The Buzz Newsletter (August 2024)
We’re looking forward to seeing many of you shortly at ILTACON in Nashville! You can learn more about where our team will be and how to book time with us here.
As you make plans for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, our (growing) team of technologists, business analysts, attorneys, and project managers stands ready to assist you and your firm in defining and executing projects on time and on budget.
As we get ready for ILTACON, we’d like to highlight two new and exciting resources and capabilities from InOutsource:
- HiveMind Client Care — Our new concierge service and support offering. InOutsource experts on demand, ready to help your firm tackle operational challenges and navigate strategy for your investments in Intapp, IG, and Analytics.
- Copilot Readiness + Modern Work Consulting — Our new practice group harnesses our team’s expertise — including several recent senior hires — integrating fields including AI, IG, Data Governance, Analytics, and IT Strategy to help your firm navigate this evolving, innovative landscape.
You can read more about both of these below, along with details on new resources highlighting our work and client success spanning: Business Development/Analytics, Intapp, IG/Risk Consulting, and more.
If you’d like to schedule time to speak live about any of these topics at ILTACON, please feel free to reach out. Or, if you won’t be attending but would still like to catch up either before or after the conference — we’d love to connect.
President and Founder
Director of Operations
Insight & Assistance On Demand
NEW: Introducing HiveMind Client Care: Concierge Service & Support from InOutsource
Today, of the 200+ firms we serve, over 70 have active support plans with us — with many relying on our team to assist with multiple products, across several areas of our practice expertise.
And now, to further enhance our clients’ experience, we’ve made fresh new investments in people, processes, and tools.
We call this updated offering — which provides support, advisory, and professional services — HiveMind Client Care, because it makes it possible for firms like yours to tap our organization’s collective experience and skill.
Why Third-Party Support?
While every software vendor offers basic helpdesk support — and even “enhanced” assistance — it’s more common than you might think for firms to rely on third parties for aid and insight.
This is particularly true for risk management, information governance, and analytics tools. That’s because addressing issues and enhancing operations in these domains requires advanced understanding — not only of complex software applications, but also of layered policies driving practices, intricate data and workflows, and the broader environments in which these functions execute. In short, context matters.
What’s more, vendor support typically stops short of active involvement in executing enhancements like updating forms or consulting on best practices — directing clients to engage professional services instead.
InOutsource HiveMind: Focused On Your Critical Needs
We’ve designed and staffed HiveMind configurations specifically focused on the most critical needs facing our clients. If you want to learn more, check out these detailed PDF overviews:
Copilot Readiness + IG Insight
INNOVATION: Our New Modern Work & Copilot Readiness Practice Team and Resources
As we listen to clients, we hear enthusiastic but cautious views on AI and Copilot, often in the context of broader plans for “modern work” initiatives.
Many firms want to embrace the future — or at least not get caught flat-footed — but for many, setting the right strategy and executing prudently is top of mind.
Expanding Our Practice Team
In June, we were pleased to welcome Bryan Ferguson to the InOutsource team as Practice Director, Modern Work and M365 Enablement.
Having spent years working with over 150 firms on embracing modern work best practices (often through tools like Microsoft 365, MS Teams, AI, Copilot, and others), he brings truly unique experience and perspective to our growing team.
As InOutsource increasingly supports firms navigating the complex intersection of collaboration, new technologies, information governance, enterprise data strategy, and risk management — in a planned, prudent, and productive manner — he’s already actively engaged with several firms, applying his perspective and innovative thinking.
Intrigued? Bryan will be at ILTACON and is eager to share our latest insights.
WEBINAR: Essentials of Copilot Readiness: Planning for the Potential, Protecting Against the Risks
September 18, 2024 (2 PM ET)
Taking flight with Copilot requires careful planning, skilled navigation, and rigorous risk management. In this session, we’ll give you insight and inspiration to advance your firm’s journey.
We’ll outline key considerations for Copilot readiness, including several hidden risks firms must address. And we’ll demonstrate how to build a prudent, practical data governance and security foundation for your M365 content with Microsoft Purview — so you can leverage Copilot safely and responsibly.
