Yearly Archives: 2019

Featured, Industry News

What is Legal Tech: Proposed German Regulation Raises the eDiscovery Existential Question

what is legal tech
17
Jun

 What is Legal Tech?

A new article published in Artificial Lawyer discusses a proposed new regulation for legal technology solutions “that have encroached on what they see as the regulated provision of legal services.” While still far away from fruition, if it were to pass, this regulation (or others like it) could affect the EU in significant ways.

The regulation specifically targets automated platforms that guide people through a legal claim process. There has been a rise in legal technology which, as the article states, “build[s] up their legal expertise through scaled case numbers, allowing them to go up against big opponents. They assume the user’s cost, give the user someone to fight for them, in exchange for a part of their winnings upon success. Moreover, they may receive financing from third parties. Lawyers [in Germany] are currently not permitted to do either.” This approach gives users access to legal areas where attorneys have little interest due to the small amounts in dispute.

But what does a proposed regulation in Germany have to do with eDiscovery in North America? If anything, it raises that question which haunts all of us in one way or another: who am I? Or in this case, what is legal tech? You might ask, why bother with philosophy 101 when there are terabytes of data to review? Too often in the legal world there’s a “we’ll deal with that when it comes up” approach. Our cases rarely go to trial. We usually don’t deal with large-scale data. Almost all of our discovery is email. And then, when something new does come up, we are caught off guard.

Potential outcomes are always worth pondering, specifically for the reason that it causes us to stop and imagine what is possible. So, how would you define legal tech?

The German politicians’ definition, “seems to mean web-based platforms that engage with consumer legal issues.” This certainly seems to potentially encompass many (if not all) of the eDiscovery software companies out there. The German proposal currently focuses on individuals who use automated legal platforms, but where does the regulation end? Does this extend to scholars, consultants, service providers, in-house corporate eDiscovery team members who aren’t attorneys? As Artificial Lawyer posts, “Would AI review tools administered by a team of paralegals in an LPO come under the ‘unregulated legal tech advice’ umbrella?”

Again, all of this is speculation. After all, it’s a proposed regulation in a single European country that may not gain any traction. Then again, understanding begins with definition. In an industry like eDiscovery—where our own terms aren’t clearly defined (just ask for a definition of AI or TAR or ECA, and you will get a variety of answers)—the basic question of “what is legal tech and what is its role in the legal system?” is definitely worth pondering and potentially preparing for.

 

Written by Jim Gill
Content Writer, Ipro

Industry News, TrialDirector

Because the Courtroom isn’t the Classroom: Attorneys Need Trial Presentation Software Designed Specifically for Trial

trial presentation software
17
Jun

Historically, teachers have used a variety of technology display tools for presenting information to their students; a photocopy on transparency paper via an overhead projector or a video camera hooked up to a TV on a rolling cart to show clear images from a book. Fast forward a few more years when smart podiums came along, giving teachers the ability to connect a laptop to a projector and show images, word docs, and videos. These were all powerful in their day. Often, the presentation needs of teachers and attorneys have a lot of similarities, gaining the right focus of your audience, but attorneys have much more at stake; they need dynamic trial presentation software to meet their needs in the courtroom. Yet many still use PowerPoint, document cameras, and even foam boards to present evidence to the jury. 

The law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard were doing just that 4 years ago, when they realized they needed far more control and flexibility over their presentations. That’s when they switched to TrialDirector as their go-to trial presentation software for trial. The firm attributes TrialDirector’s seamless flow, the ability to call up exhibits on the fly, video deposition tools, and how easily the presentation integrates with the attorney’s dialogue as having a powerful impact on the jury to help them tell their story and provide a positive outcome for their clients. 

With TrialDirector 360 you can: 

  • Present virtually any type of document or media from your PC or laptop 
  • Streamline your entire trial preparation and presentation process with one tool 
  • Organize transcripts, video depo’s, and documents for offline presentation 
  • Impress juries and clients through easy-to-present, impactful multimedia presentations 
  • Easily collaborate with multiple users working on a centrally stored case 

Most of the time we stick with what we know and make it work, often not realizing there may be a better solution out there. Trial presentation is no different, attorneys need a competitive edge in the courtroom and TrialDirector 360 can give them that edge.  

Featured, Industry News

You Have a Choice When it Comes to Your Data, So Choose to Give it To Us

30
May

You Have a Choice When it Comes to Your Data, So Choose to Give it To Us: The Ongoing Dance Between Data Privacy and eDiscovery

We all love the idea of having control. Especially when it comes to the things that matter to us most. Things like privacy. And it’s that notion of control that tech giants like Google and Amazon are using in their latest announcements regarding user data. 

