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ARK National Summit
May 23-24, 2023
Westin Hotel New York Grand Central, NY

2023 Agenda

Tuesday - May 23, 2023

7:00 AM 9:00 AM

6:00 AM 8:00 AM

5:00 AM 7:00 AM

4:00 AM 6:00 AM

1:00 PM 3:00 PM

Registration Desk Opens and Networking Breakfast

Breakfast Sponsored by Thomson Reuters

7:00 AM 6:30 PM

6:00 AM 5:30 PM

5:00 AM 4:30 PM

4:00 AM 3:30 PM

1:00 PM 12:30 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

7:00 AM 8:00 AM

6:00 AM 7:00 AM

5:00 AM 6:00 AM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Women in Legal Networking Pre-Conference Session: Early Risers’ Fireside Chat: Overcoming Bias and Barriers: Women's Experiences in the Legal Tech Space

  • Discuss the disparities in pay, promotions and representations for women in legal technology 
  • Address the challenges that women face in balancing professional and personal responsibilities 
  • Highlight what you can do as an individual to create a diverse workplace and empower others to succeed

 

 Moderator

Kate Cain, Senior Director of Knowledge and Innovation Delivery

Fenwick & West LLP

 

Panelists

Andrea Markstrom, CIO

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

 

Joy Heath Rush, CEO

ILTA

 

Shawn M. Swearingen, Chief Innovation Officer

Faegre Drinker

 

9:00 AM 9:15 AM

8:00 AM 8:15 AM

7:00 AM 7:15 AM

6:00 AM 6:15 AM

3:00 PM 3:15 PM

Transition Break

9:15 AM 9:25 AM

8:15 AM 8:25 AM

7:15 AM 7:25 AM

6:15 AM 6:25 AM

3:15 PM 3:25 PM

Chairperson Welcome & Opening Remarks

Rod Wittenberg, North America Vice President of Financial Productivity  


BigHand 

9:25 AM 10:10 AM

8:25 AM 9:10 AM

7:25 AM 8:10 AM

6:25 AM 7:10 AM

3:25 PM 4:10 PM

Keynote Address: Innovation and Change in an Uncertain Legal Market

  • Deep dive look into the economics of the legal market 
  • Discuss how innovation and change can help impact law firm economics 
  • Understand our role in making this happen 

 

Meredith Williams-Range, Chief Client Strategy & Growth Officer
Shearman & Sterling LLP

10:10 AM 10:55 AM

9:10 AM 9:55 AM

8:10 AM 8:55 AM

7:10 AM 7:55 AM

4:10 PM 4:55 PM

Expert Panel Discussion: Future-Proofing Your Firm—Preparing for Recessions and Boom Years

  • Examine budgeting and monitoring the revenue stream: planning in an uncertain market 
  • Ensure you are a part of your firm’s financial wellness 
  • Ensure long term profitability by thinking beyond the short-term downturn 
  • Hear how to best capitalize on the uncertain economic picture when it comes to staffing and human capital 
  • Discuss how to better leverage technology that is already in the firm – doing more with less and being your firm’s best training advocate 

 

Moderator:

Sara Miro, Managing Attorney and Director of Knowledge

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

 

Panelists:

Elisabeth Cappuyns, Director of Knowledge Management

DLA Piper LLP (US)

 

Michael Ertel, Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney

Paul Hastings LLP

 

Tricia G. Thomas, Director of Research Services

Akerman LLP

 

10:55 AM 11:15 AM

9:55 AM 10:15 AM

8:55 AM 9:15 AM

7:55 AM 8:15 AM

4:55 PM 5:15 PM

Networking Break

11:15 AM 12:00 PM

10:15 AM 11:00 AM

9:15 AM 10:00 AM

8:15 AM 9:00 AM

5:15 PM 6:00 PM

Data Ready Legal Departments and Law Firms - Where Should You Be by 2030

  • Learn how democratizing data positively impacts your firm’s business, insights and results
  • Understand the impact of ownership, accountability, and education in a decentralized data management environment
  • Ensure the required processes are in place to leverage your data infrastructure and software investment
  • Consider if your firm’s data strategy is capable of surviving changes in state and global privacy laws

 

Moderator:

Barry Solomon, Vice President of M&A Integration

Litera

 

Panelists:

Madison C. Henry, Business Intelligence & Analytics Manager

Troutman Pepper LLP

 

Joshua Fireman, Founder, Managing Director

Fireman & Company

 

Othiel Glover, Global Data Innovation Manager

Mayer Brown

 

Josh Blandi, CEO and Co-Founder

UniCourt

12:00 PM 12:45 PM

11:00 AM 11:45 AM

10:00 AM 10:45 AM

9:00 AM 9:45 AM

6:00 PM 6:45 PM

Gain Insight into How Lawyers are Using The Cloud to Drive Innovation and Collaboration

  • Discussion of the pros and cons of security and the cyber risk considerations for Law firm and legal departments who are on a cloud adoption journey
  • Evaluate where data can be stored - how to leverage collaboration and integration tools to support innovation by lawyers
  • Understand client guidelines and insurance requirements - addressing cloud risks through audits and compliance.

