1- Learn about digital evidence trends

2- Learn how to Stay Ahead of Digital Evidence Trends

3- Learn to position mobile data extraction with other case data

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A new report from Ari Kaplan Advisors and Opus 2 offers research and analysis for litigation teams seeking a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Ari Kaplan Advisors, a leading legal industry analyst, and Opus 2, a global legal software and solutions provider, today announced the release of a new report based on research of leading law firm litigation departments.

The report, Advancing Litigation Support to Fuel Growth in a Changing Legal Market, is the first of its kind and provides industry benchmarks, analysis of challenges and market trends, and an overview of the litigation technology landscape.

Key findings include

Market trends impacting workloads

The report reveals that litigation caseloads, data volumes, and complexity are on the rise. These trends are expected to continue, which presents both challenges and opportunities for law firms, particularly those pursuing litigation revenue growth.

– 93% report that the amount of data they manage in an average case is increasing
– 83% expect their caseloads to increase in the next 12 to 18 months
– 60% say these conditions could pose a challenge for their team

Outdated technology poses challenges

A significant concern, in light of market trends, is the reliance on outdated technology. Nearly 40% of respondents use case management solutions that are more than 6 years old, which they described as inadequate for current needs. These solutions may become a barrier to growth if they cannot adapt to meet changing needs and evolve as technology advances.

GenAI is a competitive advantage

Most firms are in the early stages of deploying generative AI (GenAI). And 87% believe that AI-assisted case management software is a competitive advantage. Respondents say that GenAI will transform document analysis, transcript management, case chronologies, and case strategy.

In addition, the report explores innovation in litigation support, migration to the cloud, and how leaders are developing new skill sets.

“Litigation teams are comprised of the most skilled and strategic professionals in the legal industry, but they increasingly need to balance cautious progress and timely innovation,” said Ari Kaplan, Principal of Ari Kaplan Advisors. “We’re at an inflection point where waiting too long to determine how others adopt generative AI may allow peer firms to create an innovation gap that could be challenging to overcome. To stay ahead, teams should proactively adopt best-in-class litigation solutions that include AI assistance to enhance productivity, improve outcomes, and maintain their competitive edge.”

“This research underscores the pivotal role of technology in litigation and its ability to transform the future of the legal industry,” said Beau Wysong, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, at Opus 2. “We were honored to partner with Ari Kaplan Advisors to support this research and offer litigation teams insights and strategies to help them prepare for the future.”

To access the full report, visit opus2.com/litigation-support-industry-research.

About Ari Kaplan Advisors

Ari Kaplan Advisors is a leading legal industry advisory company that publishes benchmarking reports on legal technology trends, delivers networking, public speaking, and business development training for law firms and other providers of professional services, and offers personal coaching and access to its proprietary coaching software platform, Lawcountability. For the past seven years, the consultancy has published E-Discovery Unfiltered: A Survey of Current Trends and Candid Perspectives to provide leading vendors with insights about their businesses from members of their target audience, as well as their views on a range of key trends. Company principal, Ari Kaplan, is an inaugural Fastcase 50 honoree, a fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, and a finalist for the International Legal Technology Association’s Thought Leader of the Year award. Learn more about Ari Kaplan Advisors at https://www.AriKaplanAdvisors.com.

About Opus 2

For more than 15 years, Opus 2 has developed award-winning solutions trusted by the most successful law firms. Used in thousands of proceedings around the world, Opus 2 transforms how lawyers and other legal professionals work by eliminating inefficiencies and connecting them with the collaborative software they need to work smarter and more effectively together. The company also delivers the essential technology and expertise needed to conduct resolution proceedings in the most modern, seamless, and secure way possible. Learn more at Opus 2.


Read on for insights on the future of cloud & mobile forensics, the role of AI and machine learning, and much more!

CEO Lee Reiber: The Digital Forensics Landscape in 2025 – What Lies Ahead?

Discover the key trends transforming digital forensics in 2025, including advancements in cloud forensics, AI, mobile devices, deepfake detection, and cybersecurity convergence.

