Relativity Fest 2024 starts today, with sessions this afternoon! Here’s what you can expect from Relativity Fest 2024 Wednesday sessions!

The conference is being conducted at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for the third straight year and begins with afternoon sessions and activities today before a full day tomorrow and a half day Friday morning. As usual, I’ll be covering educational sessions at the conference and reporting on whatever else seems interesting. Here are Relativity Fest 2024 Wednesday sessions of note (location in parenthesis):

1:00 PM-1:45 PM CT

Unlocking the Power of Metrics: Transforming e-Discovery for Legal Excellence, Grand Hall IJ

Discover how metrics revolutionize e-discovery in the legal field, driving cost efficiency, ensuring compliance, enhancing quality, and providing a strategic edge in today’s data-driven world. In this session, leading experts will delve into the transformative power of metrics, sharing insights on identifying inefficiencies, optimizing workflows, and leveraging technology. They will discuss real-world examples and case studies, demonstrating how data-driven decision-making enhances client trust and transparency while effectively managing the growing volumes of digital information. Join us to explore the future of e-discovery through the lens of industry experts and learn how to harness the full potential of metrics for superior legal outcomes.

Speakers: Anya Korolyov, SVP Cyber Incident Response, Haystack ID; Danielle Davidson, Head Strategic Advisor, Advanced E-Discovery and A.I. Strategy Group, Ropes & Gray; Florinda Baldridge, Norton Rose Fulbright.

1:00 PM-2:00 PM CT

The International Panel, Regency D

An annual Relativity Fest tradition, the International Panel brings together legal perspectives from around the world for analysis of global legal and technology issues. For 2024, Australia, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States are represented, and we’ll examine topics such as how different jurisdictions are addressing the law of artificial intelligence, including the EU AI Act, the pan-African approach, and the findings of the NYSBA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. We’ll also take our customary tour of court decisions and legal developments around the world and examine how different nations are approaching legal and technology issues differently.

Speakers: David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel & Legal Education Director, Relativity; Jonathan Armstrong, Punter Southall Law; Fiona Campbell, Director, Fieldfisher; Linda Sheehan, Head of intelligENS, ENS; Gina O’Neill, Head of eDiscovery, Herbert Smith Freehills; Meribeth Banaschik, Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services and EMEIA Innovation Leader, EY.

2:15 PM-3:00 PM CT

Ethical AI in Public Sector Legal Work: Strategies for Effective Adoption and Use, Regency C

In an era where AI is not just a trend but a pivotal driver of transformation, understanding its impact and relevance is crucial. AI can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of eLitigation and investigations within government agencies. By automating routine tasks and providing advanced data analytics, AI enables legal teams to handle large volumes of data more effectively, ensuring compliance and efficacy in resolving complex cases. Public sector entities must adopt AI with a clear strategy, focusing on transparency and accountability. Understanding the ethical implications and potential biases in AI systems is crucial for applications such as FOIA requests, ensuring that automated decision-making processes uphold fairness and public trust. Successful AI implementation in the public sector relies on collaboration among stakeholders and a strong foundation of data-driven insights. By actively addressing AI biases, government agencies can improve the fairness and accuracy of outcomes in various legal proceedings, such as criminal justice investigations, regulatory compliance, and public records management. This session is dedicated to demystifying the role of AI in the legal industry while discussing practical application, ethical dilemmas, and the anticipated direction of AI development.

Speakers: Delonte Brown, Senior Customer Success Manager, Relativity; Deeanna Fleener, VP, Solution Management, Deloitte; Justin Day, Director – Office of Litigation Technology, Internal Revenue Service – Office of the Chief Counsel; Diana Fordyce, Chief, Litigation Support Services, US Department of Justice, Antitrust Division; David Gaston, Chief AI Officer (CAIO) and Lead Technology Counsel, National Labor Relations Board.

Isn’t it Time to Rethink “Document” Review?, Grand Hall IJ

New data types in discovery are no longer new.  Neither is the extensive corporate and law firm spend on digital transformation.  With the rapid evolution of technology and the underlying changes in the very composition of what constitutes discovery, isn’t it time to rethink how we go about reviewing discovery data? What innovative approaches and real-world examples are there of these changes?

