Nine Secretariat intellectual property experts have been recognized in the IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals 2025 for their world-class patent litigation expertise.
The IAM Patent 1000 is a globally respected guide that identifies the top expert witnesses and professionals in the patent litigation field. IAM‘s research and selection process is rigorous, involving more than 1,800 interviews with industry specialists and clients around the world. Only those identified by market sources for their outstanding skillsets and profound insights into patent matters earn a place in the listings.
Our industry-leading professionals have been consistently recognized as experts by IAM for over a decade. They offer exceptional knowledge of the economics of intellectual property and technology across a spectrum of life sciences, electronics, and other industries.
Here’s what IAM and our global clients had to say about our recognized experts:
- Appearing in his third consecutive IAM listing, Bruce Blacker is a seasoned expert witness who “offers expert consulting on business and accounting matters for both large corporations and nonprofit organizations.”
- Richard Brady, in his sixth IAM recognition, is an expert in microeconomics and financial analysis, lauded for his ability to “tackle even the most complex matters with confidence, including the recent successful examination of the domestic industry under the economic prong for Sartorius at the ITC.”
- Carrie Distler is commended by IAM and clients alike, who note how she “amplifies the team’s talent with her extensive experience in valuation and testifying, offering specialist insights into complex royalty assessments and cost analysis.”
- Richard Manning, who appears for the third year in a row, “helps clients tackle their most challenging economic issues.” The listing highlighted that Richard “has worked on numerous matters for Regeneron, including both defence and plaintiff-side commercial success reports and depositions. [His] testimony proved that commercial success can be a foundation for a non-obviousness argument and the importance of patents to commercial success.”
- Nisha Mody, recognized for the fourth consecutive year, is showcased as “a trusted consultant for top US law firms.” IAM notes that Nisha has “provided trial testimony and depositions in nearly 100 cases.”
- Aminta Raffalovich is again recognized for her technology expertise who “offers expert deposition and trial testimony in infringement disputes.” IAM highlights that Aminta is “a prime choice for disputes in tech-heavy areas, analyzing patent damages, and evaluating commercial success with finesse.”
- In his sixth IAM listing, Steve Schwartz is commended as trusted expert who “provides exceptional analysis for his patrons in both litigation and non-litigation contexts.” IAM notes, “in a current case, he was retained for analysis over antitrust counterclaims in a patent infringement matter for Masimo against Apple.”
- Ryan Sullivan is recognized for an incredible twelfth consecutive year. The listing showcases Ryan’s “three-decades plus of experience,” adding that he “is no stranger to high-stakes litigation and trade secrets testimony.” Ryan is also applauded for his work with Aminta on a recent engagement in which Secretariat offered expert deposition and trial testimony over a permanent injunction followed by a $19 million infringement verdict against Invitae.
- In her second consecutive IAM listing, Jennifer Vanderhart is recognized for her ability to “extend [her] knowledge to investigate expropriation claims by foreign governments and, domestically, focus on assessing economic damages in patent and other IP disputes.”
In their firm profile of Secretariat, IAM also writes, “dedicated to the core values of innovation and kindness, Secretariat stocks a team of well-versed economic consultants across its US offices.”
We’re thrilled to celebrate this recognition, applaud the achievements and hard work of our experts, and celebrate our firm’s culture of excellence, professional growth, and top-tier client service.
The full announcement and IAM Patent 1000 listing can be accessed here.
Secretariat is delighted to congratulate our recently promoted Managing Directors: Deven Bowles, Erica Greulich, Greg Johnson, Zack Kilgore, Gareth McDermott, Tony Nedinsky, Michael Pogue, and Ivy Tse.
Each of our new MDs has demonstrated that they represent the best of Secretariat—consistently delivering the highest-quality work, earning the trust of our clients through exceptional judgment and integrity, and exemplifying the values that define who we are.
“Developing talent from within and providing opportunities for our high performers to own and advance their careers are hallmarks of what make our firm unique,” says Managing Director Don Harvey. “This commitment not only strengthens our culture but also ensures we continue to grow in a smart, strategic way.”
We are thrilled to congratulate our newest MDs on this well-earned achievement and celebrate the impact they will continue to have in the years ahead.
