Former director of Strategy and Channel Relations at Hudson Legal, Cat Casey has joined Advanced Discovery as vice president of Managed Review and will be based in Washington D.C.

Casey will be responsible for leveraging the company’s extensive national footprint to continue to develop the Managed Review practice throughout the East Coast. A veteran of the electronic discovery and Managed Review space, Casey brings a unique perspective and ability to support the needs of clients across the full spectrum of the EDRM. She will support the continued growth of Advanced Discovery’s Managed Review presence in Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas and Houston.

“I am extremely excited to assist in expanding the Managed Review presence of Advanced Discovery across the East Coast,” Casey said. “Advanced Discovery is a ‘Best in Service’ provider of Relativitywith sophisticated middleware and tools developed to maximize review efficiencies. Combining Relativity with practical project management is the logical next step in the evolution of Advanced Discovery as a company.”

“As VP of Managed Review, Cat will guide us during our next phase of rapid growth on the East Coast,” said John Sanchez, director of Document Reviewservices at Advanced Discovery. “We particularly value her thought leadership, experience in developing workflows to optimize productivity and defensibility and her reputation for delivering quality services and solutions to multinational corporations and global law firms.”

Prior to joining the eDiscovery service provider, Casey worked with multiple multinational corporations and law firms on government investigations and other complex litigations with duties ranging from data collections to final production.

Recognized as a thought leader in the Managed Review space, Casey has managed and consulted on 100s of matters. She provides end-to-end case management consultation, ensuring compliance with the amended Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and defensibility. She has provided law firms and corporations with cost saving strategies and will continue to do so for Advanced Discovery.

About Advanced Discovery:
Advanced Discovery is a leading provider of eDiscovery services to clients worldwide in both the legal and corporate communities. Our services include computer forensics, electronic discovery, early case assessment, web hosting, document review and paper discovery. Advanced Discovery offers technology solutions that assist law firms and corporations to quickly and accurately reduce vast amounts of electronically stored information into essential and searchable data sets, effectively providing a high value product at a low comparative cost. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Advanced Discovery maintains locations in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Orange County, Century City (California), Dallas, Austin (Texas), Chicago, Overland Park (Kansas), Washington D.C. and New York City. More information is available at http://www.advanceddiscovery.com.

Cat Casey’s Blog:
www.ediscoverycat.com

The eDiscoverycat blog focuses on industry trends, changes in case law and emerging technology in the electronic discovery and managed review space.  It has a wealth of resources for practitioners at corporation and law firms as well as professionals looking to expand their understanding of the electronic discovery space.

Advanced Discovery provides Foley with a custom designed eDiscovery processing workflow leveraging their expansive and highly tenured team in tandem with the firm’s expert Litigation Support Department.  “It’s clear after years supporting Foley that we understand their needs, approach to discovery and firm culture well.  With data sizes growing rapidly and the use of technology in the review process more ubiquitous, the Foley team is best positioned to focus on advanced workflows by eliminating their time processing data,” said Myron Jadwin, executive vice president with Advanced Discovery.

“Foley has always prided itself as being an industry leader in litigation technology solutions.  We have gone so far as to have product built to match our needs, such as hiring kCura to build Relativity.  It is now time to push that envelope again and focus our attention to develop time- and cost-saving workflows to our client’s data processing and imaging needs,” said Bruce Blank, director of litigation support for Foley.  “We are thrilled to partner with Advanced Discovery and look forward to again setting a forward-thinking trend in the industry that better serves our clients.”

“Foley’s arrangement with Advanced Discovery will help us serve our litigation clients even better.  We will now be able to provide best-of-class processing and services coupled with very aggressive pricing,” added Scott Seabolt, ESI practice group chair.

