View Past Agenda | The ARK National Summit on Law Firm Operations

/media/1697/ark-nav-logo.png

ARK National Summit
May 1-3, 2024
New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, NYC

Past Agenda

Wednesday - May 1, 2024

12:00 PM 5:30 PM

11:00 AM 4:30 PM

10:00 AM 3:30 PM

9:00 AM 2:30 PM

6:00 PM 11:30 PM

Registration Open

1:00 PM 5:00 PM

12:00 PM 4:00 PM

11:00 AM 3:00 PM

10:00 AM 2:00 PM

7:00 PM 11:00 PM

Pre-Conference Workshop: Generative AI in Law Firms Today and in the Future

Gen AI basics

  • Review common generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) terms and definitions
  • Discuss the key elements of law firm AI policies and procedures
  • Understand the protections needed to ensure appropriate use and mitigate risk

Gen AI planning

  • Conduct a risk-benefit analysis for integrating gen AI into your law firm
  • Develop a gen AI strategy for your law firm
  • Create a gen AI implementation plan

Gen AI in action

  • Hear real-life stories of how law firms and clients are capitalizing on gen AI for administrative work
  • Explore how firms are using gen AI with clients and how it functions in a billable hours model
  • Discuss client demands and expectations for gen AI
  • Learn how to craft effective prompts for GPT

Gen AI in the crystal ball

  • What does the future hold? Robo-lawyers vs. more efficient lawyers
  • How to stay ahead of the curve

Moderator:
Matt James, Vice President, Presales 
Litera

Othiel Glover, Global Data Innovation Manager
Mayer Brown LLP

Patrick Arkins, Manager of Business Technology Solutions and Innovation
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

Joe Green, Chief Innovation Officer
Gunderson Dettmer

Sara Miro, Director of Knowledge and Managing Attorney
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

4:00 PM 5:00 PM

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

11:00 PM 12:00 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

4:00 PM 5:00 PM

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

11:00 PM 12:00 AM

Welcome Cocktail Reception

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers. (All conference attendees invited)

Thursday - May 2, 2024

8:00 AM 5:30 PM

7:00 AM 4:30 PM

6:00 AM 3:30 PM

5:00 AM 2:30 PM

2:00 PM 11:30 PM

Registration Desk Opens

8:00 AM 6:00 PM

7:00 AM 5:00 PM

6:00 AM 4:00 PM

5:00 AM 3:00 PM

2:00 PM 12:00 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

Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

8:00 AM 8:10 AM

7:00 AM 7:10 AM

6:00 AM 6:10 AM

3:00 PM 3:10 PM

Welcome and Opening Remarks

David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

9:10 AM 10:10 AM

8:10 AM 9:10 AM

7:10 AM 8:10 AM

6:10 AM 7:10 AM

3:10 PM 4:10 PM

Keynote Panel Discussion: Inside the Mind of a Client

  • Understand what drives clients in the current counter-cyclical business environment 
  • Discuss how law firm operations staff can add value to the client relationship 
  • Get insights into the expectations of clients for the use of AI and other technology 

Moderator:
Mike Sanders, Director of Solutions Engineering
NetDocuments

Cailin Heilig, Vice President, External Legal Services
TD Bank

La’Resa Young, Administrative Director, Legal Operations
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc.

10:10 AM 11:00 AM

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

8:10 AM 9:00 AM

7:10 AM 8:00 AM

4:10 PM 5:00 PM

Case Study: Breaking Down the Silos to Take Your Firm to the Next Level

  • Explore one law firm’s experience with consolidating many different back-office functions into one department 
  • Discover how this multi-disciplinary team supports its attorneys to provide excellent service to the firm’s clients 
  • Hear the metrics that indicate the success of this structure, now that it’s been in place for five years 

David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

Dolapo Olushola-Uwaifo, Director Legal Process Engineering
Baker Donelson

Jillian Eaton, Director of Research
Baker Donelson

11:00 AM 11:20 AM

10:00 AM 10:20 AM

9:00 AM 9:20 AM

8:00 AM 8:20 AM

5:00 PM 5:20 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, Vice President, Presales
Litera