Agenda:
- Copilot Superpowers (15 minutes): We’ll review the latest on Copilot from Microsoft and explore specific visions for Copilot’s potential for law firms. We’ll look specifically at the unique strengths and use cases of Copilot in a crowed legal GenAI landscape. And we’ll lay out key essentials for law firm Copilot readiness.
- Demonstration of Microsoft Purview for Copilot Readiness (25 minutes): We’ll provide an in-depth demo of how to adopt and use Microsoft Purview, to ensure your M365 data and applications are Copilot-ready. This segment will cover best practices for data governance, compliance, and security within the M365 ecosystem
- Q&A Session (10 minutes)
It would not be an exaggeration to assert that we are witnessing the next stage in the evolution of law firm information governance. Reading the news and talking to colleagues, it seems that new challenges, new uncertainties, and new opportunities arise daily.
At InOutsource, our teams have spent decades helping firms tackle a broad range of records, IG, and information management challenges.
Today, the law firm landscape we work in is shifting at an unprecedented rate and scale. So it makes sense that firms are increasingly turning to our teams to conduct strategic reviews, focused analyses, and objective evaluations of their IG policies, practices, and plans.
In this article we’ll explore what a configurable health check looks like — and why now is the perfect time for firms to take a fresh look at their IG health
Intapp Innovation & Risk Insight
RESOURCE: Intapp Cloud Migration: Assessment and Planning Services
“I SAW A CITY IN THE CLOUDS” — (“It is the future you see…”)
The future o f Intapp is in the cloud. With strong incentives already in place for firms to advance their migration journey, InOutsource is ready to be the force guiding your destiny!
To help organizations avoid uncertainty, scope projects accurately, and execute migrations on schedule and on budget, we’ve developed a proprietary cloud assessment.
Executing a detailed technical review and expert analysis, our practice team will evaluate your environment and needs — producing detailed recommendations, a tailored roadmap, and unique insight.
Ready to take your first step into a larger world?
WEBINAR RECORDING: Anti-Money Laundering and Client Due Diligence
Thanks again to Joanna Marshall, Director, Anti-Money Laundering — Europe + Asia at Goodwin Procter (UK) LLP, and Eric Mosca, Director of Operations for InOutsource, for presenting!
They shared lessons and advice gained from managing AML teams at a number of large international law firms. The discussion then focused on how law firms can effectively incorporate controls into their new business intake and conflicts processes.
Topics included:
- Can certain responsibilities for AML compliance be outsourced?
- How to make the case for an internal compliance team?
- How can U.S.-based law firms approach compliance today, and what is coming?
- What opportunities exist for automation to reduce the administrative burden?
- How best to manage and satisfy lawyer and client expectations?
Watch the Event Recording Here
WEBINAR RECORDING: Scaling Risk Operations
Great turnout at our earlier Risk Roundtable webinar. Our mouthful of a title inspired great discussion and insight from guest panelists — thank you to risk leaders Kristine Safos, Kimberly Cahill, Carolyn Miller, and Max Welsh (our “provocative” commentator keeping everyone on their toes 😉)!
They joined InOutsource contributors Jordan Fox, Matthew Ruggieri, and David Beauchemin, sharing stories, strategies, and practical advice firms can use to plan for waves of risk work before they hit, and respond more efficiently in the moment when they do.
Client Success In Sight
WEBINAR RECORDING: A KM & BD Revelation — Modernize New Case Filing Alerts to Delight Lawyers
Hear firsthand from InOutsource clients Evan Shenkman (Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, Fisher Phillips) and Tricia Bond Thomas (Director of Research Services, Akerman) about how our New Case Filing Intelligence (NCFI) solution has significantly streamlined the way they flag and deliver relevant alerts to lawyers.
To help lawyers pursue new client business and stay up-to-date on relevant legal developments, many firms subscribe to specialized feeds providing new case filing data.
But managing that firehose of data in an effective and timely manner creates serious efficiency challenges for library and KM staff. Our New Case Filing Intelligence software has been adopted by multiple firms and delivers real results. Watch this webinar to learn how it can help your firm!
KEY QUOTES:
EVAN SHENKMAN: “We saw a demo of NCFI via a webinar just like this one. And I thought: ‘That’s it! That’s the solution that we’ve been looking for.'”
