Our Insights on eDiscovery

If you read this blog regularly, you know that we’re big admirers of Rob Robinson’s Complex Discovery site, from his software and services “mashup” to his running 14+ year list of mergers, acquisitions and investments in the eDiscovery industry. Now, Rob provides a generational breakdown of eDiscovery technology offerings, giving organizations out there useful information to differentiate offerings in the eDiscovery marketplace.

On Monday, I declared that, in 2016, the age of eDiscovery automation is upon us. So, who are these “jokers” asking if 2016 is the year of cloud-based eDiscovery? The nerve!

When we covered Rob Robinson’s most recent worldwide eDiscovery software and services “mashup” last year, the total market for both software and services was predicted to reach $10.56 billion by 2019. According to a newly released study from International Data Corporation (IDC), we’ve surpassed the $10 billion mark already.

Last July, we covered a case where a contract review attorney filed a lawsuit demanding overtime pay from law firm Skadden, Arps and legal staffing agency Tower Legal Solutions, alleging that the highly managed review work that he performed should not be considered the practice of law because he was not required to exercise any legal judgment. That case and one other have concluded (pending appeal) with mixed results.

Yesterday, I proclaimed that the “Age of eDiscovery Automation is Upon Us”. But, does that mean that scores of lawyers need to start looking for work? Not necessarily.

It was not that many years ago that if we wanted to buy something, we had to go to a store. But, now, many of the services for which we used to rely on other people for are now automated in such a way that people can take care of that need themselves. What about in our industry – eDiscovery? Are we an automated industry? We’re becoming one – a lot faster than you think.

Last year, I discussed what I want for Christmas (from an eDiscovery standpoint anyway) and we’ll take a look at those eDiscovery Christmas wishes and see how they turned out. This year, I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and ask (again, from an eDiscovery standpoint): What Do YOU Want for Christmas?