Dawn's Debrief: Mitratech Interact 2023

Stepping into New Orleans for Mitratech Interact 2023 was like reuniting with an old friend. The last time I attended was in 2018 in Austin, TX and while my memories of it were rich, I was thrilled with the sheer transformation in the years since.

In place of a conventional LegalTech conference was an experience crafted with thought and dedication. A tip of the hat to the Mitratech marketing and events teams ( Briana Briggs , Jade Slade , Lauren Shannon , and so many others). Their efforts transformed the conference into a blend of professional insight, engaging interactions, genuine camaraderie, and just the right dose of fun.

And then there’s New Orleans — a city that has stolen my heart. Our base, the The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel , was not just a place to rest but a historical touchstone, effortlessly merging the past with the present.

The Roosevelt Reception: More than Just an Introduction

The rooftop reception at the Roosevelt set the stage. Greeted with big smiles and open arms by the Mitratech team, their genuine warmth felt less corporate, more communal. The enthusiasm was infectious, with faces lit up in welcome, echoing the anticipation and excitement of all of us attendees.

I’ll admit, initially, the weight of being both a partner and sponsor hung heavily, but life has its way of reassuring. One conversation, one shared laugh, and the atmosphere shifted from formal to familiar - from an industry conference to the comfort of a gathering among friends.

The evening's crudité spread was impressive — with a special nod to those memorable black Cerignola olives. Conversations flowed as easily as the evening breeze, punctuated by the soft glow of beautiful ambient lights. This wasn't just the start of a conference; it was the opening chapter to 3 days of learning, sharing, and connecting.

For the teams that create experiences rather than just events, I'm genuinely appreciative. And to fellow attendees who shared their insights and stories, a heartfelt thank you. Let’s take a peek into what Mitratech Interact 2023 had in store.

TAPping into Success: Embracing Evangelical Technology

Making my way into the energetic ambiance of the first day, I found myself in a bit of a breakfast scramble. Despite an early start, the usual morning rituals meant that I was cutting it close to the beginning of the day’s sessions, but the unmistakable scent of New Orleans' chicory coffee was the exact pick-me-up I needed. Energized, I settled into the conference hall just in time for Mike Williams ' keynote.

Mitratech certainly knows how to set the tone. The opening video was both visually compelling and rich in narrative, priming us for the deep dives ahead.

The morning, however, was defined by the session “TAPping Into Success,” where a trio of eminent speakers shared their TAP workflow software experiences. As Connie Brenton from LegalOps.com , Jessica Vander Ploeg from OpenText , and Julie Richer from Bath & Body Works took the stage, you could sense the room’s anticipation.

Connie, whose insights consistently showcased the human side of technology, kicked off with a profound thought on technology adoption:

“LegalOps is change and brings change, with the potential for creating the most transformation and impact.”

Her notion of embracing “evangelical technology” resonated with many in the audience. This ideology, wherein technology adoption may face initial resistance but eventually witnesses widespread endorsement due to its tangible benefits, was a recurring theme.

Jessica's insights were a timely reminder in our complex tech era. Drawing a parallel to Netflix's familiar and user-friendly interface, she noted,

“simplicity is everything.”

It was a nod to the fact that today's users, accustomed to efficient platforms, seek powerful yet uncomplicated tools. And TAP, when tailored well, with its knack for streamlining processes, has the potential to fit that bill.

Connie's approach to work and life, encapsulated in her mantra,

“do something that scares you everyday,”

isn't just a personal motto but a broader reflection on propelling a traditionally risk-averse industry forward. While she humorously revealed how her courage sometimes unnerved her General Counsel, it also underscored a significant leadership lesson. It's vital for leaders to trust their teams, allowing them to innovate, even if it seems they're treading uncharted territory.

Julie's candid recount of her professional journey was a testament to both her courage and the transformative potential of TAP software. Her strategic, creative approach wasn't just instrumental in equipping her legal department with crucial tools during budgetary constraints. It also sparked broader organizational interest. Julie's strategic thinking has not only positioned her as a leader in the Legal Department, but now her expertise is now in demand organization-wide, a clear indication of her immense value addition.