Deven Bowles
Damages & Valuations | Houston
Deven has nearly 20 years of experience in both industry and consulting roles within the energy sector. He provides expert testimony and other dispute advisory services to law firms and their clients, having testified in U.S. State and Federal courts on more than 100 occasions. He has extensive, hands-on experience in multiple areas of oil and gas production, including upstream and midstream sectors. His testimony and consulting experience frequently deal with contractual disputes and industry customs and practices, including royalty valuation, market value analysis, production in paying quantities, infrastructure and rate disputes, damages quantification, product imbalances, and other commercial issues.
Erica Greulich, PhD
Antitrust & Competition | San Francisco
Erica specializes in empirical microeconomics and quantitative analysis. Her consulting engagements frequently concern antitrust, employment, discrimination, and breach of contract matters. She has consulted on numerous class action engagements and testified regarding labor market conditions and lost earnings. Erica’s research and experience have focused on the nexus between regulation, housing markets, and wage and employment outcomes. Her research has been published in the Brookings-Wharton Papers on Urban Affairs and Regional Science and Urban Economics.
Greg Johnson
Damages & Valuations | Washington, DC
Greg focuses on financial and economic issues in complex international disputes. He has worked on projects spanning a wide range of industries, including renewable energy, oil and gas, power, telecommunications, mining, manufacturing, and banking. His experience is global, with past cases in North America, South America, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. He has served as a valuation/damages expert in ICSID and ICC disputes. Clients have remarked on Greg’s strong attention to detail, focused involvement in every project, and ability to convey complex quantum issues in an easy-to-understand manner.
Zack Kilgore
Construction Delay | Atlanta
Zack has more than 15 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in dispute resolution, delay analysis, scheduling, claims, project controls, and construction and project management. He has provided expert services to owners and contractors across a wide range of projects worldwide. His work includes airports, petrochemical plants, light-rail projects, refineries, water treatment plants, government buildings, salvage operations, highways, and commercial mixed-use facilities. Earlier in his career, Zack was a field engineer and construction manager working internationally on several multi-billion-dollar projects.
Gareth McDermott
Construction Quantum | London
Gareth has nearly 20 years of experience working on major international construction, engineering, and energy projects, specializing in dispute resolution and forensic investigation of quantum claims. He has worked on projects of varying size and complexity in numerous sectors, including buildings, civil engineering, infrastructure, off-shore oil & gas facilities, marine, and process works. He has been appointed quantum expert in litigation, adjudication, and mediation proceedings. Gareth regularly provides advice and opinion on matters concerning variations, defective works, delay, acceleration, disruption, termination, costs to complete, and final accounts.
Tony Nedinsky
Construction Delay | Washington, DC
Tony’s professional experience includes advising owners, contractors, and stakeholders on matters that include project controls, scheduling/programming, contract disputes, and claims. He has been appointed as an independent expert on scheduling/programming and project delay on construction disputes in arbitration, litigation, and mediation. Tony’s extensive expertise in critical path method (CPM) scheduling/programming makes him a trusted expert for project delay claims and disputes, including analyses related to delay, disruption, productivity, time impacts, acceleration, and other project management and construction issues.
Michael Pogue
Construction Quantum | London
Michael is a chartered quantity surveyor specializing in providing quantum expert opinions on construction and engineering-related disputes. He is skilled at applying quantity surveying principles to the valuation of high-value claims, often with complex factual matrices such as disruption, escalation of costs, defective works, and the re-procurement and completion of works following termination. He draws on over 15 years of experience from major construction and engineering projects in most global regions and across multiple industry sectors, including energy, aviation, rail, highways, and utilities.
Ivy Tse
Damages & Valuations | Toronto
Ivy has more than 15 years of experience in business valuation, damages quantification, financial advisory, forensic investigations, and commercial litigation and disputes. She has worked with privately-owned and publicly-traded companies on a variety of matters, including breach of contract disputes, post-transaction disputes, business interruption claims, breach of fiduciary duties, and suspected corporate and employee wrongdoing. This includes the preparation of numerous damages quantification analyses and expert reports for a wide range of loss claims, including those in the multi-billion-dollar range. Additionally, Ivy has performed extensive forensic accounting investigations for companies with complex organizational structures.