In a NY Times Op-Ed published in May, Google’s Sundar Pichai said, “Privacy is personal, which makes it even more vital for companies to give people clear, individual choices around how their data is used.” This along with a statement saying that Google believes the United States would benefit from GDPR-like legislation is no-doubt an attempt to reassure users. 

Amazon’s new Echo Show gives users the voice command “Alexa, delete everything I said today,” which deletes all voice commands from Amazon’s servers after midnight of that calendar day. In a few weeks, you’ll be able to use the command, “Alexa, forget what I just said,” to delete an individual command. But Amazon hasn’t said if these commands will delete metadata, and they won’t delete data shared in a transaction, like calling for a rideshare, ordering dinner, or purchasing something online. (In some ways, it begins to seem data is like energy in the First Law of Thermodynamics: it isn’t really destroyed, it only changes form).  

More than this though, is the idea that putting privacy in the hands of the user creates a false dichotomy: you have control on how tech companies use your data, but just letting them use your data makes the use of their products so much more functional and convenient. And as Lauren Goode from Wired said, when “tech companies have made it a choice between convenience and privacy, convenience will always win.” 

So, what does this mean for the LegalTech world? Any time data is involved, everything is at stake. Data is evidence, and the amount of electronically stored information (ESI) continues to grow at breakneck speeds. But, the same challenges apply regardless of how that ESI is created: where is it located and how can it be preserved, collected, reviewed, and produced for the courts in a timely, defensible, and cost-effective manner? 

When you throw privacy into the mix, it adds another layer. Who owns the data? Is it protected and under what guidelines and jurisdictions? 

Law tends to be a stolid, steadfast, and let’s face it, a slow-moving entity; technology is always chasing what lies beyond the horizon. For investigators, attorneys, and other players in the eDiscovery world (lit-support, IT, paralegals, etc.) understanding the data landscape belonging to specific custodians involved in a case can be complex on its own. The need to understand the larger, digital world and how changes in both technology and policies surrounding the creation, ownership, and extraction of data become increasingly important in creating effective strategies for the courtroom.  

So the question begins, who uses Alexa, who uses Google and who decides to pass on both? 

Industry News

Judge Orders Airbnb to Release 17k Listings to Investigators

29
May

Big Data, Big Discovery: Judge Orders Airbnb to Release 17k Listings to Investigators

The battle between home-sharing platforms and city governments has been a cold-war of sorts for some time now with the standard back-and-forth of lawsuits, countersuits, and lobbying. New York City in particular has been trying to limit companies like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO, claiming they add to the city’s housing problems and allow people to transform homes into illegal hotels.

On May 14, Airbnb offered an olive branch of sorts, agreeing to “give city officials partially anonymized host and reservation data for more than 17,000 listings,” in response to a subpoena, according to an article in Wired. A spokesperson for Airbnb told Wired, “We hope that our compliance with this subpoena—by providing data in line with our shared enforcement priorities against illegal hotel operators—is a first step toward finding such a solution that is consistent with Airbnb’s legal rights and obligations and allows us to share the kind of actionable data with the level of precision that the city needs.”

Two days later, a judge ordered Airbnb to comply with four additional city subpoenas, which Airbnb had claimed were overbroad and unduly burdensome. Even before the 2015 changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, this claim was a boilerplate response when large data sets were requested. The amendments to Rule 26’s language on scope made this claim easier to prove, with the data request deadline falling 30 days sooner, along with the requirement of specificity and relevance. But in this case, the City of New York wasn’t simply going on a fishing expedition with their data request but were very detailed with the what and why.

Airbnb says the judge’s order infringes on user privacy. But this ruling sends a message that if data is shown to be relevant to the investigation of criminal activity, it must be handed over. In the past, corporations often worked in good faith with law enforcement, while avoiding the release their users’ data from a direct court order (e.g. Craigslist dropped their personal ads section in lieu of a pending Human Trafficking bill to avoid the hassle all together), and it seems that Airbnb’s offer of anonymized data was an attempt to play the middle: give enough information to show cooperation with the investigation while protecting user privacy.

The amount of data continues to grow exponentially every day, and technology allows larger and larger amounts of data to be quickly collected, reviewed, and analyzed. Are investigators getting savvy with their use of technology and the ability to request data by using targeted requests in subpoenas as a way to force companies’ hands regarding user data?

 

 

Industry News, TrialDirector

Stuck in the 20th Century with Your Trial Presentation Software?

