speaker
Author, Activist, Exoneree
Amanda Knox is an exoneree, public speaker, author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, host of the podcast Hard Knox, and author of FREE: My Search for Meaning. She is also an Executive Producer of the 2025 series The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox. Between 2007 and 2015, she spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit. She has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and media ethics. She sits on the advisory council for the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, serves as an Innocence Network Ambassador and is on The Innocence Center Board of Directors. She is also the recipient of the 2024 Innocence Network Impact Award.
Matt Lautz
CEO & Founder
Neostella
Matt Lautz is one of the few technology leaders who came to legal tech from the outside—and that’s exactly what makes his perspective different. After 20+ years founding enterprise software companies across telecom, mortgage, and CRM, including ventures acquired by a Fortune 1000 company and Shoretel/Mitel, Matt brought that operator’s instinct into legal tech. He has spent years embedded inside hundreds of mid-market and enterprise law firms, learning firsthand where workflows break down and where technology keeps overpromising and underdelivering. That experience is what drives his mission with Neostella.
Lawrence LeBrocq
CEO & Managing Partner
Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq PC
Lawrence A. LeBrocq brings over 36 years of experience scaling personal injury practices to consistent profitability. As Managing Partner of the Personal Injury Department at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, P.C., he developed a jury-focused preparation system that drives multimillion-dollar outcomes while supporting high-volume, high-quality case handling. He also serves as a Superior Court Arbitrator and Mediator for the Supreme Court of New Jersey and is the author of the #1 bestseller Victim to Victory.
Vivek Rao
CEO
Foundation AI
Vivek Rao is Co-Founder and CEO of Foundation AI, a legal tech company automating document-driven workflows for litigation firms, from classification and naming to data entry. Before founding Foundation AI in 2019, he led the medical lien unit at a major California workers’ compensation firm and advised startups across digital media and healthcare analytics. He began his AI journey as general counsel of Enlightiks and later brought that expertise to legal, where Foundation AI now processes millions of documents each month.
Josh Schmerling
Chief Strategy Officer
LawPro.ai
Josh Schmerling is Co-Founder of LawPro.ai and a personal injury attorney who helped scale Zirkin & Schmerling Law from 15 to more than 700 active cases, securing tens of millions in client recoveries. Appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to the Judicial Compensation Commission, Josh has been recognized by Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 Under 40. He combines firsthand legal experience with technology innovation to help firms improve efficiency, increase case value, and drive stronger firm performance.
Brandon Speaks
Senior Vice President
Provana
Brandon Speaks is a senior executive at Provana, where he leads business transformation initiatives for personal injury and legal services organizations nationwide. He specializes in legal process optimization, helping firms unlock operational efficiency through strategic outsourcing, workflow redesign, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled automation. Brandon partners with firm leadership to modernize case operations, improve cycle times, and implement scalable performance frameworks that support measurable growth and long-term competitive advantage.
Charles Hatley
CEO
Melone Hatley, PC
Charles Hatley is the CEO of Melone Hatley, P.C., a multi-state family law and estate planning firm that has grown more than 7,000% in four years. Joining in 2020, he helped scale the firm from a solo practice into a 100+ person organization recognized by the Inc. 5000, Law Firm 500, and Best Places to Work lists. He focuses on the realities of scaling, leadership alignment, culture, accountability, and systems that support sustainable growth. An operator at heart, Charles shares practical lessons on building strong leadership teams, developing talent, and leading through rapid expansion while maintaining clarity, values, and long-term vision.
Samantha Hamiel
Chief of Staff
Neostella
Samantha Hamiel is Chief of Staff at Neostella, where she bridges strategy and execution for Neostella. With roots as a litigation paralegal and nearly a decade in customer success in legal technology, Samantha brings rare depth to her role. She has lived the operational realities she now works to solve. Her focus is building the connective tissue that lets Neostella’s teams move faster and with greater clarity: clean systems, honest communication, and infrastructure. She believes clarity, even when uncomfortable, is the secret to success.
