The Masters Conference Legal

Happy Thanksgiving from The Masters Conference Team! Wishing you a year full of prosperity, health, and happiness. Today, we're grateful for all our speakers, sponsors, and attendees who've made our events possible. We've had such a successful year, thanks to you. We hope you enjoy your holiday with your loved ones and plenty of good eats! #HappyThanksgiving #Thanksgiving2024 #Grateful

For those in the legal profession, it can feel like we're always chasing the next deadline or achievement. Lisa ?? Lang reflects on the value of slowing down in this article. She touches on the importance of appreciating the present moment, especially those we spend with loved ones. As the holiday season approaches, her words are all the more impactful. After all, who doesn't prefer a calm, well-adjusted lawyer over a frazzled, over-worked one? #Legal #Article #Mindset

We bid goodbye to this year's conference cycle last week. But that just means we're one step closer to kicking off 2025. Keep an eye out for announcements in the coming weeks. (Hint: new cities added, interact with other attendees, and more!) #LegalConference #Announcement

It's already been one week since we held our final conference of 2024 at King & Spalding's Atlanta office. We are beyond grateful for the hospitality extended to us by everyone on the K&S team. Their contributions were invaluable and allowed for a seamless event in a stunning location. Special thanks to Shawn Stinson, Chris Underwood, and Diane Stidman for their hard work. From the incredible rooftop views, to the delicious food, to the ample and professional conference space, our host really raised the bar. They provided us with a beautiful space to engage in legal thought leadership and for that we are so thankful! We can't wait to be back in 2025. #ThankYou #Atlanta

There were over 5,200 discovery rulings in 2023 and 4,000 more in 2024 so far. This surge reflects the increasing complexity of eDiscovery and its critical role in litigation. Last week, we heard from Kelly Twigger and Daryl Greene, CEDS from eDiscovery Assistant during a breakout session that dove into the kinds of developments shaping the industry. Here are some of their insights: Preservation Challenges with Ephemeral Messaging: ??- Example: In re Google Play Store Antitrust Litigation – sanctions for failure to preserve Google Chats set to auto-delete. ??- Emphasizes need for robust preservation policies for all communication platforms. Evolving ESI Protocols: ??- Continued challenges with production formats and handling complex data sources. ??- Importance of clear, agreed-upon ESI protocols to streamline discovery. Impact of Generative AI: ??- Use of AI tools like TAR (Technology Assisted Review) for managing large data volumes. ??- Concerns about accuracy, bias, and data security. -*Handling Hyperlinked Files: ??- Disputes over whether hyperlinked documents count as attachments in discovery. ??- Example: UAB "Planner5D" v. Meta Platforms, Inc. – court addressed production of hyperlinked files. - Early Case Assessment (ECA): ??- Focus on using advanced analytics and machine learning for targeted data collection. ??- Leads to cost savings and better-informed legal strategies. - Proactive Information Governance: ??- Emphasis on comprehensive data management policies to mitigate risks. ??- Addresses compliance, cybersecurity, and privacy concerns. Staying updated on current case law is of the utmost importance is this ever-evolving digital landscape. Thank you to Kelly and Daryl for sharing their expertise! #CaseLaw #eDiscovery #LegalTech #Atlanta

