True Grit: Finding the Right E-Discovery Formula

With LegalTech New York on our doorstep, we've putting our February issue of Law Technology News online a few days early. Around 5 p.m. EST tonight, it should be "live" at www.lawtechnologynews.com (scroll down to the "LTN Magazine" Box).

Check out our cover story about how BigLaw is trying to find just the right formula for handling e-discovery. We profile efforts at Littler; Winston & Strawn; WilmerHale; Fenwick; Pillsbury; K&L Gates; and several other firms. Littler's Paul Weiner is our "cover boy"!

Our EDD Showcase also includes Cecil Lynn III's annual Year in Review, analyzing the most important 2011 EDD opinions; Patrick Oot's Rules Road Map, explaining how EDD rules are amended:  and my report from Georgetown (yes, I know that was a while back, but the conference was the day after we closed the December issue!) And of course, Craig Ball's column, addressing how to cure over-preservation.

The print edition will be at the show — if you see me, I'll show you the unintended "Easter Egg" that made me laugh out loud when I got the magazine today. Hint: it's on page 75.

You can also listen to an interview with Weiner and Winston's John Rosenthal, on the February edition of my Law Technology Now podcast, which is already live at www.lawtechnologynow.com.

Cya at the Hilton New York!

Editors' Breakfast @ LegalTech NY

A quick reminder that ALM will continue our tradition of our Editors’ Breakfast Tuesday, Jan. 31,  at 8 a.m., in the Petit Trianon room, at the Hilton — followed by our bloggers’ get together. 

David Snow, head of our ALM technology unit, will kick off the breakfast with a short report about ALM’s recent survey of vendors — we asked them how they see the current State of the [Legal Technology] Union. This is a great oppty for vendors and PR teams to meet “face-to-face” with editorial staff from our national publications and newsletters.  It’s free, no badges are required.

Finally, a reminder that Exhibit Hall/Keynote/Plenary session badges are free BEFORE the show, but cost $50 onsite. So if you have procrastinated, hit this website pronto.

I look forward to seeing you there!  If you have any questions, you can reach David at dsnow@alm.com.

 

New National Docketing Association

Following in the footsteps of metropolitan docketing groups, the National Docketing Association has been established to provide a networking forum for legal professionals in the private and public sectors, reports its president, Chris Gierymski, who is director of docketing at DLA Piper's Chicago office.

Read more here.

2011 LTN Innovation Awards

The winners of Law Technology News' 2001 Innovation Awards will be honored at a ceremony at LegalTech New York, at the conclusion of the opening day keynote address at approximately 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30.

You are cordially invited to attend the awards presentation (and keynote, and exhibit halls). To get a free pass, just visit the LTNY registration site here, but don't dally — you must sign up prior to the show (on-site registration runs $50 for that access). 

Come help us applaud this year's winners:

Champion of Technology: U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Andrew Peck

IT Director of the Year: Craig Bingham, of Bass, Berry & Sims.

Most Innovative Use of Technology in:

• A Large Firm: Mallesons Stephen Jaques.

• A Small Firm: Ward and Smith.

• Corporate Law Dep't: John Deere.

• Pro Bono: Minnesota Legal Services Coalition.

Read more about the winners here.

What Not to Do ....

• First, anyone who has ever suffered through a tedious PowerPoint presentation may well get a kick outta this one from the Laughing Squid. Hat tip: Russ Curtis. 

• Second, Bob Ambrogi found this hard-to-believe-it's-for-real lawyer advertisement. As he says, the humor "fails miserably:"  Hat tip: Jeffrey Brandt. 

 

Sherlockian Andrew Peck

U.S. Magistrate Andrew Peck is featured in today's Wall Street Journal, in an article about the pending five-day celebration of Sherlock Holmes' "suspected" birthday on Jan. 6 (about 500 folks are expected to participate). Peck is a member of the invitation-only "Baker Street Irregulars, who gather in New York to discuss all things Conan Doyle. Check out Jo Piazza's story here (subscription required) or on page A-17 of the paper version. 

Update: Peck — winner of the 2011 LTN Innovation Award for IT Champion of the Year — will be the keynote speaker at the Association of Litigation Support Professionals’ annual conference, March 12 & 13, at the Sheraton New Orleans.

Among the offerings are panels on forensics, litigation holds, mobile devices, career planning, certification, trial presentations, and more.

Further information: www.alsponline.org

Photo: Natalie Keyssar for The Wall Street Journal.

Welcome to 2012

Shakin' off the holidays, back at work! New York City has been giving Al Gore ulcers with our crazy weather. We wore shorts last weekend, today we've all pulled out our "puffer" coats, hats, and gloves. It's ch-ch-chilly!

As we gear up, just a quick reminder that if you are a vendor planning to launch a new product or upgrade at LegalTech New York, be sure to reach out to Evan Koblentz (ekoblentz@alm.com) today — as we are in the final stages of preparing our "sneak preview" for Law Technology News magazine (it will be distributed at LTNY).

And watch this space, I'll soon be announcing the winners of the 2011 LTN Innovation Awards!

Hope you had a refreshing vacation. Happy New Year!

Image: Clipart.com