Two high-profile US conferences in early 2009 will explore crucial aspects of legal process outsourcing (LPO), with the first placing special emphasis on its digital element.

Scheduled for the New York Hilton from 2-4 February, LegalTech NY 2009 will offer a comprehensive overview of e-discovery and document management. Then, from 16-18 February the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) will hold its annual Outsourcing World Summit in Carlsbad, California. Among the items to be discussed are India-based offshoring and global talent-management.

LegalTech – a leading conference series heralding developments in legal technology – promises an ambitious range of seminars for New York. On Day One, risk management session Executing e-Discovery Inside the Corporation focuses on the volume of electronically stored information (ESI) banked by businesses every day, assessing its impact on legal, employment and compliance operations. It also tracks the evolution of records management and e-discovery, and offers advice on determining litigation readiness. Addressing the economic climate, Driving a More Efficient and Effective Approach to Litigation shows how the downturn is affecting law firms’ fiscal decisions, and looks at strategic approaches they are taking to business and litigation. Meanwhile, in the Cultural Considerations seminar, lawyers can learn about international litigation environments; effective collaboration between IT and legal departments, and directing multi-lingual teams.

Day Two’s Corporate Legal Department vs Law Firm Perspectives examines the contrasts between these areas of legal business, and how mutual understanding could make the relationship more profitable. Outsourcing of litigation support functions and work-sharing are explored as prime opportunities. In the day’s keynote speech, IP lawyer John W Woods demonstrates how e-discovery is changing the relationship between law firms and their corporate clients. Then, on Day Three, Managing e-Discovery in an Alternative Fee Environment shows how outsourcing and new technology can bring vital cost savings.

From 3-4 February, LegalTech’s event will also encompass the First Annual Paralegal Technology Institute – a chance to gain insights into the impact nonlawyers are having on legal business. Again focusing on e-discovery and document management, the parallel event assesses how paralegals are becoming central to operations in a global market. ‘In today’s fast-paced, competitive law firm environment,’ says LegalTech, ‘paralegals have become vital to law firms’ ability to deliver quality e-discovery and litigation support services.’ The subsidiary programme ‘will examine today’s litigation technology and best practices [that] paralegals often find themselves responsible for.’

A fortnight later, the Outsourcing World Summit will steer along six educational tracks, with The Management Science of Outsourcing and Strategies for Tomorrow’s Success the main highlights. ‘Outsourcing is now recognised by businesses, universities and economists worldwide as a new management science,’ says the IAOP. ‘It is increasingly rich in standards and best practices, with exciting new ideas and management approaches emerging every day.’

Global management challenges will be discussed at length, with several sessions offering tips on talent-building for outsourcing ventures. This ties into a forum on India-based outsourcing, and another on selecting and retaining the right service provider. Legal outsourcing delegates should attend Help Me Help You: a governance talk by Vantage Partners’ Danny Ertel, who discussed the theme with Kevin Reilley of leading LPO provider, CPA, at New York’s LPO Summit in September. The IAOP describes the summit as a ‘one-of-a-kind opportunity’ to find out how an array of management techniques could ‘fundamentally transform businesses and economies.’

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