The CLOC Global Institute conference (CGI) started yesterday with a “soft” opening! Here are the Tuesday CGI 2025 sessions and events to check out!

The 2025 CLOC Global Institute (CGI) conference is being conducted this week through May 8, at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Here’s a word cloud of the topics being discussed this year (based on the agenda).

Sessions

With that in mind, here’s a list of the Tuesday CGI 2025 sessions and events of note (including one I’m in!) you may want to check out, along with the location (all times PT):

8:00 AM-8:45 AM

Cloudficient Roundtable: Foundational eDiscovery: Optimizing the Left Side of EDRM (Pinyon Ballroom 8)

Join us for an intimate, strategic roundtable with the authors of the recently published book “Foundational eDiscovery: A Practical Guide to Early Case Management.” Explore how to transform your organization’s approach to early case management.  

Learn how effectively integrating information governance, identification, preservation, and collection can dramatically reduce eDiscovery costs while improving outcomes. 

This interactive session demonstrates how legal operations, IT, and business teams can collaborate to build more efficient, defensible workflows. 

Key discussion areas include:

• Reducing downstream review costs through effective information governance
• Streamlining early case management with modern technology
• Addressing emerging data challenges in collaboration platforms
• Creating effective cross-functional communication strategies 

Led by industry veterans with decades of combined experience spanning legal, IT, and business operations, this discussion provides practical insights into strategic planning, risk mitigation, and cost control in today’s rapidly evolving eDiscovery landscape.  

Perfect for legal operations professionals involved in eDiscovery decisions or those who want to learn how to take action to reduce overall eDiscovery spend and risk, this roundtable offers a collaborative environment to share experiences and explore innovative solutions. Limited seating ensures an intimate setting for in-depth discussion and networking.

Speakers: Brandon D’Agostino, VP of Product, Cloudficient; Doug Austin, Editor, eDiscovery Today; Daniel Miller, Senior Counsel – e-Discovery and Information Governance, Coinbase; John Price, Principal Technologist, Cloudficient.

Fishbowl Discussion: Navigating People, Resistance, and Progress in Change Management (Pinyon Ballroom 1)

We hear it over and over, PEOPLE, PROCESS, TECHNOLOGY. This fishbowl discussion will focus on the human elements that impact and impede change, from cultural resistance and leadership buy-in to communication and emotional dynamics.

Through an open, rotating conversation, attendees will hear real-world insights from those that have led change initiatives. Participants are encouraged to step into the discussion, share experiences, and explore strategies to overcome resistance and foster engagement to drive transformation in their organizations.

Fishbowl Format: A dynamic and interactive discussion designed to foster engagement and collaboration among attendees. A small group of thought leaders will start a discussion around a provocative topic while inviting attendees to join the discussion whenever inspired. Fishbowl Discussion Sponsor, Casepoint.

Speakers: Jill Fukunaga, Legal Operations Strategy Consultant, Epiq; Jade Priest-Maoz, Business Attorney, Leadership and Presentation Coach, Intel.

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM 

Opening General Session: The Impact of Tech Transformation: Leading Legal Organizations in the AI Era (Ironwood Ballroom)

As emerging technologies—particularly Generative AI—fundamentally reshape the legal landscape, their impact extends far beyond process automation. Innovation is revolutionizing organizational culture, leadership approaches, and the core foundations of legal operations. At the heart of this transformation lies an unwavering focus on supporting team needs and expectations—after all, technology is only valuable if it enhances the way we serve and deliver value to our stakeholders. Successful digital transformation requires more than implementing new tools—it demands creating an organizational mindset ready for continuous evolution.

Speaker: Nancy Rademaker, Keynote Speaker.

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM 

CLOC Must Know: Essential Insights on What Legal Departments are Actually Doing with AI (Juniper Ballroom 1)

AI is no longer a buzzword—it’s reshaping the way legal departments operate. But what’s hype, and what’s real? In this elevated session, we’ll dive into how legal teams are actually using AI today, from streamlining processes to solving real-world challenges. More importantly, we’ll explore what you should be thinking about to stay ahead: the risks, the opportunities, and the strategies to unlock AI’s full potential. If you’re looking for straight talk on what works (and what doesn’t), this session is your roadmap to navigating AI’s evolving role in the legal world.

Speakers: Greg Bennett, Director, Legal Operations, Workday; Darth Vaughn, Associate General Counsel & Managing Dir., Policy Ops+, Ford Motor Company; Neshade Abraham, Sr. Director of Legal Operations, Pax8; Stacy Walsh, AVP Corporate Legal Operations, Travelers.

Generative AI: How to kickstart your AI journey and scaling it across Legal (Juniper 4)

A discussion on how companies can partner with IT to establish AI and Automation programs that standardize processes, boost efficiency, reduce risk, and drive savings across Legal and throughout the organization, while enabling employees to focus on value-added tasks and pursuing career growth. The Global Legal Operations team along with the Automation and AI team will share their journey including: 

• How and why the Automation and AI program was started
• The capabilities of the different types of AI that are being leveraged and built across Legal
• Team structure, roles and responsibilities of individuals (technology partners and internal Legal SMEs)
• Demo the Digital Worker and AI projects already built along with showcasing the benefits of each of the implementations
• The successes, challenges and learnings from their journey while working with different teams across different time zones on these projects
• The importance of the relationship between the Global director of legal operations and the Automation and AI director.

