Document review is a well-known phase of the litigation and legal process. To come to the truth in dispute resolution, parties are permitted to request relevant documents. And to meet requirements pertaining to the request, the producing party must comb through collected data. Nowadays these files often come in electronic form (electronic documents) and can be particularly cumbersome and unorganized. If only there were a better way! Read on to understand the evolution of legal document review and eDiscovery - as well as the tools that exist to lighten the load for document review attorneys.

The preferred way to resolve legal cases is with behind the scenes “deals” that are often done even before it reaches a judge and jury. Rather than undergoing an expensive and time-consuming court hearing, these “deals” can eradicate the entire process while potentially benefiting both parties to a certain degree.

Discovery entails a fair amount of detective work for lawyers, as they comb through files and records searching for information that will support their case and provide evidentiary value. There are times, however, when professional investigators need to be brought in to dig deeper into available data and conduct more thorough analysis. 

Litigation is a term often heard when speaking with legal professionals or even while watching some movies or TV shows. The word “litigation” is usually confused with the similar term “lawsuit.” They are both related but are not to be used interchangeably.

Legal Technology Definition Legal technology is a broad term which describes a wide range of software and services which support law firms and legal teams. This could include practice management software, billing/time tracking software, ediscovery software, document management software, or even physical hardware such as a scanner.

Attorneys have many tools at their disposal during the discovery process, but one that often goes criminally overlooked is the FOIA request. Although it is not applicable to all cases and lawsuits, a FOIA request can be incredibly helpful when legal teams believe government agencies possess information or documents that could support their cases.

Edrm What is the EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model)? EDRM Definition The EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model) is an eDiscovery workflow and framework that the legal and IT fields accept as broad outline for the steps to consider throughout the eDiscovery lifecycle in the United States. The EDRM model has been around since 2005, and has stood the test of time.

Preservation of electronically stored information (ESI) is an extremely important part of eDiscovery, and involves issuing appropriate legal holds to prevent destruction of potential evidence and material relevant to a case. It also protects lawyers, law firms, and clients against claims of impropriety and negligence. Discovery guidelines, as outlined in Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, make it very clear that both sides of legal counsel have a duty to preserve all ESI that could provide evidentiary value and ensure its integrity.

If you find eDiscovery to be an arduous, time-consuming process, you’re not alone. Many lawyers struggle to efficiently conduct eDiscovery, even with the help of clerks or paralegals. There’s an enormous amount of data to collect, preserve, and produce for any given case. A law firm could tie up resources in this one critical process alone for weeks or even longer.

ESI Definition - What is ESI? ESI stands for electronically stored information. Electronically stored information is a legal term broadly defined as any data or documents that are created or stored on electronic media. Types of ESI are often used as electronic evidence in litigation. The United States Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern attorney obligations for disclosure, review, and production of electronic documents which are relevant to litigation.