Lashay Dodd
Director of Operations
The Driscoll Firm
Lashay Dodd is an Operations Manager with more than a decade of experience optimizing law firm systems and integrating emerging technologies. She specializes in workflow design, cross-departmental strategy, and the responsible adoption of AI in high-stakes legal environments. Lashay helps organizations modernize operations while preserving professional integrity and accountability. She has delivered professional training for legal teams and presented to international bar associations on operational excellence and technology integration.
Rob Busch
Vice President, Sales & Partnerships
Neostella
Rob Busch is VP of Sales & Partnerships at Neostella, bringing over 25 years of enterprise sales leadership to legal tech. His career spans Microsoft, Workday, Salesforce, and Slack — where he led national teams selling to the country’s largest enterprise accounts. Rob has a proven track record of scaling revenue, building high-performing teams, and driving growth at every stage from startup to enterprise. At Neostella, he applies that depth to expanding the company’s sales motion, channel partnerships, and footprint in the legal industry.
Matt McClellan
CEO & Co-founder
Hona
Matt McClellan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hona, where he drives business development, partnerships, and operations while wearing many hats across the company. Before Hona, he co-founded and successfully ran HMC Solutions, a Southern California-based commercial cleaning company, for over four years before leading its sale. His blend of entrepreneurial experience, operational leadership, and personal dedication defines both his professional and personal life.
Joseph Y. Shenkar
Attorney
Marc J. Bern
Joseph Shenkar is Of Counsel at Marc J. Bern & Partners, where his work focuses on AFFF litigation representing clients harmed by toxic “forever” chemicals. He previously supported the firm’s opioid litigation team, advocating for counties and municipalities impacted by the opioid crisis. Before joining the firm, he served as General Counsel for the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and as both an Assistant District Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting pharmaceutical drug diversion cases. He has published in the South Carolina Law Review.
Brian Mayer
Vice President, Product
Neostella
Brian Mayer is VP of Product at Neostella, where he leads a team building scalable legal tech software. A technologist and product leader with a background spanning enterprise consulting, creative direction, and software development, Brian brings a rare blend of technical depth and human-centered thinking to every problem he tackles. His work is driven by a simple belief: give people better tools and they’ll do better work. At Neostella, that philosophy shapes every product decision he and his team make.
Wes Lewis
CEO
LexRight
Wes Lewis is Founder and CEO of LexRight, where he leads a team building scalable legal tech solutions that modernize workflows and improve service delivery for legal organizations. A technology executive and solution architect with over 20 years of experience, Wes has held leadership roles at Nortal, RapDev, Wiley, and Microsoft, where he drove enterprise architecture, cloud transformation, and large-scale system integrations. He specializes in translating operational needs into long-term technology roadmaps that increase productivity and drive measurable growth.
Scott Bickley
Vice President, Partnerships
Neostella
Scott Bickley is VP of Partnerships at Neostella, bringing over 20 years of experience building partner ecosystems and turning them into revenue engines. His career spans global markets across industries including legal tech, healthcare, and enterprise software. Scott specializes in designing high-performing partner models that unlock pipeline and accelerate go-to-market. Known for a practical, no-nonsense approach, he builds relationships that drive results. Outside of work, he’s a proud family man who enjoys golf, travel, and time on the water.
John Berry
CEO
Berry Law
John S. Berry is CEO of Berry Law and a fierce advocate for veterans in the courtroom and beyond. A former Company Commander in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he concluded his military service as a National Guard Battalion Commander and was inducted into the Nebraska National Guard Regional Training Institute Hall of Fame. Recognized among the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers for over a decade, John is also the author of Veteran Led and host of the Veteran Led Podcast. Berry Law has served more than 30,000 veterans, recovering over $500 million in backpay awards.
Jessica Lockhart
Chief Technology Officer
Duffy & Duffy PLLC
Jessica Lockhart is Chief Technology Officer at Duffy & Duffy, PLLC, where she leads the firm’s technology strategy and data initiatives. Specializing in legal tech, process design, and data analytics, she transforms complex operational data into actionable insights that drive smarter decisions and scalable growth. Jessica is passionate about helping law firms modernize their workflows and embrace emerging technologies — positioning them for long-term success through thoughtful innovation, operational clarity, and the strategic use of data.
