Infogov Hot Seat

ILTACON 2026 is wrapped, so what actually mattered? On this live InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield sits down with ILTA president Jason Dirkx (Chief Innovation Officer) and Hunter Nicholas (VP Sales, FIT). We get into MCP, moving AI from pilot to production, change management, security reviews, fake "AI" claims, and the microwave take on Gen AI hype. Rapid fire round and audience Q&A included.

Episode of InfoGov Hot Seat Live, now InfoGov Hot Seat: A Governed Intelligence Podcast. Host Jim Merrifield looks back at ILTACON 2026 with Jason Dirks (Chief Innovation Officer, Benesch, and President of ILTA) and Hunter Nicholas (VP of Sales, Future in Tech). They cover what actually changed in legal tech this year, what's just hype, and how firms and business partners turn AI into measurable value.

In this episode:

• Why MCP and the "single pane of glass" defined ILTACON 2026, and why your own data is now the real differentiator
• How to move from pilot to production, starting with the business need rather than the tool
• Change as a limited resource: why firms need to meter change to avoid exhausting their people
• Information governance vs. data governance, and why governance has to be cross-functional
• What gets deals through security review: candor, roadmap transparency, SOC 2, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP
• Cutting through AI noise: "AI with an ROI" and why post-sale partnership matters more than the signature
• Rapid-fire hot seat: Gen AI and the microwave analogy, overhyped buzzwords, how to lose a buyer in 30 seconds, and predictions for 2030

Guests: Jason Dirkx, Hunter Nicholas

Founding Supporters: Newcode, NetDocuments, iManage, Filerskeepers, Future in Tech

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on AI, data, governance, and leadership.

💬 Drop your questions for future guests in the comments.

#ILTACON2026 #LegalTech #InformationGovernance #AIGovernance

Episode of InfoGov Hot Seat Live. Host Jim Merrifield and co-host Leigh zidwich talk AI data governance, agentic workflows, and strategy with Maged Helmy (CEO, Newcode) and Tim Fox (Chief Data and AI Officer, Ogletree Deakins).

In this episode:

• Why law firms are shifting from prompt-based chatbots to agentic AI workflows at scale
• The hidden costs of "messy data" and how to handle enterprise search with newer LLMs
• Why AI as an infrastructure will soon replace AI as a SaaS
• Building cross-functional committees to drive AI adoption, governance, and real ROI
• Pre-ILTACON session previews and the growing importance of AI auditing and reporting
• Bold predictions for the future of legal AI over the next 12 months

Guests: Leigh Zidwick, Maged Helmy, Tim Fox

Supporters: Newcode, NetDocuments, iManage, Filerskeepers, Future in Tech, ILTA

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with legal AI and info governance leaders.

💬 Drop your questions for future guests in the comments.

Episode 100 of InfoGov Hot Seat Live. Host Jim Merrifield and co-host Leigh Zidwick talk AI adoption in law firms with Donna O'Leary (Head of AI, New Code Ireland) and Zach Abramowitz (Founder, Killer Whale Strategies).

In this episode:
* Why "AI literacy" is replacing "AI training" — and what most firms got wrong the first time
* The GPS/Waze analogy for how lawyers should (and shouldn't) trust AI
* EU AI Act Article 4 and what it actually requires from law firms
* Why security certifications (like ISO 9001) should come before you fall in love with a tool
* Building a firm's "legal brain" — memory, institutional knowledge, and bespoke AI
* Norm AI, Manifest OS, and whether AI-native firms are real competition for Big Law

* The gap between AI ambition and organizational readiness
* Information governance's role in the AI data explosion — shadow repositories, metadata, and cleanup

Guests:
Donna O'Leary — Head of AI, New Code Ireland
Zach Abramowitz — Founder, Killer Whale Strategies, host of "Legally Disrupted"

Sponsors: New Code AI, ILTA, NetDocuments

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with legal AI and info governance leaders.

💬 Drop your questions for future guests in the comments.

#LegalAI #InfoGovernance #LegalTech #AIforLawyers #LawFirmInnovation

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat recorded straight from the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia, host Jim Merrifield sits down with Wesley Callahan, Senior Account Executive at Hyland Software.