 

11:20 AM 11:40 AM

10:20 AM 10:40 AM

9:20 AM 9:40 AM

8:20 AM 8:40 AM

5:20 PM 5:40 PM

Networking Break

 

Concurrent Sessions 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM 8:40 AM - 9:40 AM 5:40 PM - 6:40 PM

Track A chair:
David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

 

Track B chair:
Tim Corcoran, Founder
Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC

 

11:40 AM 12:40 PM

10:40 AM 11:40 AM

9:40 AM 10:40 AM

8:40 AM 9:40 AM

5:40 PM 6:40 PM

Leveraging Litigation and Transactional Data in Your Experience Management System

Track A: Knowledge Management & Innovation
  • Create a single source of truth with enriched litigation and transactional experience data for all attorneys at your firm 
  • Differentiate your firm and build client confidence through using more complete experience data 
  • Strengthen your RFP responses and pitches with supporting metrics 
  • Win more work by recommending the most experienced team of attorneys 

Michael Ertel, Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney
Paul Hastings LLP

Philip Bryce, Global Chief Knowledge Officer
Mayer Brown LLP

11:40 AM 12:40 PM

10:40 AM 11:40 AM

9:40 AM 10:40 AM

8:40 AM 9:40 AM

5:40 PM 6:40 PM

Maintaining Profitability During Times of Rising Costs

Track B: Profitability
  • Learn cost-containment strategies 
  • Explore strategies such as alternative staffing and technology-driven efficiencies 
  • Get tips for balancing demand growth and headcount with cost pressures 

Keith Maziarek, Director of Pricing and Legal Project Management
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Silvio Talarico, Executive Director
Sunstein LLP

12:40 PM 1:40 PM

11:40 AM 12:40 PM

10:40 AM 11:40 AM

9:40 AM 10:40 AM

6:40 PM 7:40 PM

Networking Lunch

Concurrent Sessions 1:40 PM - 2:40 PM 12:40 PM - 1:40 PM 11:40 AM - 12:40 PM 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM 7:40 PM - 8:40 PM

1:40 PM 2:40 PM

12:40 PM 1:40 PM

11:40 AM 12:40 PM

10:40 AM 11:40 AM

7:40 PM 8:40 PM

Engaging Attorneys in Knowledge Sharing

Track A: Knowledge Management & Innovation
  • Identify the key elements of your firm’s knowledge management strategy 
  • Learn the incentives lawyers need to create a knowledge-sharing culture 
  • Explore persuasive techniques that will get lawyers invested in sharing their knowledge 
  • Discover effective strategies for influencing and motivating attorneys 

Scott Kaiser, Practice Innovation and Knowledge Attorney
Paul Hastings LLP

Jessica Kerner, Practice Innovation Attorney
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Amanda Gudis Stuart, Legal Innovation Advisor
Mayer Brown LLP

1:40 PM 2:40 PM

12:40 PM 1:40 PM

11:40 AM 12:40 PM

10:40 AM 11:40 AM

7:40 PM 8:40 PM

Strategies to Prevent Revenue Leakage: Using BI to Understand What’s Undermining Your Profitability

Track B: Profitability
  • Discuss the key causes of revenue leakage 
  • Learn the metrics you need to analyze to find out where the leaks are happening in your firm 
  • Get actionable insights into how to get profits on track 

Paige Keith, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Lathrop GPM LLP

Brian Taaffe, Director of Product Strategy
BigHand

2:40 PM 2:45 PM

1:40 PM 1:45 PM

12:40 PM 12:45 PM

11:40 AM 11:45 AM

8:40 PM 8:45 PM

Session Transition

Concurrent Sessions 2:45 PM - 3:40 PM 1:45 PM - 2:40 PM 12:45 PM - 1:40 PM 11:45 AM - 12:40 PM 8:45 PM - 9:40 PM

2:45 PM 3:40 PM

1:45 PM 2:40 PM

12:45 PM 1:40 PM

11:45 AM 12:40 PM

8:45 PM 9:40 PM

New Technology: Choosing the Right Products for Your Firm

Track A: Knowledge Management & Innovation
  • Understand how to assess your firm’s technology usage and needs 
  • Analyze what’s more cost-effective: build, buy, or partner
  • Get tips on how to test products before implementation 
  • Deploy the right products to give your firm a competitive edge 