Last Tuesday’s conference finished with an engaging fireside chat, where industry leaders discussed the transformative impact of AI on data governance, cybersecurity, and legal tech. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day. Here are the key takeaways from the session:? Involving AI: ?? Security Concerns: AI doesn’t create new security risks; it exposes existing ones. Organizations must assess and bolster their data governance strategies to handle AI’s enhanced data access capabilities.?? ?? Integration Challenges: Properly configuring platforms like OneDrive can streamline CoPilot’s functionality, but integration with existing systems remains a hurdle for many.?? ?? AI in Legal Tech: From drafting to discovery, tools like CoPilot can revolutionize efficiency, but only if sensitive data is properly labeled and secured. Purview and Data Governance:? ?? Dynamic Protection: Microsoft Purview enables organizations to classify, encrypt, and monitor data, whether stored locally or on third-party platforms like Google Drive or Slack.?? ?? Labeling: Automation tools like adaptive protection apply real-time security measures to high-risk users or unusual behaviors.?? ?? Evolving Risks: As AI enables faster data access, consistent labeling and classification practices ensure that sensitive information remains secure.? Cybersecurity in an AI-Driven World:?? ?? Insider Risk Management: Adaptive protection tools detect unusual user behavior (e.g., mass file downloads) and apply stricter security measures.?? ?? Proactive Investigations: Forensic capabilities allow teams to analyze user activity, track data movements, and support regulatory compliance. ?? Multi-Cloud Security: Microsoft’s governance tools centralize control, offering seamless visibility into both Microsoft and third-party platforms. Practical Takeaways:? ?? eDiscovery Innovations: With CoPilot and premium tools, legal teams can automate searches, reassemble conversation threads, and export results more efficiently.?? ?? Collaboration is Key: AI is not a standalone solution—it works in tandem with existing data governance policies to amplify security and productivity.?? ?? Stay Updated: Regularly review advancements in platforms like Purview and leverage events like Microsoft Ignite to stay ahead of the curve.? AI’s potential is immense, but its success relies on proactive planning, robust security frameworks, and cross-platform integration. Thank you to Kevin M. Clark, Brett Trizzino, Greg Cooper, Jerry Bui, Neil Axelrod, and Meredith Perlman for driving this important discussion. What’s your most useful takeaway from this session? #LegalTech #Atlanta #DataGovernance #MicrosoftCoPilot #Cybersecurity

Workshops are an excellent way to hone best high-stakes response practices in a low-stakes environment. This roundtable discussion, sponsored by Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), allowed participants to tackle two complex scenarios requiring unique approaches to legal and compliance challenges. Ideas flowed, solutions were crafted, and collaboration was key. Michelle Kovitch, CEDS Kovitch facilitated the discussion, with participants broken up into multiple groups consisting of multiple roles. Here are some of the innovative solutions attendees came up with: ?? Scenario 1: Legal Implications of Offboarding During a Mass Exodus ?? Objective: How to securely and compliantly offboard 40% of a workforce while safeguarding sensitive data.? Possible Solutions: Immediate Data Security: ???- Revoke access immediately and use encryption for any remaining data.?? ???- Deploy data loss prevention (DLP) tools to monitor potential leaks.? Defensible Data Disposition: ???- Implement clear policies for secure data deletion, ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and similar laws.?? ???- Maintain audit trails for all actions to support defensibility.? Cross-Functional Coordination:?? ???- Align HR, legal, and IT to ensure seamless exit interviews and enforce non-compete and confidentiality agreements.?? ???- Include data mapping in offboarding processes to identify and secure sensitive assets.? ?? Scenario 2: eDiscovery in a Mobile-First Workforce ?? Objective: Imaging and preserving data from 50,000+ employees' mobile devices with minimal disruption.? Possible Solutions: Non-Invasive Imaging: ???- Use remote, cloud-based tools to image devices without affecting functionality or performance.?? ???- Prioritize privacy by segregating work-related and personal data.? Process Scalability: ???- Automate the imaging process to handle the large volume of devices efficiently.?? ???- Develop a phased approach, targeting critical users and locations first.? Employee Communication and Buy-In: ???- Ensure transparency with employees about the process to build trust and minimize resistance.?? ???- Schedule imaging during off-hours to reduce downtime.? Takeaways for Success:? - Plan Proactively: Anticipate challenges and prepare comprehensive policies before issues arise.?? - Leverage Technology: Utilize tools like generative AI for data classification and defensible deletion.?? - Foster Collaboration: Break down silos between departments to create unified, effective strategies.? These scenarios highlighted the critical importance of cross-functional collaboration and proactive planning in tackling real-world challenges. It also reinforced the fact that hypothetical scenarios can be a great way to keep your risk management skills up-to-date. Speakers: Michelle Kovitch Becca King, CEDS Isaac Pereira, MS CEDS Corinne Cartwright, IGP, CEDS #eDiscovery #RiskManagement #Atlanta #LegalTech

