Guest Details
Mary Cooper, Vice President, Account Management at UnitedLex.

Key Takeaways

1. Mary highlighted the importance of adaptability and resilience in career development.
2. She emphasized the growing role of technology and legal tech in reshaping the legal industry.
3. Leadership in legal account management requires a deep understanding of client needs and a strategic approach to problem-solving.

Action Items

1. Invest in learning new technologies related to legal services.
2. Focus on building strong client relationships by understanding their unique challenges.
3. Continuously adapt to the changing demands of the legal industry to stay ahead.

Chapters with Timecodes

• 00:00:00: Introduction and Mary's Career Background
• 00:05:30: Challenges in the Legal Industry During the 2008 Recession
• 00:10:45: Transition to Legal Account Management
• 00:20:10: The Role of Technology in Modern Legal Services
• 00:30:30: Leadership and Client Relationships
• 00:40:15: Advice for Aspiring Legal Professionals

Most Compelling Quote

"I feel like eDiscovery is still one of those niche areas where when people ask what I do, I almost have to ask, 'Do you have 20 minutes?' It's such a cool, dynamic field that constantly evolves with new challenges and opportunities."

Podcast Show Summary:

Guest Details:
Steve Davis, Vice President for Forensics and Education, Purpose Legal.

Key Takeaways:
1. Steve shared his journey from a federal investigator to leading forensics, emphasizing how investigations have evolved with digital tools.
2. The importance of understanding where data resides (residency) and ensuring that redundant backups exist to prevent data loss during investigations.
3. Steve discussed how the growing role of AI in legal tech and eDiscovery is evolving, but he remains cautious about AI's current capabilities in forensics.

Action Items:
1. When handling eDiscovery, prioritize identifying the end goal of the investigation before diving into the data.
2. Ask detailed questions about the devices and platforms involved to ensure accurate data collection, especially with mobile devices and third-party apps.
3. Ensure continuous education for your team on the latest technological advancements and forensic techniques to stay ahead in the field.

Chapters with Timecodes:
- [00:00] Introduction: Hosts Daniel Gold and Brandon Mack introduce the show.
- [02:30] Guest Introduction: Steve Davis of Purpose Legal.
- [04:00] Background: Steve's journey from federal investigator to forensics expert.
- [10:30] Forensics in eDiscovery: Insights into data residency and redundancy.
- [18:45] AI and Forensics: Skepticism and potential future roles for AI in legal tech.
- [26:15] Corporate Data Handling: Common pitfalls and lessons for organizations.
- [35:50] Advice for Aspiring Forensics Professionals.
- [42:00] Conclusion: Closing thoughts and where to find Purpose Legal.

Most Compelling Quote:
"Humans are really average—we make mistakes all the time. But in forensics, solving problems requires more than just technical expertise; it’s about asking the right questions and understanding the end goal of the investigation."

Guest Details:

Leah Bays, e-Discovery Attorney at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, a plaintiff’s firm in San Diego that focuses on securities class actions, antitrust, and consumer fraud cases.

Key Takeaways:

1. Career Journey and Passion for Plaintiffs’ Work: Leah’s transition from the defense bar to the plaintiff’s side was driven by her desire to protect and advocate for those with less power, particularly against large corporations. Her work in e-discovery at Robbins Geller allows her to fight for justice, leveraging technology to find critical facts that shape her cases.

2. The Role of Process in e-Discovery: Leah emphasizes the importance of setting up robust e-discovery processes, including ESI protocols, to avoid disputes and ensure that discovery is handled efficiently and fairly. She believes in clear communication and the necessity of both sides understanding and respecting the process.

3. Challenges in the Plaintiff’s Bar: Unlike the defense side, plaintiffs rely entirely on the information provided by their opponents, often leading to a contentious and obstructive discovery process. Leah discusses the strategic advantages and unique challenges of working on the plaintiff’s side, including the need for thorough analysis and quick evaluation of received documents.

Action Items:

1. Develop Clear ESI Protocols: Attorneys should establish clear and detailed ESI protocols early in the discovery process to minimize disputes and streamline information exchange.

2. Foster Open Communication: Legal teams should focus on transparent and collaborative communication, explaining the rationale behind discovery requests to facilitate a more efficient and less adversarial process.

3. Invest in e-Discovery Education: Legal professionals, especially those in the plaintiff’s bar, should continue to enhance their knowledge and skills in e-discovery to effectively manage and utilize technology in their cases.

Chapters with Timecodes:

• 0:00 – 5:15: Introduction and guest background.
• 5:16 – 15:30: Leah’s career path from defense to plaintiff’s bar.
• 15:31 – 25:00: The importance of process in e-discovery and setting up ESI protocols.
• 25:01 – 35:00: Challenges and strategic advantages in plaintiff-side e-discovery.
• 35:01 – 45:00: Collaboration
• 45:01 – 50:00: Leah’s involvement with the National eDiscovery Leadership Institute (NeLI) and her perspectives on education in the legal field.

Resources:

• Visit the NeLI's website at: www.ediscoveryleadership.org
• Visit UMKC School of Law: law.umkc.edu
  
• Lea Bays: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/attorneys-Lea-Malani-Bays.html - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-malani-bays-a274a8b
• Daniel Gold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielegold
• Brandon Mack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmack

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