National eDiscovery Leadership Institute Conference
The National eDiscovery Leadership Institute (NeLI) is an annual conference dedicated to advancing the field of electronic discovery (eDiscovery) by providing high-quality educational opportunities to legal professionals and fostering cooperation between the bench and the bar. Established in 2014, NeLI is organized by a team of experienced legal practitioners and scholars, including Robin Perkins, founder and chair of Kutak Rock's eDiscovery Practice Group, and Tessa K. Jacob, founder and chair of Husch Blackwell's eDiscovery Solutions Group. The conference is held in collaboration with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law, which hosts the event at its Student Union in Kansas City, Missouri.
The conference covers a wide range of topics pertinent to eDiscovery, including government investigations, the use of artificial intelligence in document review, data privacy and security, and ethical considerations in electronic discovery. Sessions are designed to provide practical insights and strategies, featuring panels such as "Government Matters," which discusses best practices for responding to government subpoenas, and "The Judges’ Debate Each Other," where judges deliberate on complex eDiscovery issues. Additionally, the conference includes mock hearings and negotiations to simulate real-world scenarios and enhance attendees' understanding of eDiscovery processes.
NeLI offers numerous networking opportunities, including interactive sessions, panel discussions, and social events such as cocktail receptions and plated dinners. The conference features an array of notable speakers, including esteemed judges like Hon. Xavier Rodriguez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas and Hon. Noelle C. Collins of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, as well as leading practitioners and academics in the field of eDiscovery.
The conference is ideal for legal professionals involved in litigation, compliance, and information governance, including attorneys, in-house counsel, judges, and eDiscovery specialists. Attendees gain valuable insights into the latest developments and best practices in eDiscovery, enhancing their ability to manage electronic information effectively in legal proceedings.
Speakers(23)
Alex Ponce de Leon
Senior Litigation Counsel at Google LLC
Alex Ponce de Leon is Senior Litigation Counsel for Google LLC, managing a team focusing on discovery issues. He develops and implements innovative and efficient discovery strategies for various global litigation matters.
David Cohen
Partner at Reed Smith
David Cohen is the chair of Reed Smith’s Records & E-Discovery Group. With over 35 years of commercial litigation experience, he serves as eDiscovery counsel and information governance counsel to top companies worldwide.
Deric Yoakley
Managing Counsel at Walmart
Deric Yoakley is the Managing Counsel at Walmart, leading the eDiscovery team that supports litigation and investigations. He has a background in trial law and has been with Walmart since 2015.
Hon. Allison H. Goddard
United States Magistrate Judge at Southern District of California
Judge Allison H. Goddard was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of California in August 2019. She has extensive experience in complex and intellectual property litigation and has tried several cases, including class actions and patent infringement disputes.
Hon. Andrew J. Peck
Former United States Magistrate Judge at Southern District of New York
The Honorable Andrew J. Peck served for 23 years as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of New York. He is recognized internationally for his contributions to eDiscovery and has authored influential decisions on the subject.
Hon. Angel D. Mitchell
United States Magistrate Judge at District of Kansas
Judge Angel D. Mitchell serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas. She has experience in complex civil litigation and has worked on cases involving intellectual property and commercial disputes.
Hon. Lisa J. Cisneros
United States Magistrate Judge at Northern District of California
Judge Lisa J. Cisneros serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. She has a background in civil rights and public interest law, focusing on issues related to employment and immigration.
Hon. Noelle C. Collins
United States Magistrate Judge at Eastern District of Missouri
Judge Noelle C. Collins has been a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri since 2013. Previously, she was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in St. Louis, specializing in human trafficking prosecutions.
Hon. Willie J. Epps, Jr.
United States Magistrate Judge at Western District of Missouri
Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Missouri. He began his legal career as an Air Force Judge Advocate and has held positions as a partner at two law firms and head of litigation at a financial services firm.
Hon. Xavier Rodriguez
United States District Judge at Western District of Texas
Xavier Rodriguez is a former Texas Supreme Court Justice and currently serves as a United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas. He holds degrees from Harvard University and the University of Texas, and has authored numerous articles on employment law, discovery, and arbitration issues.
Hon. Young B. Kim
United States Magistrate Judge at Northern District of Illinois
Judge Young B. Kim serves as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. He has a background in civil rights litigation and has worked extensively on cases involving employment discrimination and constitutional law.
John J. Pappas Jr.
eDiscovery Consultant
John J. Pappas Jr. is a lawyer and experienced eDiscovery consultant with a background in commercial litigation. He advises clients on eDiscovery strategies and the admissibility of electronic evidence.
Kristy Bird
Regional Director for Business Development at Consilio
Kristy Bird is a Regional Director for Business Development and Co-Lead of Consilio’s Technology Practice Group. She has over 15 years of industry experience and is an attorney barred in New York and New Jersey.
Lea Malani Bays
Of Counsel at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd
Lea Malani Bays is Of Counsel at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, specializing in complex securities litigation. She focuses on electronic discovery issues from preservation through production.
Maria Salacuse
Assistant General Counsel for Technology at Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Maria Salacuse is the Assistant General Counsel for Technology at the EEOC’s Office of General Counsel. She serves as the agency’s lead eDiscovery counsel and oversees the EEOC’s litigation support department.
Maura R. Grossman
Research Professor at University of Waterloo
Maura R. Grossman is a Research Professor at the University of Waterloo and an eDiscovery lawyer and consultant. She is recognized for her scholarly work on technology-assisted review in eDiscovery.
Mikah Thompson
Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor at UMKC School of Law
Mikah Thompson is the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and a Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She teaches courses including Civil Procedure, Evidence, Race and the Law, and Employment Law.
Mira Vayda Edelman
Senior Corporate Counsel at DISH Network L.L.C.
Mira Vayda Edelman is a Senior Corporate Counsel at DISH Network L.L.C., where she leads the Legal IT eDiscovery team supporting litigation and regulatory matters. She has a background in information governance and eDiscovery.
Nirav Shah
eDiscovery Manager at The Home Depot
Nirav Shah is the eDiscovery Manager for The Home Depot, serving as the central resource for all eDiscovery issues for the company. He manages legal matters covering various areas, including commercial litigation and intellectual property.
Robin Perkins
Founder and Chair at Kutak Rock eDiscovery Practice Group
Robin Perkins is the founder and Chair of Kutak Rock's eDiscovery Practice Group. She regularly counsels clients in all aspects of eDiscovery and is an active member of the Sedona Conference Working Group 1.
Steve Davis
Private Investigator at Purpose Legal
Steve Davis is a Licensed Private Investigator in the State of Texas and the Private Security Company Manager for Purpose Legal. He has over 30 years of experience performing and supervising investigations on behalf of various clients.
Tessa K. Jacob
Partner and Co-Chair at Husch Blackwell’s eDiscovery Solutions Group
Tessa K. Jacob is a partner and co-chair of Husch Blackwell’s eDiscovery Solutions Group. She has extensive experience in eDiscovery and has served as lead eDiscovery counsel in numerous class actions.
Thomas C. Gricks
Lead Strategy Consultant at OpenText
Thomas C. Gricks is a prominent eDiscovery lawyer and Lead Strategy Consultant at OpenText. He advises corporations and law firms on best practices for applying technology to reduce the time and cost of discovery.
Event Details
- Date
- September 28, 2023
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Kansas City, United States
- UMKC Student Union
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Legal professionals involved in litigation, compliance, and information governance
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending
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