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Articles by Mike Quartararo
Breaking the Silence: How Two Legal Professionals Are Rewriting the Conversation on Mental Health
[co-author Jeff Hirvela] In an industry built on precision, pressure, and perfectionism, conversations about mental health often feel like forbidden territory. Yet on a recent episode of Mind Matters, Breaking the Silence in Legal Spaces, hosts Mike Quartararo and Jeff Hirvela welcomed two guests who are challenging that silence in a bold and transformative way.
Three Years In, Has Generative AI Made a Meaningful Contribution to E-Discovery? | JD Supra
Industry Experts Share Their Thoughts on Generative AI Three years used to be a good time frame for assessing the impact of technology on the various processes that drive legal and business outcomes. It’s not entirely clear if that’s a good measure anymore, but I thought it would be interesting to review the impact of generative artificial intelligence on e-discovery since it was hoisted upon us in 2022. Some of my contemporaries have labeled me (unfairly, I think) as anti-generative AI.
Three Years In, Has Generative AI Made a Meaningful Contribution to E-Discovery?
Industry Experts Share Their Thoughts on Generative AI Three years used to be a good time frame for assessing the impact of technology on the various processes that drive legal and business outcomes. It’s not entirely clear if that’s a good measure anymore, but I thought it would be interesting to review the impact of generative artificial intelligence on e-discovery since it was hoisted upon us in 2022. Some of my contemporaries have labeled me (unfairly, I think) as anti-generative AI.
In Memoriam: Rest in Peace Kaylee Walstad | JD Supra
I wanted to add to the chorus of praise and sadness that has followed the unexpected passing of a friend of ACEDS – Kaylee Walstad. Kaylee was a force in our industry, and I personally benefitted from her kindness and generosity. You may remember that for about four years Kaylee led strategic partnerships and client engagement at ACEDS. And it was during a time that I was going through a professional transition from 20 years of working in law firms to launching my own consulting practice.
In Memoriam: Rest in Peace Kaylee Walstad
I wanted to add to the chorus of praise and sadness that has followed the unexpected passing of a friend of ACEDS – Kaylee Walstad. Kaylee was a force in our industry, and I personally benefitted from her kindness and generosity. You may remember that for about four years Kaylee led strategic partnerships and client engagement at ACEDS. And it was during a time that I was going through a professional transition from 20 years of working in law firms to launching my own consulting practice.
Properly Scoping an E-Discovery Project | JD Supra
This post is based on remarks recently delivered during the 12th Annual University of Florida E-Discovery Conference. With only 10 minutes during the conference to squeeze in this massive topic, we thought it may be useful to expand on those remarks here. Imagine that a 500-person manufacturing company is sued (for our purposes it doesn’t really matter what for) and they reach out to their outside counsel. The attorney must preserve relevant information and implement a legal hold.
Properly Scoping an E-Discovery Project
This post is based on remarks recently delivered during the 12th Annual University of Florida E-Discovery Conference. With only 10 minutes during the conference to squeeze in this massive topic, we thought it may be useful to expand on those remarks here. Imagine that a 500-person manufacturing company is sued (for our purposes it doesn’t really matter what for) and they reach out to their outside counsel. The attorney must preserve relevant information and implement a legal hold.
Eye on ESI: Hiring is H-O-T for December in eDiscovery as Law Firms Take the Lead | JD Supra
For this year-end session of Eye on ESI, TRU Staffing Partners’ Founder and CEO Jared Coseglia was joined by ACEDS President Mike Quartararo and ACEDS VP of Strategy and Client Engagement Maribel Rivera to discuss current ediscovery industry trends as well as predictions for the first few months of 2025. Coseglia kicked off the interactive webinar. Coseglia: We’re starting with our top 5 hottest jobs in the ESI industry. We've got senior executive level jobs, forensics, ediscovery, etc.
The Power of Project Management: Using the 80/20 Rule in E-Discovery | JD Supra
The 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is a guiding concept in project management. The rule posits that 80% of results stem from 20% of efforts. This principle has far-reaching implications for how project managers allocate resources, solve problems, and optimize workflows. Here’s a closer look at how the 80/20 Rule can transform the way e-discovery projects are managed.
The Power of Project Management
The 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is a guiding concept in project management. The rule posits that 80% of results stem from 20% of efforts. This principle has far-reaching implications for how project managers allocate resources, solve problems, and optimize workflows. Here’s a closer look at how the 80/20 Rule can transform the way e-discovery projects are managed.
Thoughts on the Use of LLMs in E-Discovery
What role should generative artificial intelligence play in e-discovery processes? Are claims of the efficacy of using large language models in e-discovery bold, naked assertions or have they been tested and proven?
Maybe Next Time Google Should Google “Legal Hold” | JD Supra
I’m not a lawyer, and far be it for me to give legal advice, but I’ve lived and worked around lawyers for all of my professional legal career, so I’m at least qualified to comment on the importance of executing sound legal hold and preservation processes. Recently, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in United States of America et al., vs. Google LLC, Case No. 1:20-cv-03010-APM (08/05/24).
