2024 Conference Agenda

2024 Conference Agenda

Thursday, Oct. 17

8:00 AM : Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM : Conference Sessions

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM : Networking Cocktail Reception

Friday, Oct. 18

8:00 AM : Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM : Conference Sessions

4:00 PM : Conference Close

Timed Agenda Coming Soon

Keynote:

Core Principles for Successful Knowledge Management 

For the past 40 years, Sally has worked with scores of national and international law firms and law departments to develop bespoke KM Strategies and implement transformational KM initiatives.  During this time, Sally has learned that all successful KM programs are built on a set of core principles that transcend time, geography, culture, and technology.  During this keynote, Sally will share some of these core principles with you so that you can apply them in your world, no matter what kind of KM initiative you are undertaking or what role you play in your KM organization.

  • Sally Gonzalez, Senior Consultant, Fireman & Company

Keynote:

Focus: How to Focus In An Unfocused World | Big vs. Busy 

It seems impossible to focus in this unfocused world. Yet, the main difference between winners and losers in this era of quantum change and distraction is … Focus. Winners are constantly focusing on BIG things versus BUSY things. While it sounds simple, it’s not easy. The #1 killer of promising careers, teams, and businesses is a lack of focus. We either try to do too much, get easily distracted, or put our time, treasures, and talent into the wrong buckets. Qualman shares insights from his #1 Bestselling book, The Focus Project, providing practical techniques to make focus a daily habit. Learning to focus in this unfocused world is a modern superpower. How and what we focus on today will determine our growth and success tomorrow.

  • Erik Qualman, Best-Selling Author, Equalman

What Can Legal Learn From Google Cloud AI’s Transformative Impact Across Industries? 

Join Dr. Valerie Hyde, Google Cloud’s Head of AI/ML Customer Engineering - North America, and Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips, for a fireside chat, as they explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across industries.  Learn how Google Cloud AI has already revolutionized business like Wendy’s, Ginkgo Bioworks, Priceline, General Motors, and General Electric, and explore what this could mean for the legal profession. 

  • Dr. Valerie Hyde, PhD, Head of AI/ML Customer Engineering - North America at Google Cloud

  • Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips

If They Build It, the Practice Will Come: Getting to Adoption from Different Angles 

Widespread adoption is the goal of nearly all innovation initiatives. This is true whether you’re introducing new technologies, processes, resources or a combination of any/all of the above. Too often, achieving widespread (and sustained) adoption seems like an impossible dream, but it doesn’t have to be. Our panelists will share real-life case studies that highlight how they turned this dream into a reality by engaging lawyers from the top down and the bottom up.  An interactive discussion will dig into the challenges they faced, what they learned from each experience and how they are applying those lessons going forward. Audience participation will be encouraged so bring your questions and be prepared to share. Everyone will walk away with actionable insights and practical tips for introducing innovation and winning hearts and minds in the process.

  • Christine Dauchez, Knowledge & Innovation Attorney (Corporate) at Fenwick & West

  • Elizabeth Roache, Knowledge & Innovation Attorney (Litigation) at Fenwick & West

  • Moderator: Kate Cain, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer at Sheppard Mullin

LexPrize Showcase

Join our top three finalists as they present their cutting-edge projects and engage in an interactive Q&A session, providing valuable insights and learning opportunities for the audience. Cast your vote for the most innovative solution and join us at the conference cocktail party where the winner will be announced. Join us for an inspiring and engaging celebration of legal innovation!

  • Presenters TBD

Use Cases, Not Theory: How Deterministic KM Augments Probabilistic LLMs 

How can integrating deterministic structured data (e.g., tags) with probabilistic language models (e.g., GPT, Claude) improve legal tasks? A 15-year lawyer will explore practical legal use cases where LLMs and data structure enhances legal work, mitigating hallucinations and biases in favor of deterministic (reliable) outputs. Learn how the SALI LMSS Legal Data Standard, with its over 17,000 tags, augments LLMs to deliver outputs that are more reliable and helpful than "traditional KM" or LLMs separately. 

  • Damien Riehl, Leader at SALI Alliance

Revolutionizing Knowledge Delivery: Navigating the Future of Legal Content Management

Serving up the right knowledge at the right time in our myriad of interfaces has never been more complex or important. Whether it's the new AI chat applications, search or browse pages, or deep within lawyer workflows, we need new content management strategies and approaches to deal effectively with our organization's intellectual capital, and to create intuitive and enhanced lawyer experiences across such interfaces. Our knowledge content, wherever it sits and however it is presented, needs to be actively managed in brand new ways - discover what's involved as we enter this new era of content management.

  • Kate Simpson, Chief Knowledge Officer at Bennett Jones LLP

  • Andrea Alliston, Partner, Knowledge and Practice Innovation, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Two Years In: Real Results From the AI Evolution in Legal 

Nearly two years after the introduction of GenAI to the world, this session will delve into how AI is revolutionizing knowledge management and innovation in the legal industry. Attendees will gain insights into AI-driven tools that streamline information retrieval, enhance collaboration, and improve legal research accuracy. Highlighting law firms that are implementing practical AI solutions, this session will feature experienced experts, real-world case studies, and lessons learned. Attendees will discover transformative approaches that bring efficiency and effectiveness to legal practices and operations, optimize processes, increase accuracy, and create a competitive edge. 