With over 30 years of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) experience in the federal space, Wesley breaks down why the massive shift toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agentic processing requires organizations to look backward at how they manage data, information, and records. If you think data is all you need to train AI models, this episode will challenge your strategy.

• Content is the Foundation: Why you cannot successfully implement government AI models without a clear view of where your content is stored, how long you keep it, and what you do with it.

• The Value Equation: Breaking down Jim’s ultimate formula: $\text{Data} + \text{Information} + \text{Records} = \text{Value}$.

• FOIA Integration Challenges: Why siloed repositories and disconnected workflows slow down FOIA officers and record managers.

• Content as a Strategic Asset: Shifting the perspective of a record from "something you just have to deal with" to a critical, ubiquitous enterprise asset.

• A Fun Fact: Get to know the man behind the software—from growing up on a Kansas ranch to living with two Labradors in a tight NYC apartment!

• Learn more about Hyland Software: Hyland.com

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield (Chief Data Officer, Robinson+Cole) sits down with Will Talbot, Manager of Enterprise Sales at Laserfiche, direct from the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia.

With over 12 years of experience in records and information management, Will dives deep into the biggest challenge facing federal records officers today: overcoming user resistance and making compliance seamless. He shares how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is completely transforming the Information Governance (IG) landscape—shifting the burden away from manual metadata entry and towards powerful, natural language automation.

• The Evolution of Laserfiche: From translating microfiche to laser discs 50 years ago to pioneering modern, paperless cloud enterprise content management (ECM).

• AI as an IG Game Changer: How generative AI and intelligent software agents allow users to manage, classify, and audit millions of records effortlessly using natural language commands.

• Streamlining Compliance & Transparency: Overcoming the risk of "shelfware" by prioritizing user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to boost organizational adoption.

• The Value Formula: A look at how combining Data + Information + Records ultimately equals core business value.

“The easier you can make it for people to manage their records, the more likely they are to actually do it and maintain compliance.” — Will Talbot

• Learn more about Laserfiche: Laserfiche Official Website

In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield sits down with John Beglan from Tungsten Automation live at the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia.

John discusses how Tungsten Automation (formerly known as Kofax) is tackling the unique challenges faced by the federal government, focusing on driving efficiencies through intelligent capture, case management, and records management. They dive deep into the buzz surrounding agentic AI, the realities of government infrastructure, and why the path forward requires a shared data foundation between industry and the public sector. John also shares a key piece of advice for federal records officers looking to prepare for the future of AI.

• Targeted Focus: Rather than trying to "boil the ocean," focus on specific mandates and proven use cases like case, grant, and records management.

• The AI Gap: While "agentic AI" is a popular buzzword, the federal government faces constraints in skills, infrastructure, and sustained funding before widespread adoption can take off.

• Aging Infrastructure: Approximately 70% of federal IT systems in the country are 10 to 30+ years old, creating a massive hurdle for modern AI readiness.

• A Collaborative Solution: Success will require clear standards, strong data foundations, and open collaboration between industry experts and government agencies.

• John Beglan – Sales Director, Tungsten Automation

• Website: Tungsten Automation

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat from ARMA’s Federal Summit, host Jim Merrifield sits down with Kon Leong, CEO and Co-founder of ZL Technologies.

With over 26 years of experience managing petabytes of unstructured data for Fortune 100 companies, Kon shares his unique perspectives on how the rapid rise of generative AI is changing the landscape of data governance.

Highlights from this episode include:

• A Personal Look: Kon discusses his interest in Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, and how it translates to handling the real-world complexities of human data.

• Federal vs. Private AI Adoption: An analysis of why the public sector is facing a distinct set of hurdles compared to the private sector when integrating breaking AI technologies.

• Unifying the Silos: Why traditional data silos crash and burn under today's massive data volumes, and why a unified platform approach is necessary to satisfy FOIA, NARA, litigation, and privacy regulations.

• Key Advice for Federal Records Officers: Kon explains why leaders need to "put on their high beams" and focus on long-term strategy rather than quick-fix point solutions.

To learn more about Kon's work, visit zlti.com.

