ICYMI - Dispatches From the Spring 2025 Legal Conference Circuit

SIFMA C&L Seminar - Austin

The takeaway: AI Is Forcing a Governance Reckoning
As AI rapidly enters compliance and legal workflows, organizations face new urgency to define, govern, and de-escalate the risk inherent in its use. Conversations at SIFMA centered on how legal teams can categorize AI risk, align stakeholders, and prevent bias, privacy violations, and regulatory missteps. Danielle Noonan emphasized a cultural shift underway: “Firms are moving from risk aversion to responsible innovation.” The message was clear—don’t wait for regulation to define your strategy.
 

Legalweek - New York

The takeaways: 
Generative AI Is Here—But Defensibility Lags Behind
While GenAI is now being used for early case assessments and document review, the legal industry is still figuring out how to make it defensible. As Brian Corbin shared, “The efficiencies of TAR don’t map cleanly yet to GenAI workflows. We need to rethink it all—from process to precedent.” Meanwhile, contract management tools continue to multiply, making vendor selection even more difficult for GCs and procurement teams.

Creating more respectful professional spaces is not optional—it’s a collective responsibility. 
At Legalweek, the Operation Safe Spaces session highlighted the continued prevalence of harassment in professional environments—often underestimated by those not directly affected. As articulated by Jennifer Contegiacomo, “We need more awareness, more allies, and more accountability. These aren't just ideas—they're necessary steps toward lasting change.”

Two practical solutions stood out:
1.    Requiring all event attendees to complete code of conduct training in advance
2.    Assigning onsite advocates to monitor behavior, de-escalate issues, and ensure clear repercussions—such as removal from events, loss of speaking roles, and exclusion from future opportunities—for those who violate the code
Learn more via Safe Spaces, www.safespaces.com
 

ACC LegalOps Con - Chicago

The takeaways: 
Legal Ops Is Growing—and Evolving Fast 
Legal operations roles are expanding in both number and influence. At ACC LegalOps, Suzanne Ganier observed that many newcomers to the field are still building foundational knowledge—but their appetite for education and efficiency tools is strong. Notably, women continue to lead in this space, using Legal Ops as a strategic path to the executive suite.

The legal operations community maintains a spirit of generosity
Speakers and attendees shared insights on everything from workflow design and project management to vendor strategies and career development. Participants were encouraged to invest in their personal brand with intention: by championing others, sustaining momentum through consistent visibility and support, and cultivating a personal “board of directors” of 3–4 trusted advisors who offer candid, constructive feedback.
IAPP Global Privacy Summit - Washington, D.C.
The takeaway: Privacy Leaders Are Thinking Bigger Than Compliance
AI, surveillance, and the global privacy patchwork dominated IAPP this year. Melissa Paulk reflected on the shifting mood: “We’ve moved from GDPR optimism to AI skepticism. People aren’t sure the EU AI Act will inspire the same compliance enthusiasm.” From fears of AI-fueled oppression to predictions of every person having a robot companion, the future of privacy feels as philosophical as it is regulatory.

ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting - Washington, D.C.

The takeaway: Antitrust Enforcement and AI Pricing Raise Red Flags
With algorithmic pricing gaining ground, concerns about tacit collusion and synchronized pricing are rising. Brian Corbin noted, “The complexity of these tools makes them hard to regulate—but enforcement agencies are watching closely.” Document retention challenges, especially with Slack and GenAI tools, were another theme, underscoring the importance of cross-functional information governance.
 

Mitratech Interact - Dallas

The takeaways: 
The Legal Services Model Is Being Disrupted—Again
Melissa Paulk observed a shift away from traditional firm models toward tech-enabled, expert-driven, ad hoc services. “Clients want specialized expertise, on demand,” she said. “This trend favors partners who combine human insight with scalable technology, challenging law firms to rethink how they deliver services in order to optimize value in an evolving environment where tech is increasingly sophisticated.”

Real transformation happens when people are prioritized alongside technology
Rejecting zero-sum thinking means recognizing that solutions integrating technology, process, and talent can expand possibilities and create opportunities far beyond those that previously existed.  “There was a clear rejection of zero-sum thinking,” said Jennifer Contegiacomo. “Leaders can amplify their organization’s progress by defining a clear north star and communicating post-project roles. Looking ahead, integrated ecosystems will increasingly blur the lines between law firms, ALSPs, and technology providers.”  A consistent call to action was that embedding legal more deeply into business processes and platforms should (and will) become the standard.