Michael Arkfeld is a teacher at heart. He has been at the head of the ASU-Arkfeld eDiscovery and Digital Evidence Conference since its inception, continues to pen the authoritative treatise Arkfeld on Electronic Discovery and Evidence, and regularly speaks across the county. He is proud of educating legal professionals and pushing the dialogue forward in this complex area of practice.
He was inspired to enter the field and share his expertise in ediscovery and digital evidence when he saw how few legal practitioners incorporated it in their practice.
What I discovered was that most practitioners had no idea what electronic evidence was about.
This is the future of the practice of law. – Michael Arkfeld
Most data generated today is never produced in a physical form. It is never written down or printed out. Today, digital evidence IS evidence. Understanding how to ask for, collect, manage, analyze, and present digital evidence in an admissible form is hugely important.
“This area can be so complex,” said Arkfeld. For example, it can be difficult for practitioners get their heads around the importance of metadata – what it can tell you about a piece of evidence and how to request and use it.
Arkfeld notes that many professional organizations have increasingly emphasized legal technology, e-discovery, and data analytics. However, none have really adopted an aggressive approach to education in the area. Which is a shame, because legal professionals who embrace this technology as part of their practice and business are set to outpace their peers. “They already have,” said Arkfeld.
The 7th Annual ASU-Arkfeld eDiscovery and Digital Evidence Conference is the place for an aggressive, practical education for legal practitioners. Arkfeld says this conference is unique for its “focus on law and technology in an academic and interactive environment” with a premium on quality legal scholarship. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and rub elbows with the top legal minds in the world.
This year features an array of top legal minds, including keynote speakers:
Hon. Andrew J. Peck
Chief Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Principal Cybersecurity Researcher and Red Team member of Symantec
Faculty Director, Center for Law, Science & Technology
“The topics covered at the conference are both practical and on the cutting edge,” said Arkfeld. For example, this year will feature sessions on data analytics – the next frontier of digital evidence in the practice of law.
The conference in Phoenix, Arizona (great for sunshine and a round of golf) on March 6-8, 2018 in the beautiful Beus Center for Law and Society – home of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Registration for the conference is open now.
Register now for discounted Early Bird prices (available through February 9). Extended through February 12!