About Advanced Discovery
Advanced Discovery is a leading provider of eDiscovery services to clients worldwide in both the legal and corporate communities.  Services include computer forensics, electronic discovery, early case assessment, web hosting, document review and paper discovery.  Advanced Discovery offers technology solutions that assist law firms and corporations to quickly and accurately reduce vast amounts of electronically stored information into essential and searchable data sets, with a full suite of solutions to manage and oversee the process from data preservation to processing, review and production.  Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Advanced Discovery maintains locations in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Orange County, Century City (California), Dallas, Austin (Texas), Chicago, Overland Park (Kansas), Washington D.C. and New York City.  More information is available at http://www.advanceddiscovery.com.

About Foley & Lardner LLP
With approximately 900 attorneys in 21 offices, Foley & Lardner LLP provides award-winning business and legal insight to clients across the country and around the world.  Our team-based approach, innovative technology and focus on value and client service are continually recognized by our clients and the legal industry.  Foley has been named one of the elite BTI Client Service 30 for nine of the past 10 years in a survey* of Fortune 1000 corporate counsel.  In addition, Foley received 20 national first-tier rankings on the 2013 U.S. News–Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” list and was named to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 list for technological innovation that enhances business value.  Learn more at Foley.com.

*The BTI Consulting Group (Wellesley, Massachusetts)

This is a Bloomberg BNA Insight article written by Chris Cameron. To download the Bloomberg article in pdf form press here.

Information is King!
But What Do I Do With It?

Advanced Discovery’s Chris Cameron
explains how leveraging the power of
information can improve speed and
accuracy in each phase of discovery
while reducing costs.

As new technologies and processes are developed to deal with increasing volumes of electronically stored information (ESI), it has become apparent to even novice legal and discovery professionals that the key to remaining in control is information. Until recently, however, once a project began, they lost the ability to monitor the process on a daily basis and decide whether a change in tactics was necessary. Instead of having their finger on the pulse of the project, in-house counsel and law firms would wait for secondhand reports to learn critical information.

Today’s best discovery platforms deliver metrics in real time to allow counsel to gain deep insight into how a discovery or review project is progressing. Counsel make changes that lead to continual improvement and also capture lessons learned about the organization, custodians, and the documents themselves to apply to future projects.

Leveraging the power of information can improve speed and accuracy in each phase of discovery while reducing costs. Firms and their clients can also evaluate data across multiple matters simultaneously, expanding their ability to optimize the discovery process from one project to an entire group of related cases. This article examines the types of information that counsel should have at their fingertips to optimize the discovery project, the matter as a whole, and the overall litigation portfolio.

1. Build a Case Strategy

An instant supply of data allows counsel to use statistical analysis to accelerate the process of assessing potential risks, decide on an appropriate case strategy, and gauge the likelihood of success. Counsel can make a more informed decision about whether to pursue or settle the matter and, in the case of settlement, avoid the need for additional collection, processing, and review. Without this information, counsel might continue to litigate, only to later determine that the case may not be defensible or may be too expensive to carry through to trial.

Throughout the course of the matter, a consistent flow of accurate information allows in-house counsel to explain to executives what is happening, as predictability is an absolute requirement in a corporate setting. As discovery progresses, counsel can monitor the number of custodians, the amount of data that has been reviewed and that remains for review, and the estimated date of completion for various segments of the project.

Occasional snapshots of data are not enough to lend insight, because many of these metrics are moving targets: custodians may be added, new data sources may be found, keywords may change, and the review may progress quicker or slower than expected. Basically, anything that can change does change.

With a continual stream of data at their fingertips, counsel can make adjustments on the fly—before it is too late to correct the course—if a case appears to be running ahead of budget or behind schedule. Information gives them the power to determine whether their initial case strategy is working or whether they might need to reconsider their tactics.

2. Budget Accurately

Good information can inform budgeting for both discovery and the matter as a whole. With instantaneous access to the estimated cost of the process, corporations have better vision of whether their current budgets are realistic and make adjustments as necessary. Through continuously updated information on the projected costs of discovery, counsel can make the optimal decision about settlement. They can also use this information offensively, to, for example, argue for narrowing the scope of discovery or the shifting of costs.

