Why What We Do Is ImportantACEDS Members Only Webcast

Tom O’ConnorAdvanced DiscoverySenior ESI ConsultantACEDS Advisory Board

Presenter• Senior Consultant, Advanced Discovery • Director, Gulf Coast Legal Technology

Center • Nationally known expert, author and

speaker in areas of computerized litigation support systems and e-discovery

• ACEDS Advisory Board Tom O’ConnorSenior ConsultantAdvanced Discovery

Topics

Too Much Stuff

“Understanding information technology is a necessity for litigators. Why? Because that’s where the evidence lives. “

Why is this important?

Humans: 44,000 yearsGreek democracy: 500 BCMagna Carta: 1215 ADEnlightenment: 1660-1780 ADAmerican Revolution: 1776

Confidence in Justice

Confidence in Justice

Access to Justice• ABF: • 70%% of poor households have a legal problem• Only 4% consult a lawyer• Don’t know they have a legal issue!

• Middle Class• 60% with legal problem don’t consult a lawyer• Too expensive

Duties of Counsel • Duties to Client

Confidentiality Loyalty to Client• Duties to Court

Oversee DiscoveryConfer Early

• Technical Competence• SAME AS IT EVER WAS

11

Better Solutions

Technology is NOT the key to successful management of e-Discovery

WHAT IS?

“Litigation habits and customs learned in the days of paper must be revisited and revised. The culture of bench and bar must adjust.”

Hon. Lee RosenthalUnited States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.Former Chair, Standing Committee on Rules of the Judicial Conference

Paradigm Shift

Education

Cooperation• FRCP say “what” and

“when”• Preservation• Discovery plan (including

production format)

• Mancia case says “how”• Sedona Cooperation

Proclamation

Community

Contact• Tom.oconnor@advanceddiscovery.com• 504-324-1141• www.advanceddiscovery.com