23
May

Your firm has done all the research, document review, and planning for trial, and now you’re ready to go into the courtroom and present. What do you bring? Many use Power-Point for trial presentation software. Some are still relying on 20th Century staples such as foam boards and document projectors. And why not? You’ve always gotten by using these methods.

But imagine the ability to call up exhibits on the fly, video deposition tools, and a presentation that seamlessly integrates with the attorney’s dialogue, allowing you to tell a story that has a powerful impact on the jury and provides a positive outcome for your clients.

That’s where Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard were four years ago when they switched over to TrialDirector as their go-to presentation software for trial. Since making the transition, they have far more control and flexibility over their presentations and credit the ability within TrialDirector to effectively present evidence and paint a picture that resonates and reinforces their case for the jury to successful trial outcomes, including a recent $148 million personal injury award and a $50 million dollar birth injury award.

“Ipro is proud to be part of the toolkit involved in such impressive outcomes,” said Derek Miller, VP Desktop Solutions at Ipro. “And we continue to improve and enhance the product to allow firms like Salvi to do important work.”

TrialDirector 360® is available as a stand-alone application or as part of the Ipro (Desktop) solution.

 

Ipro – Simplifying the Process from Discovery to Trial.

About Ipro Tech, LLC
Ipro is a global leader in eDiscovery technology used by legal professionals to streamline discovery of electronic data through presentation at trial. Ipro draws upon decades of innovation to deliver high-performance software, services and support, bundled as a solution and deployed the way you want it—Desktop, On-prem or Cloud—significantly reducing the cost and complexity of eDiscovery.

Industry News

2019 Ipro Tech Show Sessions Now Live

21
May

If you couldn’t attend the Ipro Tech Show in April (or want to relive it one more time), we have you covered! Videos of the presentations are now live and streamable, allowing you to experience the next best thing to being there (and share it with your colleagues).

The general session kicked off with Ipro CEO Dean Brown updating the audience regarding Ipro andhow we’re future-proofing our technology partnerships. Then, an Artificial Intelligence panel followed with Kinny Chan (Precision Discovery, LLC), Stephen Goldstein (Squire Patton Boggs, LLP), and William Kellermann (Hanson Bridgett, LLP) discussing AI and its impacts on the legal industry. Keynote Speaker Kevin Surace, futurist and disruptive innovator, wrapped up the general session by speaking about the myths and realities surrounding AI, upcoming trends, and how to use them to get ahead of the curve.

Track sessions were led by industry thought leaders and covered hot topics affecting eDiscovery, including: Tackling Information Governance and Incident Response, and Data Breaches as it applies to eDiscovery. The Sedona Conferencealso offered CLE credits, product training, and certification.

Thanks to everyone who made this event a success. We’re already making plans for next year!

Copies of the videos and presentations can be found here.

Featured

Ipro Announces an Industry Track for the Ipro Tech Show

Trial Presentation
08
Apr

Tempe, Ariz. Apr 8, 2019 – Ipro Tech, LLC, a global leader in eDiscovery and Trial software technology announced today the introduction of a new industry track featuring leading experts in eDiscovery. Ipro Tech Show highlights the company’s dedication to simplifying the process from eDiscovery to Trial. The show provides attendees insights into quality industry knowledge, legal technology futures, productivity drivers, education and training. The Ipro Tech Show will be held April 29 – May 1, 2019.

Ipro is introducing an Industry Track this year. This track will include the trends and hot topics affecting eDiscovery from industry thought leaders, such as tackling Information Governance and Incident Response and Data Breaches, TAR and Analytics and EDRM Metrics. This additional track arms attendees with relevant information directly impacting the Legal industry. In addition to our new Industry Track, Ipro is pleased to announce Keynote Speaker, Kevin Surace, Futurist and Disruptive Innovator, who will speak about AI, future trends and how to use AI to Future Proof your work with Ipro.

“We’re excited to host our customers and industry friends at our user conference offering CLE credits through The Sedona Conference, product training and certification, and hands-on opportunities. This year, we’re delivering even more relevant content with our industry track to our attendees,” said Ipro CEO Dean Brown.

Before and after the conference, Ipro offers comprehensive training and certification courses for its most popular offerings that attendees with an All Access pass can register for, enhancing the conference experience.
Conference highlights include a Monday night Welcome Reception, a chance to meet and connect with Ipro professionals, a Tuesday night dinner including entertainment, networking opportunities with industry peers and an evening of fun with giveaways and prizes. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, attendees can participate in a 45-minute yoga session. The show wraps up midday on Wednesday with final training ending on Thursday.