Historical case information can also support the negotiation of reasonable rates for law firms and service providers as well as forecast the budget for future projects. By analyzing the cost per document or gigabyte of past reviews, combined with measures of review rate and review accuracy, counsel can choose the most efficient law firms and review teams for their projects.

3. Set a Document Review Strategy

Knowing the types of data and the format of that data early in a matter helps counsel develop a process and technology to handle the matter, including whether they need to explore additional tools to handle their specialized needs. Without knowing the contents of the data set up front, corporations and their counsel might spend valuable resources on a platform or process that is not right.

4. Choose the Data to Collect

Prior to the commencement of the review stage, data can also inform counsel on whether they have collected the right information to support a matter. Documents can be analyzed as they are identified to reach conclusions on which custodians will have the most important data, determine the keywords likely to yield the most relevant results, and project the amount of data that will continue to downstream discovery processes.

5. Hit Deadlines

Counsel should obtain statistics about the progress of their data through the various phases of discovery, in real time. For example, they should review the number or volume of documents preserved against those collected or reviewed to determine a realistic project timeline. They should also learn how much of the data has been removed from processing through techniques such as culling and deduplicating. Finally, they should consider how much data has been loaded and is ready for review—and how quickly it will be reviewed—to ensure that they have devoted enough resources to the project and have allocated them appropriately. Real-time review metrics can also improve predictability as counsel can gauge whether they are on track to meet their deadlines on a regular basis. If there is a bottleneck in the process, counsel can find and address it quickly, before it has a detrimental effect on the overall timeline.

6. Staff Review Teams

Based on the initial evaluation of the document pool, it may be advisable to allocate the custodians with the fewest relevant documents to lower-cost resources, such as less experienced reviewers, while sending the most critical and complex documents to more seasoned professionals. An analysis of the percentage of responsive documents found in each custodian’s files is the key data point.

In addition, counsel can determine whether the document collection includes documents written in a foreign language—or contains other oddities—that may require reviewers with specialized skills.

With real-time dashboards that illustrate team and project performance, counsel can decide whether the review is staffed with the right mix of people. For example, if the review is progressing too slowly based on the documents-per-hour metric, then more reviewers may need to be added; if too many documents are kicked out as ‘‘exceptions,’’ the makeup of the team can be changed accordingly.

7. Keep on Top of Reviewer Speed and Accuracy

Study metrics that show how quickly each reviewer is progressing through a batch of documents and adjust accordingly. This allows less efficient reviewers to be retrained to improve their performance, or if necessary, replaced. Another metric reveals the accuracy of each reviewer’s coding, allowing counsel the insight to compare reviewer performance, determine the source of errors, and, when necessary, remove or retrain reviewers who lack the appropriate knowledge or skills from the project.

8. Improve Results

Using data to create a higher-quality review team leads to more accurate review results. In turn, review teams will need to spend fewer hours rereading the same documents to correct mistakes during the quality control process.

Downstream, it reduces the likelihood of disputes with opposing counsel that might trigger expensive motions to compel and motions for sanctions, as well as discovery delays that will anger judges. Therefore, data that reveals the accuracy of each reviewer’s coding can help improve defensibility.

9. Improve Accuracy With Technology-Assisted Review

A technology-assisted review (TAR) engine learns based on an iterative process. That means the more data the review software ingests, the better results it produces. As the review progresses, TAR’s predicted results can be compared (daily, if necessary) to humancoded documents to improve the results on both ends: correcting discrepancies in coding can improve the TAR process as well as point out reviewers who may need retraining or removal.

10. Reuse Data Across Projects

Multiple cases often touch on the same issues and involve the same documents and custodians. Data stored in a centralized repository for use in similar future matters can save the costs of collecting, processing, and reviewing the data for the next project.

