ILTA Awards
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1545624
Sheila Grela Buchalter F or more than two decades, Sheila Grela has distinguished herself as a trusted leader, mentor, and advocate within the legal technology and ediscovery communities. She is known for bridging legal technology with human-centered leadership. As a Senior Paralegal and Certified Ediscovery Specialist at Buchalter, Sheila has built her career around broadening access to mentorship, advancing responsible technology adoption, and strengthening the durable skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven legal landscape. At the center of Sheila's impact is Virtual Lunch with Leaders, the professional development initiative she founded in 2020. Hosted weekly, the program has delivered more than 300 sessions featuring legal and technology practitioners from across the industry. Designed to remove geographic and institutional barriers, the series creates a dynamic, discussion- focused environment where professionals at every career stage engage in meaningful conversations about leadership, ethics, innovation, and legal technology. Through this initiative, Sheila has dedicated more than 125 hours annually to fostering collaboration, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning. Participants have credited the program with expanding their networks, increasing confidence in legal technology, and supporting meaningful career advancement. LINKEDIN /in/sheila-grela/ ILTA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2026 6 8