After a terrific opening reception last night, let the games begin! Here are the Wednesday 2024 UF Law eDiscovery conference sessions!

The 11th annual UF Law eDiscovery Conference conducted by the University of Florida Levin College of Law (UF Law) will be held today and tomorrow! This year’s conference features speakers, panels, and presentations from over 60(!) global lawyers, eDiscovery and legal technology experts, and judicial officials. Once again, it’s literally a “who’s who” of eDiscovery experts once again this year!

With that said, here are the Wednesday 2024 UF Law eDiscovery conference sessions (all times ET):

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM

Conference Welcome

Welcome to the opening of the 11th Annual UF Law E-Discovery Conference! Our welcome session is the official kickoff to an exciting two days of insights, discussions, and networking opportunities.

During this session, we’ll introduce you to the conference and set the stage for what you can expect to take away from this event. We’ll highlight the key themes, topics, and expert perspectives shaping the conference.

Join us as we pave the way for a conference that promises to equip you with actionable knowledge, valuable connections, and a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving world of e-discovery. Get ready to dive into the world of e-discovery with us and walk away with valuable insights that will enrich your professional journey!

Master of Ceremony: William Hamilton; Speakers: George Socha, Merritt McAlister.

9:30 AM – 10:20 AM

AI & the Legal Horizon: Exploring Generative AI’s Future in E-Discovery

Join Honorable Xavier Rodriguez as he dives deep into the transformative landscape of Generative AI in e-discovery and the legal realm. Informed by his cutting-edge paper from The Sedona Conference Journal Volume 24, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Practice of Law,” Judge Rodriguez will navigate attendees through the uncharted waters of AI’s prospective influence. How will AI augment current best practices and fundamentally redefine them? What will be the ethical and procedural ramifications as AI potentially becomes an essential tool in the legal toolbox? This keynote will delve into the critical questions practitioners, state bars, and judicial bodies must consider as they adapt to this rapidly evolving technological frontier. With stakes so high, ignorance is not an option. Prepare to be informed, challenged, and inspired as we grapple with the future of law in the age of artificial intelligence.

Eligible for 50 Min Ethics/Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Keynote Speaker: Xavier Rodriguez

10:30 AM – 11:50 AM

E-Discovery Unwrapped: Key Insights from 2023’s Legal Landscape

Our case law panel is back to prepare you for some enlightening discussions throughout the Conference, including our Judicial Panel. We’re here to break down the complexities of eDiscovery in 2023 in a way that’s easy to understand.

First, we’ll examine the past year’s hottest trends and key developments. Then, we’ll dive deep into the issues that have been making waves in the courts. Expect to hear about recent rulings on the difference between pointers and physical document attachments, the ever-evolving world of email threading, the fascinating intersection of emojis and the law, and how courts approach ESI protocols.

Our panelists are here to share their wisdom and give you real-world advice on applying what we’ve learned from the courts to your everyday legal work.

Don’t miss this session-it’s your ticket to understanding the eDiscovery landscape in 2023, setting the stage for the fantastic discussions ahead in the Conference.

Eligible for 90 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Speakers: Bansri McCarthy, Mac McCoy, Maria Salacuse, Moderator: Kelly Twigger

1:00 PM – 1:55 PM

Nuts & Bolts: Essential E-Discovery Insights in Minutes

Prepare for an electrifying session of rapid-fire knowledge exchange at our “Nuts & Bolts Lightning Talks.” This unique format delivers essential e-discovery insights in bite-sized portions.

Each speaker will have 8 to 10 minutes to dive deep into a crucial topic that every e-discovery professional should be well-versed in. We designed these lightning talks to be fast-paced, engaging, and packed with valuable information.

Expect to gain practical knowledge, actionable tips, and fresh perspectives from industry experts at the forefront of legal technology. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting in the field, these talks are your shortcut to staying informed about the latest trends, best practices, and emerging challenges in e-discovery.

Take advantage of this opportunity to absorb a wealth of information in a short amount of time. Join us for the “Nuts & Bolts Lightning Talks” and turbocharge your e-discovery knowledge!

Eligible for 50 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Harnessing the Power of Effective Prompt Engineering for eDiscovery: 1:00 PM – 1:10 PM

Speaker: Michelle Six

Solving for Emoji, Reactions, Gifs and Memes in eDiscovery: 1:10 PM – 1:20 PM

Speaker: Matt Mahon

Elevating Your Legal Career: Personal Branding and GenAI Strategies: 1:20 PM – 1:30 PM

Speaker: Maribel Rivera

Maximizing Value: Understanding M365 Licensing Options: 1:30 PM – 1:40 PM

Speaker: Jenni Weaver

Justice for All: Prioritizing Mental Health in the Legal Community: 1:40 PM – 1:50 PM

Speaker: Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy

2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

GenAI in eDiscovery: Today’s Landscape and Tomorrow’s Possibilities

GenAI has taken the eDiscovery world by storm since ChatPGT’s debut over a year ago. It’s as if the entire legal technology realm is riding the generative AI wave. In this session, we’ll embark on a journey to explore the current state and prospects of GenAI, specifically in the context of eDiscovery.