In addition, reusing this data can help ensure consistency in the treatment of data when used in multiple cases handled by different law firms. This is particularly critical when documents contain sensitive information or legal advice: recycling data that has already been vetted and redacted (if necessary) can improve the chances that confidentiality, the attorney-client privilege, and the work product doctrine are not inadvertently waived. This historical data can also help predict costs, risks, and results more reliably.

The Right Technology Can Help Harness the Value of Information

For many, access to information is like a shiny new toy. It’s fun to play with right out of the box, but eventually it’s important to learn what it really can do. There are so many elements to juggle: custodians, documents, data, time frames, reviewers, tools, data sources, and more. Good information can help refine review results, improve consistency, and save costs.

However, metrics are only useful when delivered in a unified platform capable of tracking all data points in real time. Tracking software must be convenient and simple to use. Organizations and their counsel should not have to wait for a project manager or administrator to deliver information—which, by the time it arrives, may be outdated.

— Chris Cameron is Client Services Manager at Advanced Discovery, where he oversees the Client Services and Hosting Operations Teams, which provide project management and technical support for ESI, forensics, and hosting matters. He has been providing project management in litigation support and eDiscovery for more than 10 years and has experience leveraging information to manage very large and complex projects in a variety of industries and practice areas.

The eDiscovery company’s new expansion will provide document review project management and review team staffing to law firms and corporate legal departments nationwide.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 29, 2013

Advanced Discovery, one of the fastest growing e-discovery and document review solutions provider, announced today it has opened a dedicated review facility in San Francisco.

“Our San Francisco Review Center is centrally located in the financial district, easily accessible to many of our clients and conveniently located to major public transportation,” says John Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Document Review. Sanchez adds, “Our Review Centers are designed to streamline document review processes, improve productivity and reduce legal spend in a secure and defensible manner.”

The eDiscovery company focuses on helping clients reduce discovery costs by managing the most costly part of the process: review. With multiple locations nationwide, the new San Francisco location enhances the reach of Advanced Discovery’s managed attorney review solutions.

Designed to host multiple review matters and teams, Advanced Discovery’s Review Centers feature several review rooms and security protocols. They also feature dual screen monitors, ergonomic chairs, and fully equipped common area space.

ABOUT ADVANCED DISCOVERY: Advanced Discovery is a leading provider of eDiscovery services to clients worldwide in both the legal and corporate communities. Our services include computer forensics, electronic discovery, early case assessment, web hosting, document review, and paper discovery. Advanced Discovery offers technology solutions that assist law firms and corporations to quickly and accurately reduce vast amounts of electronically stored information into essential and searchable data sets, effectively providing a high value product at a low comparative cost. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Advanced Discovery maintains locations in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Orange County, Century City (California), Dallas, Austin (Texas), Chicago, Overland Park (Kansas), Washington D.C., and New York City. More information is available at http://www.advanceddiscovery.com.

###

For more information contact:
Website: http://www.advanceddiscovery.com
Company: Advanced Discovery
Contact Name: Glenda Hoffman
Contact Email: marketing@advanceddiscovery.com

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10677467.htm

Preston Johnson, our Director of Operations for Managed Review, is responsible for supporting the company’s Document Review Division. Preston’s love for his friend with HIV and his love for bicycling join together for a passionate and purposeful ride. The AIDS/LifeCycle is a 7-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Preston needs our help to raise $3,000 to participate in the AIDS/LifeCycle.

Join our team and let’s make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS. Any amount makes an impact. Let’s all gather around Preston and cheer him on for this amazing event. 

The Ride: June 2-8, 2013
To Donate: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/Presty

“A few years ago, my first true friend in San Francisco fell off the radar. From the research I’d conducted, he quit his job and hadn’t talked to his family in a while. After searching around for him, I ended up meeting up with him for a happy hour where he told me he’d disappeared because he’d been extremely depressed about becoming HIV positive. After catching up with him I started looking into ways to help him and found out about AIDS Life|Cycle. It combined two things I have a passion for, being there for my friends and cycling. Training is challenging but definitely enjoyable at the same time. The training rides we have are great ways to connect with positive people who are all in agreement for one thing – let’s help our loved ones fight the HIV/AIDs fight.”

