Corporations understand that in litigation, working more efficiently saves time and time is money. Corporate counsel who find themselves occupied with trying to understand and manage e-discovery, plus keep up with its changing technology, should consider the value of a Chief Efficiency Officer.

A recent Texas Lawyer report makes the case for such a position. Because e-discovery costs can be as much as 50 percent of an already-tight litigation budget, corporate law departments are often on the hunt for more efficient ways to manage it and keep up. This eats up precious hours as does negotiating lower or “preferred” rates with vendors. There’s also the possibility of mistakes, which can lead to costly sanctions. It pays to have a Chief Efficiency Officer (CEO) in place.

The CEO is the one who can vet vendors, negotiate pricing, ensure vendors are communicating and deadlines are being met and that the work is of quality. He or she is the one who knows what technology is available and what the company actually needs. This person can “[g]et to the heart of what you need, and buy accordingly.”

The CEO can also expertly oversee document review: location, number of attorneys required, who will handle productivity and more. Again, he or she will know exactly what is needed and what isn’t.

In short, managing e-discovery requires an “experienced professional accustomed to working with all sides of the equation.” The CEO’s sole focus is efficiency, saving the company valuable time and money.