As we move towards 2025, the field of digital forensics is rapidly evolving, shaped by technological advancements, increasingly complex cyber threats, and ever-growing data volumes. The next few years promise a seismic shift in the way digital evidence is gathered, analyzed, and used in both criminal and corporate investigations. Below, I will explore key trends that are likely to define the digital forensics landscape in 2025 from my perspective.

Cloud Forensics: Navigating the challenges of distributed data

The rise of cloud computing has significantly transformed the way data is stored, accessed, and shared. In 2025, cloud forensics will be even more complex, as data will increasingly be spread across multiple platforms, devices, and geographical locations.

For investigators, this distributed nature of data presents several challenges. Cloud providers’ differing policies on data retention, encryption, and access rights will require forensics professionals to develop more nuanced approaches to acquiring digital evidence. The development of specialized tools for cloud data extraction and analysis will be crucial, as traditional forensic methods may not always be applicable in the cloud environment.

By 2025, we may see the standardization of cloud forensic tools and methodologies, supported by international legal frameworks that make cross-border data retrieval more efficient. Additionally, the integration of cloud forensics with other emerging technologies, like blockchain, may lead to more secure and transparent investigations.

AI and Machine Learning: A game changer for digital investigations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will be at the forefront of the digital forensics’ revolution by 2025. These technologies will dramatically enhance investigators’ ability to process and analyze large volumes of data quickly and efficiently.

Currently, forensic examiners spend a significant amount of time manually reviewing data — whether it’s logs, device contents, or network traffic. In 2025, AI-powered tools will take on much of this load, automatically flagging relevant information, identifying anomalies, and even making predictive assessments about potential leads.

For example, AI algorithms will help investigators uncover patterns in seemingly unrelated data, spot new cyberattack strategies, or predict the behavior of suspects based on digital footprints. The use of AI in predictive analysis will extend to identifying vulnerabilities in systems before an attack occurs, offering a proactive approach to digital security.

Mobile Forensics: Keeping up with evolving devices

As smartphones and IoT (Internet of Things) devices continue to become more integrated into our daily lives, mobile forensics will become increasingly important. By 2025, new devices with advanced encryption and increasingly sophisticated operating systems will make extracting and analyzing data more challenging for forensic experts.

To keep up, forensic tools will need to evolve with the hardware. Advanced mobile forensics software will be capable of bypassing high-level encryption, recovering deleted files, and even extracting data from secure apps. With the advent of 5G networks, mobile forensics will also expand to include the ability to trace communications and data packets sent through these high-speed networks.

In addition, with wearable devices and smart home appliances generating massive amounts of data, digital forensic experts will need to refine their methods for capturing evidence from a wider range of IoT devices. This will require the development of new legal standards for data privacy and collection protocols, as IoT devices may store sensitive information.

Media: The future of compromised media

Deepfakes are becoming an increasingly significant challenge in digital forensics due to their potential to manipulate digital content — specifically video, audio, and images — at an unprecedented level of realism. In digital forensic investigations, deepfakes can pose a serious threat to the integrity of evidence. With advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, creating convincing fake videos or audio recordings has become easier than ever. This makes it difficult for forensic investigators to distinguish between real and fabricated content, especially when these falsified materials are used in criminal activities such as defamation, fraud, or the dissemination of misinformation. Therefore, forensic investigators must develop advanced techniques to detect and analyze deepfakes to verify the authenticity of digital evidence.

The growing use of deepfakes also raises concerns regarding the security of digital communication channels. Forensic investigators must be equipped with tools that can identify subtle inconsistencies in video frames, audio frequencies, or pixel patterns that indicate manipulation. The use of deepfakes in cybercrime, such as in phishing schemes or identity theft, amplifies the need for digital forensics professionals to stay ahead of emerging technologies. As deepfake technology continues to evolve, forensic investigators will require specialized software and skills to spot and analyze these fakes, ensuring that they do not become a tool for criminal exploitation or a means of undermining the credibility of evidence presented in legal proceedings.

