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13 I L T A N E T . O R G Stephanie Mills is the Manager of Discovery Services at Cassels, Brock and Blackwell LLP. She has extensive experience in civil litigation with an emphasis on intellectual property law, aboriginal law, and class actions. Stephanie offers experience with the management of evidence as it pertains to discovery and trial preparation and frequently assists in such capacity with multiple-week hearings. A Certified eDiscovery Specialist sitting on the Board of Directors for the Toronto chapter of ACEDS, she also participates in several groups affiliated with litigation support and e-Discovery including ILTA, and Women in eDiscovery. She has been a law clerk since 2003. I n the dynamic realm of eDiscovery and litigation support, 2024 will be marked by notable trends, with Technology- Assisted Review ("TAR") and Artificial Intelligence ("AI") having momentous influence in reshaping the legal landscape. Legal professionals are adapting to an era where information is abundant and managing it efficiently is paramount. As TAR and AI become integral to the litigation landscape, the role of litigation support professionals will continue to be vital in the management and review of data. Below are predictions on what 2024 will hold in this forum and what that means for litigation support professionals. While these insights are speculations, they are offered with the intention of sparking discussion. 1. The Power of TAR in Document Analysis: TAR has gained widespread acceptance as a powerful tool for expediting the document review process. In 2024, legal professionals will increasingly rely on TAR to sift through vast amounts of data, accelerating the identification of relevant documents and reducing the overall costs of litigation. With the automated capabilities of TAR (and AI), litigation support professionals will continue to take on more strategic roles in project management. They will oversee the integration of technology into workflows, ensuring seamless processes, and aligning the technology with the specific needs of legal teams. 2. AI Integration: The rise of specialized legal AI applications will contribute to a more tailored and effective approach to litigation. AI algorithms will enhance capabilities to analyze and organize large datasets, enabling legal teams to focus on more nuanced aspects of cases. This will allow legal professionals to address unique challenges within their practice areas, enhancing overall productivity. In addition, it will contribute to a higher degree of accuracy in identifying relevant information, reducing manual workload and increasing overall efficiency. Litigation support professionals will increasingly work in tandem with AI systems, requiring a collaborative approach with the AI teams and algorithms. They will need to provide oversight of the algorithms used, including rigorous testing and validation of the results. 3. Enhanced Project Management: The integration of TAR and AI will reshape the role of litigation support professionals, demanding a blend of legal expertise and technological proficiency. Adapting to these changes positions litigation support professionals as key players in driving efficiency, compliance, and strategic decision-making within the evolving landscape of litigation. Proficiency in managing and optimizing these technologies will be crucial. Litigation support professionals will have a blend of legal expertise and technological acumen, turning litigation support roles into interdisciplinary positions. Litigation support professionals will pivot and adapt to the changing landscape by acquiring skills that complement the integration of TAR and AI. In conclusion, the litigation landscape in 2024 may see concrete adoption of TAR and increase integration of AI, ushering in a new era of efficiency and accuracy. eDiscovery is poised for substantial advancements driven by AI and emerging technologies. Law firms can prepare for this future by investing in their litigation support professionals, embracing innovation, and staying attuned to evolving technologies. Legal professionals should stay abreast of these trends to navigate the evolving terrain successfully. ILTA

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