You Can’t Protect What You Don’t Understand: Examining Legal’s Dark Data Problem

Unstructured data is the legal industry’s silent crisis—growing unchecked, exposing firms to risk, and straining compliance efforts.

In this fireside chat at Legal Tech Fest, ActiveNav CEO, Peter Baumann, and National Australia Bank’s Executive, Digital & Tech, Legal & Operations, Matt Zaba will explore the hidden dangers of unstructured client matter data and the increasing expectations from corporate clients.

Learn why compliance on paper isn’t enough, how firms can close governance gaps, and what steps legal teams must take today to future-proof their data strategies in an AI-driven world.

Key Learnings

1. The Hidden Data Crisis – Most law firms are sitting on vast, unstructured, and unmanaged data, leading to compliance failures, security risks, and inefficiencies.
2. Beyond Compliance: Real Governance – Having policies isn’t enough. Firms need proactive data strategies to secure client data, prevent breaches, and meet rising client expectations.
3. The Future of Legal Data – AI and automation will reshape legal data governance, but only firms with structured, well-managed data will be able to take advantage.

About Matt

With a dynamic career spanning technology and law, Matt is dedicated to driving the evolution of legal services. Early in his career, he began as an analyst/strategist in New York, where he honed his skills and knowledge in the fast-paced world of finance. This foundation, combined with a diverse educational background in science, finance, and law, has equipped him with a unique perspective and expertise.

He is responsible for leading a diverse team of subject matter experts across technology legal, optimisation and efficiency, and digital delivery. The team shares a common focus on being change agents, continually pushing boundaries and setting new standards. By integrating innovative process flows, automatic routing, and experimenting with Generative AI, Matt consistently strives to enhance services and deliver effective solutions.

This approach fosters a forward-looking, optimistic vision for the future of legal services.