Managing Director Bob Broxson provided expert reports, deposition, and trial testimony on behalf of Marathon Oil Co. in a high-stakes, precedent-setting contract dispute arising from a natural gas delivery impeded in 2021 by Winter Storm Uri.
A Texas federal jury rejected a $123.7 million breach-of-contract counterclaim filed by Koch Energy Services LLC, ruling in favor of Marathon’s force majeure defense related to natural gas deliveries during the historic storm. Marathon also prevailed on a partial summary judgment, with the jury requiring Koch to pay $9.8 million on Marathon’s breach of contract claim.
Mr. Broxson was retained by Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing to provide expert testimony challenging the claims made by Koch. Mr. Broxson provided direct testimony and was cross-examined on issues related to the common practices within the natural gas industry related to claims of force majeure in a six-day trial in Houston’s U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The Secretariat team supporting Mr. Broxson on this matter included Adam Housel, Kaarle Rautio, and Tyler Anderson.
Law360 coverage of the matter is available here (subscription may be required).
On May 7, Secretariat and The Wealth Today jointly hosted the Global Investigations and Disputes Forum (GIDF) in Dubai, attracting more than 300 attendees and 30 speakers from around the world. This dynamic forum unpacked key challenges in corporate investigations, crisis management, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance, offering strategies for risk mitigation and corporate liability. Participants had the unique opportunity to network with top investigations professionals, attend insightful and interactive panel discussions, and hear from industry leaders on crucial financial crime topics, including cross-border investigations, AI and blockchain in dispute resolution, and corporate integrity.
In a headlining session, Bhavin Shah and Ralph Stobwasser explored “The Global Financial and Economic Crime Outlook: Trends and Predictions.” They discussed Secretariat’s Global Financial and Economic Crime Risk Outlook 2025, sharing insights on emerging trends and strategic responses to combat global financial crime.
The session equipped attendees with essential tools for navigating the evolving global sanctions landscape, best practices for export controls and compliance, and key insights about the advanced technologies reshaping today’s risk landscape. Bhavin and Ralph’s discussion emphasized the importance of proactive measures and strategic planning to mitigate risk and reinforce resilience amidst the increasingly sophisticated financial crime arena.
Later in the morning, May Mhanna moderated a panel on “Family Disputes, UHNI & Financial Litigation Strategies.” The panel featured valuable conversations about managing complex disputes, discussing key issues such as control dynamics, personality dynamics, trust structure & execution, dispute resolution, and the delicate balance between transparency and secrecy in high-stakes litigation. Panelists discussed FCPA and global anti-bribery regulations, the intersection of sanctions, AML, and CFT frameworks, and explored financial crimes through the lens of enforcement case studies. This panel featured engaging conversations with Mohamed El Ghatit (OGH Legal), Marcus Parker (Stewarts), Ali Al Zarouni (Horizons & Co Law Firm), and Naief Yahia (Al Tamimi & Co).
In their panel discussion, “Role of Experts in Arbitration & Litigation: Bridging the Gap,” Chaitanya Arora (serving as moderator) and Ian Greenhough engaged in a dynamic discussion on how the early introduction of a seasoned independent expert witness adds clarity and credibility to complex disputes. Joined by panelists Walid Azzam (Hadef & Partners). Zeeshan Dhar (Yung Technology (FO of HRH Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Al Saud)), Kunal Vajani (Fox and Mandal), and Shane Jury (Ashurst), our experts covered legal and financial complexities in UHNI family disputes, best practices for dispute resolution in high-stakes family matters, and strategies for financial litigation and navigating criminal litigation disputes.
Stephen Millington expertly moderated the panel on “Financial Statement Fraud, Short Sellers & Market Impact,” where panelists shared perspectives on market manipulation, investor protection, and regulatory response. This important dialogue at the intersection of finance, law, and accountability included discussions of financial statement fraud case studies, the role of short sellers, the impact of market news and cross-market listings, and how financial crimes influence market stability. Panelists for this session were Steve Smith (Eversheds Sutherland), Collin Lobo (HSBC), and Yaser Moustafa (Janus Henderson Investors).
