case studies
Alternate
Path Ahead:
Lawyers Take On the
World of E-Discovery
by Kat Meyer and Mandy Morris of Conquest eDiscovery LLC
An increasing number of lawyers are
taking the road less traveled by choosing
alternative legal careers. Although
practicing lawyers are still plentiful, there
are many lawyers who use their legal
expertise and education in other ways.
For some, the legal market is hard to break into directly out of law
school. For others who have spent years practicing law, they are
ready for a change. Alternative careers typically fall outside of law
firms, the judiciary and the government that form the traditional
legal establishment. There are estimates that up to 25 percent of all
law school graduates are in alternative careers.
A newer form of non-traditional legal roles has resulted from
the world of e-discovery. Data volume continues to grow, leading
to an underground of technology and legal experts who help
companies and law firms manage the daunting amount of email
messages, databases and documents. E-discovery experts can be
found in law firms and companies around the country; however, the
majority of specialists work for vendors and consultants dedicated
to e-discovery. Annual revenues for the e-discovery industry are
estimated at close to $2 billion, leading to a variety of career paths.
Experts often come from backgrounds in technology or law, and
more and more paralegals and attorneys are attracted to the
market.
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Peer to Peer