Furthermore, deepfakes can be used to create false narratives in high-stakes legal or political cases. In the context of digital forensics, ensuring that deepfake materials are identified and excluded from investigations is crucial in upholding justice and maintaining truth in data. As the legal implications of deepfakes unfold, digital forensic investigators will play a central role in safeguarding against their malicious use. The ability to detect and prove the authenticity of digital evidence will be critical to upholding the integrity of investigations in an era where deepfakes are increasingly common.

Cybersecurity and digital forensics convergence

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the lines between cybersecurity and digital forensics will blur. In 2025, I expect digital forensics professionals to work more closely with cybersecurity teams to both prevent and investigate incidents. Real-time forensics will become more prominent, where digital forensics teams will be embedded within incident response teams to trace the source of breaches as they happen.

The integration of digital forensics with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools will enable forensic professionals to analyze live network traffic and pinpoint malicious activity in real time. In turn, these findings can help shape future cybersecurity defenses.

Moreover, as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and insider threats continue to rise, the need for coordinated efforts between digital forensics and cybersecurity experts will be essential. This convergence will lead to the development of hybrid roles, where professionals are well-versed in both fields, allowing for a more holistic approach to both crime prevention and investigation.

Ethical considerations and privacy laws: Striking a balance

The explosion of digital data presents significant ethical challenges in digital forensics. By 2025, the collection and analysis of digital evidence will require careful consideration of privacy laws and ethical boundaries. Forensic professionals will need to ensure that they respect individuals’ privacy while also securing vital evidence for investigations.

New laws and regulations governing data protection — such as the GDPR in Europe — are likely to become more stringent as data privacy concerns rise. Digital forensic experts will need to stay up-to-date with these changes, ensuring compliance while also making sure that investigations are not compromised. The development of clear guidelines for digital forensics in the context of evolving privacy laws will be crucial to maintaining the balance between law enforcement needs and individual rights.

Additionally, ethical debates surrounding AI-driven forensics, such as bias in Machine Learning algorithms, will likely become even more of a hot topic.

Conclusion: A brave new world for digital forensics

The digital forensics landscape in 2025 will be characterized by an increasingly sophisticated and interconnected ecosystem of tools and technologies. From AI and Machine Learning to deepfake and cloud forensics, the future of digital investigations will be more efficient, precise, and data driven. However, as technology advances, so will the challenges—both technical and ethical—that digital forensic experts will face.

As I look ahead, one thing is certain: the digital forensics landscape of 2025 will be shaped not only by technological advancements but by the ability of professionals to adapt, innovate, and balance the need for justice with a complete vision of what the data says, either in favor or against – data does not lie when an investigator investigates and does not rely on only the tool. With the right tools, legal frameworks, and investigator training and competency in place, digital forensics will continue to evolve as a crucial pillar in the fight against cybercrime.


Comprehensive, tailored state and federal law surveys and automated change management.


Success and expansion in 2024 positions Opus 2 for continued growth and innovation in 2025 and beyond. Explore the company’s advancements, award recognition, and more in this press release.

LONDON, UK – 14 January 2025 – Opus 2, a leading legal software and services provider, today reflected on the past year filled with transformative product innovation, significant company achievements, strategic market partnerships, and other positive building blocks. Headlined by an infusion of generative AI capabilities into multiple solutions, the company is well positioned to help drive the rapidly evolving legal AI landscape that’s forecasted for 2025.

According to a research report published by Ari Kaplan Advisors in December, 93 percent of interviewed law firms are preparing for generative AI and 87 percent indicated that AI-assisted case management software, like Opus 2 Cases, is a competitive advantage. Coupled with 80 percent of respondents emphasising business growth within their litigation department, Opus 2 is energised by the opportunity that lies ahead.