Ipro Tech Show 2019 is held at Talking Stick Resort in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, which also offers visitors two golf courses, The Spa at Talking Stick, several live entertainment venues and a casino. Spring temperatures in Arizona average in the high 80’s, a perfect opportunity to get a head start on summer vacation with the family. Additional details and event registration can be found at https://techshow.iprotech.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Ipro – Simplifying the Process from Discovery to Trial.

About Ipro Tech, LLC
Ipro is a global leader in eDiscovery technology used by legal professionals to streamline discovery of electronic data through presentation at trial. Ipro draws upon decades of innovation to deliver high-performance software, services and support; bundled as a solution and deployed the way you want it; desktop, On-prem or Cloud, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of eDiscovery.

Featured

The Verdict Is In: Trial Presentation Software vs PowerPoint

Trialdirector by Ipro
27
Mar

PowerPoint has long been used by attorneys in trial, but is it the best option out there when taking your argument to the jury? An important factor during trial is holding the jury’s attention, relaying the facts of the case in a clear and effective manner and presenting evidence in the most persuasive way to convince the jury to side with your client. While PowerPoint can be a great choice for opening remarks and closing arguments, there is so much more that goes into a compelling case.

Dynamic Presentation

With the technology-heavy world we live in, it’s no surprise jurors expect a certain amount of that tech to follow them into a courtroom. The plethora of law focused TV shows like Bull and CSI helps to perpetuate that idea, so much so that there’s a term for it, The CSI Effect. As courtroom technology becomes even more pervasive, jurors will continue to expect a sophisticated argument during trial.

While it may not be realistic to implement the level of tech in fictional television dramas, it is possible to move away from foam boards and the limitations of linear presentations like PowerPoint and embrace the dynamic presentation.

Dynamic presentation lets you jump to different exhibits, zoom in on particular points in a document to draw the jury’s attention, and display synchronized deposition videos with a transcript of text for jurors to follow along. As you move effortlessly through the evidence, the jurors won’t be able to take their eyes or attention off of you.

Captivate the Jury

The course of a case can shift during trial with unexpected events. Preparation for the unexpected builds juror confidence in the evidence presented. Don’t lose them searching through slides while the expediency of your argument is diminished. Instead, adjust in real time seamlessly adapting to changes. Newly admissible evidence? It’s easily available. A witness answers differently on the stand than in the deposition? Bring up their synchronized video depo for a surefire impeachment. The jury’s attention will stay focused on the details of the case, not the logistics of attorneys sorting through case files.

The Transition

Worried about making the switch? Getting started using TrialDirector is easy. With an intuitive user interface, you can get documents loaded and start putting your case together in a snap. Or grab the resources in MyIpro to help you set up your case. Once you’re ready for more, training is available to unlock the technology’s fullest potential. And if you aren’t quite ready to walk away from PowerPoint completely, that’s okay. You can convert your PowerPoint slides to PDF and upload them to TrialDirector and take advantage of the robust tools available.

While PowerPoint has its place in the courtroom, its features are limited. Why not use a software program specifically designed for trial to prepare, deliver, and ultimately, wow the jury? When you’re ready to take your trial presentation to the next level, you’re ready for TrialDirector 360.

Learn more on our website.

Join us at the Ipro Tech Show April 29 – May 1 for training, hands-on workshops, and networking. Learn more and register today.

Featured

Ipro Announces Keynote Speaker for the Ipro Tech Show

Ipro tech show keynote speaker
19
Mar

Tempe, Ariz. Mar 1th, 2019 – Ipro Tech, LLC, a global leader in eDiscovery and Trial software technology announced today the keynote speaker for its popular annual user conference. Ipro Tech Show highlights the company’s dedication to simplifying the process from eDiscovery to Trial. The show provides attendees insights into quality industry knowledge, legal technology futures, productivity drivers, education and training. The Ipro Tech Show will be held April 29 – May 1, 2019.

Ipro is pleased to announce Keynote Speaker, Kevin Surace, Futurist and Disruptive Innovator. Mr. Surace will speak to Ipro attendees about AI, specifically myths vs. reality, future trends, and how to use AI to Future Proof your work with Ipro. AI has been a disruptor of many industries so learning to work with it, and more importantly, leverage it for your benefit is how to ensure future success. In addition to our compelling keynote speaker, we’ve added an Industry Track to the show lineup this year.

“We’re excited to host our customers and industry friends at our user conference offering CLE credits through The Sedona Conference, product training and certification, and hands-on opportunities. This year, we’re bringing even more relevant content to this thriving industry,” said Ipro CEO Dean Brown.

Before and after the conference, Ipro offers comprehensive training and certification courses for its most popular offerings that attendees with an All Access pass can register for, enhancing the conference experience.