The panel on “Reputation Management, Business Intelligence & Dispute Financing,” moderated by Charlie Warren, delivered sharp insights on protecting brand value, leveraging intelligence to anticipate risk, aligning legal and communication strategies in high-stakes matters, and financing strategies for complex disputes. Panelists Bryan Stirewalt (Grant Thornton UAE), Nicholas McDonagh (Teneo), and Benjamin S. Haley (Covington & Burling) explored how to protect your brand during high-stakes investigations and disputes, and how to navigate the evolving landscape of reputation management and business intelligence.
Later, Amran Nawaz spoke on “Sports: M&A, Investments, and Disputes,” demonstrating expertise in managing high-profile sports transactions and disputes, sharing vital knowledge, and highlighting the evolving relationship between law, business, and sports.
In the closing session, Ralph Stobwasser moderated “The Complexity Of Tracing and Ultimately Recovering Digital Assets,” alongside panelists Kanika Sharma (Fulcrum Capital), Abhinav Sharma (Dentons Link Legal), Joe Durkin (Burford Capital), and Priyank Ladoia (AZB & Partners). The panel covered legal, financial, and forensic strategies, along with key policy developments in India and the UAE. Panelists addressed developments in tracing assets in terms of technology, techniques, and transparency, navigating cross-jurisdictional barriers, practical considerations when freezing assets in a volatile environment, and exploring the future of NPA and litigation funding.
We were proud to host the GIDF alongside The Wealth Today. This thought-provoking, engaging event was a testament to the power of knowledge-sharing and collaboration in addressing the emerging and urgent topics facing our industry. Connect with our experts to explore how our insights and strategies can benefit your organization.
Secretariat Experts, Colleagues, and Clients at the GIDF:
Secretariat team members Stuart Gurrea, Jéssica Dutra, Wei Tan, Pablo Varas, and Noah Case have contributed to “Chapter I — Restraints of Trade” in the recently published “2024 Annual Review of Antitrust Law Developments” from the ABA Antitrust Law Section. Michael Koenig contributed to “Chapter VIII — Civil Government Enforcement”.
For over 40 years, the publication and its annual supplements have been recognized as the most authoritative and comprehensive research tools for antitrust practitioners. This edition summarizes developments during 2024 in the courts, at the agencies, and in Congress.
Secretariat is proud to celebrate Norman Harrison’s recognition as a 2025 Top Consultant for Excellence in Regulation and Compliance by Consulting Magazine. This prestigious honor highlights his exceptional contributions to the consulting profession, particularly in helping clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes and ensuing investigations and disputes, as well as resolve compliance issues in highly regulated industries.
As Consulting Magazine notes, Top Consultants are distinguished by their ability to innovate, deliver the highest levels of client service, and effect positive change for their peers, their firms, and the industry.
A Managing Director in our global Investigations & Disputes practice, Norman draws on his former experience as an investment banker, transactional attorney, and hedge fund compliance officer to advise clients and their counsel in high-stakes matters arising at the intersection of litigation, regulation, transactions, and the capital markets. Norman leads investigations of white-collar criminal and regulatory compliance matters, as well as shareholder and civil litigation. He also assists independent compliance monitors appointed by the DOJ and SEC in cases of corporate misconduct.
“I am thrilled to be recognized as a Top Consultant,” says Norman. “This honor underscores the crucial nature of the work we do at Secretariat. I look forward to continuing to build upon our robust and growing investigative capabilities and providing clients with sophisticated solutions amidst rising regulatory and legal uncertainty.”
In today’s ever-evolving regulatory enforcement landscape, clients require clarity more than ever. When faced with the challenges of a lawsuit, a whistleblower complaint, or an investigation by the SEC or DOJ, leading law firms and corporations trust Secretariat’s experts to uncover facts and provide their insights every step of the way. Our work helps ensure that they navigate these complexities with confidence and the expertise necessary to achieve positive outcomes.
We are pleased to congratulate Norman on being named a Top Consultant by Consulting Magazine. This achievement is a testament to his impactful leadership and expertise in helping clients understand and resolve the most complex investigative, legal, and regulatory challenges.