  • Kevin Bielawski, Director of Legal Operations at Husch Blackwell

  • Andrew Sprogis, Chief Innovation Officer at Katten Muchin Rosenman

  • David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer at Baker Donelson

  • Melissa Morrison, Director, Large Law Segment Management at LexisNexis

Modernizing Document Management: Leveraging AI for Enhanced Efficiency 

Explore the latest advancements in document management systems (DMS) and how AI-driven tagging, third-party integrations, and cloud-based innovations are revolutionizing the way law firms manage and leverage their knowledge. Learn practical strategies for standardizing and securing your internal documents while maximizing the potential of AI technologies within your existing DMS infrastructure.

  • Greg Lambert, Chief Knowledge Officer at Jackson Walker / Podcast Host at The Geek in Review

  • Laurent Wiesel, Principal at Justly Consulting

Untether The Law 

Businesses evolve constantly; law firms... not so much. Law firms accept the purportedly self-imposed, unacceptable limitations of history, regulations, and our own egos. The result: We hire professionals and then box them in. We talk about innovation under low-hanging ceilings. We practice law, but we rarely provide legal services or solve business problems. Joshua Fireman will lead us through a blunt, clear-eyed look at how law firms and their clients can both profit from the integration of professional skills across strategy and operations. In other words, we are going to drag law firms kicking and screaming into the 21st century of professional services.

  • Joshua Fireman, Founder & President at Fireman & Company

Structuring Your KM & Innovation Team 

In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, the structure of Knowledge Management (KM) and Innovation teams can significantly impact a firm’s ability to adapt and thrive. This session will explore various organizational approaches, featuring speakers who have successfully navigated different structures. From separate KM and Innovation departments to combined teams and hybrid models, our panelists will share their experiences, challenges, and insights. Attendees will gain practical strategies for structuring and developing their own KM and Innovation teams, tailored to their firm’s unique needs. Whether you’re building from the ground up or refining an existing setup, this session will provide valuable guidance to help you optimize your approach and drive innovation within your organization.

  • Amanda Stuart, Assistant Director of Practice Innovation at Mayer Brown

  • Jeannine Zito, Senior Manager of Global Knowledge Solutions at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

  • Kay Kim, Chief Practice Innovation Officer at Paul Hastings

Change Management + Lawyers: Why Trying to Persuade a Persuader Doesn't Work

Effective adoption is the key to recognizing value from our KM&I initiatives. But trying to persuade lawyers, who are professional persuaders, rarely works as an effective strategy to build adoption of new tools and ways of working. In this fireside chat, we'll explore the psychological research that explains why persuasion tactics might actually make your lawyers more resistant to change and share practical change strategies to leverage instead.

  • Julia Montgomery, Director of Practice Enablement, King & Spalding

  • Dr. Larry Richard, Founder & Principal Consultant at LawyerBrain LLC

Breakout Sessions

With four breakout sessions, in addition to 11 general sessions, there’s something for everyone at the KM&I for Legal Conference. Whether you’re new to KM&I, a seasoned KM&I leader, an up-and- coming director / manager, or a KM&I Attorney, your people are here and ready to discuss the issues and challenges that affect you.

C-Suite Roundtable:

For more experienced attendees. If you're the head of KM or innovation at your organization (irrespective of your title) join your fellow leaders at this exclusive collaborative, discussion-based, breakout roundtable event.

  • Facilitator: Vishal Agnihorti, Senior Director, Knowledge and Innovation at Alston & Bird

KM&I 101:

If you're new to KM & Innovation, or even have a couple of years of experience, this hands-on, collaborative workshop is for you. Get the big picture of KM and innovation, figure out how you fit in, and chart a path for your future in the profession.

  • Facilitator: Jennifer Mendez, Senior Director of Knowledge Management Innovation at Fisher Phillips

  • Facilitator: Richard Gordon, Director of Innovation & Knowledge Management Firm Solutions at Jackson Lewis

KM&I Attorneys:

Tailored for lawyers working at the intersection of knowledge management and practice. Explore the unique challenges and opportunities of integrating KM strategies into legal workflows. Engage in discussions and collaborate with peers on how to leverage KM to enhance client service, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

  • Facilitator: Andrew Brinkman, Global Director of Knowledge Management at Fried Frank

Directors, Managers, Analysts, & Coordinators:

Designed for those leading KM and innovation initiatives from the front lines. This session will focus on the tactical challenges and opportunities you face in driving change within your teams and organizations. Share best practices, discuss common obstacles, and collaborate on solutions with peers in similar roles.

  • Facilitator: Rachel Shields Williams, Director, Knowledge Management at Sidley Austin