We’ll unveil eDiscovery-specific applications of GenAI that are (hopefully) available today, shedding light on how you can leverage more generalized GenAI to elevate your eDiscovery prowess. Additionally, we’ll provide insights into potential pitfalls to avoid in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Join us as we navigate the exciting intersection of GenAI and eDiscovery, discovering the innovations shaping the present and charting the course for an even more promising future. This session is your ticket to staying ahead of the curve in legal technology.

Eligible for 50 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Speakers: Scott Cohen, Adam Rouse, Moderator: George Socha

3:00 PM – 3:50 PM

The Great ESI Protocol Debate: Balancing Benefits and Challenges

Electronically Stored Information (ESI) has woven itself into legal proceedings and corporate affairs in this digital era. As organizations confront the ever-expanding realm of data, a pressing question emerges: To embrace or question ESI protocols?

Join our spirited debate featuring a diverse panel of legal experts and technologists. Together, we’ll delve into the intricacies of ESI protocols, examining their merits and shortcomings across various contexts.

This engaging discussion promises to offer fresh insights and perspectives on the contentious issue of ESI protocols. Whether you’re seeking clarity on their benefits or pondering their drawbacks, this session will illuminate the path forward in navigating the ESI landscape. Join us to unlock the debate and gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal topic in today’s legal landscape.

Eligible for 50 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Speakers: Amanda Evanson, Zviad Guruli, Rebekah Bailey, Moderator: Nirav Shah

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The Annual Judicial Panel: Discovery, Deepfakes, and the Role of the Judge

E-Discovery is probably the area of the law most affected by technological advances, and with artificial intelligence impacting almost every part of life, what was well-settled e-discovery law is now being questioned. With perspectives from the federal and state courts, and judicial takes on the issues from the Case Law program earlier in the day, in the 2024 edition of The Annual Judicial Panel, we’ll examine how judges are addressing law and technology issues such as the proliferation of data sources impacting evidence collection, how the “discovery on discovery” dilemma differs in state and federal courts, what to do about proportionality and privacy when new technologies make it easier to preserve just about everything, and whether AI-induced deepfakes should change our fundamental practices-and laws-on forensic preservation and authentication.

Eligible for 60 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

Speakers: Patricia Barksdale, Gary Jones, William Matthewman, Xavier Rodriguez, Moderator: David Horrigan

5:00 PM – 5:40 PM

Nuts & Bolts: Essential E-Discovery Insights in Minutes

Prepare for an electrifying session of rapid-fire knowledge exchange at our “Nuts & Bolts Lightning Talks.” This unique format delivers essential e-discovery insights in bite-sized portions.

Each speaker will have 15 minutes to dive deep into a crucial topic that every e-discovery professional should be well-versed in. We designed these lightning talks to be fast-paced, engaging, and packed with valuable information.

Expect to gain practical knowledge, actionable tips, and fresh perspectives from industry experts at the forefront of legal technology. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting in the field, these talks are your shortcut to staying informed about the latest trends, best practices, and emerging challenges in e-discovery.

Take advantage of this opportunity to absorb a wealth of information in a short amount of time. Join us for the “Nuts & Bolts Lightning Talks” and turbocharge your e-discovery knowledge!

Eligible for 30 Min Tech/Gen CLE Credits

2 Subsessions

A Reboot for Project Management in the Face of AI: 5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Speaker: Ariana Tadler

GenAI: Will I Be Replaced?: 5:15 PM – 5:30 PM

Speaker: David Cohen

5:30 PM – 5:35 PM

Day 1 Closing Remarks

As Day 1 of the 11th Annual UF Law E-Discovery Conference draws to a close, we invite you to join us for our closing remarks session.

During this session, we’ll recap the day’s highlights, share key takeaways, and express our gratitude to all the speakers, attendees, and sponsors who have made this day a resounding success. We’ll also glimpse what’s in store for Day 2.

Join us as we reflect on the day’s achievements and set the stage for another day of learning, connecting, and exploring the latest trends in e-discovery. We look forward to seeing you there!

Speaker: William Hamilton

Those are the Wednesday 2024 UF Law eDiscovery conference sessions. Lots of terrific educational sessions and not, but two Nuts & Bolts sessions! That’s nuts! 😀

Here’s the bad news. I found out last night that even virtual attendance has been closed. The conference has more than 3,300 attendees this year and the virtual app is at capacity! So, if you didn’t register this year, plan to register earlier next year!

Important Note: Harassment, including sexual harassment, continues to be a problem at conferences, and in society in general. Here is a recent post I published regarding incidents that occurred at this year’s Legalweek conference that also has resources with more information (suggestions for additional resources welcome). Let’s make conferences and our workplaces safe for everyone.

So, what do you think? What do you think of the Wednesday 2024 UF Law eDiscovery conference sessions? 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.