As a legal professional, you need to gain access to more electronic documents than ever before.
How do you access this electronically stored information (ESI)?
You can do this through a process called electronic discovery, or e-Discovery.
Gaining access to and storing electronic files in a safe way is especially important in the legal profession because you hold so much of your clientele’s person information.
If any of this information is compromised, it could adversely affect your case, as well as your reputation.
We’ll explain why e-Discovery is so important to your practice and how to protect yourself and your clients’ information.
What Is E-Discovery and How It Has Changed the Legal Profession
E-Discovery is the act of getting information via electronic format.
People don’t use paper as much as they used to. Instead, they write and send emails, search the Web, take notes on their phone, send texts, and send faxes.
All of this information is stored in the memory of the computer, phone, tablet, and cloud.
E-Discovery is a way of gaining access to this information, either to analyze it for data or to use it as evidence in a case.
This form of data recovery is so important some claim it’s changed the legal profession. The data gathered from emails and the like can make or break a case.
Here’s three more ways this tool can help you.
1. It Speeds up the Evidence Gathering Process
There’s not always a lot of time to gather information during litigation. When things are down to the wire, electronic discovery can be a life-saver.
Compiling evidence with the aid of e-Discovery can save you a lot of late nights, while helping you gather the information necessary to serve your clients to the best of your ability.
2. E-Discovery Helps You and Your Staff Practice More Efficiently
Solid evidence is needed to argue, and hopefully win, your case.
E-Discovery programs make it easier to stay organized. It will be easier to see what kind of information you still need to argue your case, and all of this information will be in one place. Whatever you need to present will be at your fingertips.
3. Electronic Discovery Can Help You Save a Lot of Money
We all try to save money where we can. Evidence gathering is one of those things which can add up quickly.
But with electronic discovery methods you can save time and money.
You don’t have to worry about document, copy, shipping, or storage fees.
Saving money will not only make you feel better, it will be something you can pass along to your clients which will help you earn a good reputation.
Law Schools Teach the Importance of E-Discovery to New Lawyers
Because e-Discovery is proving to be so important in litigation, more and more people within the legal profession feel electronic discovery management should be taught in law school.
Unfortunately, many law students – and even some seasoned attorneys – shy away from this topic. They feel it’s too “techy” and like they don’t have enough know-how to properly use this tool.
Granted, there are some challenges we face when it comes to electronically stored information. Technology is constantly changing and the way we transmit information is proliferating rapidly.
We have smartphones, smart watches, and a whole slew of social, business, and productivity apps in which information is stored and transmitted.
Thankfully, many law schools are teaching courses on e-Discovery to better equip new lawyers.
Find a Safe, Reliable Company to Help with Your E-Discovery and Litigation Needs
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your clients’ information is to utilize the services of a reliable legal printing company.
A company with a good reputation prides itself on protecting your electronic and print information.
At Document Pros, we’ll do everything in our power to keep your information secure.
Not only that, but we’re completely equipped to serve all of your litigation, copying, shredding, printing, and e-Discovery needs.
We understand how important e-Discovery is to the legal profession. Therefore, it is our mission to serve as the premier electronic discovery source for Atlanta lawyers.