 

Moderator:

Zorik Pesochinsky, Global Client Director 

Thomson Reuters 

 

Panelists:

Emily Rushing, JD, MIS, Director of Competitive Intelligence

Haynes Boone

 

 

Daniel Marra, Director of Information Security, 

Shearman & Sterling LLP  

 

Torben Pedersen, Director of Enterprise Architecture

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

 

12:45 PM 1:00 PM

11:45 AM 12:00 PM

10:45 AM 11:00 AM

9:45 AM 10:00 AM

6:45 PM 7:00 PM

Tools & Technology Spotlight

Leading service providers will showcase their offerings in a quick-pitch setting. Evaluate the latest and greatest tech tools to bring back to your organization. 

 

Matt James, VP, Sales Advisors & Engineers

Litera

1:00 PM 2:00 PM

12:00 PM 1:00 PM

11:00 AM 12:00 PM

10:00 AM 11:00 AM

7:00 PM 8:00 PM

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by Litera

1:15 PM 3:15 PM

12:15 PM 2:15 PM

11:15 AM 1:15 PM

10:15 AM 12:15 PM

7:15 PM 9:15 PM

Executive Leadership Think Tank Session (Closed-door session, invitation-only)

Driving Transformation in Legal Finance and Operations   

 

In this 2-hour interactive session, BigHand’s Financial Productivity Vice President and Managing Director, Rod Wittenberg and Rob Stote, will lead a discussion on the state of the legal financial industry in 2023 and what participating firms are doing to stay ahead. During the session, attendees will be encouraged to share best practices and discuss key challenges, trends and opportunities amongst their peers 

 

12.45PM -1:15PM   Lunch  

1:15PM Session Starts 

 

Topic #1 – Leveraging Technology to the Fullest, from Analog to Digital  

Maximizing the value of EES   

Scaling your effort for faster time-to-market  

Timely course correction  
  

Topic #2 – Corporate-driven Strategy and C-Level Collaboration  

CROs in Legal  

Role of the CDO  

Overcoming language barriers  

Alignment on investments  
  

Topic #3 – Offer Career Advancing Work across the Organization  

DEI initiatives  

Managing expectations 

 

Moderators:

Rod Wittenberg, VP Financial Productivity 

BigHand 

Brian Taaffe, Director of Product Strategy, 

BigHand 

2:00 PM 2:45 PM

1:00 PM 1:45 PM

12:00 PM 12:45 PM

11:00 AM 11:45 AM

8:00 PM 8:45 PM

Deep Dive - Client Expectations and Improving Client Experience with Outside Counsel

  • Gain insight into client expectations given the changing market legal technology landscape
  • Understanding workflow management and delivery from the clients’ perspective
  • Best practices on improving the clients’ experience with outside counsel
  • Discuss what tools, processes, and strategies firms need to become more client-centric

 

Moderator:

Dan Pulka, Chief Client Experience Officer

Troutman Pepper LLP

 

Panelists:

Sukesh Kamra, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer

Torys LLP

 

Christy Bentz, Chief Client Value and Innovation Officer

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

 

Maria Liu, Litigation Counsel

Uber Technologies, Inc.

 

Cailin Heilig, VP External Legal Services 

TD Bank AMCB

 

2:45 PM 3:30 PM

1:45 PM 2:30 PM

12:45 PM 1:30 PM

11:45 AM 12:30 PM

8:45 PM 9:30 PM

Leveraging Technology to Bridge the Gap between Knowledge and Experience

  • Understand the benefits of bringing together experience and relationship intelligence  
  • Deep Dive look at managing and share best practices on bringing together experience and relationship intelligence  
  • Discuss the potential impact of AI and other innovations on how firms will use experience and relationship intelligence  

   

Emile Van Den Berg, Senior Director of Sales  

Litera   

  

Rachel Shields Williams, Director, Knowledge Management Enablement & Insights   

Sidley Austin  

  