This week The Masters Conference Legal held their last 2024 conference. It was in Atlanta and hosted by King & Spalding. CloudNine's Richard Clark was able to attend and wrote a recap blog of the first few sessions. The takeaways on smartphone discovery, linked files and the growing complexities in evidence in discovery. Thank you to the speakers: Jordan McQuown, Jerry Bui, Michael Amaral, Jeff Hedlesky, Brad Koehler, Lionel Joiner, Nirav Shah, Ray Payne, Lindsey Brady, John Buzbee, Scott Lucas and Adam Wall. https://lnkd.in/emm8_nGK

Redundant, Obsolete, and Trivial (ROT) data presents significant economic and privacy risks. Thankfully, Jonathan Younie, Adam Gajadharsingh, Monette Smith, CEDS, and Kevin M. Clark were there to ease our concerns on Tuesday. They brought clarity to the strategies for tackling unmanaged data in this session sponsored by iCONECT. Key Takeaways: Why does ROT even matter? Unmanaged data increases legal risks, inflates storage costs, and complicates compliance. Proactive data minimization isn't solely about cutting costs–it’s about reducing exposure and driving efficiency. Key Challenges: ?? Many organizations fear deleting data they "might need," despite the financial and legal risks of keeping it. ?? Decentralized data scattered across departments makes holistic management difficult. ?? New technologies and communication platforms (like chats and collaboration tools) constantly generate more data. Solution and Strategies: ?? Shifting focus from deletion to retention, only keeping what is truly valuable ?? Treat migrations as a chance to clean house, discarding ROT along the way ?? Leverage tools like AI to classify and manage data efficiently ?? Regularly audit retention policies to stay ahead of ROT accumulation Gaining organizational support: ?? Emphasize the financial and reputational costs of retaining ROT data ?? Promote the legal and operational benefits of data governance? ?? Identify champions in IT, legal, and operations teams to drive cross-functional support The consensus? Proactive data governance isn't just an IT issue—it's an organizational priority. Start small, leverage technology, and create a culture of accountability to tackle data challenges head-on. How is your organization approaching data retention and ROT? #DataGovernance #ROTData #LegalTech #AtlantaGA

Cyber attacks are more sophisticated, frequent, and costly than ever.?Tuesday's tabletop exercise, "Best Practices for an Incident Response" brought together experts from diverse legal, government, and communications industries to share their wisdom on this looming threat. Some of their practical insights included: Engage Legal Counsel Immediately: Establishing attorney-client privilege early can shield sensitive information during an incident.? Create a Relationship in Advance: Partner with a firm specializing in cyber incidents before an incident occurs to ensure a swift, coordinated response.? Collaborate Strategically: While the FBI isn't directly involved in incident response, their expertise in evidence collection, information sharing, and asset recovery can be instrumental, particularly in ransomware cases. Engaging them promptly allows for proper evidence handling and potential action against threat actors. Avoid Premature Internal Alerts: Too much noise too early can distract teams and cause unnecessary panic. Focus on coordinated, external mitigation first.? Be Tactical with Threat Actors: In certain situations, engaging with threat actors may provide additional time to develop a response and gather intelligence about their identity and methods. Forensics Without Disruption: Follow proper forensic procedures for ensuring that critical evidence is preserved and analyzed effectively, avoiding spoilation and minimizing impact on operations. This discussion reinforced a powerful truth: preparation is your best defense. Building strong, proactive relationships and having clear, flexible response plans in place can mean the difference between chaos and control when cyber incidents strike.? How is your organization preparing for the unexpected? Speakers: Vaughn D. Stupart, Esq. Ryan Christian Kate Pulio-Deighton Alden Hutchison Adam Hart James Pinette #Cybersecurity #IncidentResponse #Ransomware #AtlantaGA