Guest Notes

Jason Albert serves as the Global Chief Privacy Officer at ADP, where he leads the company's privacy strategy, governance, and compliance across all markets and regions. With over 25 years of experience as an attorney, Jason has designed and executed strategic campaigns for major corporations, leveraging regulatory regimes to enable business success. He oversees a team of privacy professionals who collaborate with business units, legal, security, and external stakeholders to ensure ADP's products and services meet the highest standards of data protection and user trust. Jason also advises senior leadership and the board on emerging privacy trends, risks, and opportunities, while representing ADP in industry associations, regulatory forums, and public policy debates.

Guest LinkedIn & other provided contact info

Jason Albert’s LinkedIn

Jason Albert’s Email – [email protected]

Key Takeaways

• AI Ethics and Trust: Jason Albert emphasizes the importance of implementing AI ethics principles, such as transparency and explainability, to build trust with users and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
• Data Minimization: The discussion highlights the significance of data minimization as a core privacy principle, focusing on collecting only the data necessary to provide services, thereby reducing risks and enhancing user trust.
• Privacy as a Human Right: Jason frames privacy as a fundamental human right, advocating for strong privacy programs that protect individuals' data and align with both U.S. and international privacy laws.
• Future of AI and Regulation: The episode explores the potential of AI to enhance human creativity by handling routine tasks, while also anticipating continued regulatory developments and the adoption of standards to guide AI usage responsibly.

Guest’s Notes:

Robert Keeling is a partner at Redgrave LLP, leading their second request and antitrust practice. With extensive experience in e-discovery and information governance. Robert is widely recognized as a leading authority on eDiscovery, focusing on coordinating discovery for large, complex, and data-intensive matters. He represents clients in major regulatory enforcement actions, government investigations, and internal investigations, helping them navigate all phases of the discovery process.

Guest’s LinkedIn

Robert Keeling | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Advancements in Generative AI: Robert Keeling highlights the significant advancements in generative AI technology, noting how its increasing power and decreasing cost are making it more accessible and effective for legal professionals. This progress is paving the way for broader adoption and transformation within the legal industry.
• Iterative Use of AI: Keeling emphasizes the importance of an iterative approach when using generative AI in legal contexts. Continuous refinement and testing are crucial to achieving optimal results, which can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of legal processes.
• AI in Privilege Log Creation: One of the most exciting applications of generative AI, according to Keeling, is its potential to revolutionize the creation of privilege logs. AI can streamline this traditionally inefficient and costly aspect of legal work, offering significant time and cost savings.
• Balancing AI and Human Judgment: While AI offers tremendous efficiency gains, Keeling underscores the continued importance of human judgment in legal processes. He predicts that AI will complement rather than replace human reviewers, maintaining a critical role for attorneys in ensuring the quality and defensibility of legal work.

Todd Itami is the Director of Artificial Intelligence and E-Discovery Solutions at Covington & Burling LLP, where he advises global companies on machine learning applications for legal and business tasks. He has led e-discovery efforts in major U.S. litigations and investigations, offering expertise in digital forensics, data preservation, and traditional legal tasks. Todd combines technical and legal knowledge to solve complex problems, achieving cost savings through AI, automation, and software optimization. He also advises on e-discovery vendor pricing and leads legaltech software development, integrating advanced language models to enhance document review tools.

Guest LinkedIn

Todd Itami | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Transformative Impact of AI on Legal Practice: Todd Itami emphasizes that AI and technology are revolutionizing the legal profession, moving it away from traditional methods and towards more innovative, tech-driven approaches. He highlights the importance of adopting a tech-agile culture to stay competitive and deliver value to clients.

• Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Todd stresses the significance of continuous learning and staying updated with the latest technologies. He shares his personal commitment to spending two to three hours a day absorbing new information, which he believes is crucial for leveraging the full potential of AI and other technological advancements.

• Challenges in Integrating AI: Despite the hype around AI, Todd points out that the legal industry is still in the early stages of integrating these tools effectively. He discusses the need for clear policies, flexible frameworks, and a culture that embraces change to successfully implement AI in legal workflows.

• Ethical Considerations and Information Governance: Todd underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards and robust information governance when using AI. He argues that AI tools should be evaluated within existing frameworks for confidentiality and data security, ensuring that they are used responsibly and effectively.

With over a decade of experience in the legal industry, Rich has held various roles, including Director of E-Discovery and Information Governance at JC Penney and positions on the law firm and service provider sides. He specializes in legal operations, legal technology, e-discovery, and litigation support. Rich holds a degree in psychology from Georgetown University and brings a unique perspective to his work, drawing on his early career experience running a group home for troubled teens. His expertise spans process mapping, continuous improvement (Kaizen), and the transformative potential of generative AI in legal tech.