Speakers: Gregg McConnell, Global Director Legal Operations & Innovation, Corteva Agriscience; Michele Compasso, Global Deployment & Analytics Leader of Legal Ops, Corteva; Carl Easton, Enterprise Architecture Leader, Corteva; William Smith, Senior Manager, EY.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

CLOC Must Know: Essential Insights into Legal Department Insourcing and Outsourcing Trends (Juniper Ballroom 2)

The build-versus-buy debate is evolving, and legal departments are making sharper, more strategic choices about what stays in-house and what gets outsourced. But are you making the right moves? This elevated session cuts through the noise to explore the latest insourcing and outsourcing trends, the real cost-benefit tradeoffs, and how forward-thinking teams are reengineering their approach. Whether you’re looking to optimize efficiency, control costs, or benchmark your legal function, this session will challenge conventional thinking and deliver insights you can act on now.

Speakers: Aaron Boersma, Spend Innovation Lead, Policy & Legal Ops+, Ford Motor Company; Jason Winmill, Partner, Argopoint; Mike Russell, Head of Global Legal Operations, Expedia Group.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Exchange Stage: CLOC Talk Live 100th Episodes (Bristlecone Ballroom)

Join Jenn McCarron for a special live recording of CLOC Talk’s 100th episode with David Cambria and Alex Herrity —celebrating 10 years of CLOC! This milestone moment honors a decade of progress in legal operations and brings the community together to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Be part of the conversation as we look ahead to the next chapter of innovation and impact.

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM 

DISCO Solution Lab: Can AI Unlock the Secret to Controlling Litigation Spend? (Pinyon Ballroom 8)

Learn how to take control of escalating litigation costs by empowering your in-house legal team with cutting-edge legal tech tools. We’ll explore strategies to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and improve accuracy, all while maintaining strict budget control. Learn how AI can help your team optimize processes to control runaway litigation costs and drive more cost-effective outcomes.

Speakers: Kristin Zmrhal, Vice President, DISCO; Carl Morrison, Senior Manager, Legal Operations, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

NetDocuments Solution Lab: Leveraging Generative AI for Efficient Legal Operations and Data Management (Pinyon Ballroom 7)

In today’s fast-paced legal environment, efficiency and effective data management are paramount. This Solution Lab will explore how generative AI can revolutionize legal operations by automating routine tasks, enhancing data accuracy, and providing actionable insights. Join us as we delve into real-world case studies and demonstrations showcasing the transformative impact of AI on legal workflows.

Speakers: Brad Blickstein, CEO, Blickstein Group; Heath Harris, Sr. Director, Applied AI, NetDocuments; Kelsey Berteaux, Sr. Legal Operations Analyst, DigiCert, Inc.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Casepoint Fishbowl Discussion: Shaping the Future of eDiscovery and Legal Compliance: Collaborative Approaches to Consolidation, Cost Savings, and Risk Reduction in the Enterprise (Pinyon Ballroom 1)

The future of eDiscovery is here, and it’s not just about technology—it’s about collaboration and real-time solutions. In this interactive session, geared for the corporate and government sector, we’ll explore the evolving landscape of legal compliance and eDiscovery, focusing on how consolidation can lead to cost savings, reduced risk, and greater control. Participants will drive the conversation, sharing experiences and insights as we delve into the differences between law firms’ and enterprises’ approaches to eDiscovery and how legacy approaches to eDiscovery in the enterprise are being replaced by modern strategy and programs. Together, we’ll unpack the challenges of transitioning to a unified, streamlined model and brainstorm actionable strategies to overcome them. Whether you’re part of an in-house team or managing external counsel, join us for a dynamic dialogue on how to prioritize key investments, optimize eDiscovery processes, and future-proof your approach. This is your chance to contribute your perspectives, ask questions, and collaborate with peers to shape the future of eDiscovery.

Fishbowl Format: A dynamic and interactive discussion designed to foster engagement and collaboration among attendees. A small group of thought leaders will start a discussion around a provocative topic while inviting attendees to join the discussion whenever inspired.

Speakers: Andrew Konunchuk, Litigation Case Manager, NXP; Heather Nash-Harmann, eDiscovery Specialist, Starbucks; Chris Kruse, Chief Revenue Officer, OPEXUS + Casepoint.

1:45 PM – 2:15 PM

From Litigation to Innovation: How a Former Litigator Helps Drive Tech Transformation in Financial Services (Juniper 4)

In today’s fast-paced world, legal professionals are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change in the enterprise by leveraging innovative, tech-forward solutions.  This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at how a former litigator now working in Firmwide Innovation has collaborated with legal and compliance teams to address regulatory challenges while advancing the technology strategies of a global financial services firm.

