As InsideLegal readers are aware, we have been on a mission of late to help demystify big data and what it means to legal professionals. Beyond the buzz associated with big data and how it already impacts seemingly everyone except law firms, we thought it fitting to further spotlight content that will hopefully help enlighten big data newbies and skeptics alike.

This latest example comes from Stevens Institute of Technology’s Howe School of Technology Management, a leader in business intelligence and analytics education. This Wednesday, June 19th, the NJ-based private research university is hosting a conference entitled "Competitive Advantage in the Era of Big Data" to explore how big data has become the new basis of competition and competitive advantage in business. An impressive roster of speakers from the likes of IBM, AT&T Laboratories, SAS Institute and SorinRand LLP will tackle big data analytics and analysis; recent technology innovations and specific applications; and legal challenges and privacy protections specific to big data.

Stevens Institute of Technology has invited InsideLegal.com to participate in the day-long conference, so we will be sharing insights and session coverage via our @InsideLegal Twitter handle and subsequent coverage on the blog. There isn't an 'official' event hashtag, but we will be using #HSATM13 associated with this conference so hopefully others will use it as well.

At this point, remote access ($100 for all sessions) is the best bet for anyone still keen on attending. Please email event organizer Sharon Glennon if you are interested in remote access and she'll provide proper registration links. 

Here's the scoop on the conference:

WHAT:  The 2013 Howe School Alliance for Technology Management (HSATM) Conference, "Competitive Advantage in the Era of Big Data" will examine how the big data revolution, which drives new insights from massive amounts of data, will transform how organizations are managed, innovate and compete. The program includes 4 unique big data-related presentations followed by a panel discussion. Download the conference flyer here.

WHEN:  Wednesday, June 19, 2013; 8:45AM – 4:45PM

WHERE:  Stevens Institute of Technology, Babbio Center, 525 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030 or via remote streaming access (email sglennon@stevens.edu for details)

WHY:  Big data enables the discovery of new insights from analysis of massive amounts of data. This opens up new opportunities for executive decision making and data analytics but also presents new challenges in terms of privacy, ethics and technology. The HSATM Conference continues the conversation as it relates to big data use and application in a competitive world.

WHO:  165+ onsite and remote attendees spanning IT, business management and science have registered thus far. Content wise, the 2013 HSATM Conference includes four big data presentations and a panel discussion featuring all speakers and moderated by Joe McKendrick and Mahesh Harvu, both big data authorities:

• Big Data: Aspirations, Applications and Analytics — Dr. Brenda L. Dietrich, IBM Fellow, Vice President Strategy & CTO for Business Analytics, Software Group, IBM USA
• Big Data: Another Wave of Innovation — Dr. David Belanger, Senior Research Fellow, Howe School of Technology Management, and Chief Scientist, AT&T Laboratories (retired)
• Deriving Insight from Big Data — Dr. Manoj K. Chari, Senior Director, Operations Research, Advanced Analytics R & D, SAS Institute Inc.
• Legal Issues In the Application of Big Data — Susan Okin Goldsmith, Esq., Partner and Chair of Technology Transactions Practice, SorinRand LLP

We are looking forward to expanding our big data horizons and share observations, insights and best practices with InsideLegal.com readers and the legal community.