Conference highlights include a Monday night Welcome Reception, a chance to meet and connect with Ipro professionals, a Tuesday night dinner, entertainment, networking opportunities with industry peers and an evening of fun with giveaways and prizes. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, attendees can participate in a 45-minute yoga session. The show wraps up midday on Wednesday with final training ending on Thursday.

Ipro Tech Show 2019 is held at Talking Stick Resort in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, which also offers visitors two golf courses, The Spa at Talking Stick, several live entertainment venues and a casino. Spring temperatures in Arizona average in the high 80’s, a perfect opportunity to get a head start on summer vacation with the family. Additional details and event registration can be found at https://techshow.iprotech.com

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Ipro – Simplifying the Process from Discovery to Trial.

About Ipro Tech, LLC

Ipro is a global leader in eDiscovery technology used by legal professionals to streamline discovery of electronic data through presentation at trial. Ipro draws upon decades of innovation to deliver high-performance software, services and support; bundled as a solution and deployed the way you want it; desktop, On-prem or Cloud, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of eDiscovery.

Featured, News

Ipro Announces the Return of The Sedona Conference® to its Ipro Tech Show

08
Mar

Tempe, Ariz. March 8, 2019 – Ipro, a global leader in eDiscovery and Trial software technology announced today that The Sedona Conference will again produce CLE sessions at its annual user conference.  The Sedona Conference will offer three accredited programs on Tuesday April 30, 2019:

  1.  Legal Holds for Collections and Preservation: A Look at the New Sedona Guidelines;
  2. GDPR, CCPA and More: Round-up of State, Federal, and International Privacy Rules; and
  3. Social Media and Mobile Devices – Updated Guidance on Preservation, Processing, and Producing Obligations.

These programs, which draw from The Sedona Conference’s recently published Guidelines and other papers, offer an in depth look at three legal topic areas of critical importance to e-discovery practitioners.

Legal Holds

  • A primer on legal hold law and the impact of the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules;
  • Determining the scope of the duty to preserve: recent court interpretations;
  • The “reasonableness” standard in implementing preservation;
  • The responsibilities of outside counsel in implementing preservation; and
  • Consequences for failing to meet legal hold obligations.

GDPR and Privacy

  • Understanding the long arm of the GDPR and how it affects e-discovery;
  • Preparing for the California Consumer Privacy Act, even if you don’t do business in California;
  • A rundown of new privacy efforts by state and local governments; and
  • How to do e-discovery in this era of heightened privacy concerns.

The program will help you prepare for, and adjust to, the rapidly evolving privacy and data security environment that we all face today, and–more importantly–will face tomorrow.

Social Media and Mobile Devices

  • Social media discovery is now standard in almost all civil litigation;
  • Text messaging is more prevalent than email in today’s business environment; and
  • Third-party apps are replacing the applications and data that used to be behind the firewall.

All sessions are eligible for Continuing Legal Education credit.

“We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with The Sedona Conference and are honored to have them as returning presenters at our show,” said Dean Brown, Ipro CEO.

The conference will feature over 50 other informative breakouts that cover eDiscovery and trial presentation best practices. The show is designed to help users get maximum use of Ipro technology.

In addition to the conference sessions, Ipro is hosting a Monday night Welcome Reception, a chance to meet and connect with the Ipro team. Tuesday night is a buffet style dinner, which provides networking opportunities with industry peers. Additionally, the company offers Product Training and Certifications before and after the conference. The show wraps up midday on Wednesday with final training on Thursday.

Ipro Tech Show 2019 is held at Talking Stick Resort in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, which also offers visitors two golf courses, The Spa at Talking Stick, several live entertainment venues and a casino. Spring temperatures in Arizona average in the high 80’s, a perfect opportunity to get a head start on summer vacation with the family. Additional details and event registration can be found at https://techshow.iprotech.com

Ipro – Simplifying the Process from Discovery to Trial.

About Ipro

Ipro is a global leader in eDiscovery technology used by legal professionals to streamline discovery of electronic data through presentation at trial. Ipro draws upon decades of innovation to deliver high-performance software, services and support; bundled as a solution and deployed the way you want it; desktop, On-prem or Cloud, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of eDiscovery.

About The Sedona Conference

The Sedona Conference (TSC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and educational institute dedicated to the advanced study of law and policy in the areas of antitrust law, complex litigation, and intellectual property rights. The mission of TSC is to move the law forward in a reasoned and just way through the creation and publication of nonpartisan consensus commentaries and through advanced legal education for the bench and bar.