This week’s LegalTech conference was a whirlwind of educational sessions, panel discussions and exhibitor information. To sum it up I thought I’d do a “best of” post for those who may not have been able to make it.
Best Sessions
Day One: What’s Keeping You Up At Night?
This panel consisted of Jeff Rovner, Managing Director for Information at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Ash Banerjee, Chief Information Officer at WilmerHale, Judi Flournoy, CIO at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, and moderator Gina Buser, Principal & CEO at Traveling Coaches, Inc. It was a fantastic session and a great way to start off the conference on day one. The experts on this panel raised a lot of important issues that come up in IT departments in law firms and many other types of organizations – I wrote a detailed post here if you’d like to know more about what exactly was discussed.
Day Two: E-Discovery and the Cloud – A Checklist for Success
This panel included Joel Jacob from FTI Technology, Caroline Sweeney from Dorsey & Whitney, Greg Buckles at eDiscoveryJournal, and Mark Browne from Paul Hastings. These experts discussed all three types of cloud computing including Infrastructur as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). They looked at all 3 models and discussed their benefits and applicability to firms but focused on moving e-Discovery to the cloud. They discussed the many benefits the cloud could offer such as scalability, rapid deployment, the potential to lower the cost of litigation support infrastructure, etc. They also talked about strategic and technical considerations for moving e-Discovery to the cloud as well as tips for getting started, communicating within your organization about the move, and how to talk to clients about it.
Day Three: Success Is As Success Does: Leading Cross-functional Teams to Create Positive Change
This excellent panel was led by moderator Bill Young, Product Line Executive, Law Department Operation, Bridgeway Software and included speakers Christine Crawford, Director, Global IT, G&A Systems, Edwards Life Sciences, Deb Tatar, AVP Global Corporate Systems, MetLife and Mary Ann Fiscus at Motorola Mobility. They focused on how to build strong partnerships between Legal and other departments within organizations, specifically IT. Strategies were discussed such as having relationship manager roles within IT that work closely with the Legal department including sitting in on leadership meetings, helping them to build business cases, calculate ROI, and understand their issues at the project level. Another strategy would be to involve both departments in initiatives from the very start so that all opportunities and pain points can be discussed and heard from each department. Also, developing charters at the beginning of new projects which would include executive business sponsorship, measurements for success, training plans, strategies for long term support of the initiative and reporting processes.
Best Conference “Extra”
The LegalTech App
This free app was a big convenience during the conference. Sessions and panels could be easily browsed by day or track name and each session description also had a place to add your own notes that could be saved and emailed for later use. Sessions could be added to your own customized schedule that could be accessed through the “My Sessions” section. Exhibitor information and booth numbers could be browsed as well as speaker bios and keynote info. And handy maps of each floor were included as well.
Best Conference Reception
TLS Totally ’80′s VIP Event
http://www.transperfectlegal.com
Conference-goers were welcome to attend this rockin’ ’80′s-themed party held at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Times Square with an invitation from the TransPerfect Legal Solutions booth or advance rsvp on their site. The event not only provided great food and open bar, but also brought with it a collection of ’80′s costumes that attendees could don to immerse themselves in the experience and have their picture taken at the photo booth. An ’80′s band called Tainted Love performed to a full dance floor from 9 to midnight.
Best Swag
TotalDiscovery.com Monkey
http://www.biaprotect.com
The folks at the BIA booth gave away this much sought-after monkey with adjustable legs and arms that could wrap around and attach with Velcro.
Computing System Innovations’ Identity-Theft Protection Stamp
http://www.csisoft.com
This identity-theft prevention stamp wipes out all evidence of account numbers, names, addresses, etc. by blocking out everything with a cloud of black ink.
Veeam Software Cell Phone Stand
http://www.veeam.com
This colorful cell phone stand will hold your mobile device in one spot at work or home.
Stroz Friedberg Wrap-Around Lamp
http://www.strozfriedberg.com
This adjustable desk lamp is bright and easily bendable and can wrap around any number of office items.
Pitney Bowes Penny Candy
http://www.pb.com/Management-Services/Industries/Legal.shtml
The Pitney Bowes both had glass jars filled with penny candy and the team would fill up little bags full of your favorites.
Rippe & Kingston Chocolate Bars
http://www.legal.rippe.com
These extra large chocolate bars tempted all but the most disciplined to walk over to the booth and hear about their services.
TLS Pop Rocks + Flashing Ball
http://www.transperfectlegal.com
TransPerfect Legal Solutions offered conference goers a pack of pop rocks and a rubber ball that flashed bright light when bounced.
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