The session will explore how legal professionals can use their specialized training to transform how legal and business teams operate, offering practical insights into embracing innovation.  From realistic approaches for evaluating solutions to best practices for supporting the adoption of AI and emerging technologies, this session will empower attendees to become catalysts for progress in their organizations.

Speaker: Naomi Morris, Executive Director, Head of Operations & Insights and Legal Sector Lead, Firmwide Innovation, Morgan Stanley.

GenO: Essential Power Skills for Legal Operations Leaders (Juniper 3)

GenO: The Rise of Legal Operations is a new book co-authored by Mike Haven and Prashant Dubey. In the book, Mike and Prashant chronicle the evolution of the LegalOps professional from legal department efficiency steward to strategic business enabler.

The “origin stories” of a wide range of LegalOps professionals are relayed through entertaining and multidimensional storytelling, describing how the industry and the professionals who shaped it, developed concepts, skills and competencies that have shaped the profession.

This session will provide an overview of key themes in the book, with a specific focus on a  “power skills” model, complementing the CLOC Core 12. Speakers will describe how these professionals developed their relationship with their General Counsel, key enterprise initiatives that have aided their career progression and will provide guidance and key takeaways to attendees as to how you too can leverage these power skills to follow similar pathways to success.

All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

Speakers: Mike Haven, Global Head of Legal Operations, Meta Platforms, Inc.; Prashant Dubey, Chief Strategy Officer, Agiloft.

2:45 PM – 4:35 PM 

Skill Builder: Leveraging Design Thinking Principles to Transform Legal Perspectives on Technology (Pinyon Ballroom 7)

Partner with in-house and law firm legal operations leaders on the use of design thinking tools and principles to disrupt and drive adoption of tech-enabled solutions.

This 2-hour workshop will begin with the panel providing an overview of design thinking tools, application to innovation in the legal industry, and real-world examples of how the panelists used these tools to drive change in their organizations. The session will then pivot to a hands-on workshop where small groups will use design thinking principles to brainstorm and iterate on challenges faced by organizations in the legal industry, with a particular focus on how technology, process, or people can disrupt the current state. The session will conclude with teams sharing and reporting out on their small group the problem they were trying to solve, design thinking principles leveraged, what worked, challenges, and what they would do differently in the future to drive change.

At the end of the session participants will learn design thinking terms, principles and skills they can bring back to their workplaces, specific examples include: (1) cognitive fixedness, (2) bias in problem identification, (3) Look, ask try, (4) 6 Hats, (5) Alternative Worlds and many many more.

Please Note:

This session requires pre-registration and has a limited capacity.

This session is only open to legal operations professionals.

Speakers: Scott Milner, Global Head and Practice Group Leader of eData Practice Group, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; James Vinson, Sr. Director, eData, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Richard Robinson, Director of Legal Ops and Litigation Support, Toyota; Jessica Escalara, Managing Director, Head of Legal Operations – Americas, HSBC.

Skill Builder: Grit Happens – Crafting Your Role and Empowering Your Team (Pinyon Ballroom 3)

As technology and artificial intelligence rapidly reshape the legal landscape, jobs, roles, and required skills are evolving at an unprecedented pace. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore how lessons from Angela Duckworth’s Grit can help legal professionals thrive amidst these changes. Grit, a book that explores the power of passion and perseverance for long-term goals, teaches us that success is not about talent alone, but about the ability to stick with a goal and see it through, even when faced with challenges.

Knowing who you want to be and where you want to go is critical in a world being transformed by innovation—without a clear destination, it’s easy to be swept up by the tides of change. This session will guide attendees in crafting their highest-level goal and using it to shape their career path with intention. Additionally, participants will learn how to inspire and empower their teams to adapt to these changes with resilience and purpose.

This session will cover:

• The key principles of Grit and why they are essential for long-term personal and professional success in a changing landscape.
• How to identify and define your highest-level goal to serve as your compass in navigating career and life.
• Strategies for “job crafting”—adapting your role in alignment with your personal goals while thriving in an era of technological disruption.
• Techniques for fostering a grit-fueled culture in your team, encouraging them to develop perseverance and purpose amidst change. 

Attendees will gain practical insights on leading and inspiring their teams through transformation, learning how to align their daily work with their goals and lead with resilience amidst evolving technology and job requirements. 

Speakers: Matt Davidson, Director, Client Partnerships, ProSearch; Maribel Rivera, VP, Strategy and Client Engagement, ACEDS; Sadie Khodorkovsky Koyfman, Global Head of eDiscovery, Legal Operations and Knowledge Management, JPMorgan Chase; Carl Morrison, Senior Manager, Legal Operations, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

In addition to the Tuesday CGI 2025 sessions, there’s a variety of networking events, happy hours and receptions. But remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – unless I report it! 😉

So, what do you think? What Tuesday CGI 2025 sessions are you looking to attend? 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 authors and speakers themselves, 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.