“Law firms have a real sense of urgency to modernise the workflows, technologies, and approaches related to litigation and international arbitration—largely driven by the rapid evolution of generative AI that’s reshaping dispute resolution and the legal industry as a whole,” said Greg Blackman, Opus 2 CEO. “The foundation we’ve built, from investing in research and development to expanding our teams and global reach, positions us enviably to help customers navigate this disruptive legal tech landscape while delivering maximum value to their clients.”

Being ahead of the curve played a key role as Opus 2 experienced record business growth in 2024. In addition to the staff and office additions listed below, the company added 36 new Opus 2 Cases customers, a third of which are Global 200 law firms. With its highest net retention rate to date (120 percent), the company’s already strong customer base continued to expand their case management software use at leading firms like BakerHostetler, Norton Rose Fulbright, Troutman Pepper Locke eMerge, and Vorys.

Opus 2 Hearings—the company’s industry-leading software and services solution for streamlining dispute resolution proceedings—underpinned 75 percent of The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2024, including high-profile global litigation cases Skatteforvaltningen v Solo Capital Partners LLP & Ors and Russian Aircraft Insurance Claims.

The following high-level summary outlines the company’s most impactful efforts and accomplishments from the past year:

Successful launch of advanced AI capabilities
Pioneering advancements in AI, Opus 2 introduced new features that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of legal teams. These include document and transcript analysis, document and transcript summarisation, and advanced query capabilities, enabling users to extract deeper insights, enhance their command of the facts, and streamline workflows with greater ease. While AI made the headlines, every solution also introduced continual capability upgrades to key features, user experiences, workflows, integrations, and more.

Strengthened leadership with key executive hires
In 2024, Opus 2 welcomed several distinguished leaders to its team, including Greg Blackman, Chief Executive Officer; Will Carter, Chief Revenue Officer; and Beau Wysong, Senior Vice President Global Marketing. Their expertise has further fortified the company’s strategic vision, ensuring continued innovation and excellence in delivering solutions that empower legal professionals worldwide.

Significant company expansion
This year marked a period of remarkable growth for Opus 2. The company expanded its global footprint by opening new offices in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Kansas City, reflecting its commitment to supporting clients wherever they operate. Additionally, Opus 2 achieved a nearly 20 percent increase in full-time employees, underscoring its dedication to scaling operations to meet growing demand.

Recognition for award-winning excellence
Opus 2’s innovation and impact were recognised with prestigious industry accolades in 2024. The company was honored with a CODiE Award for Best Legal Solution and a Bronze Stevie Award from the American Business Awards, highlighting its leadership in legal technology. In addition, the company was awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal for the second year in a row, honouring its dedication to sustainability.

Deeper engagement with the global legal community
In 2024, Opus 2 actively engaged with the global legal community through numerous initiatives. The company participated in 30-plus industry events and more than a dozen speaking engagements internationally. Additionally, its support for legal non-profit initiatives like Cycle to Paw at Paris Arbitration Week and Dubai Arbitration Week Cycle as well as Carols for Pro Bono reinforced its dedication to giving back. The company also published a litigation department research report, offering critical insights for the profession. Opus 2’s appointment to co-chair of Greener Litigation reflects its commitment to sustainable practices.

Foundational partnerships with top arbitral institutions
Continuing to redefine the future of dispute resolution, Opus 2 partnered with leading arbitration institutions to develop innovative solutions for arbitration. These initiatives focused on centralising key documents, improving collaboration, and aligning stakeholders, ensuring seamless processes for practitioners navigating complex cases.

About Opus 2
For more than 15 years, Opus 2 has developed award-winning solutions trusted by the most successful law firms. Used in thousands of proceedings around the world, Opus 2 transforms how lawyers and other legal professionals work by eliminating inefficiencies and connecting them with the collaborative software they need to work smarter and more effectively together. The company also delivers the essential technology and expertise needed to conduct resolution proceedings in the most modern, seamless, and secure way possible.


Legal Files was recognized as a Top 10 Legal Tech Solutions Provider in 2024. To read the accompanying article, “Optimizing Legal Operations with Streamlined Data” visit https://www.legalfiles.com/legal-files-software-optimizing-legal-operations-with-streamlined-data/


Billables AI is honored to announce Dr. Megan Ma as an advisor, bringing her unparalleled expertise at the intersection of technology and law to our mission of transforming the way lawyers work.