Colleen Joyce
CEO
Lawyer.com
Colleen Joyce is CEO of Lawyer.com, a leading legal marketplace connecting consumers with attorneys through marketing, technology, and 24/7 intake solutions. Passionate about helping law firms scale through smarter client acquisition and AI-driven innovation, Colleen is known for her energetic, no-fluff approach to the business of law. She has spoken at major industry events including the Lawyer Growth Summit, LawDiGras, and NeoSummit, delivering practical strategies on branding, intake, and profitability that firms can put to work immediately.
Ruby Powers
Founder
Powers Strategy Group
Ruby Powers is a Texas attorney and Board Certified Immigration and Nationality Law specialist with nearly 17 years of experience. She leads an immigration law firm offering comprehensive services spanning family immigration, employment-based immigration, asylum, federal litigation, DACA, and more. Ruby is also a published author and the host of Power Up Your Practice, the go-to podcast for law firm owners working on the business, not in it. Her book on law practice management was published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Glory Bruno
Director of Operations
Pollack Pollack Isaac & DeCicco
Glory V. Bruno is Director of Operations at a New York-based law firm, where she oversees firmwide operations across HR, administration, IT, and systems for a multi-department team. She specializes in stabilizing fast-paced environments, improving client service delivery, and building operational structure during periods of growth and transition. With hands-on experience managing high-volume legal teams, Glory brings a practical perspective on performance management and client experience — and a passion for building systems that support both people and long-term growth.
Jacob Nelson
Manager, Customer Engagement
Neostella
Jacob Nelson is Manager of Customer Engagement at Neostella, where he builds the kind of client relationships that make people feel confident in the partnership they chose. With a background spanning marketing, account management, and business development across education, healthcare, and legal tech, Jacob brings a consultative approach to every client interaction. He’s especially passionate about helping his clients share their stories and empowering law firms with a growth mindset to see what’s possible with the right technology behind them.
Matt Spiegel
CEO
Lawmatics
Matt Spiegel, Esq., is the founder and CEO of Lawmatics, a leading CRM for law firms. A visionary who pioneered cloud-based legal tech with MyCase over a decade ago, Matt has spent his career building the future of law firm growth and reshaping legal operations through AI and automation.
Sandeep Bhargava
CEO & Co-founder
Provana
Sandeep co-founded Provana in 2011 with a vision of creating a one-stop-shop solution, including a comprehensive digital transformation software suite and global workforce, for small and medium sized businesses. Today, with more than 400 clients and 1200 employees, Provana continues to rapidly grow their team of global innovators from the ground-up. He’s passionate about investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, and frequently works with SMB owners, MBAs and entrepreneurial-minded candidates on agile growth strategies.
Ryan Cutlip
VP, Strategic Partnerships
MoveDocs + Oasis Financial
Ryan Cutlip is a strategic sales and partnerships executive with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performing teams, and cultivating impactful business relationships. He currently serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at MoveDocs and Oasis Financial, where he leads partnership strategy and collaborates closely with key stakeholders and external partners to expand market reach, enhance product offerings, and deliver scalable solutions for personal injury law firm partners.
Andrew Kim
VP, BD & Partnerships
Supio
Matt Spiegel, Esq., is the founder and CEO of Lawmatics, a leading CRM for law firms. A visionary who pioneered cloud-based legal tech with MyCase over a decade ago, Matt has spent his career building the future of law firm growth and reshaping legal operations through AI and automation.
Tyler Stillwell
CEO
Banjaxed
Tyler began his career in customer service, product ownership, and service automation, spending nearly a decade in the legal support space. He later took the leap into startup life, co-founding Banjaxed. Today, he leads business development and strategic partnerships, bringing a people-first approach to everything he does. Tyler is passionate about building meaningful solutions, fostering strong relationships, and creating environments where teams thrive and grow.
David Lester
COO
The Law Office of Pietro Canistrelli
David Lester is COO of The Law Office of Pietro Canistrelli and a seasoned operations leader with 25+ years of experience turning complexity into competitive advantage. Previously serving as COO for Steinger, Greene & Feiner, he has led high-impact transformations across large, omnichannel environments driving growth and strengthening market position. David leads high performance people and tech initiatives with strategy that doesn’t just support a business, but propels it. He is living proof that the modern rainmaker isn’t only the one in the room closing deals; it’s the one behind the vision making sure every promise gets delivered.
