2025 Conference Agenda

Day One Opening Keynote: Enhancing Client-Centricity: A Move From Services to Experiences

Explore real examples of client interactions through the lens of client-centricity. Professor Michele DeStefano will highlight actions that negatively impact client relationships and initiatives that have a positive impact on client retention and loyalty. Based on hundreds of interviews with clients of lawyers from around the world, Professor DeStefano identifies the difference between the type of advice and service legal professionals typically provide and that which is truly client-centric. This session is designed to help participants learn how to take a more client-centric approach, one that moves the focus from service and expertise to experiences that delight clients.

All attendees will receive a free copy of Professor DeStefano’s latest book: Leader Upheaval: A Guide to Client-Centricity, Culture Creation, and Collaboration.

Speaker:

• Michele DeStefano, Professor of Law, University of Miami, Visiting Professor, Harvard Law School

Day One Closing Keynote: Reflections on a Life in Legal Knowledge Management - Well, Part of a Life…

In this thoughtful and engaging Day One Closing Keynote, Phil Bryce draws on decades of leadership in legal knowledge management to deliver a story-driven retrospective of key moments, ideas, and people that shaped the field. From the early days of law firm intranets to the promises and pitfalls of today’s AI-powered tools, Phil connects the dots between the past and present—highlighting foundational KM principles that continue to matter.

Expect personal insights, memorable KM “plays,” and candid observations about how much has changed—and how much hasn’t. Equal parts tribute, perspective, and provocation, this talk is for veterans and newcomers alike who want to better understand where we've been, why it matters, and what enduring lessons we carry forward into the next era.

Speaker:

• Philip Bryce, Senior Director: Knowledge Management, Mayer Brown

Innovation and the Executive Mandate: How Law Firm Leaders Are Reimagining the Future of Law Firms

In an era defined by rapid technological change, heightened client expectations, combined with governmental policy and economic unpredictability, innovation has become a critical leadership issue. It’s no longer just about adopting the latest tools — it’s about reimagining the very architecture of how legal services are delivered, priced, and valued. For firm leaders and executive committee members, the challenge is dual: govern wisely for today while also preparing your firm to meet tomorrow.

This high-level discussion brings together firm leaders to explore how they define innovation in 2025 and what it means for the practice and business of law. Our esteemed panelists will discuss how they approach trendspotting, strategy development, and decision-making amidst AI-driven transformation. What signals are they watching? What bets are they making? And how are they balancing client needs, internal pressures, and the demand for foresight-driven leadership?

Join us as we examine how law firm governance must evolve to keep pace with disruption, and how forward-looking leaders are guiding their firms with a sharper external focus, a collaborative innovation mindset, and a commitment to long-term strategic adaptability.

Speakers:

• Brad Karp, Chairman, Paul Weiss

• Robert Sartin, Chairman, Frost Brown Todd

• Jamie Lawless, Chief Executive, Husch Blackwell

• Patrick J. McKenna (Moderator), Principal, McKenna Associates Inc.

Innovation as Leverage: A Business-Centric View from the Front Lines (Fireside Chat)

For many law firms, innovation is still viewed as a toolset or a tech stack—something layered onto practice. But what does innovation actually mean to a practicing lawyer? What do lawyers care about as business-minded advisors trying to help their clients to solve real business problems with a legal dimension? In this candid discussion, Rodney Harrison, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins, reframes the conversation. Drawing from his experience as Co-Chair of the firm's Innovation Council and member of the Board of Directors, Rodney explores how innovation must be understood not only through the lens of legal practice, but through the broader lens of legal business.

Using the metaphor of a Venn diagram, he’ll unpack what it means to be a successful lawyer today: part practitioner, part salesperson, part business developer. Rodney will explore how innovation becomes real when it aligns with lawyer priorities—profitability, efficiency, differentiation—and how firms can spend less in the pursuit of the same dollar. From change management and pilot programs to internal education and firm-wide trust-building, Rodney will share lessons learned from building systems that enable lawyers to do what they do best—while getting out of the way when it counts.

This is not a session about shiny objects or abstract strategies. It’s a talk about what it takes to make innovation work at scale—by aligning it with how lawyers think, operate, and define success.

