Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/25416
of discovery documents so hard copies of documents could be located more efficiently. While imaging and OCR processes were available during this period, they were not used in most litigation cases. This was due to poor image quality as well as the high cost of scanning and storing digital files. The introduction and use of these tools resulted in a growing need for technical support, process development and training. Still, the litigation support profession was in its infancy during the ‘80s and, in many organizations, didn’t exist at all. The “Litigation Support” job title was unheard of in most law firms and was primarily reserved for individuals working in service bureaus. Into the ‘90s, many in the litigation support world continued to work with various emerging technology tools such as Summation and Concordance. Imaging of discovery documents became more common during this decade as the costs of imaging and digital storage decreased. The number of users of this technology increased, as did the demand for professionals who could support the systems. Further into the development of this field, many organizations still did not have full-fledged litigation support departments. This began to change in the mid- to late ‘90s. The digital age arrived in most corporations with the emergence of the Internet and e-mail. Unfortunately for litigation support professionals, there was no easy way to collect, review or produce these digital documents. It was common practice to print the digital documents, scan and then OCR them so they could be managed in a discovery database. It was during this decade that litigation support departments in law firms became more common. These support professionals focused on developing processes, procedures and systems to increase the efficiency of document reviews and productions. Since 2000, the number of litigation support professionals has grown at an extraordinary rate. The electronic discovery industry exploded and has continued to grow, even during tough economic times. Tools and service providers began to emerge with processes and technology to better handle electronic files. The use of conceptual search and other culling techniques gave rise to questions of defensibility. The complexity of both the legal and technical issues surrounding electronic discovery created an insatiable demand for knowledgeable litigation support professionals. Educational programs popped up during this period to assist in filling this demand. Today there are numerous roles for litigation support professionals including leaders, consultants, technologists and project managers. As the profession continues to evolve, however, the core focus remains the same. Regardless of the type of litigation or the specific technology involved, the litigation support professional’s responsibilities include the following: • Analyzing problems related to litigation and technology and developing or figuring out solutions • Analyzing processes related to litigation and making them more efficient through the use of technology, process re-engineering or project management • Supporting those systems and processes related to litigation ILTA www.iltanet.org Litigation and Practice Support 11