I’ve been working in eDiscovery for nearly ten years and in that time, I’ve learned what it takes to be successful in eDiscovery. It’s not rocket science, but the little things add up and can mean the difference between you feeling prepared and in control vs running around with your hair on fire (trust me, I’ve seen it).

Here are 5 easy ways (plus a bonus tip!) to streamline the initial setup of your eDiscovery matter.

1. Engage your eDiscovery company as early as possible.

Engaging your eDiscovery project management team from the get-go is the best way to ensure you are getting a successful result for your client. Consulting about ESI preparedness, protocols, and the discovery process early will set your case up for success from the start and prevent issues down the road. And, while many attorneys are afraid of the cost, bringing in your eDiscovery company early often minimizes your outside spend.

2. Don’t be afraid to overshare.

We appreciate your efforts to respect our time, but, as an eDiscovery company, we really do want to know everything about your case. Sharing details, timelines, and strategy allows your eDiscovery company to help you to the fullest.

3. Use a ZIP file and secure FTP.

Compressing your loose documents into a ZIP file and using a secure FTP site is the fastest, easiest, safest, and most effective way to share data. Once compressed, the files always travel together and reduce the possibility of being lost in the shuffle. There is also less chance of corruption when transferring files within a ZIP file.

4. Easily get an understanding of your data.

If you’ve been handed a hard drive and are unsure what types of documents you have and what the total size is, your eDiscovery company can prepare a file type report that visualizes this information for you. This allows you to quickly assess all the documents at once. Once the report is complete, you can join a meeting via screen share to discuss your data in real-time and quickly prepare a plan for handling that data.

5. Get on the same page about communication.

Any good eDiscovery company knows that when you need answers, you don’t have time to wait. At Complete Legal, we strive to get you what you need as quickly as possible. That’s why we’ve set up a listserv so that all your emails reach everyone on the project management team at the same time. By using the listserv email, and staying on the same email thread, your email is addressed in a timely fashion (our standard is 15 minutes or less).

Bonus tip: Build a relationship with an eDiscovery company.

Each of these steps will make you more effective, but it’s even better when you have a relationship with an eDiscovery company and they know how you like to work and what you need and expect. That’s why we are so involved in the legal community and why you’ll see us at many events around town, it’s also why we always welcome your feedback. It allows us to understand your working style and tailor your standard workflow.

Streamlining your eDiscovery process isn’t hard. By following these 5 steps, you can ensure you are handling your document management in the most efficient manner possible, so you can spend time on your case, not the logistics of it.

Contact Katrina to Learn More