Jennifer Mapp, Senior Director, Data Management and Analytics   

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP  
  

Zena Applebaum, Vice President, Product Marketing   

Thomson Reuters  

3:30 PM 3:50 PM

2:30 PM 2:50 PM

1:30 PM 1:50 PM

12:30 PM 12:50 PM

9:30 PM 9:50 PM

Networking Break

Sponsored by Leopard Solutions 

3:50 PM 4:35 PM

2:50 PM 3:35 PM

1:50 PM 2:35 PM

12:50 PM 1:35 PM

9:50 PM 10:35 PM

Case Study: Eversheds Sutherland – A Look at a Law Firm ALSP and Client Service

  • Define the current landscape and market conditions of law firm ALSPs 
  • Understand Global and future implications for your business and clients 
  • Learn about Eversheds Sutherland’s development of their alternative legal service provider, Konexo   

Scott Bailey, Director of Research and Knowledge Services
Eversheds Sutherland

Carmen Brun, Head of Konexo (US)
Konexo US, A Division of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

4:35 PM 5:20 PM

3:35 PM 4:20 PM

2:35 PM 3:20 PM

1:35 PM 2:20 PM

10:35 PM 11:20 PM

Redesigning Firm Culture in the New Work Environment

  • Apply practical solutions to overcome complex challenges posed by remote work, adjusted priorities, quiet quitting, and other 2023 challenges
  • Develop best practices for career development at all levels
  • Make cohesion, inclusion and engagement more than just buzz words

 

Moderator:

Stefanie Marrone, Director of Business Development and Marketing  

Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP 

 

Panelists:

Kelli Wight, Chief Operating Officer

Koskie Minsky

 

Tiffany O’Neil, Director, Knowledge Management & Technology Innovation

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

  

5:20 PM 5:30 PM

4:20 PM 4:30 PM

3:20 PM 3:30 PM

2:20 PM 2:30 PM

11:20 PM 11:30 PM

Chairperson Closing Remarks

Rod Wittenberg, North America Vice President of Financial Productivity, 
BigHand 

5:30 PM 6:30 PM

4:30 PM 5:30 PM

3:30 PM 4:30 PM

2:30 PM 3:30 PM

11:30 PM 12:30 AM

Networking Cocktail Reception

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.

Wednesday - May 24, 2023

7:00 AM 9:00 AM

6:00 AM 8:00 AM

5:00 AM 7:00 AM

4:00 AM 6:00 AM

1:00 PM 3:00 PM

Registration Desk Opens and Networking Breakfast

7:00 AM 1:15 PM

6:00 AM 12:15 PM

5:00 AM 11:15 AM

4:00 AM 10:15 AM

1:00 PM 7:15 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

7:00 AM 8:00 AM

6:00 AM 7:00 AM

5:00 AM 6:00 AM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Mid-Sized Law Firm Early Risers’ Session: Panel Session - Maximizing Efficiency and Profitability in Mid-Sized Law Firms 

  • Implement process improvement initiatives to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and increase productivity
  • Leverage technology and automation to streamline tasks, improve communication and collaboration with the ultimate goal of enhancing client services
  • Develop and implement data-driven pricing and pricing strategies, to maximize profitability and better meet client needs

 

Moderator

Sarah Andrews, Director of Knowledge Management
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

 

Panelists

Joe Morford, Managing Partner

Tucker Ellis LLP

 

John W. Sterling, Chief Strategy and Practice Development Officer

Chapman and Cutler LLP

 

Cheryl L. Priddy, Senior Financial Analyst

Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC

 

9:00 AM 9:15 AM

8:00 AM 8:15 AM

7:00 AM 7:15 AM

6:00 AM 6:15 AM

3:00 PM 3:15 PM

Transition Break

9:15 AM 9:25 AM

8:15 AM 8:25 AM

7:15 AM 7:25 AM

6:15 AM 6:25 AM

3:15 PM 3:25 PM

Chairpersons Welcome Remarks and Day One Takeaways

Jon Jelenko, Head of Sales  

Gavel 

 

9:25 AM 10:10 AM

8:25 AM 9:10 AM

7:25 AM 8:10 AM

6:25 AM 7:10 AM

3:25 PM 4:10 PM

Diversifying the Legal Profession – What is Working Well and What Still Needs to be Accomplished

  • How to convince your firm to formalize DEI initiatives
  • Explore key strategies to recruit more diverse lawyers and professionals
  • Share best practices on development and retention
  • Discuss promotion to leadership roles

 

Moderator:

Deborah Martin Owens, CEO

DMO Strategies LLC

 

Panelists:

Heather J Reid, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Akin

 

