Use of effective search queries can save a significant amount of time and money in electronically-stored information (ESI) document processing and review, by culling huge collections down to a more manageable size. Crafting effective word-search queries, though, can be troublesome, especially when the documents to be searched are in a foreign and unfamiliar language. The techniques used for creating effective foreign-language queries, for the most part, apply to creating English-language queries as well. Above all, the creation of queries must be treated as a fluid and evolving process, not just a one-time exercise. This process must be documented thoroughly, if one is to insulate themselves from a potential motion for sanctions.
There is a current push among some commentators for companies to bring electronically stored information (ESI) processing in-house, claiming that the cost savings will justify the expense. Certainly, there are aspects of managing ESI that can – that should – be handled in-house. But when it comes to processing and hosting, do any companies other than the largest need that kind of capacity … and what is the true expense?
Even though outside litigation counsel may be managing the discovery phase of litigation, the ultimate responsibility for a good-faith document production lies with the client company's in-house legal team. How do you keep review and production costs under control, while at the same time avoiding an expensive motion for sanctions?
The Sedona Conference estimates that a single 14-cent gigabyte of storage space can easily take 150 hours to review. Multiply that times several hard drives, and the numbers can put even the biggest companies’ legal budgets on tilt. Can costs of reviewing and producing ESI be kept to a reasonable level?
If you follow international news at all, then you already know how important the Far East has become to our global economy. It is said that China, for example, will soon pass the United States as the world’s leading consumer nation. Japan’s technological trailblazing has kept it a very powerful economic force for decades. South Korea, Vietnam and, of course, the Middle East are each becoming bigger players on the world stage, and all are creating a new generation of capitalists and consumers. And, as those of us in the United States well know, capitalists and consumers file lawsuits.
Just as important as EDD and the discovery process, are the steps that follow allowing attorneys to develop well-crafted cases. Once documents have been produced to opposing counsel, the work really begins. Firms must wade through the documents produced to them, take depositions and file pleadings. Since documents are produced in electronic form, keeping them in this format enables better management of documents. Firms that preserve documents electronically in a case management system will consistently reap the benefits of legal technology throughout the life of the case.
It is a common misconception in the legal community that Web-based solutions work only for large firms handling massive cases. In fact, Web-based solutions are extremely beneficial to cases and firms of all sizes. By their sheer design, these systems lend themselves to being the ultimate collaborative tool for litigation. Regardless of firm size, litigation preparation tasks are all basically the same, so to better serve clients, firms look to Web-based solutions for efficiency.