Speakers:

• Rodney Harrison, Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins

• TBD, Moderator

From Knowledge to Practice: The Rise of the Legal Engineer

As law firms race to integrate AI into their operations, a new role is emerging and evolving: the Legal Engineer. Equal parts technologist, process designer, lawyer, and systems thinker, the legal engineer transforms knowledge into scalable, automated solutions. But what does this mean for the traditional lawyering and the traditional knowledge management function?

This session will explore the rise of legal engineering within law firms, examining how it differs from—and builds upon—the KM foundation and traditional lawyering. Understanding that lawyers and KM professionals will require legal engineering expertise, we’ll unpack how legal engineers “wire” AI tools into workflows, build internal systems, and develop client-facing solutions that redefine the delivery of legal services.

Our esteemed panel will also share how they and their teams are applying engineering principles to the integration of legal workflows, in some cases creating AI-powered systems that combine internal knowledge and external research to deliver actionable insights at scale.

Join us as we address: 

• What exactly is a legal engineer—and what problems do they solve?

• The practical reality of building AI-integrated workflows

• How legal engineering differs from KM (in structure, skillset, mandate) and evolves traditional lawyering

• How firms are recruiting or developing for this role

Speakers:

• Ilona Logvinova, Director of Practice Innovation, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

• Daniel Szabo, Sr Director, Innovation, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

• John Scrudato, Director of Practice Engineering, Cooley

• Joe Green, Chief Innovation Officer, Gunderson Dettmer

Data as a Differentiator: Rethinking Law Firm Value in an AI-Native World

Data is fast becoming one of the most valuable—if underleveraged—strategic assets that a law firm holds. As generative AI and automation reshape the landscape, the traditional pillars of law firm differentiation—reputation, relationships, and legal acumen—are no longer enough. Competing on price or adopting off-the-shelf AI tools won’t deliver lasting competitive advantage.

The real differentiator will be data—and how firms harness their institutional knowledge, integrate disparate systems, and transform internal fragmented information into actionable intelligence that is accessible at the fingertips of lawyers, clients, and decision-makers in real time, delivering tangible business impact.

What will it take for your firm to thrive in an AI-native world?

Join us as we explore how several firms are deploying their data assets to unlock new forms of client intelligence, deliver customized visualizations and insights, and prepare for transformative shifts in the legal business model. We’ll examine the role of KM and Innovation leaders in architecting these data ecosystems, the cultural and structural changes required to sustain them, and how to scenario-plan for a future where data—not just people or tools—defines competitive advantage.

Speakers:

• Timothy (Tim) Fox, Senior Director, Practice Innovation & Solutions, Ogletree Deakins

• Emily Rushing, Director of Data Strategy, Holland & Knight

• Othiel Glover, Global Data Innovation Manager at Mayer Brown

LexPrize Showcase

Join our top three finalists as they present their cutting-edge projects and engage in an interactive Q&A session, providing valuable insights and learning opportunities for the audience. Cast your vote for the most innovative solution and join us at the conference cocktail party where the winner will be announced. Join us for an inspiring and engaging celebration of legal innovation!

• Presenters TBD

Breakout Sessions

With four breakout sessions, there’s something for everyone at the KM&I for Legal Conference. Whether you’re new to KM&I, a seasoned KM&I leader, an up-and- coming director / manager, or a KM&I Attorney, your people are here and ready to discuss the issues and challenges that affect you.

C-Suite Roundtable:

For more experienced attendees. If you're the head of KM or innovation at your organization (irrespective of your title) join your fellow leaders at this exclusive collaborative, discussion-based, breakout roundtable event.

• Facilitator: Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips

KM&I 101:

If you're new to KM & Innovation, or even have a couple of years of experience, this hands-on, collaborative workshop is for you. Get the big picture of KM and innovation, figure out how you fit in, and chart a path for your future in the profession.

• Facilitator: TBD

KM&I Attorneys:

Tailored for lawyers working at the intersection of knowledge management and practice. Explore the unique challenges and opportunities of integrating KM strategies into legal workflows. Engage in discussions and collaborate with peers on how to leverage KM to enhance client service, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

• Facilitator: Ali Shahidi, Managing Director for Innovation, O’Melveny & Myers

Directors, Managers, Analysts, & Coordinators:

Designed for those leading KM and innovation initiatives from the front lines. This session will focus on the tactical challenges and opportunities you face in driving change within your teams and organizations. Share best practices, discuss common obstacles, and collaborate on solutions with peers in similar roles.

• Facilitator: TBD