Read the full announcement: https://www.event.consultingmag.com/topconsultants/7180911
Secretariat was a proud supporting partner of Paris Arbitration Week (PAW) 2025. The event, which took place from April 7 to 11, brought together more than 10,000 arbitration practitioners from 135 countries. We were thrilled to participate in dynamic discussions and share our passion and expertise with the international arbitration community.
During the week-long symposium, our experts hosted panels exploring ongoing challenges and emerging trends across various arbitration topics, including infrastructure claims, sports arbitration, and construction disputes. On the final day, we were honored to be recognized as the #1 Expert Witness Firm in the GAR 100 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index 2025.
Here are the highlights from our time at PAW 2025.
Monday, April 7
Directors Etienne Berge and Nicolas Noyer commenced Secretariat’s PAW participation, speaking on a panel titled “The Challenges of Claims in the Infrastructure Sector — Current Trends and Comparative Perspectives by Counsel, Experts and Arbitrators from Around the World.”
The Secretariat-hosted panel featured prominent arbitrators, lawyers, and quantum and delay experts from Asia, North America, and the UK. Drawing on their unique experience of working with clients across various industries and continents, Etienne and Nicolas joined panelists Elodie Dulac (King & Spalding), Philippe Boisvert (Borden Ladner Gervais LLP), and Jean-François Le Gal (Pinsent Masons) in discussing emerging and existing trends in construction claims. The experts provided insights into how construction claims are dealt with in their different geographies, comparing:
- The practical approach of the parties in the management of construction claims, from initiation to the resolution of formal disputes
- The influence of the law systems in place
- The evolution of typical construction contracts
- The role of lawyers and experts
We were grateful to share valuable perspectives, learn from the diverse experience of our esteemed colleagues, and discuss innovative ways to navigate emerging and ongoing challenges in construction claims.
Tuesday, April 8
Associate Directors Shalabh Gupta and Amran Nawaz analyzed the intersection of law, finance, and sports during the “The Business of Sports: Navigating Investment, Regulation, and Disputes” panel discussion.
This panel, also hosted by Secretariat, brought together leading arbitrators, lawyers, and financial experts to examine the evolving landscape of business and disputes across professional sports. Drawing on their experience working with clients across various sports, industries, and continents, the panelists provided insights into the intricate financial, commercial, and regulatory matters shaping professional sports.
We enjoyed comparing commercial and sports arbitration and exploring how dispute resolution in sports can learn from challenges faced in other industries. Thank you to our fellow panelists — Steven Bainbridge (Greenberg Traurig), Jeffrey Benz (4 New Square Chambers), Shamin Choudhury (Linklaters), and William Sternheimer (Court of Arbitration for Sport).
Thursday, April 10
On Thursday afternoon, Managing Director Oliver Barnes participated in the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Live: Construction Disputes panel “Family Fortunes or Family Feuds?”
Oliver joined Aarta Alkarimi (Chrysalis), Liam Hart (Reed Smith LLP), Douglas Jones (independent arbitrator), Peter Rosher (Reed Smith LLP), and David Thomas (Keating Chambers) to discuss the pros and cons of disputes involving NEC contracts and examine if and how NEC contracts may deliver fewer disputes, greater cost clarity, and improved collaboration.
On Thursday evening, we attended the 15th Annual GAR Awards. During the event, Secretariat was named as the #1 Expert Witness Firm in the Global Arbitration Review (GAR) 100 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index 2025, earning the top-ranking spot for the second consecutive year.
The Secretariat team attending the event included Mike Saulsbury, Eric Guyer, Alexandre Riviere, John Little, Natasha Willicombe, Howard Rosen, Nick Child, Travis Taylor, Shane Kennett, Björn Brand, and Oliver Barnes.
This award reflects our experts’ steadfast commitment to providing objective insights, impactful testimony, and exceptional client service in the most complex, high-value arbitrations.
Managing Director Charlie Warren explores the impact of consumer boycotts on M&A in Southeast Asia in Deal Street Asia’s latest article, Beyond the Buyout.
“There are already heightened ESG, sanctions and integrity risks all across the supply chain particularly in Southeast Asia”, comments Charlie. “There is also the need to assess historical and ongoing consumer sentiment towards brands, how the businesses have addressed previous complaints and grievances, and to measure how well prepared the business is to respond.”
