ILTA Awards

As legal technology continues to evolve, Sheila Grela remains a champion for helping others build the durable skills required to adapt, lead, and thrive in a rapidly changing profession. Finalist / L I F E T I M E A C H I E V E M E N T A W A R D Her leadership extends well beyond that program. In her litigation and ediscovery work, she emphasizes defensibility, confidentiality, integrity, and practical workflow design. Her thought leadership focuses on translating complex legal technology concepts into actionable guidance that professionals can apply immediately in practice. Through publications and presentations, she has addressed topics including trial and deposition exhibit management, discovery strategy, legal technology ethics, AI adoption, deposition tools, and impact- based technology evaluation focused on practical outcomes and usability. A defining element of Sheila's work is her emphasis on durable skills, including communication, empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, and leadership as essential complements to technical expertise. She believes these capabilities are foundational to successful technology adoption and long-term growth. In 2025, she authored the Women in Ediscovery Conference workbook, a comprehensive resource featuring templates, workflow tools, and practical exercises designed to strengthen these skills in technology-enabled legal environments. She also co-presented national conference sessions based on the workbook, guiding participants through real-world scenarios that connect leadership development directly to practical legal technology application. The workbook has been distributed to conference participants to support continued learning and implementation. Sheila's service and volunteer leadership reflect a deep commitment to advancing the profession and supporting future generations of the legal community. Her involvement with Women in Ediscovery, the EDRM Global Advisory Council, NALA, and the San Diego Paralegal Association demonstrates sustained dedication to mentorship, education, and inclusion. She actively promotes virtual mentorship as a scalable approach to expanding access, particularly for emerging roles, career changers, caregivers, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Her contributions have earned significant industry recognition, including the Gayle O'Connor Spirit Award and the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations Paralegal of the Year award. These honors recognize both her technical expertise and her measurable impact on the profession, as well as her generosity, professionalism, and commitment to building strong, connected communities. Throughout her career, Sheila has embodied ILTA's core values by fostering trusted professional networks, sharing relevant and practical knowledge, encouraging volunteerism, and promoting ethical, inclusive leadership. Her philosophy is that strong mentors illuminate the path while empowering others to walk it themselves, and this continues to guide her work. ILTA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2026 6 9

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