All in all, the session was a meld of tech innovation and human experience, reaffirming that at the heart of successful legal operations is the ability to marry technology with intuition and innovation, setting the stage for the rest of the conference.?

GC Fireside Chat: Echoes of Contrast and Harmony

Following, there was an engaging juxtaposition of perspectives in the “GC Fireside Chat”. The room resonated with the contrasting experiences of Ameen Haddad from 甲骨文 and Jill Twedt from Boise Cascade Company . Ameen, from a tech titan like Oracle, spoke of the vastness of managing what feels like an internal law firm, spread across multiple global regions. On the flip side, Jill painted a picture of Boise Cascade's leaner approach, a tight-knit team of four in-house counsels, supplemented by a network of outside counsel.

The careful curation of these two speakers by the Mitratech team was a thoughtful touch, showcasing not just diverse viewpoints but underlining the versatility of their software products. These tools, with the right expertise, can be tailored to the nuances of any legal department, irrespective of size or maturity.

Over lunch, Trevor Walker emphasized a point that resonated with many: culture trumps strategy. A company's ethos, he shared, can foster innovation more than any top-down strategy ever could. Hiring isn't just about filling roles; it's about crafting the very soul of an organization, and without a cohesive, engaged team, even the best-laid strategies can falter.

As attendees broke bread together, the small-world nature of the corporate legal and LegalTech fields became evident. With each new introduction, there was a warmth and familiarity, as if we were all part of an extended professional family.

Bits, Bytes, and Battlegrounds: Unraveling the CISO's Crucial Role

At a legal tech conference like Mitratech Interact, it's not every day you stumble into a cybersecurity session that feels as if it's been tailored just for you. To my delightful surprise the “The CISO Blues” session, featuring Curtis L. Blais of CYBERA, was precisely that.

LegalOps has a special place in my heart, and it continues to deepen with every encounter. But, walking into a conversation led by a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – notably late (my apologies, Curt!) – and immediately feeling an intense kinship with a crowd of cybersecurity professionals was an experience I hadn't counted on. It was here, among like-minded professionals, that I felt a renewed sense of belonging.

Curt's presentation was an eye-opener in various ways. One of the most striking revelations pertained to the recent decision by the SEC to hold CISOs personally accountable for incidents. (!!!) It's no small matter. The new SEC regulations mandate publicly traded companies to disclose cybersecurity incidents within four days after determining the incident's material impact on the company's financial performance. This regulation not only revolutionizes the responsibility landscape but ramps up the stakes for CISOs. The role of a CISO has never been a walk in the park, but adding liability and criminal responsibility to the mix? That's a heavy load to shoulder.

But it wasn't all bleak skies. Curt also shed light on an exciting personal project. While I won't spill all the beans here, let's just say it encapsulates his vast experience and expertise as a cybersecurity titan. I genuinely believe it has the potential to become a cornerstone guide for cybersecurity and compliance professionals.

Adding depth to the discourse, Madeline Reigh shared her unique vantage point, intertwining her insights with Curt's. As an expert in Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) within a legal tech setting, her voice brought a nuanced layer to the discussion.

Later that night, during the glitzy awards ceremony at the Orpheum Theater New Orleans , I had the chance to connect with both Curt and Madeline on a more personal level. Those conversations laid the foundation for what I hope will be long-lasting friendships.

Beyond Buzzwords: The Real-World Impact of DEIB

Next, I had the opportunity to delve into the multifaceted landscape of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The session, "More Than a Metric," promised insights beyond surface-level discourse—and it delivered.

What made this session stand out was the accessible manner in which the presenters – Rachel Rosen and Jye Turk of SPARK Equity in Action and Christopher Rowland and Troy Kruthoff of Mitratech – articulated the essence of DEIB. Rachel's simple analogy of a school dance spoke volumes, effortlessly encapsulating the spirit behind the buzzwords.

