Earlier this year, we announced our refresh of the Innovation Awards categories and provided a detailed guide on each of them.
This week, we are ecstatic to announce the Best Innovator finalists and Best Innovation nominees!
As is true every year, the competition is tough. We received hundreds of nominations for our 2025 Innovation Awards. To evaluate all of them as objectively as possible, our Innovator nominees’ names and companies were redacted and Relativity committees voted on those that most embodied the judging criteria. Three finalists from each category were chosen and are moving to our community for voting. You can get to know all of this year’s finalists below.
For Innovations categories, we are including nominees in the community vote as well; from there, we combine vote totals with those from an internal committee review, which will determine this year's finalists and winners. Stay tuned for another blog post for details about these nominees!
We are beyond proud of all of this year’s finalists and nominees in each of our categories. Please take some time to discover each of the innovators, organize your thoughts, and then act by clicking the links below to dig into the details and cast your votes!
Best Innovator Finalists
Access to Justice
Nominations for the Best Innovator: Access to Justice category drove home the transformative power of legal technology and human dedication in advancing access to justice. Individuals and teams are using platforms like RelativityOne and Relativity aiR to support pro bono matters, from wrongful convictions and asylum cases to systemic discrimination and mental health advocacy. These efforts span global and local contexts, combining innovation, compassion, and collaboration. Whether through mentoring, workflow design, or direct representation, each contributor demonstrates how tech-enabled legal service can empower underserved communities and drive systemic change.
The Best Innovator: Access to Justice finalists are:
- Pooja Lalwani – Senior Director of Onboarding and Program Development - Lighthouse
- Virginia Duke Ring – Principal and Quality Control Leader of E-Discovery Team – Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
- Melissa Weberman – Counsel and head of eDiscovery & Data Analytics Group – Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Customer Experience
The nominations for Best Innovator: Customer Experience highlighted all the nominees’ exceptional customer experience through deep product knowledge, innovative use of AI and Relativity, proactive client engagement, and continuous learning. They build strong relationships, tailor solutions to meet client needs, and use feedback to drive improvement. Their commitment to education, collaboration, and strategic problem-solving sets a high standard for service excellence and innovation in legal technology.
The Best Innovator: Customer Experience finalists are:
- Rachel Koy – Director of Innovation and Strategy – JND eDiscovery
- Kristin Lindsey – Vice President of Client Services – HaystackID
- Daniel Smith – eDiscovery Consultant – A&O Shearman
Inclusion
Nominations for Best Innovator: Inclusion proved that those nominated demonstrated a deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and empowerment by creating pathways for underrepresented groups through mentorship, training, and advocacy. They champion open dialogue, foster diverse leadership, and build inclusive cultures where all voices are valued. Their efforts span legal tech, education, and community engagement—driving systemic change and ensuring equitable access to opportunity.
The Best Innovator: Inclusion finalists are:
- Nicole Allen – E-Discovery of Counsel – Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
- Pamela Bartlett – Chief People Officer – HaystackID
- Jamie Myles – Corporate Recruiter – Epiq
Legal Education
Those nominating colleagues for Best Innovator: Legal Education were consistent in their message that those who were nominated demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing legal technology education through innovative, hands-on learning, mentorship, and inclusion. They bridge academic theory with real-world application, empower diverse learners through experiential training, and foster continuous professional growth. By integrating tools like Relativity into curricula, leading certification programs, and mentoring emerging professionals, they cultivate a future-ready, equitable legal tech workforce.
Due to limited industry-wide exposure for all nominees in this category, the Best Innovator: Legal Education winner will be selected by an internal Relativity committee rather than through a community vote to ensure a fair and informed evaluation. Still, we’re excited to share these names and inspire you to get to know each of them better at Relativity Fest Chicago this fall.
The Best Innovator: Legal Education finalists are:
- Daniel Cavazos – Client Services Manager, Legal Solutions – Epiq
- Andrew Pardiek – Professor – Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School
- Roee Shraga – Assistant Professor – Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Stellar Women
Throughout the nominations for our Stellar Women award, nominators were consistent with the theme that those they celebrated exemplify leadership, mentorship, and innovation in legal technology. They champion inclusion, break barriers, and foster equity by mentoring others, building diverse teams, and advocating for systemic change. Their impact spans technical excellence, thought leadership, and community engagement, empowering women and underrepresented groups to thrive. Through continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to lifting others, these women are shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for the legal tech industry.
The Best Innovator: Stellar Women finalists are:
- Sarah Cole – Director, Client Engagements – Cimplifi
- Dawn Garrison – Senior Manager, Proposal Marketing – Lighthouse
- Jeanne Somma – Chief Client Officer and General Counsel – Lineal
Start Voting!
We hope you enjoy learning a little bit about each of these phenomenal professionals. Be sure to add them to your networking wish list for Relativity Fest Chicago meet-ups this October 7-9!
In the meantime, please jump to the survey right now and get voting for the most inspirational folks on this list. We can’t wait to see who takes the stage.
Graphics for this article were created by Sarah Vachlon.
