Our Insights on eDiscovery

There’s a moment when every new technology shifts from novelty to necessity. Think about the first time you used GPS instead of printing out MapQuest directions (or, for the true old-schoolers, unfolding a giant road atlas or Rand McNally folding maps). At first, it felt unnecessary—maybe even risky. “I know how to get there,” you’d say. But then, one day, you hit a roadblock, and your GPS rerouted you seamlessly (“re-routing” ring a bell?). You arrived faster, stress-free, and never looked back.

As 2024 concludes, the eDiscovery and legal technology sectors have experienced significant advancements, particularly in the realms of modern data management and generative artificial intelligence (AI). In this article, we will explore what we have learned this year at the various thought leadership and industry conferences, how our innovations have benefited legal teams and how our partnerships allow our clients to have a fully streamlined experience with their eDiscovery and investigation challenges.

How Data Processing Automation for Traditional and Modern Data Mitigates the Need and Cost to Manually Process Data

How Data Processing Automation for Traditional and Modern Data Mitigates the Need and Cost to Manually Process Data

On September 18th, I had the opportunity to attend The Masters Conference in Seattle, WA, for my second time, hosted by Perkins Coie. This year, I was struck by how much the technology landscape in eDiscovery has evolved, especially with the rapid integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI). While GAI was a major theme throughout the conference, one session stood out for its exploration of the broader challenges faced in modern eDiscovery.

Nashville offers countless reasons to visit, but when you combine the city’s talent and energy with the legal community’s convergence at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, you create an unforgettable experience. ILTACON 2024 was a prime example of this magic, drawing together a remarkable crowd of over 4000 legal and IT professionals, marking one of the most well-attended conferences in our industry—even pre-pandemic. The week was filled with action, new connections, and insightful exchanges, and I had the privilege of experiencing much of it alongside a fantastic group of like-minded people.

The Masters Conference for Legal Professionals in New York City hosted by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP on July 24th was replete with insights on applying AI to eDiscovery, collecting and reviewing text and chat app data and information governance. A second conference the following day was held on “soft skills” provided valuable tips on enhancing your communication skills and your career was emceed by Rich Robinson of Toyota. My take on the conference highlights follows.

In the ever-evolving world of eDiscovery, the types of data we collect, process, and review have expanded far beyond traditional documents. With the proliferation of short messages, geolocation data, social media posts, financial transactions, and structured databases, traditional document-centric approaches are proving inadequate. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of how we handle data throughout the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) to avoid the pitfalls of linear review workflows that are both expensive and tedious.

In many eDiscovery cases, teams of experts handle the collection of traditional and modern data following a proven, standard process. These experts ensure the data is authenticated, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the evidence.