In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, experts tackle one of the biggest mistakes organizations make with defensible disposal: treating it as an all-or-nothing initiative that must be completed at once. Learn why this approach erodes credibility and how to build a sustainable framework for compliance instead.

The discussion covers practical implementation strategies for defensible disposal, AI governance controls, and the critical roadmap for information governance success in 2026.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- Why large-scale, poorly socialized disposal initiatives fail

- How failed big-bang projects make it harder to restart IG efforts

- Starting small with low-hanging fruit to build momentum

- Managing large-scale matter mobility between law firms

- Expanding governance across collaborative platforms (Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint)

- Providing better insights into physical records disposition

- Executing large-scale destruction pilots in the first 90 days

- Robust audit utilities for ISO and SOC 2 certification requirements

- AI governance controls built on governance-first architecture

- Managing sensitive data like PII and PHI in AI environments

- Navigating retention requirements for AI prompts and outputs

CRITICAL INSIGHTS:

→ Defensible disposal is not all-or-nothing—start small and scale

→ Failed big initiatives damage credibility and make restarts harder

→ Target low-hanging fruit first to demonstrate value quickly

→ Build a compliance framework incrementally over time

→ AI should augment human governance, not replace it

→ Governance-first architecture is essential for AI controls

→ AI prompt and output retention requires sector-specific evaluation

→ Avoid introducing guesswork into AI governance decisions

→ Risk versus benefit analysis is crucial for prompt retention

IG PRIORITIES FOR 2026:

- Large-scale matter mobility between firms

- Cross-platform governance for collaborative tools

- Physical records disposition insights and automation

- Microsoft 365 integration to meet users where they work

- First 90-day destruction pilots for physical and electronic records

- Comprehensive audit trails for regulatory compliance

AI GOVERNANCE APPROACH:

- Build controls on top of governance-first architecture

- Focus on managing PII and PHI in AI workflows

- Evaluate geopolitical and sector-specific requirements

- Research and education needed for prompt retention policies

- Balance innovation with defensible governance practices

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION:

- Be pragmatic—perfection is the enemy of progress

- Pilot initiatives to work through stakeholder communication

- Start with one practice group or department

- Document successes to build organizational buy-in

- Use audit utilities to demonstrate compliance value

- Celebrate quick wins to maintain momentum

FINAL RECOMMENDATION:

To improve IG outcomes in the next 30 days, be pragmatic and start small. Focus on piloting initiatives that allow you to work through stakeholder communication and potential challenges before scaling firm-wide.

WHO SHOULD WATCH:

- Information governance professionals planning disposal projects

- Records managers dealing with retention backlogs

- Legal operations leaders implementing AI governance

- Compliance officers preparing for audits

- IT directors managing collaborative platforms

- Anyone who has seen a big-bang IG project fail

This conversation provides the honest, practical guidance needed to avoid common pitfalls and build sustainable information governance programs that actually work.

Subscribe for more insights on information governance, defensible disposal, and AI governance strategies.

#DefensibleDisposal #InformationGovernance #AIGovernance #LegalTech #IGDay

In this Global Information Governance Day 2026 session, experts discuss the critical shift from traditional information governance to "governed intelligence" as the essential foundation for trustworthy AI in legal organizations.

The central message is clear: AI is not a magic wand but an amplifier of your existing data. Firms rushing to adopt AI are discovering that poor information governance leads to poor AI outcomes. What was once an afterthought in law firms is now the prerequisite for successful AI deployment.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- Why AI amplifies your data problems instead of solving them

- The shift from information governance to governed intelligence

- Building AI-ready data foundations with clean, classified, compliant data

- Accelerated defensible disposal and addressing over-retention

- Simplifying approval processes for large-scale document disposal

- Cross-platform governance across iManage, NetDocuments, SharePoint, and physical records

- Moving from fragmented tools to integrated IG frameworks

- Establishing visibility over information assets in the first 90 days

- Comprehensive auditability with full action logging

- Treating IG as a profit center, not a cost center

CRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR 2026:

→ AI-Ready Data Foundations: Ensure data is clean before AI touches it

→ Accelerated Defensible Disposal: Get single approvals to clear large volumes

→ Cross-Platform Governance: Integrate all repositories into one framework

→ Visibility First: Know what you have across all systems

→ Complete Auditability: Log every policy, approval, and disposition

→ ROI Focus: Reduce storage fees and eliminate DMS overage charges

OPERATIONALIZING SUCCESS:

- First 90 Days: Establish complete visibility over information assets

- Auditability: Log every action for auditors and dispute resolution

- Quick Wins: Target overdue disposition lists for immediate impact

- Celebrate Success: Build momentum through visible victories

- ROI Metrics: Measure savings from reduced storage and overage fees

PRACTICAL ADVICE:

Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good. Focus on quick wins:

- Target the most overdue disposition lists first

- Get single approvals to destroy large batches

- Celebrate successes to encourage firm-wide adoption

- Start with visibility, then move to action

- Measure and communicate cost savings

THE CORE MESSAGE:

Information governance is no longer an afterthought—it's the foundation that determines whether your AI investments succeed or fail. Governed intelligence means your AI is only as trustworthy as the data governance underneath it.

WHO SHOULD WATCH:

- Information governance professionals preparing for AI integration

- Legal operations leaders implementing AI tools

- IT directors managing multiple document repositories

- Records managers dealing with over-retention

- Compliance officers ensuring audit readiness

- Law firm partners evaluating AI investments

- Anyone responsible for making AI work in legal environments

This session provides the roadmap for transforming your information governance from a compliance function into the strategic foundation for trustworthy AI.

Subscribe for more insights on information governance, AI readiness, and legal technology transformation.

#GovernedIntelligence #InformationGovernance #AIReady #LegalTech #IGDay

In this special Global Information Governance Day episode, co-hosts Jim Merrifield and Leigh Zidwick interview Tony Forde, co-founder and CRO of Future in Tech (FIT), about the biggest surprises and priorities shaping information governance in 2026.

Tony reveals a critical challenge governance teams face: the vast majority of client-driven data now lives outside traditional Document Management Systems in endpoints like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. This "inversion of data sources" is forcing firms to completely rethink their governance strategies.

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- The inversion of data sources and why most data lives outside your DMS

- Managing dark data and classifying ROT (Redundant, Obsolete, Trivial) information

- Meeting attorneys where they work without forcing tool adoption

- Practice-group-specific retention rules and automated disposition workflows

- How AI is being used for search and classification in governance

- Why data minimization is essential before deploying AI effectively

- AI governance sandboxes and why firms should own and control them

- Getting measurable outcomes within the first 90 days of implementation

- Comprehensive auditing for ISO and SOC 2 compliance

- Why governance platforms should integrate, not compete

CRITICAL INSIGHTS:

→ Client-driven data in endpoints now dwarfs data in traditional DMS

→ Dark data management is the top priority for governance teams

→ Allow attorneys to stay in their preferred environments (Relativity, SharePoint)

→ AI requires clean data sets matched across billing, directory, and DMS

→ Human interaction remains vital to prevent AI from "making up answers"

→ Firms need their own AI sandboxes to monitor usage and govern prompts

→ Modern platforms can deliver ROT reports and audits in 90 days

→ Automatic logging of approval workflows ensures audit defensibility

→ Start small with one practice group, then scale with proven success

PRACTICAL ADVICE:

- Pilot governance projects with a single practice group or champion

- Focus on data minimization before deploying AI tools

- Invest in automated, practice-specific retention workflows

- Ensure your governance tools integrate with existing platforms

- Build comprehensive audit trails for regulatory compliance

- Own and control your AI governance environment

SOUND BITES:

- "Start small and end big"

- "Meet attorneys where they work"

- "Manage the unmanageable dark data"

WHO SHOULD WATCH:

- Information governance professionals in legal firms

- Records managers dealing with data sprawl

- Legal operations leaders implementing AI

- Compliance officers preparing for audits

- IT directors managing multiple platforms

- Anyone struggling with data outside traditional DMS

This conversation provides a realistic roadmap for tackling the information governance challenges firms actually face in 2026, not theoretical best practices.

Subscribe for more insights on information governance, legal technology, and AI integration.

#InformationGovernance #DarkData #LegalTech #AIGovernance #IGDay