Elisabeth Cappuyns, Director of Knowledge Management
DLA Piper LLP (US)

Sara Miro, Director of Knowledge and Managing Attorney
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Alon Shwartz, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Trellis

2:45 PM 3:40 PM

1:45 PM 2:40 PM

12:45 PM 1:40 PM

11:45 AM 12:40 PM

8:45 PM 9:40 PM

Pricing, Compensation, and Delivery Strategies to Boost Profitability

Track B: Profitability
  • Discuss win-win pricing strategies 
  • Identify misaligned incentives that impede profitability 
  • Learn productive and innovative ways to collaborate with client legal operations 
  • Explore how to add value to your legal services to save money, make budgets more predictable, and improve outcomes 

Moderator:
Tim Corcoran, Founder
Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC

Laura Long, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer 
Hanson Bridgett LLP

Kim Hughes, Director of Marketing & Business Development
McInnes Cooper

Lann Wasson, Associate Director of Legal Project Management
Husch Blackwell

 

 

3:40 PM 4:00 PM

2:40 PM 3:00 PM

1:40 PM 2:00 PM

12:40 PM 1:00 PM

9:40 PM 10:00 PM

Networking Break

4:00 PM 4:50 PM

3:00 PM 3:50 PM

2:00 PM 2:50 PM

1:00 PM 1:50 PM

10:00 PM 10:50 PM

Creating a Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

  • Understand what DEI efforts should look like and why they are important from a business perspective 
  • Get recruiting tips that will help add diversity among your attorneys and other professionals 
  • Adapt your DEI strategies to align with new legislation 
  • Establish a people-first culture that supports and includes all underrepresented groups — including women and people of different races, nationalities, ages, physical abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities 

Moderator:
Renee Branson, Founder and Principal Consultant
RB Consulting

Brian Seaman, Partner & Chief Diversity Officer
Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young, LLP

Amber Haggins, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Talent
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

4:50 PM 5:00 PM

3:50 PM 4:00 PM

2:50 PM 3:00 PM

1:50 PM 2:00 PM

10:50 PM 11:00 PM

Closing Remarks

David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

4:00 PM 5:00 PM

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

11:00 PM 12:00 AM

Networking Cocktail Reception

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

Friday - May 3, 2024

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

Registration Desk Opens and Networking Breakfast

8:00 AM 1:35 PM

7:00 AM 12:35 PM

6:00 AM 11:35 AM

5:00 AM 10:35 AM

2:00 PM 7:35 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

8:00 AM 8:10 AM

7:00 AM 7:10 AM

6:00 AM 6:10 AM

3:00 PM 3:10 PM

Welcome Remarks and Day One Takeaways

David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

9:10 AM 9:55 AM

8:10 AM 8:55 AM

7:10 AM 7:55 AM

6:10 AM 6:55 AM

3:10 PM 3:55 PM

Navigating AI Vendor Contracts: A Roadmap for Legal Professionals

  • Learn strategies for breaking through the noise to find the AI vendors that are right for your firm 
  • Discuss the key risks to address in AI vendor agreements 
  • Gain skills to negotiate cost-effective contracts with new vendors and renegotiate contracts with existing vendors that have added AI technology 
  • Get insights into how you can ensure mutual benefits from a pilot of new technology 

Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer
Fisher & Phillips LLP 

Othiel Glover, Global Data Innovation Manager
Mayer Brown LLP

Jennifer Reeves, Practice Innovation & Knowledge Attorney
Crowell & Moring

9:55 AM 10:10 AM

8:55 AM 9:10 AM

7:55 AM 8:10 AM

6:55 AM 7:10 AM

3:55 PM 4:10 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. 

