2025 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards: HaystackID® Recognized for Legal Tech Excellence Across 8 Categories

Editor’s Note: Every year, the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards showcase the best in legal technology innovation, spotlighting the dedicated experts in our space who push boundaries and redefine possibilities in the industry. This year, HaystackID has two winners and seven finalists across eight categories, from excellence in eDiscovery to building an important legacy in our field to creating a stronger legal tech industry. Read the full article to learn more about HaystackID’s winners and finalists, including remarkable achievements and the innovations shaping the future of legal tech.


2025 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards: HaystackID® Recognized for Legal Tech Excellence Across 8 Categories

By HaystackID Staff

At its core, innovation in legal technology comes down to people—the visionaries, problem-solvers, and leaders who drive meaningful change. LegalTech News celebrates the individuals shaping the industry’s future with its 2025 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards. This year, LegalTech News has recognized HaystackID’s commitment to driving meaningful change in our industry across eight award categories.

Hal Brooks: Lifetime Achievement Award

HaystackID CEO Hal Brooks won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary contributions to the legal technology industry over a career spanning more than 35 years. Under Brooks’ leadership, HaystackID has become a pioneer in eDiscovery, known for our innovative tools like Core Intelligence AI™, as well as our unwavering commitment to client service and data security.

“Congratulations to Hal, an outstanding CEO and someone I am proud to have been in lockstep with for many years. We are immensely grateful for his inspired leadership, passionate contributions, and for setting the bar of excellence at HaystackID. These accolades celebrate our technological advancements and our commitment to fostering collaboration, inspiring innovation, and delivering impactful solutions. We are honored by this recognition and remain dedicated to serving our clients and advancing our industry,” said Andrea Wallack, President of HaystackID.

Brooks’ philosophy of combining technological advancement with human expertise is the foundation of our company’s success.

Brooks has said, “I’ve always envisioned a better way to deliver eDiscovery services. I’m passionate about the people I work with. I’m passionate about the industry. I’m passionate about these people because they support some of the most complex and important legal and regulatory matters performed in our space each day.”

Vazantha (V) Meyers: Monica Bay Women of Legal Tech Award

Vazantha (V) Meyers, Vice President of Discovery Services, earned the Monica Bay Women of Legal Tech Award, which recognizes her dedication to empowering others and her transformative contributions to the legal tech industry. With two decades of experience spanning law firms and legal technology providers, Meyers has built a career focused on bridging the gap between technology, law, and business. Winner of the 2024 Relativity Innovation Award for Inclusion, she has a successful track record and passion for fostering a culture of inclusion and innovation.

“Vazantha embodies this Award’s spirit through her unwavering dedication to empowering female talent. She’s brilliant and progressive in creating connections, encouraging innovation, and supporting growth. Knowing and working with V for over a decade, I’ve seen her passion and dedication firsthand.  It’s simply who she is.  She’s a remarkable woman who makes everyone around her better. Her leadership and inclusive environment have made a profound impact on countless careers, including mine. V’s ability to inspire and uplift those around her truly sets her apart as a deserving recipient of this prestigious award,” said Kristin Sunderman, Legal Operations Director, Freddie Mac.

“Vazantha’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging has made a profound impact on HaystackID and the legal tech industry as a whole,” said Ashish Prasad, Vice President and General Counsel at HaystackID in a press release. “Her leadership motivates all of us, and her efforts to build an equitable community within our organization have led to meaningful, lasting change.”

In addition to these wins, HaystackID has seven finalists in six additional categories. Winners will be announced at the Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards and Dinner on Monday, March 24, during the Legalweek 2025 conference in New York.

Finalist: Best Emerging Technology (Non-AI)

HaystackID’s Advanced Forensics Services earned a finalist spot in the Best Emerging Technology (Non-AI) category for our tools: Mobile Elite Discovery and Analysis Lab (MEDAL™) and Remote Endpoint Analysis and Data Intelligence (READI™). Our solutions streamline mobile and digital investigations, reducing timelines and costs with targeted data workflows and supporting investigations by enabling precise, privacy-conscious data collection.

“MEDAL delivers innovations that cut through the noise with unparalleled speed, empowering legal professionals with swift, remote, and precisely targeted mobile device collection and analysis,” said John Wilson, CTCE, FDACS, Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics, HaystackID. “As mobile communications increasingly become engrained into business, so does the need for specialized discovery solutions.”

Brooks added, “The READI Suite, combined with our MEDAL offering, delivers a powerful solution that aligns investigations with business and compliance goals. By seamlessly integrating remote access across mobile, cloud, and network environments, we equip organizations to address their critical data challenges with unmatched speed, precision, and strategic foresight.”

Finalist: Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Innovation

HaystackID’s CFIUS Compliance Advisory Services has been recognized as a finalist in the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Innovation category for our work in protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with national security regulations.

“The landscape of foreign investments is fraught with complexities, demanding a rigorous adherence to CFIUS mandates. As a leader in information governance and cybersecurity, HaystackID is at the forefront of this dynamic environment,” shared Matthew L. Miller, Senior Vice President of Information Governance and Data Privacy.