Speakers: Rose Jones, Partner & eDiscovery Counsel, King & Spalding; Adam Rouse, Director & Senior Counsel, Walgreens; Nirav Shah, eDiscovery Counsel, The Home Depot; Brian Stempel, Head of Customer Advocacy, Lineal.

Strength in Vulnerability: Authentic Leadership and Self-Mastery with Erin Coupe, Grand Hall GH

Discover the powerful intersection of authentic leadership, vulnerability, and empathy in relationship building with Erin Coupe. In this session, you’ll delve into the transformative impact of leaders who embrace vulnerability, foster genuine connections, and empathetically engage with others. By letting go of the need to seem perfect, you can achieve self-mastery and significantly enhance your relatability and effectiveness. Join us for case studies, discussions, and practical insights to gain a deeper understanding of how to cultivate meaningful relationships and become a more impactful leader.

Speaker: Erin Coupe, Founder & CEO, Authentically EC.

2:15 PM-3:15 PM CT

Sneak Preview: The 6th Annual General Counsel Report, Regency D

A joint research project between Relativity and our partners at FTI Consulting, The General Counsel Report provides perspectives from chief legal officers around the world. In addition to in-depth interviews of general counsel by Ari Kaplan, the 2025 edition will feature expanded data from chief legal officers in several nations on issues facing legal teams and their organizations. In this session, you’ll receive a sneak preview of the latest data and learn what general counsel believe will be the biggest issues in 2025, including artificial intelligence, compliance, data privacy and data protection, disputes and investigations, regulatory risk, and more.

This session has been submitted for CLE accreditation.

Speakers: David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel & Legal Education Director, Relativity; Ari Kaplan, Ari Kaplan Advisors; Adam Weiss, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Relativity; Wendy King, FTI Technology; Celia Perez, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, FreightCar America, Inc.

3:30 PM-4:15 PM CT

Building an Effective e-Discovery Team, Grand Hall IJ

In the future, our e-discovery teams will be better, stronger, faster.  As the e-discovery landscape evolves with advancements in automation, generative AI, and data analytics, it is imperative to build adept, resilient, and forward-thinking teams. The panel will explore strategies for constructing and managing successful e-discovery teams, emphasizing the importance of training and certification. We will discuss where to find and how to properly train the next generation of professionals, the significance of mastering e-discovery best practices and processes, and the integration of the Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) model to enhance team capabilities, including how legal professionals can leverage e-discovery proficiency in cybersecurity and data privacy/protection to create well-rounded teams that add significant value to their organizations. Join us to learn how to cultivate e-discovery teams that are proficient and exceptional, ready to tackle the challenges of a dynamic legal landscape.

Speakers: David Horrigan, Discovery Counsel & Legal Education Director, Relativity; Ari Kaplan, Ari Kaplan Advisors; Maribel Rivera, VP, Strategy and Client Engagement, ACEDS; Jared Coseglia, Founder & CEO, TRU Staffing Partners.

Operation Safe Spaces Town Hall, Grand Hall GH

The Operation Safe Spaces (OSS) Taskforce is dedicated to ensuring safe environments and fostering a culture of mutual respect within the legal community. We invite all Relativity Fest attendees to join us in this important workshop, where we will focus on developing practical solutions related to reporting, safety, and education. The goal of this session is to identify and shape initiatives that the OSS Taskforce can potentially advance to strengthen inclusivity and safety in our community. Your perspectives and contributions are vital as we work together to tackle these challenges and build a more secure and respectful environment.

Speakers: Blair Cohen, Legalpeople, Esther Birnbaum, Associate General Counsel, Interactive Brokers LLC; Shoshana Pederson, Life Preservers Project; Beth Clutterbuck, CHRO, Relativity.