Lauren Symington, Chief Talent Officer

Lewis Roca

 

Laura Leopard, Founder and CEO

Leopard Solutions

 

10:10 AM 10:55 AM

9:10 AM 9:55 AM

8:10 AM 8:55 AM

7:10 AM 7:55 AM

4:10 PM 4:55 PM

Carrots and Sticks: Incentivizing Attorneys to Adopt New Tools”

  • Overcome resistance to change and “buying” attorney time that could be used on client work
  • Innovate processes with new and seasoned attorneys
  • Hear about creative roll out strategies that really work

 

Moderator:

David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer

Baker Donelson

 

Panelists:

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

 

Andrew Brinkman, Global Director of Knowledge Management

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson

 

Andrew Locke, Practice Innovation Analyst

Reed Smith

 

10:55 AM 11:10 AM

9:55 AM 10:10 AM

8:55 AM 9:10 AM

7:55 AM 8:10 AM

4:55 PM 5:10 PM

Tools & Technology Spotlight

Leading service providers will showcase their offerings in a quick-pitch setting. Evaluate the latest and greatest tech tools to bring back to your organization. 

Andrea Menezes, Financial Productivity Solutions Manager   

BigHand 

 

11:10 AM 11:30 AM

10:10 AM 10:30 AM

9:10 AM 9:30 AM

8:10 AM 8:30 AM

5:10 PM 5:30 PM

Networking Break

11:30 AM 12:15 PM

10:30 AM 11:15 AM

9:30 AM 10:15 AM

8:30 AM 9:15 AM

5:30 PM 6:15 PM

An Innovative Approach to Accelerating Law Firm Profitability

  • Examine the state of law firm profitability in 2023  
  • Hear from industry experts on safeguarding profitability in the current economic climate  
  • Learn effective strategies to achieve your internal and external financial objectives   
  • Discover best practices for matter-level staffing and budgeting and firmwide financial security  

  

Moderator:

Rob Stote, Director of Billing & Collections,

BigHand 

 

Panelists:

Melissa Prince, Chief Client Value Officer 

Ballard Spahr 

 

David Tillistrand, Director of Billing & Collections,  

CSG Law 

 

12:15 PM 1:15 PM

11:15 AM 12:15 PM

10:15 AM 11:15 AM

9:15 AM 10:15 AM

6:15 PM 7:15 PM

Networking Lunch

1:15 PM 2:00 PM

12:15 PM 1:00 PM

11:15 AM 12:00 PM

10:15 AM 11:00 AM

7:15 PM 8:00 PM

Enough Chit-ChatGPT: The Next Generation of Large Language Models and How to Use Them

  • Overview of large language model (LLM) AI capabilities in the legal field – its use as a language generation model and use cases (e.g., document summarization, legal research and contract review) 
  • Hear from 3 firms who are in various stages of deployment of LLM AI technology 
  • Discuss ways that LLMs can be implemented – how to integrate it into existing legal software, train it on legal data and manage change 
  • Explore what comes next for LLMs 

 

Moderator: 

Scott Bailey, Director of Research and Knowledge Services  

Eversheds Sutherland 

 

Panelists: 

 

Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer 

Fisher & Phillips LLP 

 

Pablo Arredondo, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer  

Casetext 

 

Kate Orr, Global Head of Practice Innovation 

Orrick 

2:00 PM 2:45 PM

1:00 PM 1:45 PM

12:00 PM 12:45 PM

11:00 AM 11:45 AM

8:00 PM 8:45 PM

Competing and Collaborating with the Big 4, Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) and Legal Process Outsourcing (LPOs)

  • Discussion on how to combine professional and technology services to stand out from the competition
  • Explore ways to maintain and expand your firm’s market share in an ever increasingly competitive environment
  • Examine how law firms and legal departments are partnering and engaging with ALSPs and LPOs to better support clients
  • Providing professional services to increase the opportunity to win cases

 

Moderator:

Jordan Fox, Information Governance Consultant 

InOutsource 

 

Panelists:

David Cambria, Legal Operations Pioneer

(formerly PwC, Baker McKenzie)

 

Eric Wood, Practice Innovations and Technology Partner,

Chapman and Cutler LLP

 

Melissa Miller, EY East Region Legal Technology and Transformation Leader

EY Law

2:45 PM 2:55 PM

1:45 PM 1:55 PM

12:45 PM 12:55 PM

11:45 AM 11:55 AM

8:45 PM 8:55 PM

Chairperson Closing Remarks

Jon Jelenko, Head of Sales, 

Gavel 

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