HaystackID’s role as the Independent Security Inspector for TikTok U.S. Data Security (TikTok USDS) as part of its ongoing Project Texas Plan is a notable example of this effort. This high-profile initiative aims to safeguard U.S. user data from foreign nation-state interference and ensure compliance with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States CFIUS requirements.

In a press release, Andy Bonillo, Head of TikTok-U.S. Data Security, said, “Keeping our users’ data safe involves constantly innovating and looking around corners for new threats. The partnership we’re announcing today will further our ability to anticipate and prevent emerging and sophisticated cybersecurity threats.”

Finalist: E-Discovery Technology

HaystackID’s Core® Self-Service platform has been named a finalist in the E-Discovery Technology category for its innovative approach to streamlining eDiscovery workflows. Initially developed in 2018 to address a specific client’s need for an independent, scalable eDiscovery solution, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive tool that automates over 80 quality checks, reducing errors and improving efficiency across all phases of the EDRM.

In a recent interview, Dean Anderson, Vice President of Data Operations and Automation, and Jonathan Flood, HaystackID’s Senior Director of Data Automation, shared that the platform’s automation has reduced data intake times by 50% and processed large datasets, up to 75% faster, enabling clients to act on demand without external coordination.

Finalist: Innovation in Hiring, Staffing, and Recruitment

HaystackID’s ReviewRight® platform has redefined how the legal industry approaches hiring and staffing for document review. Launched in 2012 and a finalist for the Innovation in Hiring, Staffing, and Recruitment category, ReviewRight pioneered secure, scalable remote document reviews years before remote work became widespread.

Its AI-driven ReviewRight Match AI™, introduced in 2018, uses proprietary algorithms to quickly and precisely match reviewers based on expertise, platform proficiency, and performance. This innovation has reduced staffing time to an average of 24 hours, allowing clients to launch projects faster and more efficiently.

Finalist: Innovator of the Year – Provider (Individual)

Young Yu, Vice President of Advanced Analytics and Strategic Solutions at HaystackID, has been recognized as a finalist for the Innovator of the Year – Provider award. With over 25 years of experience, Young has redefined how legal technology integrates with practical client workflows, particularly through his work with generative AI (GenAI).

“Young’s focus on rigorous validation of both our tools and processes has set a new standard for excellence within our department, and it’s elevated the way we work with our clients, making us trusted advisors rather than just service providers,” shared Matthew Sinner, Senior Analytics Consultant, in a recent interview.

Yu’s leadership has driven client successes by simplifying complex challenges and creating actionable, cutting-edge solutions combining AI precision and human expertise.

Finalists: Significant Advancement in Technology (Individual)

We have two experts who were included as finalists for the Significant Advancement in Technology award:

  • Todd Haley, Executive Vice President of Operations
  • Michael D. Sarlo, Chief Innovation Officer and President of Global Investigations and Cyber Incident Response Services

With over 30 years of experience, Haley has led transformative projects that balance cutting-edge innovation with practical, client-focused solutions. His leadership has driven automation efforts that scale while maintaining personalization, ensuring clients’ unique needs are met efficiently and effectively.

“Todd has a unique ability to unite individuals with diverse motives, perspectives, and skill sets around a shared vision that drives significant results. Todd empowers those around him to think big and fosters a culture of innovation while maintaining a laser focus on the ultimate goal—client satisfaction. It is truly a pleasure to work alongside him, as he inspires me not only to focus on the present task or initiative but also to envision what can be achieved in the future,” said Dean Anderson.

With over a decade of experience, Sarlo combines technical expertise with an instinct for solving real-world challenges. From developing Protect Analytics AI® to mentoring future leaders, Sarlo’s ability to innovate and inspire sets him apart as a leader in the legal technology space.

“Michael’s early vision for adaptable tools and workflows—from mobile data to source code—set a new standard in managing complex data,” said Esther Birnbaum, Executive Vice President of Legal Data Intelligence at HaystackID. “His innovations are critical as legal teams face mounting challenges with cross-border data privacy laws, the need for defensible audits, and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.”

Legalweek 2025 is Fast Approaching

As we look ahead, HaystackID remains committed to pushing the boundaries of legal technology and empowering our clients with innovative solutions. These recognitions from the 2025 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards reflect our dedication to excellence and the incredible talent of our team. Legalweek 2025 will be here before we know it; learn how our experts are shaping the conversation at this premier event, including an expert presentation on ensuring compliance and security in cross-border transfers.


About HaystackID® 

HaystackID® specializes in solving complex data challenges related to legal, compliance, regulatory, and cyber events. Core offerings include Global Advisory, Data Discovery Intelligence, the HaystackID Core® Platform, and AI-enhanced Global Managed Review powered by ReviewRight®. Recognized globally by industry leaders like Chambers, Gartner, IDC, and Legaltech News, HaystackID prioritizes security, privacy, and integrity in its innovative solutions for leading companies and legal practices worldwide.

Assisted by GAI and LLM technologies.

SOURCE: HaystackID