The challenge with e-discovery for smaller law firms is the fact that numerous e-discovery products currently available on the market are tailored for larger law firms focused on big cases. Given their design intent, these applications are often more expensive and intricate than smaller firms can handle.
Smaller law firms’ go-to guide on e-discovery practices and tools has generally been ‘eDiscovery for the Rest of Us’, a piece written by renowned e-discovery specialist, Tom O’Connor. The Gulf Coast Legal Technology Center co-founder first had this book published by the American Bar Association in 2013. Since then, it has undergone several updates, with a new version now available, courtesy of O’Connor’s partnership with Nextpoint, an e-discovery and litigation support company.
Although the new edition has not been reviewed yet, the publishers indicate it incorporates new content, such as the progression of artificial intelligence. The design has been improved, and there are practical discussions and checklists addressing the current rules, regulations, and challenges in the e-discovery landscape. The book is available for purchase $34.99 on Amazon.
The book is a solution to the conveyor belt of survey results indicating smaller firms looking for ways to boost efficiency and better manage their costs. Speaking on this, O’Connor noted that the book helps individuals meet the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure’s (FRCP) standard to make all matters before the courts ‘just, speedy, and inexpensive.’
Rakesh Madhava, founder and CEO of Nextpoint, shared similar sentiments, saying, “Not very long ago, ediscovery was thought of as a luxury accessible only to big law firms with the resources to invest in considerable infrastructure. But as a result of continuing innovation and investments in the legal tech sphere, the e-discovery landscape today looks exceedingly different for small and solo firms. At Nextpoint, our goal has always been to democratize e-discovery and build accessible tools that simplify legal processes, and ultimately, lead to a more equal justice system.”
Nextpoint e-discovery professionals, including Madhava and e-discovery consultant Brett Burney, contributed to this new book, embedding their insights and ideas. The work uses Nextpoint software imagery to illustrate tactical e-discovery workflows, from processing steps to offering production tips.
However, O’Connor stressed that the book’s aim is to be a universal resource for smaller firms wishing to improve their comprehension of e-discovery, irrespective of the software they use. It is also advantageous to legal professionals in firms of all sizes looking to enhance their e-discovery practice.
Those interested in learning more about the book or discovering the authors’ insights on e-discovery practices can join Nextpoint and EDRM’s webinar on March 14.
The original article can be found here.