Legalweek 2025 is right around the corner, bringing together legal professionals from around the world to explore the latest innovations, trends, and challenges shaping the industry. With a packed agenda, it can be difficult to decide which sessions to prioritize.
To help, we’ve highlighted seven must-see sessions that align with key themes in litigation, eDiscovery, case management, AI, and legal innovation.
If you’re attending Legalweek 2025, plan to meet with us. Schedule a 1:1 meeting at Legalweek to see AI-enabled case management in action.
1. Data governance best practices for collaboration across departments
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Speakers: Allen Darrah – Spencer Fane LLP, Jim Merrifield – Robinson & Cole LLP, Michael Fitzpatrick – City of New York, and George Dunston – Comcast
Legalweek session overview
Navigating data governance in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape can be a challenge. The session will include the essential components of a strong data governance framework, techniques for ensuring consistent communication and risk management, and best practices for optimizing data workflows in cross-functional governance efforts.
Why it’s a must-see session
Recent litigation research from Ari Kaplan Advisors shows that 97 percent of litigation support leaders are developing new skills to stay ahead. Among respondents, data governance was one of the top skills they’re focusing on in 2025. With both law firm and corporate legal perspectives, this session promises to offer helpful insights for litigation practitioners looking to expand their knowledge and skillset.
2. The top litigation costs in 2025 and how to control them
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Speakers: Jessica Tseng Hasen – Perkins Coie LLC, Melanie Antoon – DISCO, Laura Kessler – Peloton Interactive, Inc., Michelle Anderson – Fisher Phillips, and Christian Hakim – Orrick
Legalweek session overview
Litigation costs—especially eDiscovery, expert witness fees, and data management—continue to be a top concern for legal departments. This session will explore key cost drivers and provide practical strategies for controlling expenses through smarter workflows, technology, and cost-sharing agreements.
Why it’s a must-see session
As corporate legal teams continue to seek ways to manage litigation costs, law firms must align their processes and technology to stay competitive. Firms need to ensure they are equipped to deliver cost-effective outcomes. This session will offer insight on changes to client expectations and how law firms can take a proactive role in meeting cost targets while maintaining a competitive edge.
3. The modern data-driven law firm: Insights and best practices
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Speakers: Lisa Mayo Haynes – Ballard Spahr LLP, Katherine Lowry – BakerHostetler, Kieran Kennedy – Snowflake, Rob Lynch – UniCourt, and Bob Robertson – Jackson Lewis
Legalweek session overview
This panel will explore how law firms are leveraging data to drive better decision-making. Experts will share strategies for overcoming data challenges and maximizing insights from internal and external sources.
Why it’s a must-see session
Data can provide key insights to litigation teams that know how to use it. From optimizing litigation workflows to identifying patterns in cases, data can offer an advantage. In addition, the panel features BakerHostetler, a firm with a strong reputation for excellence in litigation management.
4. Thinking beyond document review: Examining AI’s expanded role in modern discovery
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Speakers: Todd Itami – Covington & Burling and Melissa Dalziel – Alston & Bird LLP
Legalweek session overview
AI’s role in discovery now extends beyond document review to case management tasks like early case assessment, data analytics, and litigation strategy. This session will explore how AI can uncover key facts and streamline workflows.
Why it’s a must-see session
The increasing availability and use of AI within litigation workflows is rapidly changing how law firms approach cases. Applying AI strategically to align eDiscovery and case management delivers big benefits for litigation departments. This session will offer best practices and examples of how you can expand your use of AI beyond document review to deliver even more value to your team and clients.
5. Building a legal innovation team: From concept to competitive advantage
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Speakers: Linda Sheehan – ENS, Ashley Gibbs – Litera, Joan Holman – Barnes & Thornburg LLP, and Emily Rushing – Holland & Knight LLP
Legalweek session overview
This Legalweek session will offer insights on how to build a legal innovation lab from concept to implementation. It will offer tips for fostering a culture of innovation, testing emerging technologies (like AI and blockchain), overcoming challenges such as budget constraints and resistance to change, and using KPIs to measure success.
Why it’s a must-see session
At Legalweek 2025, innovation is certain to be a hot topic. When it comes to recruiting tech-savvy problem solvers for an innovation team, law firms need only to look to their litigation department. Litigation support professionals are often among the law firm’s most capable and creative users of legal technology, playing a vital role in driving innovation and adoption. This session promises to offer practical tips for harnessing their talent to nurture ongoing, firm-wide innovation.
6. Human oversight in the digital age: Enhancing communication, collaboration, and accountability
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Speakers: Karen Steel – Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP, Monette Smith – Alston & Bird LLP, Daryl Shetterly – Orrick, Martha Louks – McDermott Will & Emery, Jeffrey Chivers – Syllo
Legalweek session overview
This Legalweek session will explore how all parties in litigation will collaborate to manage technology-assisted document review and e-discovery workflows. Participants will examine the shared responsibilities of law firms, clients, and opposing counsel, develop clear oversight and communication protocols, and adopt strategies to minimize errors and manage conflicts.
Why it’s a must-see session
When exploring and adopting AI in litigation, it’s crucial to balance the benefits of automation with the necessity of human expertise. This Legalweek 2025 session will explore how to maintain effective oversight and foster collaboration as technology and professional judgment intersect – a must see if your litigation team uses AI or plans to in the coming year.
7. Data management in multi-district litigation (MDL): Tackling volume and complexity
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Speakers: Vikram Masson – Redgrave LLP and Nordo Nissi – Goulston & Storrs
Legalweek session overview
MDL cases require robust data management strategies to handle vast amounts of information efficiently. This session will explore how to implement scalable data practices, leverage technology to automate tasks and identify patterns, and create robust data governance frameworks to ensure accuracy, compliance, and data integrity across jurisdictions.
Why it’s a must-see session
Last but certainly not least, this Legalweek 2025 session is essential for any litigation team involved in multi-district litigation. Featuring speakers from two firms with extensive experience in managing MDL cases, this session will help attendees navigate the challenges of complex litigation with confidence using advanced case management software and other key technologies.
These sessions are just a snapshot of what Legalweek 2025 has to offer. If you’re attending, we’d be thrilled to connect with you to explore the latest litigation trends, share our roadmap, and discuss the evolving legal tech landscape.
Visit our Legalweek 2025 event hub to schedule a meeting, access additional resources, and claim a Legalweek discount code.
If you can’t make it this year, you can still explore the latest in AI-enabled case management by requesting an Opus 2 Cases demo here.
