Why the 12th Annual UF Law E-Discovery Conference Is a Must-Attend Event

The 12th Annual UF Law E-Discovery Conference is set to take place on February 12–13, 2025, bringing together legal professionals, technologists, and industry leaders for two days of critical discussions on e-discovery, legal strategy, and innovation. This year, the conference embraces the theme “E-Discovery with Heart,” reflecting its commitment to fostering strong connections through collaboration, mentorship, and a shared passion for advancing the field. 

For us at ACEDS, “E-Discovery with Heart” is something we embody every day. We continue to grow a global community of legal professionals, litigation support specialists, forensic analysts, and corporate legal teams through education, training, mentorship, and networking. As part of this conference, we are proud to contribute to meaningful discussions that not only focus on technology and strategy but also build stronger professional connections.

Educating Both Sides of the Aisle: A Focus on Plaintiff and Defense

One of the aspects that sets this conference apart is its *balanced approach to educating both plaintiff and defense attorneys. In many legal and e-discovery events, the primary focus is often on the corporate defense side, but the UF Law E-Discovery Conference recognizes that plaintiff attorneys need the same depth of education, resources, and best practices. 

Why is this important? Plaintiffs’ counsel must navigate e-discovery just as rigorously as corporate defense teams. Whether they’re managing class action lawsuits, employment disputes, civil rights litigation, regulatory investigations, or consumer protection cases, plaintiffs’ attorneys must understand how to leverage technology, maintain defensibility, and meet their discovery obligations efficiently.

By ensuring plaintiff attorneys are equally educated on e-discovery trends, legal strategies, and technology advancements, this conference plays a critical role in creating a more level playing field. The sessions are designed to equip all legal professionals—regardless of which side they represent—with the tools they need to manage e-discovery effectively and strategically. 

A Comprehensive Agenda for Every Legal Professional

The UF Law E-Discovery Conference provides a well-rounded agenda that speaks to the diverse needs of lawyers, litigation support professionals, forensic investigators, corporate legal teams, and e-discovery specialists. Whether you’re tackling data privacy concerns, implementing AI-driven legal workflows, managing large-scale document review, or looking to refine case strategy, the conference delivers actionable insights to help professionals at all levels.

This year’s agenda will cover: 

• The Impact of Generative AI on Legal Workflows and Document Review 
• Building Stronger Legal Teams and Career Development Strategies 
• Insights from the Judiciary on Emerging E-Discovery Challenges
• Mastering Data Preservation and Proportionality in Discovery 
• Ethical and Defensible Adoption of Legal Technology 

With in-person attendance already sold out, virtual attendees can register for free and access sessions live during the conference or on-demand for up to three months post-event.

I’m honored to be presenting again at this year’s event along with ACEDS President Mike Quartararo, contributing to sessions that offer real-world applications and strategic insights.

• On Wednesday, February 12, at 1:10 PM, I’ll be presenting “Electrify Your Personal Brand with GenAI in E-Discovery.” In today’s legal industry, building a strong personal brand is a career accelerator. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional influence, establish yourself as a thought leader, or stand out in a competitive job market, this session will offer practical strategies to leverage Generative AI in shaping your brand and career path. 
• On Thursday, February 13, at 1:10 PM, Mike Quartararo will present “Properly Scoping Your Project from the Outset.” Whether you work on plaintiff or defense matters, understanding how to accurately scope an e-discovery project from the beginning is critical. Mike will provide insights into best practices for defining discovery scope, ensuring defensibility, and streamlining case management.
• Later that afternoon, at 4:00 PM, I’ll be moderating “Smart, Swift, and Strategic: GenAI’s Power in Document Review.” This session, featuring Esther Birnbaum of HaystackID, Robert Keeling of Redgrave, Jake Ancona, Esq. of Fidelity National Financial, and Nathaniel Giddings of Hausfeld will focus on how GenAI is revolutionizing document review—enhancing privilege review, PII identification, and foreign language analysis. The panel will showcase real-world applications of AI-driven review strategies, providing attendees with a roadmap for improving accuracy and efficiency in legal workflows.

Judicial Insights and Keynote Perspectives

The Annual Judicial Panel remains a cornerstone of the conference, offering attendees the opportunity to hear directly from judges who are shaping the future of e-discovery case law. This session is critical for attorneys, corporate counsel, and litigation professionals looking to understand how courts are addressing AI, proportionality, and defensibility in modern discovery practices. 

This year’s keynote presentation will feature Amy Sellars and Michelle Six, both Of Counsel at Gunster and two leaders in e-discovery and legal technology innovation. Amy, who also serves on ACEDS’ Global Advisory Board, and Michelle will offer perspectives on the importance of our mental health in e-discovery and legal technology.

More Than an Event—A Community for Professional Growth

The UF Law E-Discovery Conference is not just a learning opportunity—it’s an interactive hub for professional networking and career development. Through the conference app and virtual engagement features, attendees can: 

• Engage in discussions with experts, peers, and thought leaders
• Expand their network with legal and e-discovery professionals from around the world 
• Explore new job opportunities and connect with hiring managers
• Gain exposure to the latest innovations in e-discovery technology and strategy 

At ACEDS, we are deeply committed to “E-Discovery with Heart”—creating a community that thrives on education, mentorship, and meaningful connections. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned expert, this conference offers opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to the broader legal ecosystem.

With in-person attendance already at capacity, now is the time to take advantage of free virtual access to this premier educational event.

Event Dates: February 12–13, 2025 
Format: Hybrid (Free Virtual Access) 
Full Agenda & Registration: https://ufediscoveryconference.com/2025-agenda/

No matter where you are in your legal career—whether you’re a litigator, an e-discovery professional, or a legal technologist—this conference offers the insights and connections you need to succeed. 

We look forward to seeing you there—virtually or in the conference app!

Maribel Rivera

VP, Strategy and Client Engagement at ACEDS

As Vice President of Strategy and Client Engagement at ACEDS, Maribel is responsible for local chapter, membership, event management, and strategic partner engagement. A seasoned professional who has helped brands and businesses connect with their audiences and achieve their goals, her breadth of experience, strategic and creative abilities unlock innovation and bring business ideas to life. Prior to ACEDS, she consulted for a variety of private clients in technology, education, and recruiting, crafting and leading marketing and operations solutions for small and mid-sized companies. She also worked as director of sales operations for Fronteo USA Inc. An active member of Women in eDiscovery and ARMA Metro NYC, she also devotes time to charitable work. She speaks regularly on marketing and diversity and inclusion. When she isn’t working, Maribel enjoys traveling, reading, education and working out. Reach her at [email protected].