Archive for September 2010

Despite all of the lawyer jokes out there, this much can’t be debated: the law is an incredibly demanding profession – and the stress, pressure and expectations can be overwhelming, even for lawyers who put up a strong, brave face (often because that’s the job requirement). There are many factors that contribute to this situation:…

You’re a doctor? Your writing is illegible!  You’re a marketer? Your writing’s too hyped. You’re an engineer? You can’t write! Alas, we normally identify a writing style with particular professions. In fairness, however, the descriptions above are unfair because, indeed, there are doctors who write legibly, marketers who convey truth and authenticity, and engineers who…

That question would elicit a chuckle from those who’ve heard and read enough about happiness, motivation and self-fulfillment. Go to any bookstore and you’ll find a lot of “Chicken Soup” type of books. They echo the same principles: be a positive thinker, reach out to friends and family, take care of your spiritual life, and…

In an earlier blog, we discussed an article by Alan S. Naar published in ACC (Association of Corporate Counsel) on the need for companies to create a document retention policy that ensures Discovery compliance. Here are some additional interesting trends in eDiscovery that Naar pointed to: Emergence of “Notification of a Litigation Hold” Discussions. Some…

In case you missed it earlier this week, Dilbert provided the perfect commentary for scenes taking place across the country as companies grapple with their desire to capitalize on social media – while also trying to “control” the process. Well done Dilbert!! 

Roumiana Deltcheva has written an illumunating article that outlines the advantages of eDiscovery search versus custodian-led searches: eDiscovery searches are more comprehensive. Deltcheva cited the example of the Enron saga where 3 million e-mails from 100 e-mail employee boxes had to be accessed – an eDiscovery search proved more effective in capturing the documents. eDiscovery…

Many companies have embraced social media as an effective marketing and communication channel, but when you think of social media and eDiscovery together, the enthusiasm can turn to fear and dread – just as it has for a growing number of corporations. True, social media does have an ugly side (employers spying on employees, trade…

The 451 Group has released its “eDiscovery and eDisclosure: Bringing it all Back Home” survey report, and the results are insightful – particularly for companies who tried, and are failing, to handle things “in-house.” Key Findings Some degree of eDiscovery in-sourcing continues, as companies try and build systems and competence from within. With the above…

ESI – electronically stored information – is at the heart and soul of eDiscovery. A lengthy Lexology article by Alan S. Naar neatly sums up how eDiscovery has been transformed into a unique universe inhabited by many players with varying degrees of involvement. We not only have players, but we also have thorny issues and…

While one third of employers in the US are using social media to support their marketing efforts, they’re also worried about giving employees free rein to social media, no matter how harmless in nature the communications may be. Chris Crum went over survey results conducted by CareerBuilder. The results were interesting and confirmed that companies…