The recent inauguration of the Knowledge Management & Innovation for Legal Conference (KM&I) has raised much anticipation and interest in the legal field, with a unique twist that redefines the conventional idea of a ‘new conference.’ Drawing back from when the ARK Group’s annual Knowledge Management (KM) conference was a linchpin for legal KM professionals, this event boasts a similar revolving door of expertise.
A product of the tireless efforts of Patrick DiDomenico, president and founder of InspireKM Consulting, and Joshua Fireman, president and founder of the strategic consulting firm Fireman & Company, the KM&I Conference is a resolute response to ARK’s decision to move the conference from its New York City hub to Chicago.
Back on its home turf at Manhattan, the event was laden with high expectations, as much was at stake for both the organizers and the conference’s success. It was a gamble that saw the conference sell-out at both its exhibit spaces and attendance. The inaugural KM&I conference was rich in substantive, engaging, and thought-provoking discourse, activities that reflect exactly what it stood for—value, innovation, and knowledge management for legal professionals.
A plethora of programs and top-tier speakers amplified the conference’s mission, with keynote speeches from Andrea Alliston, a partner and leader of knowledge and practice innovation programs at Fasken, Canada’s largest law firm, and Mark Smolik, chief legal officer at DHL. The conference’s actionable insights left no stone unturned, providing useful tips on driving innovation within legal firms, automating processes for legal tech adoption, and creative strategies for client development, among others.
The conference venue, 360 Madison Avenue, provided a conducive environment for the event’s immersive knowledge-sharing initiatives, with its spacious meeting room and private spaces for offline meetings and breakout groups. Adding to the overall positive experience was the well-received food service within the venue, primarily during breakfast and lunch periods.
All eyes were on the well-attended conference where approximately 150 individuals, ranging from KM and innovation employees in large law firms to executives in corporate legal departments, went full throttle to immerse themselves in enriching discussions. While the event began on a somber note reflecting on the recent loss of Michael Mills, a mentor to many present, it successfully drove home the importance of a law firm’s collective knowledge as a powerful tool.
In summation, the conference achieved its goal of endowing participants with key takeaways on improving their roles and the firms they represent. This congregation of knowledge inspires the anticipation of more invigorating and enlightening conferences in the future, where “knowledge is power.”