The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/43128
SMART MOVES STEPPING UP TO FILL THE ROLE OF E-DISCOVERY MANAGER Because I still work as a paralegal in active litigation, and therefore within the workflow process I help manage, I have the additional advantage of seeing gaps from an insider's perspective. This helps me resolve issues from the legal side of things before pulling IT in to solve any problems in data preservation or collection. E-discovery managers who come from a technical background must likewise fill any legal knowledge gaps with appropriate education and training. Either way, due to the dynamic nature of case law and the constant changes in technology, the e-discovery manager has to be highly adaptable and willing to learn. I have found that the role requires strong project management skills. Being detail-oriented and organized is critical. So is the ability to juggle many tasks and adapt quickly to changing deadlines. Finally, an e-discovery manager must have strong communication skills. I spend much of my time working collaboratively with other departments and communicating with colleagues to make sure everyone is on the same page. BATTER UP! A Duke University Law examination last year showed that e-discovery sanction motions and awards are at an all-time high. The most common reason was failure to produce responsive ESI. This can result in anything from dismissals to multimillion-dollar awards. The Duke Law team echoes what every legal team already knows: The world of e-discovery is more complex, more costly and more contentious than ever. The onus is squarely on companies to devise a process that adheres to the rules but also does not break the bank. Many are finding that reining in all of the different players and moving parts involved in the e-discovery process requires an overseer to ensure effectiveness. As I can attest, for those prepared to step into the role, e-discovery management offers exciting new opportunities. ILTA Secure Individual Folders Dynamic Walls Privacy Exclusionary Walls Conf identiality Prosperoware provides solutions for productivity and governance to law firms including: • On-Demand Folders Lynette Stocker is a Senior Litigation/E- Discovery Manager at SUPERVALU INC. She received her B.A. in legal studies and paralegal certificate from Hamline University. She has also completed various e-discovery certification courses. Lynette is a member of the Minnesota E-Discovery Corporate Forum, the Minnesota Litigation Support Professionals Association and the Minnesota Paralegal Association. She can be reached at lynette.k.stocker@supervalu.com. • Universal client for email & document management for the web • Matter provisioning across multiple systems • Improved administration for iManage Peer to Peer the quarterly magazine of ILTA 37