Electronic Discovery: Craig Ball's Ten Blunders to Avoid

Here's a recent electronic discovery column worth reading: "Ten Blunders That Stop E-Discovery Cold," by Craig Ball in Law Technology News.

Read the whole thing, but if you're too busy, simply read blunder #10:

10. You kid yourself that we don't need to learn this stuff.

OK, you went to law school because you didn't know enough technology to change the batteries on a remote control. This English major feels your pain. But we can't very well try lawsuits without discovery, and we can't do discovery today without dealing with electronically stored information.

You don't want to work through an expert forever, do you? So, we have to learn enough about EDD to advise clients about preservation duties, production formats, de-duplication, review tools, search methodologies and the other essential elements of e-discovery. Our clients deserve no less.

A little preachy, I suppose, but right. Many lawyers aren't doing enough when it comes to e-discovery. If that means you, perhaps you should take the time to read all of Ball's column.

Comments

[foggerty]

No, it is not me, but I agree. They are a little bit lazy when it comes to that.

[celia]

Most lawyers and legal professionals already "get it" -- that EDD is here, and we need to get up to speed. But for folks who are still intimidated by e-filing, a nice, crisp article like Craig's helps to make point without overwhelming the reader. Give it to them in small, easy-to-chew bites (bytes?), and they will eventually come on board.