Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Three-day legal technology conference running September 29 to October 1, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, gathering approximately 2,000 attendees from the legal intelligence community.
- Focuses on e-discovery, legal data management, AI-driven legal workflows, data breach response, contract review, and compliance challenges.
- Designed for lawyers, in-house counsel, litigation support specialists, legal operations professionals, compliance officers, and IT staff working in law firms, corporations, and government agencies.
- Features keynotes, judicial panels, breakout sessions, workshops, learning labs, and the annual Innovation Awards recognizing creative applications of Relativity software.
- Offers RCE and CLE credits for qualifying sessions.
About the Event
RelFest Chicago is an annual in-person conference produced by Relativity, bringing together legal professionals to address challenges in managing and analyzing large volumes of legal data. The 2026 edition takes place over three days at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, with programming beginning on September 29 and concluding on October 1. A pre-conference workshop is scheduled for September 28.
The conference centers on the Relativity platform, including RelativityOne (now branded as Relativity aiR) and related AI capabilities. Sessions cover practical applications across e-discovery, case strategy, early case intelligence, investigations, contract review, data breach response, and compliance workflows. The event includes a judicial panel, fireside chats, technical workshops, and hands-on learning labs.
Conference Format and Programming
The agenda combines executive-level content with technical, hands-on experiences. Day one includes a judicial panel, workshops, and breakout sessions, followed by a welcome reception in the Community Pavilion. Day two opens with a keynote from CEO Phil Saunders, President Chris Brown, and product experts, followed by breakout sessions and additional workshops throughout the day. The final day features a general session, more breakout sessions and workshops, and concludes with the Relativity Innovation Awards ceremony and an evening networking event.
The Community Pavilion serves as the central hub where sponsors demonstrate legal technology solutions and attendees can explore integrations with the Relativity ecosystem. The Innovation Awards recognize organizations and individuals who have developed creative applications using Relativity software.
Key Topics
- E-discovery processes and legal data management
- AI applications for legal workflows
- Data breach response and investigations
- Contract review and early case intelligence
- Compliance and regulatory requirements
- Case strategy development
- Product updates for Relativity aiR and related tools
Who Should Attend
RelFest Chicago targets legal professionals across multiple roles and organization types. The audience includes lawyers, in-house counsel, litigation support specialists, legal operations managers, compliance officers, and IT professionals working within legal departments. Attendees come from law firms of all sizes, corporations (particularly in financial services, energy, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors), and government agencies at federal, state, and local levels. The programming accommodates both technical practitioners and senior decision-makers responsible for legal technology strategy.
Sponsors
Emerald sponsors include FTI Technology, Haystack, JND, PwC, and Sedra Solutions. Ruby sponsors are Agility Blue, Ankura, Array, Cimplifi, Epiq, KLDiscovery, Lineal, and Opus2. Sapphire sponsors include Clearbrief, CDS, Control Risks, Deloitte, Elevate, IntrepidX, KPMG, Morae, NSerio, Smarsh, and Teneo. ACEDS and EDRM serve as educational sponsors.