“I’m so excited to be blessed to help support my community and peers. One day we will overcome this horrible disease!”

Advanced Discovery launched two free (for existing customers) electronic data discovery tools for kCura’s Relativity review platform: Advanced Visibility and Advanced Review. Both run in Relativity’s web interface with a single login, but do not impact its performance because they run on a separate platform and use their own version of Microsoft SQL. Advanced Visibility tracks all phases of discovery projects, including the input of data from forensic programs such as Guidance Software’s EnCase Forensic and AccessData’s FTK. Features include real-time information and visual drill-down case and document review tracking.

April 1st Article Link: http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202592921192

Feb. 6th Article Link: http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202587264643

Client:  International Media Company
Practice Area:  Trademark Litigation
Location:  Panama, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Solutions:  Forensic Collection, eDiscovery Processing, Hosting, and Managed Review (Spanish & English)
Platform:  Relativity
Impact:  Defensible, High-Quality Production (25% below budget)

Faced with discovery production deadlines, the Houston office of an IP litigation law firm called on Advanced Discovery to assist with the collection, processing, hosting, review and production of a high-profile international trademark dispute. With data located in Central America and Texas, Advanced Discovery’s Project Management Team and technologists swung into action, creating a clear workflow and action plan from collection to production. Advanced Discovery processed, prepped and hosted the data out of its state-of-the-art e-discovery processing facility in Kansas. With seamless and clear communication channels across e-discovery and review divisions, Advanced Discovery’s Managed Review Team was able to hit the ground running, quickly assembling a team of contract attorneys at Advanced Discovery’s Review Center in Los Angeles, which was fully-equipped with a high-speed secure network, 1 GB bandwidth, 23” dual monitors, and workstations optimized for secure reviews. Advanced Discovery’s Review Manager collaborated with managing counsel to create the coding manual, live-test the coding protocols, and perform the entire review, including relevance and privilege in English and Spanish. Working overtime and throughout the weekend, Advanced Discovery’s Managed Review team delivered quality production that was defensible and met production deadlines at 25% below budget.

JOHN SANCHEZ
Director of Document Review
866-342-3282
review@advanceddiscovery.com

To download the case study press here.

Client:  AmLaw 100 Firm
Practice Area:  Internal Investigation
Location:  Washington, DC
Solutions:  eDiscovery Processing, Hosting and Document Review Team
Platform:  Relativity
Impact:  Defensible, High-Quality Review and Cost-Savings (more than 80% cost reduction)

Advanced Discovery was called on to assist an AmLaw 100 firm with the e-discovery processing, hosting and review of a large-scale internal investigation.  Advanced Discovery technologists and e-discovery project managers created a custom workflow for processing, hosting and preparing the data for review.  Advanced Discovery’s recruiters quickly assembled a team of contract attorneys screened for experience, productivity, and project retention.  Working under the direction and control of managing counsel, the contract review team met the client’s deadlines and target productivity throughput.

JOHN SANCHEZ
Director of Document Review
866-342-3282
review@advanceddiscovery.com

To download the case study press here.

As eDiscovery matters increase in complexity, so does the value of real-time information. This entry is part of our ongoing series on the ways to leverage eDiscovery Lifecycle Tracking and Document Review Metrics to gain control over discovery.

Choosing the Right Review Tools and Strategy

Knowing the types of data and the format of that data early in a matter helps counsel chose the right process and technology for the matter. Some projects need many reviewers simultaneously, some are ripe for technology-assisted review, and some can be handled more linearly. By knowing the contents of the data set up front, corporations and their counsel will not waste valuable resources on a platform that is not right for their project.

For more insight into the power of information, please click here to download the Advanced Discovery white paper, Top 10 Advantages of Discovery Tracking in Real Time.