The New LEGAL IT FORUM 2009
A Unique Business Proposition For
Legal IT Directors For 2009:
Measured Strategic Insights For Firm Profitability
Memorably packed with fresh speakers and new perspectives, the forum started with an outstanding Masterclass given by Dr Scott Snyder, Wharton School and DSI, one of the authors of the acclaimed Legal Transformation Study. Focussing on the study's conclusions on Scenario Planning for Legal IT, this Masterclass combined discussion with hands-on strategy thinktanks and was the first time that this study had been discussed in Europe. With a surprise last minute addition of Paul Lippe, CEO of LegalOnRamp the Masterclass was voted as having "exceeded expections".
From rapped attention for keynote addresses from previously unheard speakers to interactive roundtable sessions, LITF 08 was full of buzz and intense discussion between IT Director peers. Day One kicked off to a fascinating start with the LITF Blue Sky Review from Dr Norman Lewis, Director of the Telecommunication Programme Forum at the ITU on Disruptive Innovation and Web 2.0. A Keynote Debate on Private Equity's analysis of legal business process in the light of The Legal Services Bill was standing room only to hear Jeremy Hand, Lyceum Capital; Keith Wood, CEO SJ Berwin and Richard Slater from First Counsel discuss the key issues for Legal IT professionals going forward. Professor Richard Susskind's outlined his brand new research on IT, Innovation And The New Market For The Progressive Law Firm. On Day Two, plenary sessions focussed on the Live Cross -Industry Benchmark on the optimisation of firm-wide business processes by PA Consulting with feedback from industry leaders such at George Kalokoti, Group CIO, HERBERT SMITH; David Jabbari, Chief Knowledge Officer, Allen & Overy and Debra Fairlie, Head of IT Strategy Eversheds.
Interactive Sessions on a range hot topics such as DRM, Enterprise Search, Future Architecture or Social Networking Unified Communications engaged delegates in in-depth incisive discussion. In the afternoons over fifteen Technical and Business-Focussed Roundtable sessions were extremely well received with several out-of-industry case studies from businesses such as Northgate IS, or Techcrunch Strategies getting the prizes for outstanding attendance.
Networking was as ever a crucial part of the event. The highlight was the Diamond Champagne Reception launching the glamorous Gala Dinner evening, ending with Sir Ranulph Fiennes as the exceptional guest speaker, charming and captivating the audience - his book signing a sell-out into the night. With The Ryder Cup venue outside the door, the end of the conference marked the beginning of a wonderful afternoon's golf and informal networking for many delegates on the Ryder Cup's Championship 2010 course.
And don't just take out word for it, here's some of the superb feedback we have received:
“The content was really stong, so well done”.
Derek Southall, Partner & Head of Strategic Development, WRAGGE & CO
“A very good event. The quality of the content was raised considerably over previous years and LITF now has a great base for the future”.
David Jabbari, Global Head of KnowHow & Library, ALLEN & OVERY
“The event was a substantial improvement on last year. Fantastic and strategic keynote speakers. They were all first class and back to what this event is all about ie strategy. The live benchmarking session between PA and BDO was great too. The location was good and was easy to reach by rail and was also mid-way between North and South.“
Julie Berry, IT Director, REYNOLDS PORTER CHAMBERLAIN
“An outstanding Masterclass on Scenario Planning For Legal IT that really exceeded expectations in terms of content and delivery”
Conor O’Brien, Head of IT Service Delivery & Operations, EVERSHEDS
“Great Content. It was particularly good to get fresh outside industry perspectives”
Stuart Whittle, Partner, IT Director, WEIGHTMANS
“ it was great to see and catch up with so many familiar faces, and wonderful not having to queue for ages to get on a short flight! All in all the content of whole conference was focused and tighter than previous years. Sir Ranulph Fiennes was a great speaker - completely captivating and quintessentially British in the most charming way possible”
Charlotte Russell Hargreaves, Knowledge Management Lawyer, LLOYDS TSB
“I have heard only positive feedback based on a good mix of speakers and fresh subject matter”.
Rosemary J Kind, for LITIG
“A big “well done”! Very useful, relevant content. The panel sessions worked very well and the hand-on roundtables were excellent and well organised. I really enjoyed it and I felt it was very useful, both in terms of networking and content. I feel that people who stayed away because 07’s event was not so great really missed out on the new approach and format that has proven to be a successful turnaround”
Damien Behan, IT Director, BRODIES
"Well attended events with good and thought provoking content. I was very impressed by the gravitas of the new speakers. Logistically it was great to have easy and access to and from the venue and I think that ending it with a social rather than re-gathering for a finish gave great flexibility."
Peter Owen, LIGHTS ON CONSULTING
“Well attended events with good and thought provoking content. I was very impressed by the gravitas of the new speakers. Logistically it was great to have easy and access to and from the venue and I think that ending it with a social rather than re-gathering for a finish gave great flexibility.”
Peter Owen, LIGHTS ON CONSULTING
"The content was good and the increased number of round tables made it much more interactive"
Debra Fairlie, Head of IT Strategy & Business Solutions, EVERSHEDS
"A really good event. The roundtables were excellent and the new format worked very well with the leisure activities on the last afternoon of the last day. Sir Ralph was brilliant-EVERYONE without exception said so”
Jan Durant, IT Director, LEWIS SILKIN
"The content was good and the increased number of round tables made it much more interactive”
Debra Fairlie, Head of IT Strategy & Business Solutions, EVERSHEDS
"I was very impressed by the Scenario Planning Masterclass’s leader’s subject matter and expertise”
John Connell, BP
“A very entertaining and constructive event”
Andrew Powell, IT Director, NABARRO
"The content of the Wharton Masterclass exceeded expectations”
Adam Henning, BP
"The practicality and applicability of the Wharton Masterclass on Scenario Planning in Legal IT was excellent”.
Angela McMahon, MISHCON DE REYA
“It is hard to top Gleneagles for location but Celtic Manor did significantly reduce the travel and effectively cut the event from three down to two days out of the office, without losing any content – which is a great selling point for delegates. Sir Ranulph was fantastic”
Kevin Goosman, IT Director, COBBETTS