Tracy Litt
Founder & CEO
The School of Becoming
Tracy Litt is Founder of The School of Becoming® and creator of Neuro-Identity Evolution® and The Choice Method®. A former VP of HR, she discovered what traditional leadership development consistently misses: 99% of people problems are nervous system opportunities. She left corporate, mastered the neuroscience of human transformation, and built a 7-figure company doing it. Today she now helps leaders transform from the inside out using neuroscience-backed approaches. An international bestselling author and TEDx speaker, Tracy equips organizations to shift how leaders think, decide, and lead—creating lasting, meaningful change.
Samm Karshenas
VP, Partner Apps
Neostella
Samm is VP of Partner Apps at Neostella, where he leads global teams, drives product innovation, and builds technology partnerships. With a background spanning software engineering, sales, and operations, he brings a unique, full-spectrum perspective to building and scaling app solutions. Known for his collaborative, people-first approach, Samm enjoys mentoring teams, tackling complex challenges, and helping clients reduce find easier ways to work.
Kara Hood
Operations Manager
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
Kara Hood serves as Operations Manager at Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz, overseeing quality control across the firm’s litigations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance in all aspects of case management and client communication. She collaborates closely with case managers and department leaders to identify process improvements, resolve workflow challenges, and uphold the firm’s high standards. Known as the go-to for operational execution, Kara keeps teams on track, monitors case progression, and drives firm-wide procedures that enhance efficiency and accountability.
Amy Mannix
CEO
Retrēv
Amy Mannix is CEO of Retrēv, a litigation support company focused on bringing structure and clarity to legal workflows. With a background in legal operations and business, she helps plaintiff law firms reduce inefficiencies, stay compliant, and keep complex casework moving without overextending internal teams. Known for building Retrēv from the ground up, Amy is a trusted partner to firms nationwide, valued for her strategic thinking, steady execution, and ability to perform in high-pressure environments.
Melissa Wallace
Co-founder & Managing Director
Fivefoottwo Marketing
Melissa Wallace is a marketing and venture-building leader with 25+ years of experience across consumer, B2B, and emerging tech. She has led marketing for brands including Superfly, DIRECTV, A&E, and eMusic, and played a key role in the early growth of Buddy Media, acquired by Salesforce for $689M. She is the co-founder of Fivefoottwo, a marketing collective helping early-stage startups find their voice and scale, and founder of Fierce Foundry, the first FemTech venture studio in the U.S. Melissa has helped 50+ startups grow and continues to champion innovation in women’s health and venture building.
Lee Hetherington
CEO
Cyon Agency
Lee Hetherington is the CEO of Cyon Agency, an experience and engagement specialist that represents a new breed of creative agency. Under his leadership, Cyon partners with global brands, including Motorola Solutions, Chamberlain Group, RealPage, and more to deliver innovative, high-impact brand experiences. An entrepreneur at heart, Lee brings energy, creativity, and a builder’s mindset to everything he does. He’s focused on helping brands create meaningful, immersive connections with their audiences through work that blends strategy, storytelling, and experience.
Josie Slaughter
VP, Marketing & GTM
Neostella
Josie Slaughter is a leader with 20+ years across SaaS, hardware, and connected technology. A storyteller at heart, known for reading the space between people and translating it into strategies that move markets. She has led global teams, major brand transformations, and full-funnel growth across industries, building campaigns and partnerships that drive real business impact and lasting connection.
Warren Price
Senior Software Developer
Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz
Warren Price is a technology leader and software architect with over 20 years of experience in the mass tort legal industry. He has a track record of helping organizations scale and operate more efficiently by designing and implementing the systems and processes that drive significant gains across complex legal workflows. Warren is also a cofounder of a legal tech company focused on client communications and document review platforms, building innovative software solutions that bridge the gap between technology and the practice of law. At AWKO, he serves as a key technical leader, turning operational challenges into scalable, production-grade tools.
NEOSUMMIT 2026
be a part of what’s next.
Join the leaders reimagining law this spring.