Guest LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richrobinson-toyota/

Key Takeaways

• Rich Robinson emphasizes the importance of mapping processes and continuous improvement (Kaizen) to optimize outcomes both personally and professionally.
• Rich discusses the transformative potential of generative AI in the legal industry and its future impact on legal processes.
• Rich highlights the importance of active listening, empathy, and effective communication in leadership to engage and influence teams.
• Rich talks about the shift to hybrid work models and the need to balance productivity with personal interaction to maintain strong team dynamics.

BDO’s Legal Tech Talk is a podcast hosted by Jared Crafton, BDO’s Forensic Technology Practice Leader, and Daniel Gold, Principal, E-Discovery Managed Services Leader. In this podcast series, they are joined by judges and legal professionals for exciting discussions on the use of technology in the legal industry.

Hosts’ LinkedIn

Daniel Gold, Esq. | LinkedIn

Jared Crafton | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Special Episode: A recap of the best episodes of 2024 (featuring judges, attorneys, and legal tech leaders), marking the end of season 2. They emphasize the significance of this milestone, noting that they have been running the podcast for two years.
• Podcast Reflections: Daniel and Jared reflect on the journey of the podcast, mentioning that they have produced about 48 episodes with the help of their podcast team. They express pride in the impact they have made by sharing stories from influential figures in legal technology. They highlight the responsibility they feel in sharing impactful stories with their listeners.
• Building Community: Daniel and Jared emphasize the importance of community support. They attribute their success to being consistent and authentic in their approach. By staying true to themselves and their mission, they have built a loyal audience that resonates with their content. They highlight that listener feedback and support are crucial for the show's growth.
• Season 3 Plans: Daniel and Jared are gearing up for season 3 and announce that the podcast will expand to a new format. Tune in to find out the full details of BDO’s Legal Tech Talk podcast’s 2025 plans!

Guest Notes

Andrea D'Ambra is a recognized thought leader in eDiscovery, information governance, cybersecurity, and privacy. Ranked by Chambers and Partners as a leading eDiscovery/Information Governance lawyer in the U.S., Andrea frequently speaks on cutting-edge technology issues. She served on the Steering Committee for the Sedona Conference's Working Group One and leads Brainstorming Groups on topics like data breach liability and the impact of social media on discovery obligations. Andrea advises clients on state and federal eDiscovery rules, data disposal, and regulatory notification for data security incidents.

Guest LinkedIn

Andrea D'Ambra

Key Takeaways

• Andrea emphasizes how tools like ChatGPT can help craft messages with the appropriate tone, especially for difficult or interpersonal communications. This can increase efficiency and effectiveness in professional interactions.
• Andrea discusses the significance of taking ownership of tasks and ensuring that everyone on the team feels included and responsible. This approach is crucial for meeting deadlines and achieving successful outcomes, particularly in high-pressure environments.
• The episode highlights both the potential and the current limitations of generative AI in legal practice. While AI can assist with tasks like summarizing documents and generating content, it still requires human oversight to ensure accuracy and relevance.
• Andrea and the hosts discuss how technology, including AI, can help bridge the gap between complex systems and everyday use. They also note that human behavior must adapt to leverage these technologies effectively, such as by improving prompt engineering and clearly defining action items in meetings.

Guest Notes

Drew Northern is involved in the compliance department at Cook Group and Cook Medical, focusing on leveraging AI to improve compliance processes and mitigate risks.

Guest LinkedIn

Drew Northern | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Routine Tasks Automation: Drew emphasizes that generative AI can significantly benefit compliance professionals by automating routine, mundane tasks such as data entry, basic data analysis, investigations, transactional reviews, auditing, contract management, and due diligence.
• Risk Mitigation: He highlights the importance of understanding the limitations and risks associated with AI, especially when working with third parties. This includes ensuring security, privacy, and the accuracy of AI outputs.
• Governance Structure: Drew advocates for establishing a governance structure to oversee AI usage. This structure should not stifle creativity but ensure that AI is used responsibly and effectively.
• Training and Gamification: He sees potential in using AI for training purposes, such as individualizing training content and gamifying training processes to improve engagement and efficacy.
• Continuous Improvement: Drew stresses the importance of a continuous improvement mindset, encouraging professionals to stay curious and open to new ways of leveraging AI in compliance and ethics.
• Industry Expectations: He notes that governments globally are setting expectations for what constitutes a reasonable ethics compliance program. Meeting these expectations is crucial to avoid falling short and facing penalties.