The Future Is Now for In-House Teams: Harnessing Generative AI in the Workplace, Regency C

In-house teams have long been challenged to “do more with less.” The prospect of generative AI has presented an appealing way to speed up manual and administrative tasks, freeing up valuable time. However, despite its allure, many teams are struggling to find their first step towards fully integrating generative AI into their workflows.  Join us as we explore the various applications of generative AI for in-house teams and learn how you can build a compelling business case for stakeholder approval to embark on your own generative AI journey. Hear from experienced, in-house leaders as they share their journeys navigating the many types of generative AI and implementing it into their processes to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Speakers: Susan Stone, Director Discovery Technology, AT&T; Kacey Hall, Head of E-Discovery, Verizon; Dave Nolte, Associate General Counsel, eDiscovery and Information Governance, Meta; Steve Gage, Director of Electronic Discovery, Accenture; Erica Hawthorne, Salesforce.

3:30 PM-5:00 PM CT

Negotiating ESI Protocols for the Use of Generative AI in e-Discovery, Regency D

Join us for this interactive session where we will demonstrate a mock ESI negotiation for using generative AI in litigation. Then, we will break into groups, and you will create your own provisions to share back with the community. You’ll walk away with sample provisions that you can use in future ESI protocols.

This session has been submitted for CLE accreditation.

Speakers: Cristin Traylor, (she/her), Senior Director, AI Transformation & Law Firm Strategy, Relativity; Julia Helmer, Director, Client Solutions, Array; Andrew Myers, Discovery Counsel, Bayer; Aurora Bryant, Senior Counsel for eLitigation, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division; Lea Bays, Partner, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, MG, Manfred Gabriel, Holland & Knight LLP.

4:45 PM-5:30 PM CT

Join the Movement: Creating Impact for Inclusivity in the Legal Industry, Grand Hall GH

Inclusivity and diversity can have a transformative power in our industry, and you can be part of the change. During this dynamic session, we’ll dive deep into the heart of a movement that is reshaping the legal landscape and show you how to implement groundbreaking programs and innovative solutions that foster safe, inclusive environments for everyone. You’ll walk away with actionable insights on how to drive change and create a welcoming and supportive community — not only in your organization, but also in your life. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical strategies and take bold steps towards well-being and inclusivity for all.

Speakers: Blair Cohen, Legalpeople; Alicia Hawley, Of Counsel, K&L Gates; Andrew Garcia-Cheatham, Solutions Advisor, ProSearch; Penny Clarke, Senior E-Discovery Project Manager, Paul Weiss; Monette Smith, Director of Technology and Consulting Services, Alston & Bird LLP (Alston Discovery).

Play-Doh Potential: Broadening e-Discovery Tools for Alternative Uses, Grand Hall IJ

Getting the most value out of something requires considering all the possibilities. The intended use is just one way to leverage a product’s potential. Just as Play-Doh was originally created to clean wallpaper and frisbees started as pie containers, e-discovery tools have practical applications far beyond their original purposes. At their core, e-discovery tools help organize and analyze large volumes of information, recognizing patterns and outliers to uncover the heart of a matter. While traditionally used for litigation, these tools offer broader solutions for understanding data of all types.   In this session, our panelists will share how their teams are utilizing e-discovery tools beyond the realm of litigation to tackle data challenges, deliver insights more efficiently, and drive higher value across their organization. Join us to discover how your team can leverage existing e-discovery tools to uncover deeper insights, from managing internal investigations, to comparing contract clauses for consistency, to scoping and redacting information impacted from data breaches, and beyond.

Speakers: Rachel Hull, Director, Legal Operations, Relativity; Maureen Holland, Global Assurance Services Manager, AstraZeneca; Virginia Ring, Principal, Kilpatrick Townsend; Brian Karney, Managing Director, Deloitte.

In addition to all these sessions, there’s a Welcome Session in the Community Pavilion, Riverside, Lower Level from 5:30PM-8:00PM with drinks and “heavy” hors d’oeuvres!

Pricing is available here for either in-person or digital pass, with registration links for each option as well. If you’re here at the conference, say hi!

So, what do you think? Which Relativity Fest 2024 Wednesday sessions are you attending? 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.