To paraphrase: Diversity equates to being invited to the dance; Inclusion is the joy of being asked to dance; Equity emerges when one feels confident enough to approach the DJ with song requests; and Belonging? It's the culmination of it all, the realization that one is truly part of the moment, happy and welcome.

Two insights from the session stuck fast with me:

"Nothing is built well, if not built intentionally,"

and the distinction between

"goals vs quotas."

Goals, it was emphasized, emerge from a vision of intentional outcomes, while quotas are targeted mandates. The distinction is critical, urging organizations to introspect on their genuine efforts towards building a diverse and inclusive environment.

An insightful tie-back was felt when the essence of 'culture over strategy', as spoken by Trevor Walker during his lunchtime keynote, resonated in the discussion. The essence? Intentionality is key in fostering genuine inclusivity.

Metrics in Motion: The Expanding Role of LegalOps Professionals

The next session, “Create Winning Relationships for In-House Counsel, Outside Counsel, And Legal Operations,” was the kind of lecture you'd want to bookmark in your mind for future reference. Walking into this session led by Karl Hennessee of Airbus and Vincent Cordo, Jr. of Holland & Knight LLP and moderated by Chris Iconos , I expected another discourse on collaboration. What I didn't anticipate, however, was a profound lesson on foundational values and long-term strategy.

Karl, drawing from his extensive experience, emphasized the importance of "sharing the vision." He reminded us about the significance of nurturing relationships well before they're needed, a sentiment succinctly captured by his quote from Daniel Kahneman,

"Go slow to go fast."

The nod to Churchill’s

“Never let a good crisis go to waste"

served as a reminder that challenges often harbor opportunities. Such moments, he stressed, were golden opportunities for game-changing actions. However, a word of caution he impressed upon us was to judiciously "reject more solutions than you embrace." The idea is to collaborate cross-departmentally, ensuring varied perspectives are considered and factored in, and not just the familiar voices.

Vince, on his part, broadened the horizon for LegalOps professionals, championing them as

"strategic advisors, not behind-the-scenes operators."

Emphasizing the importance of mastering data analytics, he urged LegalOps professionals to master metrics and become indispensable to other business units. In this context, I'd strongly recommend readers to pre-order Mori Kabiri’s soon-to-release book "LegalOps KPIs."

LegalOps KPIs is more than just a book; it's a comprehensive manual for any legal professional, and any legal department across maturity levels, delineating operational metrics in Spend Management, Budgeting, In-House Resources and Performance Management, Law Firm and Vendor Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, DEIB, Invoice and Data Quality Analysis, and Compliance and Risk Management.

A personal takeaway? Karl’s simple yet profound call to continuous learning:

“If you want a new idea, read a new book.”

As I pen this, I can't help but wonder what you, reader, might suggest to pick up. What book changed your life? Let us all know in the comments.

Finally, one of Karl's insights that stuck with me the most:

“People will accept disappointment but will not accept overpromising and underdelivering."

This is a sentiment we hold dear at InfiniGlobe LLC . We believe in forging genuine partnerships, rooted in trust and longevity. To be honest, just like any other vendor, we might not always be selected, but when we do forge partnerships, they last years, and the bonds created? Those last a lifetime.

This enriching discussion seamlessly sets the stage for our forthcoming insights on the second day of the conference, where we delved into InfiniGlobe's session.

The InfiniGlobe Advantage: Client Testimonials and Transformations

This year, we had the privilege to host a panel, "TeamConnect Tuesday (On A Wednesday): Success Stories Of Innovative Legal Teams" moderated by Mori Kabiri , our CEO at InfiniGlobe LLC . Mori’s hands-on legacy with TeamConnect (all the way back to 1.0!) brings a depth that's both unique and profound.

Yet, for me, the magic of our session lay in the earnest testimonials of our clients, who shared their real-world challenges and triumphs. (The delightful after-lunch refreshments helped too.)

