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In a world where the legal landscape is constantly evolving, ILTACON 2023 emerged as a beacon of insight and inspiration for legal professionals navigating the complex realm of emerging technology. This four-day educational conference brought together experts from law firms, legal departments and providers to share their experiences, strategies, and tools for addressing the challenges of the present and future. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from ILTACON 2023 that will empower legal professionals to embrace the ever-evolving world of legal technology.

Overcoming Disillusionment

Disillusionment often accompanies the introduction of emerging technology. Professionals may wait for these technologies to become ubiquitous in their daily lives, but ILTACON 2023 challenged this passive approach. The message was clear: waiting is not an option. Recent cases, including those involving the SEC and CFTC, highlighted the consequences of neglecting emerging technologies.

These technologies, such as chat data sources, are not passing trends. They are here to stay, and legal professionals must acknowledge and embrace them proactively. The motivation to do so can be found in the form of sanctions, fines, and regulatory actions. Waiting for technology to become unavoidable is no longer a viable strategy.

The Ultimate Goal of Technology

While the legal community often focuses on the challenges posed by emerging digital platforms, it’s vital not to lose sight of their fundamental purpose. The goal of any technology, including emerging tech, is to make our lives easier. ILTACON emphasized that as the volume of data collected for investigations and litigation continues to grow exponentially, we must adapt.

For instance, the surge in data collected from chat applications, surpassing that of emails, is a significant development. It’s an opportunity to rethink how we approach data management and utilization. Instead of seeing it as a challenge, let’s begin the conversation about how this can work to our advantage, enhancing efficiency and simplifying processes in the immediate future.

Strategic Integration into Workflows

ILTACON 2023 underlined the importance of having a well-defined strategy for incorporating emerging technologies into legal workflows. This process begins with IT interviews and questions. As highlighted in a recent post by Doug Austin, updating IT and custodian interviews for today’s data sources is crucial for effective integration.

Collecting data from phones, for example, is inevitable, and legal professionals must be prepared to do so systematically. Starting with IT interviews allows for a structured approach that aligns with evolving data sources and technologies. Planning and collaboration within legal teams are essential to create customized workflows that seamlessly integrate emerging technologies.

Promoting Best Practices and Education

ILTACON reinforced the significance of ongoing education and knowledge transfer. While attending conferences like ILTACON is an excellent way to stay current with best practices and gain insights into emerging technologies, it shouldn’t end there. Webinars, blogs, white papers, and face-to-face interactions play vital roles in disseminating best practices and fostering standardization.

The most impactful knowledge transfer often occurs through face-to-face interactions. Collaborative discussions, shared experiences, and networking opportunities at events like ILTACON facilitate a deeper understanding of emerging legal tech, helping professionals adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Embracing the Future of Legal Technology

ILTACON 2023 served as a reminder that the legal tech landscape is evolving faster than ever before. To thrive in this environment, legal professionals must overcome disillusionment, focus on technology’s goal of simplifying their lives, develop strategic integration plans, and actively engage in education and knowledge sharing.

By embracing the future of legal technology, professionals can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by emerging tech, ultimately shaping the legal landscape for the better.