publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/503802
ILTA WHITE PAPER: APRIL 2015 WWW.ILTANET.ORG Traditional RIM Approach IG Approach Operational Strategic Tactical Situational Repeatable Tasks Compliance Orientation Judgment and Discernment at Higher Levels Judgment and Discernment at All Levels Customer Service Focus Risk Management Focus THE MATURATION OF RIM INTO IG IN LAW FIRMS THE NEW NORMAL The new IG model addresses these and other concerns by articulating a new set of imperatives for information professionals. To illustrate how IG is revolutionizing records management, the table below compares past and present emerging trends and critical issues in legal records and information management. These are the RIM issues of our time, the ones that were and are being written about every day. Without a doubt, legal RIM has evolved beyond the antiquated model of rudimentary management of physical files to a governance model focusing on electronic information policies, standards and controls. Nevertheless, lawyers still require traditional records management support to accomplish their work: Conflicts must be checked and resolved; matters must be opened; documents and records must be organized into client file repositories (whether physical or electronic) and managed appropriately throughout their life cycles; retention rules must be developed and implemented; and so on. The conclusion we can draw from this reality is that the records management function in law firms will continue to provide mission-critical services, but RIM is now one component of a broader, firmwide approach to managing and protecting a firm's information assets. This table, from a LITCON 2012 presentation by Beth Chiaiese and Dana Moore, illustrates that whereas the RIM function operates tactically at the department level, providing targeted services to a variety of internal customer groups, the IG function focuses on strategic organizational initiatives that address information risk and compliance issues, among others. ASSUMING LEADERSHIP Law firm administrators are still developing the parameters of the information governance model, but they recognize that records and information management is an essential component of any developed IG program. As with all things legal, every firm will undoubtedly tweak the IG model to fit its practice priorities and corporate culture. However, one thing seems clear: the law firm records manager is well-positioned to either emerge as a significant player in the firm's efforts to adopt an IG approach or lead the effort by becoming the firm's primary IG professional. 2005 RIM Critical Issues • RFID Technology • Outsourcing • Practice Area Development • Electronic Records Management • Electronic Discovery 2015 RIM Critical Issues • Confidentiality, Privacy and Information Security • Information Risk Assessment and Remediation • Cloud Computing • Mobile Devices • Big Data/Dark Data • Social Media Governance • Defensible Disposition • Predictive Coding • Legal Project Management/Change Management 34