On Thursday, April 10, 2025, legal and technology professionals will gather at Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C. for an inspiring day of discussion, collaboration, and community during The Masters Conference Thought Leadership event. Hosted at Arnold & Porter's offices at 601 Massachusetts Ave NW, this full-day conference promises a deep dive into the latest challenges and advancements in eDiscovery, legal tech, investigations, and career development. With sessions sponsored by some of the most influential organizations in the industry—including Everlaw, Relativity, Cellebrite, and many others—this event will showcase cutting-edge thought leadership from experts across law firms, corporations, service providers, and government.

 

A Warm Welcome and a Morning of Insights

 

The day begins at 8:00 am with registration sponsored by Everlaw, followed by a networking breakfast courtesy of Lineal, offering attendees a chance to connect with peers before the content begins. Opening remarks at 8:20 am will set the stage for a full day of education and collaboration.

The first session, “Assembling an A-Team: Essential Skills for High-Performing Discovery Teams,” sponsored by ProSearch, kicks off at 8:30 am. This powerhouse panel features Joe Pirrotta (ProSearch), Rachel Burke (Wilson Sonsini), John Mallon (Arnold & Porter), Sonya Judkins (T-Mobile), and Martha Louks (McDermott Will & Emery), who will explore the interdisciplinary skillsets needed to build dynamic discovery teams in an increasingly complex legal environment.

 

AI, Document Reuse, and Social Media Intelligence

 

At 9:45 am, the spotlight turns to generative AI with “Generative AI in e-Discovery: How to Test, Trust, and Thrive in a New AI Era,” sponsored by Relativity. Aron Ahmadia (Relativity), Christian J. Mahoney (Cleary Gottlieb), Ava Guo (AT&T), and Robert Keeling (Redgrave) will share best practices for validating AI-driven processes and ensuring legal defensibility.

 

Following that, the 11:00 am session, “Discovery Without Duplication,” sponsored by Arnold & Porter, features a practical discussion about managing document productions across matters. Speakers include Kelly Trout and James Babounakis (Arnold & Porter), Susan Stone (AT&T), Kimberly Harlowe (Altria), and Adam Wehler (Smith Anderson), who will delve into efficiencies and risks of cross-matter discovery.

Concurrently, a breakout session in Room 11310 titled “Unlocking Social Media Data,” sponsored by SMI Aware, will examine the investigative value of social media evidence. Josh Janow and Paige Hansen (SMI Aware) will walk through data preservation strategies across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even Venmo and Strava.

 

Lunch, Fast Track, and Deep Dives into Data Collection

 

Lunch and networking, generously sponsored by Kroll, begins at noon, featuring fast-track commentary from Jerry Bui (Right Forensics) and Guillermo Christiansen (K&L Gates).

 

Afterward, the 12:50 pm session “Maximizing Data Collection and Preservation,” sponsored by Cellebrite Enterprise Solutions, offers critical guidance on extracting modern data across devices and platforms. Experts Eric Seggebruch and Andy Jacobs (Cellebrite), Maria Salacuse (EEOC), and Jerry Bui will demonstrate how to enable compliant, remote, and high-integrity data collections.

 

In a parallel breakout, “Man + Machine,” sponsored by Arnold & Porter, will discuss the continuing importance of human expertise in an AI-driven world. Panelists include Bryan Marra, Warlesha Ryan (Arnold & Porter), Jessie Torres (McDermott Will & Emery), Michael Clarke (Wilmer Hale), and Mark Lyon (Williams & Connolly).

 

Foundational eDiscovery and Federal Workforce Challenges

 

At 2:00 pm, “Going Back to the Basics,” co-sponsored by DC Bar and Right Discovery, re-emphasizes the importance of defensible custodial interviews and supervised collections. Speakers include Ryan Band and Alicia Clausen (Crowell & Moring), Melissa Weberman (Arnold & Porter), Aurora Bryant (USDOJ Civil Rights Division), and Mira Edelman (DISH Network).

 

Simultaneously in Room 11310, a roundtable on “Strength in Numbers,” sponsored by The Masters Conference, brings together Monica Harris (Harris Consulting), Bobby Williams (iDiscovery Solutions), Randi Weaver (Epiq), Michael Harris (Bright Line Counsel), and Emma Kelly (QuadK). This community-focused discussion will address federal workforce transitions and collaborative support systems.

 

From National Security to Career Strategy

 

At 3:10 pm, the session “Litigation Wars to National Security,” sponsored by HaystackID, will explore how eDiscovery supports CFIUS compliance and national security. Matthew Miller (HaystackID), Jason Garkey (Momentus), and Peter Hyun (Former FCC) will highlight the intersection of litigation readiness and foreign investment scrutiny.

 

At the same time, Room 11310 hosts “Rocketing Your Career,” a roundtable sponsored by ACEDS, where Nick Wittenburg (Armedia), Michael Sarich (VA), and Ray Rivard (Prevail.ai) will offer strategies for successfully navigating a career transition from the public to private sector.

 

Closing with ESI Strategy and Career Coaching

 

The final educational block at 4:10 pm features a dual offering. In the main session, “Embracing ESI as an Opportunity,” sponsored by Kuro Group & Minerva26, speakers Kelly Twigger (Minerva26), Alexander Lewis (Kuro Group), Gerard Quinn (Arnold & Porter), Manfred Gabriel (Holland & Knight), and Judge John Facciola (Former U.S. Magistrate Judge) will explore how legal teams can reframe ESI as a strategic advantage rather than a burden.

 

Meanwhile, a breakout session on “Career Transitions,” co-sponsored by The Masters Conference and Glenmont Group, will offer practical advice from Michael Potters (Glenmont Group) on building a standout LinkedIn profile, negotiating salary, and leveraging public sector experience in private sector roles.

 

Capping Off the Day with Cocktails and Community

 

To wrap up an energizing and thought-provoking day, attendees are invited to unwind at a happy hour and networking reception from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Truluck’s Seafood, sponsored once again by Everlaw.

 

From the first cup of coffee to the last toast, this conference is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and cutting-edge insight in shaping the future of law and technology. With a dynamic agenda, exceptional speakers, and generous support from sponsors, The Masters Conference continues to be a leading force in legal education and professional growth.