- Gen AI has emerged as a dominant force, reshaping legal practices and workflows.
- 80% of legal professionals now rate themselves as knowledgeable about AI, reflecting growing confidence in the technology.
- 74% of respondents expect to use AI-driven tools in their jobs within the next 12 months, underscoring AI’s critical role in the future of legal work.
The 2025 Artificial Intelligence Report, conducted by Secretariat in collaboration with ACEDS, has revealed groundbreaking insights into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal industry. With a focus on Generative AI (GenAI) and its increasing integration into legal workflows, the survey provides essential data for organizations navigating the future of legal practice and technology. Now in its third year, the report’s research and analysis was once again led by legal AI expert Richard Finkelman in collaboration with ACEDS. This year also marks the first partnership with Secretariat to sponsor this comprehensive study.
The report shares insights into key areas of AI use in legal practice, including:
- Gen AI: recent usage, tools, applications, and predictions for its biggest impact in the next 12 months.
- AI Experience: investment plans, organizational strategies, barriers, and expected AI usage in the next year.
- ESI Agreements: involvement in Electronically Stored Information (ESI) agreements with technology-assisted review (TAR), especially for privilege review, and challenges in negotiating these agreements.
- AI in Document Review: effectiveness in document and privilege review, cost-saving potential, and tools used.
“Our report clearly shows we have reached a watershed moment in legal’s AI adoption. It is no longer a passing trend but a transformative force that is fundamentally changing how legal professionals work.” said Richard Finkelman, Managing Director at Secretariat. “Our survey reveals that legal organizations are not just adopting AI—they’re planning for it to become a core part of their operations in the very near future. With 74% of respondents expecting to use AI tools within a year, the time for strategic planning, investment, and adoption is now.”
“This year’s findings clearly show that legal professionals are no longer just exploring AI—they’re actively preparing to embed it into their daily work,” said Maribel Rivera, VP of Strategy and Client Engagement at ACEDS. “At ACEDS, we’re seeing this shift firsthand as professionals seek out training and tools to confidently navigate this next era of legal tech. The momentum is real, and it’s exciting to see the industry embrace both the opportunities and the responsibility that come with AI adoption
The 2025 Secretariat and ACEDS AI Report surveyed professionals across the legal industry globally, with 40% of respondents representing eDiscovery/legal support professionals and 22% attorneys. A significant portion of the responses came from law firms, accounting for 49% of total respondents. The data reflects a diverse range of organizations, with 56% of respondents from companies with more than 250 employees.
Despite the widespread optimism about AI’s potential, the survey also highlights barriers to adoption, including data privacy concerns, cost, and AI hallucinations, which continue to challenge many organizations.
The 2025 Secretariat and ACEDS Artificial Intelligence Report provides valuable insights for legal professionals and organizations looking to stay ahead of AI trends and tackle the challenges of AI adoption head-on. To download a copy of the report, click here.
Secretariat and ACEDS 2025 Artificial Intelligence Report
We’re excited to announce the launch of our latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) global report in collaboration with ACEDS, providing a critical snapshot of industry sentiment, adoption trends, and the evolving role of AI in legal practice.
About Secretariat — Secretariat experts are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world. Renowned law firms, leading corporations, and respected governmental entities turn to our more than 600 disputes, investigations, economic, engineering, and data advisory experts when the stakes are high— supporting them with meticulous preparation, insightful analysis, and clearly persuasive communications. Our bright minds and passionate problem-solvers put their financial, analytical, and strategic insights to work in the fast-paced sectors we serve – from construction and energy to healthcare, technology, and natural resources. Quality, integrity, and independence are woven into every aspect of our work. But, most importantly, when success is on the line, our globally integrated teams thrive on working through the most daunting problems in ways that remove uncertainty and instill confidence.
