Austin Chapter, Association of Legal Administrators is proud to present
2026 Annual Conference and Legal Expo Double Feature
Starring Kate Bristol speaking on culture, burnout, turnover, friction, and how we can identify and improve outcomes
Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel Ballroom| 701 Congress Avenue, 2nd Floor
Paid Valet Parking available

Session ONE: Why are our people struggling?
Fixing the Foundation: Identifying the Hidden Causes of Burnout, Turnover, and Operational Friction

Synopsis
Many law firms attempt to solve burnout, disengagement, and performance issues by focusing on the symptoms rather than the root cause. In reality, employee frustration, turnover, and inconsistent performance are often the result of unclear systems, competing priorities, and operational friction that has become normalized over time.

 In this interactive workshop, participants will examine the connection between operational design and workplace culture, uncovering how seemingly small inefficiencies create significant impacts on employee well-being, client service, and firm performance. Through guided discussions, self-assessments, and peer collaboration, attendees will learn how to identify the hidden stressors embedded within their firm's workflows, communication practices, and organizational structure.

 Participants will leave with a framework for evaluating the health of their firm's operational foundation and identifying the areas creating the greatest strain on their people and processes.

 Learning Outcomes

• Recognize how operational inefficiencies contribute to burnout and disengagement.
• Identify cultural messages communicated through systems and processes.
• Diagnose areas of operational friction affecting sustainability.
• Evaluate the strength of their firm's foundation using a practical assessment framework.

Session TWO: What do we do about it? Building the Foundation: Designing Systems That Support Sustainable Performance and Healthy Culture

 Synopsis
Once leaders understand where operational breakdowns exist, the next challenge is determining what to do about them. Sustainable firms do not rely on heroic employees to compensate for broken processes; they intentionally design systems that create clarity, accountability, and well-being.

Building on the concepts introduced in Session One, this highly interactive workshop focuses on redesigning workflows, policies, and management practices to better support both productivity and employee experience. Participants will work through real-world examples and apply a practical framework to redesign one process or policy from their own organization.

The session will also explore how leaders can evaluate the cultural impact of operational decisions and ensure that new systems reinforce trust, clarity, and psychological safety rather than creating additional complexity.

Participants will leave with a concrete action plan and implementation roadmap they can begin using immediately within their firms.

 Learning Outcomes

• Redesign workflows to reduce friction and improve employee experience.
• Apply a framework for evaluating the cultural impact of operational decisions.
• Create sustainable systems that support both performance and well-being.
• Develop an implementation plan for improving one process, policy, or workflow within their firm.

SCHEDULE