The 05 Law Firm Information Governance Symposium: A Peek Inside by Lauren Gordon

I've been fortunate to attend the Law Firm Information Governance Symposium three times most recently last month in Atlanta, GA. I enjoy attending this annual event because it offers me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and understanding of the legal industry's vast challenges. The majority of the event is spent in working sessions where Symposium members offer feedback to their peers' reports. I join these sessions looking to soak up as much knowledge as possible from a group of highly respected and incredibly bright law firm leaders. Let me be the first to say - there's a lot to learn from them.

The two-day event is full of positive energy and excitement, as for most it's a long awaited gathering. But more than that, this group has gelled in friendship and trust - trust in each other's voice, opinion, different experiences and points of view. While members certainly know how to dig in and get to work, it's clear early on the group also has a great deal of fun together.

Over the next several months, task force members will take the feedback they received from their peers and begin to discuss and incorporate it into their findings. Once finalized, Iron Mountain will proudly publish the reports and make them available toward the end of July. Here's a sneak peek at what to expect.

Effectively Managing Legacy/ Dark Data

Led by Patricia Fitzpatrick, director of Information Governance & Compliance at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, this report will identify current IG challenges and opportunities related to legacy or dark data.

Building an IG Organization in the Law Firm

Led by Beth Chiaiese, CRM, director of Professional Responsibility & Compliance at Foley & Lardner LLP, this report will discuss the organizational structure needed to implement information governance in the law firm, including challenges related to staffing and the transformation of records and information management to information governance.

Global IG Challenges

Led by Jim Flynn, CRM, director of Records and Docket at Winston & Strawn LLP, this report will examine current challenges and opportunities related to information governance in regions outside of the U.S.

Transitioning from an Open Environment to a Closed Environment

Led by Brian Donato, chief information officer at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, this report will spotlight current challenges and opportunities related to transitioning from an open environment to a closed environment, specifically regarding document security.

These reports promise to be as in-depth as previous reports. The five papers published last year on the topics of the HIPAA Omnibus Rule, best practices for managing outside counsel guidelines, complexities surrounding the movement of matter files in and out of firms, eDisovery and IG and the emerging role of the information governance professional have all proven to be valuable tools for the law firm IG community.

So there it is another successful Symposium in the books thanks to a hardworking and dedicated team of members. And for me - a deeper understanding of the many RIM and IG challenges law firms are facing, stronger relationships, and excitement for the months to come as four new IG reports are unveiled to the industry. What more could you ask for?

LINK:	http://blogs.ironmountain.com/2015/industry/law-firms/law-firm-ig-symp...
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