Secretariat Media Contact
Nathan Jenks T:+1 773 220 8896 E:njenks@secretariat-intl.com
About ACEDS — The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), part of leading legal education provider BARBRI Global, is the world’s leading organization for training and certification in e-discovery, information governance, and related disciplines. ACEDS provides training to corporate legal departments, law firms, the government, service providers, and institutions of higher learning. Our flagship CEDS certification is recognized worldwide and used to verify skills and competence in electronic discovery for organizations and individuals through training, certification, and continuing education. The CEDS credential is held by practitioners at the largest Fortune 500 companies, Am Law 200 firms and government agencies. ACEDS has 30 chapters in most major US cities, Canada, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia. Our goal is to help professionals and organizations reduce the costs and risks associated with e-discovery while helping to improve and verify their skills and advance their careers and overall technology competence in e-discovery and related fields. Learn more at www.aceds.org.
ACEDS Media Contact
Katie Saylor T: 913.219.4444 E:ksaylor@aceds.org
About BARBRI — BARBRI is the global leader in technology-enabled legal education with leadership positions in the US and the UK. Dedicated to providing unparalleled innovation and excellence in legal education, BARBRI delivers outstanding success to learners by providing the most trusted and industry leading products under one unified experience and across every step of the legal learner’s path. Building on the success of its core bar courses, which have helped more than 1.5 million lawyers around the world pass a U.S. bar exam, BARBRI offers a comprehensive suite of learning solutions for higher education institutions and law-related businesses empowering every step of legal learning journey. Founded in 1967, BARBRI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices throughout the United States and around the world.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) global report in collaboration with ACEDS, providing a critical snapshot of industry sentiment, adoption trends, and the evolving role of AI in legal practice.
AI is rapidly reshaping legal practice, with Generative AI (GenAI) now a dominant force in the industry. The Secretariat and ACEDS 2025 Artificial Intelligence Report, now in its third year, highlights the latest trends in AI adoption, industry sentiment, and the challenges professionals face in integrating AI into their legal practice and workflows.
This year’s results reflect significant shifts, including:
- GenAI has arrived as a dominant force in legal technology
- A growing industry-wide confidence in AI comprehension, with 80% of respondents now rating themselves as knowledgeable
- AI-driven tools will be integral to legal work, with 74% expecting to use them thisyear
- The establishment of human-AI collaboration, with hybrid document reviews expected to become the new normal
- Key barriers to adoption remain, including attorney education, data privacy concerns, cost, and AI hallucinations
As AI continues to evolve rapidly, organizations must make critical decisions on adoption, strategy, and implementation. Our global report provides key insights to help you navigate these changes swiftly and effectively.
Reach out to Richard Finkelman if you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this report or if you would be interested in joining our Working Group: Code & Counsel: Women in Legal & AI.
The new initiative will provide practical guidance for the use of AI in the legal industry and will promote ethical use and diversity.
The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), the world’s leading organization for e-discovery training and certification, has announced the formation of its first working group, “Code & Counsel: Women in Legal & AI.” This new initiative, developed in partnership with the expert and forensic advisory firm Secretariat, seeks to bridge the gender gap in AI adoption within the legal profession. Collectively the working group will explore ethical and innovative applications of AI across legal technology—including e-discovery—advance inclusive practices, and provide legal professionals with practical tools to integrate AI into their daily work.
The working group held its inaugural meeting earlier this month and will convene regularly to advance these objectives.
The Code & Counsel working group brings together accomplished women lawyers and legal professionals with expertise in digital evidence, e-discovery and legal data intelligence, including:
- Kassi Burns, Senior Attorney at King & Spalding and AI podcaster
- Fiona Campbell, Director, Dispute Resolution, Head of Electronic Disclosure at Fieldfisher
- Martha K. Louks, Director of Technology Services at McDermott Will & Emery
- Angela O’Neal, Director at Nextra Solutions
- Ashley Picker Dubin, Counsel at Day Pitney
- Jennifer Williams, Senior Director, eDiscovery, Litigation Support & Office Services at Vinson & Elkins
Additional members will be announced in the coming months.
“We are excited to launch this important working group,” said Maribel Rivera, VP at ACEDS “By bringing together these women who are engaged in AI, we aim to foster a collaborative environment where they can share knowledge, develop practical and ethical AI solutions, and inspire greater participation of women in legal technology.”
A recent National Law Review article highlighted a stark gender disparity in generative AI (GenAI) adoption: 64% of male lawyers use GenAI, compared to only 40% of female lawyers.
