EDD Update

eDiscovery@work

The Organization of Legal Professionals (www.theolp.org) has entered into an alliance with the Center for Advanced Legal Studies (www.paralegal.edu) to launch eDiscovery@work, an eight-week program made up of three interactive, online courses design to teach legal professionals about EDD.

Release here.

What do you call someone who gets the lowest passing grade on the Bar exam?

Guest lecturing at an e-discovery class at UT Law School today left me feeling a tad discouraged.  I'd covered the fundamentals of data storage, the broad components of an enterprise IT environment, Unicode and a bit about keyword search.  In 50 minutes, there's only so much I can do, and with little depth or nuance.  Afterward, a third-year student in the class confided that he'd thought I'd gone pretty far "into the weeds" and wondered if he would really need to know this stuff.  He asked why he couldn't just hire someone to handle the e-discovery issues in his cases.

LTNY: T-Minus 12 h

       

I've just navigated the chaos that is the LegalTech vendor floor (see photos, click each for larger images) and, after more than a decade watching these shows take shape on both coasts, I still marvel at how this mess morphs into the polished event that will emerge in a few hours.  It's going to be a great show for the vendors.  I can't predict the traffic won't be off in sheer numbers of warm bodies, but those who come will have budgets to buy that were nowhere to be seen last year.  Everyone tightened belts, but those compelled to do more with less now face doing more with less...that's now a year or two past its prime.  The fear factor has dissipated (even obscene Wall St. bonuses are back and Ford's turned a profit), so the checkbooks are coming out.  

HTCIA Asia Pacific Chapter Training Conference

I'm still trying to recover from jet lag after my return from speaking at the HTCIA Asia Pacific Chapter Training Conference in Hong Kong.  The HTCIA is the High Technology Crime Investigation Association, the world's largest association of computer forensic examiners.  Though it has a decidedly law enforcement bent--to the point of forbidding its members from assisting in the defense of criminal cases--there are probably as many non-law enforcement members in the group as cops.  Accordingly, there's been a growing interest in electronic discovery among the ranks of computer forensic examiners, particularly since the local forensic examiner is often the only competent "e-discovery service provider" willing to take on smaller matters involving electronic evidence.

eDiscovery Plain & Simple Free Webinar

Authors of the new book eDiscovery Plain & Simple, Allison Brecher, Corporate Counsel for a Fortune 200, and Shawnna Childress, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Women in eDiscovery, are teaching an eDiscovery educational webinar on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 pm EST/10:00am PST.

This free webinar is a "crash course" in electronic discovery and the information technology that organizations use to generate electronically stored information — all explained in a "plain and simple" way. 

SANS Forensic Summit - July 7-8 in D.C.

What LegalTech is to law firm technology and The Sedona Conference is to electronic discovery, the upcoming SANS WhatWorks Summit in Forensics and Incident Response is to the world of computer forensics.  I'm excited and humbled to be participating in a panel discussion called, "Forensic Challenges from the Court Room," and that's not just hype.  The folks speaking at the summit are known to me as the gurus whose names appear on the spines of the books in my forensics library.  Folks like Harlan Carvey and Eoghan Casey.  Other presenters wrote some of the tools that forensicists around the world use every day or are names in the news.  Makes me wonder if they brought me in as some sort of mascot.   Hmmmm. 

If you're interested in the world of computer forensics and incident response, the Summit takes place on July 7-8, 2009 in Washington, D.C.  The event is flanked by some pretty impressive training programs, too.  So register now, and come say "hi."  I'll be the one in the giant foam dongle costume.

Georgetown Law Center’s EDD Training Academy

The waiting is over!  The New York Rangers are the new Stanley Cup Champions!  And this one will last a lifetime!
Wait, wrong celebration :)

But the waiting is over!  After numerous months of meetings, debates, pilots and careful planning it is finally here. The first unbiased, academia based Georgetown Law Center’s week long E-Discovery Training Academy begins Monday.

 The Academy instantly becomes the most credible educational program given Georgetown Law Center's undisputed reputation as the nation's best Law School for Litigators.  Even the economy woes could not stop its momentum.  The academy, limited to 50 seats to assure maximum interaction between the faculty and the students, is completely sold out!

As one of the founding members of the Academy and a faculty member, I am a little biased.  However, few would dispute that finding proper education has always been a great challenge for our industry.  Those of us trying to learn about E-Discovery as well as educate our staff, attorneys and clients are well aware of the complete lack of such initiative despite the great need.   

Until now…

Congratulations to Dean Larry Center, Advisory Committee and Faculty of the Academy for realizing the dream!

 

Arkfeld's eLawExchange.com

We are excited to launch our new web site Arkfeld's eLawExchange.com (www.elawexchange.com) and its many free resources for the eLaw legal community.

The web site provides FREE access to:

•    State Ediscovery Caselaw and Rules - This database contains ediscovery caselaw and procedural rules from all 50 states. Check back often to see the status of ediscovery law in your state.

CLE Credit for "Ethical Issues in E-Discovery"

The ABA will be hosting a 90-minute teleconference and live audio webcast on "Ethical Issues in E-Discovery."  It will provide an ethics credit for CLE, and will take place Wednesday, June 4, at 12pm EST.  Go here for further information and registration.

CTSummation Litigation Support Boot Camp

Alonso Consulting and Training will be holding a CTSummation Litigation Support Boot Camp, May 20-22, in Orlando, Florida.  (Not planning on being in the area?  There are also upcoming June camps in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.)  It counts toward CLE.  More info and registration here. 

Sneak Preview: "FutureTech" at LegalTech LA

Campers:

I've been JUST a leetle distracted lately, putting the final touches on the upcoming, first-time ever  Law Technology News Presents FutureTech  at LegalTech West Coast.

We're calling it "The Trifecta" inside ALM, because it's the first time  we've conceived an effort that includes a live presentation, podcasts, and an LTN report.

Here's the 411:

April Training

* ALM offers Managing  Today's E-Discovery Process: The Evolving Role of Paralegals and Lit Support Professionals, April 24 in NYC  (I'm speaking).  411 here.

* Alonso Consulting & Training is offering three-day intensive "Boot Camps" in CT Summation. 411 here.  Upcoming  April courses will be held in Richmond, Va., Washington, D.C., and Orlando.