Why I Went All-in-on-AI and How You Can Too

Patrick Bilgere is an e-Discovery consultant based in Chicago, IL. He brings over 20 years of experience in e-Discovery, data analytics, and information life-cycle management. Mr. Bilgere’s areas of specialty include data collection, computer forensics, predictive coding, review management, training and development, software selection and implementation and strategic consulting in support of all phases of litigation, investigations, and litigation readiness.

Mr. Bilgere has extensive knowledge and proven ability in assisting clients with managing the discovery process from beginning to end, ranging from collection, processing, review and hosting, to production and presentation. As a business development professional, Mr. Bilgere deals with a wide range of clients, from the largest law firms, corporate legal departments, and eDiscovery service providers, all the way to the solo practitioners and boutique consultant firms. This includes all phases of both the pre and post sales cycles. As a Project Manager, he has experience providing consultative support to legal teams regarding the application of project management strategies and litigation technology solutions to manage cases efficiently and enhance client relationships. He has an in depth understanding of the litigation life cycle, litigation technology, and electronic discovery.

Mr. Bilgere is the President on the Board of Directors of the Chicago chapter of ACEDS, he was on the steering committee of the Dallas Ft. Worth Association of Litigation Support Professionals, as well as a former Vice President on the National Board of Directors for ALSP. He has organized round-tables and lead discussions regarding the latest trends and thought processes surrounding electronic discovery.

Jared Hargrave is the Senior Manager of Discovery Analytics at Norton Rose Fulbright. He earned his JD at the Texas Tech University School of Law.

Emily Collins is the Information Governance attorney at Southwest Airlines, responsible for all things Information Governance and leads the E-Discovery team. Emily has been working in E-Discovery since 2007, when she was introduced to the exciting world of document review while involved in pharmaceutical litigation as an outside counsel. During her career, Emily has approached E-Discovery issues from a law firm, service provider/consultant, and corporate perspective, giving her a well-rounded and unique approach to tackling eDiscovery issues. She understands what is necessary to foster successful collaboration between in-house counsel, outside counsel, and E-Discovery vendors to achieve optimal results.

Emily earned both her law degree and bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and will not be convinced that a better college town exists. She still lives in Kansas City, Missouri, though splits her weekdays between KC and Dallas. Emily has never lived in Kansas and plans to retire to Greece, where she will finally write that novel.

Melissa Heidrick serves as an eDiscovery Project Manager at Norton Rose Fulbright; she also serves as of counsel for Kidd Production LLP, in Tyler, Texas. She earned her J.D. from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. She is admitted to the State Bar of Texas. Heidrick serves as Director at Large for the Dallas Chapter of ACEDS and is the former chapter director for the Dallas Chapter of Women in eDiscovery. Heidrick is also co-founder and co-owner of mmQuail Farm.

Sam Sessler is the Assistant Director of Global eDiscovry Services at Norton Rose Fullbright. Sam receives his BA in Computer Information Services from McMurry University.

Florinda Baldridge, Global Director of Practice Support for Norton Rose Fulbright, leveraged over 20 years of experience in the legal profession to build the firm’s global practice support organization. A pioneer in the areas of electronic discovery, technology assisted review, and project management in eDiscovery, Florinda has assembled a global team of legal technologists and litigation professionals who support the firm and its clients in complex electronic discovery and regulatory matters. Driven by a philosophy of process improvement and innovation, and the strategic application of technology, Florinda continues to pursue our never ending quest to increase efficiencies and reduce the costs of eDiscovery and document review.