“This gap is concerning, especially since women make up a significant portion of legal professionals, including 75% of legal aid attorneys.” Rivera continued. “This working group is committed to tackling the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in legal practice. We’re not just educating the market on AI’s transformative potential—we’re also championing greater sense of inclusion while ensuring AI’s ethical development and deployment.”
With an increase among women graduating from law school, it is critical as they enter the legal profession that they gain proficiency in AI-powered legal technologies to advance their careers and contribute to a more equitable and accessible legal system.
“We are delighted to support ACEDS and this working group of accomplished women who are leading several AI initiatives in their firms and in the industry. Secretariat will be supporting this group by providing resources and technology to the working group so they can evaluate AI tools and develop recommendations for others who need assistance with AI adoption,” said Richard Finkelman, Managing Director at Secretariat
To support AI adoption and responsible implementation, Code & Counsel will develop practical resources and guidance for law firms, corporations, and legal service providers, including:
- Best Practices & Guidelines – Actionable insights for implementing AI in legal workflows while ensuring responsible use and risk mitigation.
- Educational Materials – White papers, webinars, and training sessions to inform legal professionals about AI’s capabilities and limitations.
- Tool Evaluations – A curated list of vetted AI tools and resources for legal organizations.
The formation of Code & Counsel builds upon ACEDS’ recent partnership with Secretariat to advance AI education and adoption within the legal community. The working group will actively engage the broader legal industry through publications, presentations, and workshops to share insights and promote best practices.
For more information about the working group or to get involved, contact Maribel Rivera at ACEDS.
About Secretariat
Secretariat experts are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world. Renowned law firms, leading corporations, and respected governmental entities turn to our more than 600 disputes, investigations, economic, engineering, and data advisory experts when the stakes are high— supporting them with meticulous preparation, insightful analysis, and clearly persuasive communications.
Our bright minds and passionate problem-solvers put their financial, analytical, and strategic insights to work in the fast-paced sectors we serve – from construction and energy to healthcare, technology, and natural resources.
Quality, integrity, and independence are woven into every aspect of our work. But, most importantly, when success is on the line, our globally integrated teams thrive on working through the most daunting problems in ways that remove uncertainty and instill confidence. Learn more at www.secretariat-intl.com.
About ACEDS
The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS), part of leading legal education provider BARBRI Global, is the world’s leading organization for training and certification in e-discovery, information governance, and related disciplines. ACEDS provides training to corporate legal departments, law firms, the government, service providers, and institutions of higher learning. Our flagship CEDS certification is recognized worldwide and used to verify skills and competence in electronic discovery for organizations and individuals through training, certification, and continuing education. The CEDS credential is held by practitioners at the largest Fortune 500 companies, Am Law 200 firms and government agencies. ACEDS has 30 chapters in most major US cities, Canada, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Australia. Our goal is to help professionals and organizations reduce the costs and risks associated with e-discovery while helping to improve and verify their skills and advance their careers and overall technology competence in e-discovery and related fields.
About BARBRI
BARBRI is the global leader in technology-enabled legal education with leadership positions in the US and the UK. Dedicated to providing unparalleled innovation and excellence in legal education, BARBRI delivers outstanding success to learners by providing the most trusted and industry leading products under one unified experience and across every step of the legal learner’s path. Building on the success of its core bar courses, which have helped more than 1.5 million lawyers around the world pass a U.S. bar exam, BARBRI offers a comprehensive suite of learning solutions for higher education institutions and law-related businesses empowering every step of legal learning journey. Founded in 1967, BARBRI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices throughout the United States and around the world.
Shalabh Gupta, Amran Nawaz, and Daniel Nazareth joined the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 podcast to discuss their article “Demystifying Andretti’s Failed F1 Application” and share valuable insights on the F1 business landscape, Andretti’s application, and anti-dilution fees. The experts also discuss the motivations behind GM Cadillac’s successful F1 application and its broader impacts on the sport.
Why was GM Cadillac’s application accepted over Andretti’s, and how might this decision affect existing teams and the overall dynamics of the sport? With F1’s increasing popularity, understanding these considerations is more important than ever.
Listen to Shalabh, Amran, and Daniel on the 2 Guys, A Girl, and F1 podcast here.