<strong>Chris Dale</strong>
For me, this year's <a href="http://www.legaltechshow.com/r5/cob_page.asp?category_id=71685&initial_file=cob_page-ltech.asp">LegalTech 2012 in New York City</a> began with a cup of coffee and conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisdaleoxford">Chris Dale</a>, of the <a href="http://www.edisclosureinformation.co.uk/home.html">e-Disclosure Information Project</a>. We caught up on our respective projects, and launched into a conversation about the emergence of the social enterprise.
The focal point of our discussion quickly surrounded the challenges business social networks like Chatter and Yammer pose to e-discovery. As these may eventually eclipse email, surely the same rules and regulations would apply to this new mode of digital collaboration and communication. Wikis, Sharepoint, new web- and cloud-based technologies herald <a href="http://www.hanzoarchives.com/email-dead-at-40-the-rise-of-the-social-enterprise/">the rise of the social enterprise</a>.
Chris expressed concern about the social enterprise being another form of content which needs to be archived for litigious reasons, and the difficulty in doing so. I explained that Hanzo Archives has a solution, because we archive all of the technologies that make up the social enterprise.
We parted on a satisfying note, contemplating the inevitability for all businesses to archive their web and social media content, just as they have with email. Not really. We just said goodbye.
As always, though, I look forward to my next encounter with Chris.
<strong>LegalTech NY 2012 Floor</strong>
Following Chris Dale, I wandered the exhibit floor, which was packed—like always. Reminds me of a bazaar in Istanbul (except that Starbucks is no lunch at <a href="http://www.hamdi.com.tr/">Hamdi</a>, nor does it have the scenic views.)
Listening to a selection of panelists, not suprisingly, the judges ruled.
I also had an interesting chat with Mary Kay Roberto about her new start-up, <a href="http://www.akaibu.com/index.htm">Akaibu</a>, in Austin, TX. Its focus is on archive migration, and I encourage you to check it out.
Running into one of the VPs from Globanet, Ade Tellar, was great. As fellow Symantec partners, customer engagements and our markets and products monopolized that conversation.
<strong>Merrill Corporation</strong>
Sitting down with a few VPs from our new partners, <a href="http://www.merrillcorp.com/">Merrill Corporation</a>, produced some excellent e-discovery insights. After discussing case studies and the value of native format archiving, we speculated that this type of web archiving may be the digital equivalent of DNA testing in the physical realm. Another highlight of this meeting was focused on how native-format web archives can best be used in the e-discovery process. Our colleagues from Merrill gave us specific e-discovery ideas on new technology to develop. So, I grabbed a few months of additional programming for our developers from there. They are incredibly happy with me right now.
<strong>eDiscovery Journal</strong>
The <a href="http://ediscoveryjournal.com/">eDiscovery Journal</a> hosted an excellent happy hour. I did find out, however, that arriving early meant my martini would have to be room temperature. But, I was able to catch up with <a href="http://ediscoveryjournal.com/page/about">Jason Velasco</a> (new CEO of the journal, former Director Advisory Services at KPMG, and former VP of client services at Merrill.) He's brilliant about e-discovery. He's the type of guy that if you think you know all about e-discovery, he'll remind you how much you don't—and rightly so.
I rounded out my evening chatting with other e-discovery professionals over fresh, chilled martinis. It was a very happy hour.
<strong>Non-E-Discoveries</strong>
On a parting note, here are some suggested escapes to compensate your time spent indulging in LegalTech catering and exhibit hall atmosphere:
<ul>
<li>The <a href="http://www.acehotel.com/newyork">ACE Hotel</a> is amazing; a total contrast to the Hilton</li>
<li>A brisk, 25 block walk through Manhattan rewards you with some of the best coffee in town: <a href="http://stumptowncoffee.com/">Stumptown Coffee Roasters</a></li>
<li>My return visit for a burger and fries at <a href="http://www.parkermeridien.com/eat4.php">Burger Joint in Le Parker Meridien</a> was awesome</li>
<li>I highly enjoyed breakfast with a former colleague from 3 startups ago at <a href="http://www.silocafe.com/">Silo Cafe</a></li>
<li>Crabcakes and tempura greens are definitely a reason to visit <a href="http://www.redcatrestaurants.com/">Red Cat</a></li>
</ul>
So, was your LegalTech NY 2012 experience anything like mine?
