Rethinking Retention with Practical Matter Lifecycle Strategies

When:  Feb 23, 2026 from 12:00 to 13:00 (ET)

12:00 pm EST, 9:00 am PST

Legal organizations are increasingly recognizing the risks and inefficiencies of retaining client data indefinitely. This roundtable session explores actionable strategies for managing the full lifecycle of a matter — from initiation to disposition — with a focus on reducing risk, improving governance, and optimizing storage costs.

Our panel of experts will guide a collaborative discussion around key stages of the matter lifecycle:

• Matter Initiation: Ensuring the right metadata and context are captured at the outset

• Repository Governance: Identifying sanctioned systems and enforcing usage policies during active phases

• Matter Closure: Leveraging workflows to consolidate final client files and trigger downstream processes

• Archiving: Moving dormant data off live systems to reduce exposure and cost

• Disposition: Using technology to generate eligibility reports and execute defensible disposal workflows

Attendees will gain insights into how firms are modernizing their approach to lifecycle management, hear real-world examples, and contribute to a shared dialogue on overcoming cultural and technical barriers. The session will be followed by a written summary that distills key takeaways into a publishable article for broader community learning.


Moderator:
Leigh Zidwick, Sr Director Info Governance, DLA Piper LLP (US) 

Panelists:
Mike Guernon, Director of Risk Management, Epiq
Kathleen Jimenez, Senior Manager, Information Governance Strategy and Technology, DLA Piper LLP
Jessica Marlette, Attorney, DLA Piper LLP

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