Northern Illinois University
College of Law
LAW REVIEW SYMPOSIUM
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WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LAWYER IN THE DIGITAL AGE: The Effects Technology has on the Ethical and Professional Responsibility of Attorneys
NIU Law School, DeKalb, Illinois
Riley Courtroom & Marshall Gallery
April 16, 2010
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Overview: The symposium will cover ethics and professionalism in the digital age. Some areas of focus include: e-discovery, "Cooperation Proclamation" from the Sedona Conference, changes to Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, retention policies, preservation of evidence, electronic storage, metedata, privacy issues, evidentiary issues regarding email exchanges, and the Illinois "Pilot Program." Professional Responsibility and ethical concerns are embedded in all of these topics. Throughout the symposium, these concerns will be discussed. Litigators, Judges, in-house counsels, individuals from consultant firms, and professors will provide their perspectives and opinions on these issues.
Speakers:
Christina Conlin: In-House Counsel for McDonald's – specializes in e-discovery practices.
Magistrate Judge Facciola (D.C.): Judge Facciola is a Federal Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Some of his recent notable decisions include: Citizens for Responsibility & Ethics in Washington v. Executive Office of the President, No. 07-1707, 07-1577, 2008 WL 2932173 (D.D.C. 2008) and United States v. O’Keefe, 537 F. Supp. 2d 14 (D.D.C. 2008).
Heidi Fessler: Ms. Fessler is a representative for Merrill Corporation. Representatives from Merrill Legal Solutions are hired as consultants by many law firms. They provide e-discovery expertise and proven solutions with flawless project management and customer service to impact the outcome of litigation, from small to large high-stakes cases.
Professor Steven S. Gensler: Prof. Gensler is a Professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He teaches courses on civil procedure, conflict of laws, federal courts, complex litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. He joined the OU law faculty in 2000 after serving two years as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law. Professor Gensler is the author of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: Rules and Commentary (West) and a variety of articles on federal and Oklahoma practice and procedure.His recent scholarship has focused on the rulemaking process, electronic discovery, and class actions. Professor Gensler was the Supreme Court Fellow at the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. At the symposium, Prof. Gensler will be discussing his article "The Bulls-Eye View of Cooperation in Discovery."
William Hamilton: Mr. Hamilton is a partner at Holland & Knight LLP and serves on the Technology Committee. He is also one of the authors of PLI’s Corporate Compliance Answer Book. He has published numerous articles on electronic data discovery and has been mentioned in the March 2009, Super Lawyers magazine, Corporate Counsel Edition.
Wayne Hill: Mr. Hill is a representative for Merrill Corporation. Representatives from Merrill Legal Solutions are hired as consultants by many law firms. They provide e-discovery expertise and proven solutions with flawless project management and customer service to impact the outcome of litigation, from small to large high-stakes cases.
Professor James F. Leon: Mr. Leon is a professor at Northern Illinois University and is the Director of Information Technology Training in the Department of Computer Science. Mr. Leon is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He has over 20 years experience in teaching course in computer science and information technology. Mr. Leon is the author of cybersecurity articles in CPA Journal and Journal of Accountancy.
Ralph Losey: Mr. Losey is an attorney, writer and educator behind the e-Discovery Team blog. He has been practicing law since 1980 and playing with computers and cyber-communications since 1978. He is a shareholder at Akerman Senterfitt and holds the highest AV peer rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has also been identified as a Super Lawyer in the field of information technology.
Dr. Saby Ghoshray: legal scholar with extensive publications in constitutional law, cyberspace law, and corporate law & ethics, especially dealing with cyberspace transactions and evidentiary concerns in the electronic medium. Dr. Ghoshray currently resides in Connecticut, where he is both a corporate executive in an Investment bank and the president of the Institute of Interdisciplinary studies. Dr. Ghoshray will be published in the NIU law review 2010 Symposium Issue.
Professor Laurel Rigertas: Professor Rigertas teaches Introduction to Lawyering Skills, Torts and Professional Responsibility. Prior to joining the NIU Law faculty in 2006, Professor Rigertas practiced complex commercial litigation as a partner with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in Chicago, which she joined in 1999 as an associate. She has litigated cases at the trial and appellate levels in both federal and state courts, as well as in arbitrations and mediations. Professor Rigertas began her law career in 1997 at Jenner & Block in Chicago, where she also focused on commercial litigation, business torts and personal injury defense.
Tina Solis: Mrs. Solis is an attorney for Ungaretti & Harris LLP and focuses primarily in commercial litigation. She is the author for the Ungaretti & Harris e-discovery newsletter. The 2010 symposium issue will feature a writing piece by Mrs. Solis.
Susan J. Best
Symposium Editor
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