Dr. Ma is the Associate Director of the CodeX and Law, Science and Technology Program at Stanford Law School. She is a globally recognized thought leader in the legal tech space, often cited for her influential speaking engagements at top legal tech events like the Legal Innovators Conference, ILTACon, and more. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between innovative technologies and the legal profession—a perfect match for Billables AI’s mission to empower lawyers with tools that supercharge their practice.

In her own words, “Time and billing are the OS of the law firm. Being able to leverage generative AI directly into lawyers’ billing will provide deeper insights into the nuance and value offered behind the practice.”

A Trailblazer in Legal Tech

Dr. Ma’s journey into the legal tech space began with research in consumer-facing medical AI and its implications for medical malpractice and product liability. Later, her work with self-driving car technologies inspired a broader exploration of how tech built for the legal space would impact engagement with legal infrastructure.

Today, she continues to lead groundbreaking research while teaching computational law at Stanford. She also serves as Editor-in-Chief for the Cambridge Forum on AI, Law, and Governance, is the Managing Editor of the MIT Computational Law Report and a Research Affiliate at Singapore Management University in their Centre for Computational Law.

Her most recent work includes developing agent-based simulations and leveraging generative AI for the continuous training and development of legal professionals. This work aims to use technology to aid in the transfer of knowledge between seasoned professionals and budding lawyers.

Top-of-Mind Insights

We asked Dr. Ma to share a few of her top-of-mind insights with us. Check out her responses below.

What are 3 key trends in legal tech that excite you?

  1. The future of UI/UX considers how integration of generative AI enables a forthcoming collaboration between humans and machines – going beyond MS Word plug-ins, “co-pilots”, and disconnected chatbot assistance.

  2. Evolutionary model-merging builds on further customization and personalization of workflow automation based on combining small models to develop bespoke legal tools.

  3. Multi-agent simulation (e.g. Agent Hospital) will allow us to better understand and evaluate the quality of legal work through behavioral observations.

What’s a legal tech myth that should be debunked?

Legal Tech Myth: “Optimizing for accuracy in performance is what convinces lawyers to use the technology.”

As lawyers are largely risk averse, they often make the argument that “unless the technology is perfect, we won’t be able to trust it.” This often triggers a risk mitigation response by ensuring that machine performance must be infallible and 100% accurate. Evidently, this is a double standard between humans and machines.

Yet framed differently, what lawyers really care for is a tangible understanding of how this technology directly adds value to their workflow. Lawyers want to remain the decision-makers. If the technology demonstrably showcases human judgment as primordial, trust for adoption would become inevitable.

What advice do you have for young lawyers beginning their career?

If you value interdisciplinary learning, legal tech is the perfect space. Building technology in the legal space is more about learning the psychology, cognitive/thought processes, and social practices of lawyers than the engineering itself.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Megan Ma to the Billables AI family! We’re excited for what’s ahead as we continue to innovate and help lawyers everywhere leverage technology to do their best work.


Exhibitors and sponsors can upload marketing materials they wish to share with media attending Legalweek before, during and after the event

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, and NEW YORK CITY, NY – JANUARY 24, 2025 – Edge Marketing, Inc. announced today that its virtual press room, The Edge Room, is now open for Legalweek 2025.

From today through April 11, 2025, Legalweek exhibitors and sponsors can update their company’s profile page on The Edge Room with recent press releases, announcements, articles, white papers, videos, logos and other marketing materials they wish to share with media-attending Legalweek.

For prequalified members of the media, The Edge Room offers a cohesive experience enabling easier prioritization and dissemination of breaking news before, during and after Legalweek.

Click to view the full press release.


For this month’s News with Edge article, each member of our team has shared her insights on the key factors that will guide our strategies in the coming year. Check out this quick clip of Amy Juers sharing a brief overview, and then check out the full article!