Conclusion

Drew Northern's insights underscore the transformative potential of generative AI in compliance, from automating routine tasks to enhancing training and maintaining robust governance structures. His emphasis on continuous improvement and staying abreast of industry expectations provides a roadmap for leveraging AI responsibly in the compliance sector.

Guests’ Notes

Nat Edmonds is a partner at Paul Hastings with over 20 years of experience in white-collar investigations, specializing in international corruption and the FCPA. A former DOJ attorney, he has led major fraud and corruption cases, fostering global enforcement partnerships. He emphasizes robust compliance programs and the role of technology in investigations, sharing insights at conferences and panels on anti-corruption strategies.

Pei Li Wong is a forensics principal at BDO USA, specializing in cross-border forensics work with a focus on the FCPA and international compliance. Based in New York, she leads global forensic investigations leveraging her professional experience in Asia. Pei Li emphasizes the importance of understanding local cultures and legal environments, and she frequently shares insights on managing complex regulatory challenges at international conferences.

Guests’ LinkedIn

Nat Edmonds | LinkedIn

Pei Li Wong | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• FCPA Focus: Covers the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), its significance, and the necessity for U.S. companies to understand it when operating internationally.
• Global Enforcement: Highlights the growth of international cooperation in FCPA enforcement and the multi-jurisdictional nature of investigations.
• Cross-Border Challenges: discusses the complexities of investigations across different jurisdictions and the need for a skilled team.
• Technology in Investigations: Explores how e-discovery and AI are enhancing the efficiency of FCPA investigations by managing large data volumes.
• Ephemeral Communication: Addresses the challenges posed by ephemeral messaging apps in legal investigations.
• DOJ Whistleblower Program: Discusses the potential impact of the DOJ's new whistleblower pilot program on FCPA enforcement.
• Legal and Technological Integration: Successful investigations require collaboration between legal, forensic, and technological teams to ensure credible and comprehensive outcomes.
• Generative AI Caution: The DOJ has cautioned companies on the use of AI, emphasizing the need for credible technological partners to avoid misleading results
• Upcoming Conference: Mentions the ACI FCPA Conference in Washington, DC happening December 4-5, 2024, where Pei Li and other investigative executives and professionals will discuss FCPA compliance challenges in China on a panel. Register for the ACI FCPA Conference now.

Guest Notes

Kassi Burns is a senior attorney in King & Spalding’s E-Discovery practice. She is a skilled E-Discovery practitioner with more than 13 years of progressive experience advising corporate clients and legal professionals on E-Discovery best practices and the integration of technology and the law. Her diverse background ranges from transactional law, E-Discovery (technical and managed review), and legal operations.

Guest LinkedIn

Kassi Burns - LinkedIn

Key Takeaways

• Kassi Burns emphasizes the value of creativity in the legal tech industry, particularly in creating engaging and visually appealing content that can make complex information more accessible and memorable.
• The discussion highlights the ethical considerations surrounding AI in legal practice, including the potential risks and benefits of using AI tools, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Kassi stresses the need for more diverse voices in the legal tech field, advocating for the inclusion of women and minorities who may feel inhibited or underrepresented.
• Kassi shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced in her career, offering insights into how she overcame obstacles and found her voice in the industry, which can serve as inspiration for others facing similar challenges.

Guest Notes

Emily Bartkowicz is a 20-year veteran of the legal industry and currently serves as the Litigation Support Manager with Akerman eDiscovery Services. Emily specializes in assisting firm clients and attorneys with a variety of e-discovery and litigation support-related projects, including case management, forensic collection coordination, document collections and document productions. Emily also works with the Director of eDiscovery Services to manage marketing and business development initiatives, technology innovations and financial reporting for the department.

Prior to joining Akerman eDiscovery Services, Emily was a products liability paralegal working primarily in medical device and mass torts defense work, including multi-district litigation. Emily also has vast experience in general commercial litigation, medical malpractice, construction, and real estate litigation.

Emily is a Certified eDiscovery Specialist, a Registered Paralegal with the Florida Bar, and holds advanced certifications in eDiscovery, Trial Practice, and Discovery from NALA. She also sits on the executive board for the Miami Chapter of Women in eDiscovery.

Guest LinkedIn

Emily Bartkowicz - Linkedin

Key Takeaways

• Ephemeral data is becoming increasingly significant in the legal industry, requiring new approaches to data management.
• Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing e-discovery by enhancing data collection and analysis processes.
• Law firms face several challenges when managing transient data, but practical solutions and strategies are available.
• Integrating AI tools and following best practices can significantly improve data management in legal practices.
• Staying informed about future trends in legal technology is crucial for law firms to remain competitive and efficient.