ES: “Within the first few months, we identified at least 50 matters that were captured by the new system that would have been missed… 50 new litigation matters were brought in because of this, which is a very easy way to show ROI.”
ES: “We wanted to make sure to work with a company that would work with us and innovate with us, and push the envelope… and you guys were a company that we knew we’d be able to have that innovative relationship with. So, it was a good fit, and it’s worked really well.”
TRICIA THOMAS: “We knew there were several missed business development opportunities. And this has helped us identify those more quickly and more accurately, to make them actionable.”
“Our attorneys love how easy it is to read this report on their phones.”
WEBINAR: Scaling Risk Operations to Address Surges, Staff Strain & Surprises
The industry is abuzz with groundbreaking research on law firm business development insights. Research just published in the Harvard Business Review highlights the performance of ‘Activators’ — lawyers who prioritize active client outreach, networking, and engagement, combined with strong peer collaboration across their firms.
The article notes that modern technology such as CRM, experience management, and other tools can create new opportunities to pursue new relationships and new business by delivering fresh value to clients — before they even reach “the RFP” stage — we agree!
Our New Case Filing Intelligence (NCFI) solution aligns perfectly with these principles — as illustrated perfectly by the Fisher Philips case study. So read the research and reach out to explore how we can help accelerate efforts at your firm!
Partner Spotlight
INTAPP: Rebrand + AI Double Down + InOutsource = ROI
Risk Management Resources
ARTICLE: Why More Software Options are Good News for Law Firms and Means Better Information Governance
Recently, several new firms have adopted Nectar, our online Learning Management System (LMS). This unique resource supports risk staff training and development with centralized, standardized learning tools and information.
Through this system, we offer adaptable coursework including extensive conflicts and compliance education, IG, and broader context on law firm operations and fundamentals.
Our Nectar team continues to expand the breadth and depth of available education materials and coursework, most recently updating and upgrading our Course Catalog.
If you’d like to see and learn more about the risk educational and training topics, we’d be happy to share more about coursework, about the Nectar platform, and how we help firms enhance staffing efficiency, retention, and development.
The Buzz About Us
CLIENT SUCCESS: InOutsource Staff Milestones & Success
Staying close to our clients is critical to our team. We regularly ask for feedback — particularly at project conclusion,
So when you receive a survey from InOutsource, please take it! These are reviewed not only by your project team, but also by senior management.
To the many clients who have provided constructive feedback and kind encouragement — THANK YOU!
You can read what some of your peers have to to say about us in their own words here:
Beeswax (Industry Insight)
WEBINAR: Innovating Risk Management with Applied AI
Learn more about Intapp’s AI-powered risk and compliance products and roadmap. This session covered:
Key enhancements added to Intapp risk and compliance products in the past year
A review of current and upcoming AI capabilities
Recommendations and available resources for your journey to the cloud
Law Firm Information Governance Staffing Compensation Survey — Now Open!
From the Bressler Risk Blog comes a new survey, looking to capture data on the broad range of law firm IG roles.
So if you’re an individual contribution looking to understand how your comp compares to your peers, or you’re an IG manager looking to benchmark yourself + to keep your team (and potential new hires) on par with changing market standards, you don’t want to miss out.
Team IG: Dissecting Microsoft Teams – What’s happening “behind the scenes”
To navigate the Microsoft Teams landscape, IG professionals must grasp the intricacies of Teams’ architecture to meet crucial IG obligations such as retention and disposition, and matter mobility.
During this ILTA Masterclass, Kathleen Jimenez, Senior Manager of Information Governance at White & Case delves “Behind the Scenes” of Teams and unravels these complexities to equip you with the knowledge needed to address the challenge of managing data held in Teams effectively.
More Resources & Updates:
RISK VIEWS: PE Lawyers Reacting to Bankruptcy Ruling, NY Lawyer Law Firm Investments Okayed (Not in NY)
CONFLICTS: X (Twitter) Lawyers Axed from Case, Report on Judicial Conflicts Risk
JUDICIAL CONFLICTS: No Conflict in Bribery Case, Judicial Campaign Donation Doesn’t Merit Recusal
ETHICS: Lawyers-as-Fiduciaries Ethics Rules, DQ and Communication Clashes, Litigation Funding Hazards
The Bee's Knees
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