If the ABA TECHSHOW fell in the proverbial legal technology conference “forest”, would it make a sound in the eDiscovery community?

Not likely, based on my review of the curriculum for this week’s ABA TECHSHOW. The annual conference in Chicago starts tomorrow with the Start-Up Pitch Competition and Welcome Reception, followed by two full days of educational sessions, breakfasts, yoga sessions, happy hours, etc. Just like any other legal tech conference.

What’s (mostly) missing? eDiscovery.

In reviewing the session schedule, I counted four sessions that tie into eDiscovery topics: 1) Using AI and Data Analytics in Litigation, 2) Technology Assisted Review, 3) Document Retention, Litigation Holds, and E-Discovery Best Practices with Emerging Communication Technologies and a fourth session that ties into the eDiscovery product of the one eDiscovery sponsor that I found on the 2023 Sponsors page – hint: they’re based in Chicago! 😉

There are also three sessions related to trial presentation, which is technically an eDiscovery phase.

What about exhibitors? Good question. I don’t find a page of current exhibitors. I do find a page of past exhibitors here, which is interesting – and confusing. Isn’t it the week of the conference? What are they waiting for?

I have to be honest – I hadn’t checked on TECHSHOW in the past few years. I didn’t think there were many eDiscovery companies participating. But it’s a lot less than I thought.

So, who “broke up” with who? Or did they “grow apart”? “Consciously uncouple”? I’m not sure. The message I have gotten from people over recent years is that TECHSHOW is geared to smaller firms, which doesn’t seem to be a primary target for eDiscovery providers.

Who is a primary target for eDiscovery providers? Corporations.

The Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) Global Institute conference is from May 15 through 18. Their sponsors and exhibitors page is here. So far, I count at least 17 eDiscovery providers that are sponsors and exhibitors for the CLOC conference – 2 1/2 months away.

I seem to recall a time where the ABA TECHSHOW was at least on the radar for eDiscovery companies as one of the conferences to consider for exhibition. For now, at least, the conference seems to be no longer relevant for eDiscovery. Will that change?

So, what do you think? Do you agree that the ABA TECHSHOW is no longer relevant for eDiscovery professionals? If so, do you care? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.