Despite a brief dance with Murphy's Law (our computer ran out of battery mid-presentation!), the discussions with clients like Tony Nelson and Tonja Sutton Edwards from NetApp , Greg Kaple from Kaiser Permanente , and Patricia Bologna-Garagozlo from Security First Insurance underscored the transformative power of technology in corporate legal departments. It's humbling for four of our cherished clients, each from vastly different contexts, to enthusiastically come forward to share their successes and celebrate our partnership. Their diversified experiences underscored InfiniGlobe’s holistic approach and the tangible impact of our mutual collaborations.

Tony and Tonja from NetApp painted a vivid before-and-after picture. Pre-InfiniGlobe, they wrestled with a lack of accurate forecast data, cumbersome manual billing guideline enforcement, and a slow internal turnaround. Post collaboration, there was a palpable shift: automated budget and accrual submission reminders brought visibility; automated accrual matching and shadow billing review slashed time and effort, and their in-house counsel’s life was made exponentially easier alongside a reduced lag in approval queue & fewer late payments using targeted and consistent ‘TeamConnect Tuesday' approval emails.

Greg from KP has always been an advocate for using data analytics for decision-making. He highlighted the painstaking efforts that went into handling SOX compliance audits manually. Their transition to automation reclaimed roughly 60 hours each quarter, transforming not just their efficiency, but also their confidence in tackling tasks.

Greg also shared how InfiniGlobe helped KP standardize their TeamConnect security matrix of user permissions, whitling down hundreds of security groups and permissions for more simple management and compliance. Finally, he shared how working together, the InfiniGlobe and KP teams performed a deep data cleanup and subsequent financial data analysis, optimizing outside counsel resources and identifying savings opportunities.

Pat from SecurityFirst then shared the challenges of tracking case dates using conventional tools like Outlook. The manual entry of important case dates was error-prone and stressful. The implementation and integration of TeamConnect ushered in a more systematic approach: from automated syncing of case dates to an audit trail feature that offers clear visibility on changes.

Yet, the real testament to our collaboration wasn't merely in technological solutions, but in the relationships we’ve fostered. The insights shared spoke volumes about the trust our clients place in us, cementing our belief that the essence of technology lies in its ability to foster genuine, lasting connections.

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While the session was comprehensive, one notable miss was our demo of the IG Copilot AI tool for TeamConnect. But technology is as much about showcasing as it is about revisiting. For those keen on a deep dive, reach out to us for a personal demo.

In wrapping up, I’m reminded of an essential tenet, which I shared earlier in this article by Karl: it’s crucial to set realistic expectations and deliver on them. Our session aimed to showcase genuine, lived experiences. The feedback and testimonials from our clients affirm our commitment to building not just solutions but lasting relationships.

Adieu from NOLA: Parades, Tunes, and Gator Goodbyes

Navigating the expansive landscape of insights, interactions, and innovations during the conference has been nothing short of extraordinary. I'd like to extend my warmest gratitude to you, dear reader, for joining me in this recap.

The connections made, knowledge garnered, and shared experiences are invaluable. While we've touched upon a wealth of topics, there was so much more to be discovered and discussed, but as they say, words fall short of encapsulating the true essence of experience.

As the curtain fell on the conference, the Mitratech team unveiled a final act of magic—a parade, replete with a quintessential New Orleans parade, marching jubilantly to the beat of a spirited band, all the way to the iconic NOLA House of Blues . The evening was a cascade of joyous memories. I found myself dancing until my curls rebelled against the humidity and singing my heart out alongside friends, new and old. As we celebrated to the tunes of the incredibly talented Radio XX, the importance of joy and genuine connection amidst professional pursuits became even clearer.

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To all the incredible individuals I met, to those who shared their wisdom and insights, and to the ones who laughed and danced with me – thank you. Mitratech Interact 2023 might have ended, but its impact resonates, propelling us forward with renewed vigor and vision. Until our next adventure together, keep learning, keep connecting, and keep dancing.

In the spirit of leaving on a high and playful note, here's a cheeky snapshot from my NOLA adventures. My new reptilian friend and I have just one thing left to say – "See ya later, alligator!"