Mike Sanders, Director of Solutions Engineering
NetDocuments 

 

Concurrent Sessions 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Track A chair:
David Rueff, Chief Client Solutions Group Officer
Baker Donelson

 

Track B Chair:
Silvio J. Talarico, Executive Director
Sunstein LLP

 

10:15 AM 11:15 AM

9:15 AM 10:15 AM

8:15 AM 9:15 AM

7:15 AM 8:15 AM

4:15 PM 5:15 PM

Back to Basics: Building a Program to Ensure Good Data Hygiene

Track A: Business Intelligence & Analytics
  • Understand the importance of having the fundamentals in place, even in the era of AI 
  • Learn the processes you need to ensure you have good data hygiene 
  • Get step-by-step instructions on how to curate and prioritize your data to maximize its usefulness 
  • Explore uses beyond descriptive data analysis, including predictive and prescriptive analysis strategies 

Joseph Rejano, Managing Partner
Foley Mansfield

Marlene Gebauer, Assistant Director of Innovation (Americas)
Mayer Brown LLP

10:15 AM 11:15 AM

9:15 AM 10:15 AM

8:15 AM 9:15 AM

7:15 AM 8:15 AM

4:15 PM 5:15 PM

Making Strategy Stick: Strategic Planning to Position Your Firm for Growth

Track B: Mid-Sized Law Firms
  • Building buy-in: Reframing the way we think about strategic planning 
  • Beyond buy-in: Essential elements of the planning process 
  • Buoying success: Best practices for maintaining momentum 

Moderator:
Debra Baker, Managing Director
GrowthPlay

Jennifer Papantonio, Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer
Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP

Andrew W. Singer, Managing Partner
Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP

Roberto Pont, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer
McInnes Cooper

11:15 AM 11:35 AM

10:15 AM 10:35 AM

9:15 AM 9:35 AM

8:15 AM 8:35 AM

5:15 PM 5:35 PM

Networking Break

Concurrent Sessions 11:35 AM - 12:35 PM 10:35 AM - 11:35 AM 9:35 AM - 10:35 AM 8:35 AM - 9:35 AM 5:35 PM - 6:35 PM

11:35 AM 12:35 PM

10:35 AM 11:35 AM

9:35 AM 10:35 AM

8:35 AM 9:35 AM

5:35 PM 6:35 PM

Leveraging Data Analytics for Business Development 

Track A: Business Intelligence & Analytics
  • Understand how to consolidate and integrate data cross-functionally with data governance, management, and literacy practices  
  • Link marketing technology tools with firm intelligence platforms to produce dynamic insights that can expand client relationships 
  • Learn how data can give your firm new insights for pricing, matter intake, business development, reporting, and client engagement 

Seagrumn Gilbert, Knowledge Management Counsel
DLA Piper LLP (US)

Scott Winter, Consultant
Mount Insights

11:35 AM 12:35 PM

10:35 AM 11:35 AM

9:35 AM 10:35 AM

8:35 AM 9:35 AM

5:35 PM 6:35 PM

Using Data to Create a Competitive Advantage

Track B: Mid-Sized Law Firms
  • Get tips for creating a program to ensure your data is clean and accurate 
  • Discover how to use data and competitive intelligence to your law firm’s advantage 
  • Understand the unique advantages your firm has over larger law firms 

Jeffrey Sharp, Managing Partner
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

Dharma Betancourt Frederick, Knowledge Management Counsel
DLA Piper LLP (US) 

12:35 PM 1:35 PM

11:35 AM 12:35 PM

10:35 AM 11:35 AM

9:35 AM 10:35 AM

6:35 PM 7:35 PM

Networking Lunch

1:35 PM 2:25 PM

12:35 PM 1:25 PM

11:35 AM 12:25 PM

10:35 AM 11:25 AM

7:35 PM 8:25 PM

Recruitment and Retention Strategies for a New Generation

Learn recruitment and retention strategies for: 

  • Successfully competing for top talent 
  • Winning over Generation Z and cultivating the law firm leaders of the future 
  • Training, mentoring, and innovating in a hybrid or remote environment 

Ryan Galvin, Chief Talent Officer
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

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

2:25 PM 2:30 PM

1:25 PM 1:30 PM

12:25 PM 12:30 PM

11:25 AM 11:30 AM

8:25 PM 8:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Silvio J. Talarico, Executive Director
Sunstein LLP