Maybe Next Time Google Should Google “Legal Hold”
I’m not a lawyer, and far be it for me to give legal advice, but I’ve lived and worked around lawyers for all of my professional legal career, so I’m at least qualified to comment on the importance of executing sound legal hold and preservation processes. Recently, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in United States of America et al., vs. Google LLC, Case No. 1:20-cv-03010-APM (08/05/24).
Generative AI and the Hype Cycle: What Does It Means for E-Discovery? | JD Supra
Many people are expressing uncertainty regarding how emerging technologies will develop in the short term. Take generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) as an example. By almost any measure, Gen AI invaded the legal technology scene like nothing we’ve seen in recent years. Unfortunately, the Gen AI fire spread so quickly that now, with the smoke beginning to clear, many in the legal space are wondering where it goes from here.
E-Discovery and Ephemeral Application Data | JD Supra
It seems like every other day there’s a new messaging application that individuals may use to communicate. Applications like WhatsApp, Confidence, CoverMe, Dust, Hash, Signal, Snapchat, Telegram, and Viper, all use encryption and/or provide for the permanent erasure of messages. This is probably fine for personal or family communications.
E-Discovery and Ephemeral Application Data
It seems like every other day there’s a new messaging application that individuals may use to communicate. Applications like WhatsApp, Confidence, CoverMe, Dust, Hash, Signal, Snapchat, Telegram, and Viper, all use encryption and/or provide for the permanent erasure of messages. This is probably fine for personal or family communications.
The Impact of Generative AI on Education | JD Supra
For most of the last year, the world has witnessed unprecedented growth in the development and use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. This technology has only just begun to shape various aspects of our lives. Obviously, as people who work in legal technology, we are mostly focused on how it will impact the processes involved in the practice of law. Another area that is likely to see profound transformation is education—and that includes legal education.
The Impact of Generative AI on Education
For most of the last year, the world has witnessed unprecedented growth in the development and use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools. This technology has only just begun to shape various aspects of our lives. Obviously, as people who work in legal technology, we are mostly focused on how it will impact the processes involved in the practice of law. Another area that is likely to see profound transformation is education—and that includes legal education.
The Future Society and IEEE Publish Model ESI Protocol and Guidelines | JD Supra
The Future Society, an independent nonprofit organization based in the U.S. and Europe, together with IEEE, has developed and launched this week their Model Protocol for Electronically Stored Information (ESI).
The Future Society and IEEE Publish Model ESI Protocol and Guidelines
The Future Society, an independent nonprofit organization based in the U.S. and Europe, together with IEEE, has developed and launched this week their Model Protocol for Electronically Stored Information (ESI).
ILTA’s 2023 Litigation and Practice Support Survey Has Launched
The annual litigation and practice support survey is designed by ILTA staff and volunteers (I’m thrilled to be among those volunteers), and it is intended to capture meaningful data points that reflect the work and trends of litigation support professionals across the legal industry. This year the survey seeks to examine everything from law firm cost recovery models to billing preferences and preferred training deliverables.
The Ethics of AI: A Conversation with ACEDS Advisory Board Member Maura Grossman
In a powerful interview with Gulan Media, Professor Maura R. Grossman, who sits on the ACEDS Advisory Board, discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and public services. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing risks and rewards when harnessing AI’s power.
Introducing the ACEDS Summer Sale: Unlocking Professional Growth and Opportunities
/ACEDS Blog, ACEDS News, CEDS, Professional Development It’s that time of year again—the ACEDS Summer Sale is here! This annual campaign highlights the value of joining ACEDS, enrolling in training, and pursuing certification in e-discovery. In this article, we want to emphasize the importance of accreditation and showcase the incredible opportunities it can bring, especially when it is technology agnostic.
January Metrics Show More Active Job Seekers, Contract Roles, and Hybrid Workplaces
Every monthly Eye on ESI webinar I host with ACEDS President Mike Quartararo, and ACEDS VP, Strategy & Client Engagement Maribel Rivera delivers key industry hiring metrics from the...
[Webinar] 2022 Survey Results: The State of Collaboration Data & Corporate Readiness - December 1st, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm ET | JD Supra
Hanzo & ACEDS Release Results of Third Annual Collaboration Data Survey As collaboration applications win love from users, and these communications are increasingly in scope for discovery, enterprises are gaining experience that is changing confidence levels. Hanzo, and the Association of Certified Ediscovery Specialists (ACEDS), are pleased to release the results from their third annual legal industry survey, The Collaboration Data Benchmark Report.
Why You Need an E-Discovery Professional at Your Firm | JD Supra
The development and use of technology in the legal industry are moving at break-neck speed. Technologies are changing, and thus, the sources of data are constantly evolving as well. Email was once the most common form of electronic evidence. Although it is still vital evidence, it is imperative to know what you have beyond email in legal, investigative and compliance matters. It’s no secret that many lawyers have not been the most tech-savvy practitioners or users of technology.
Why You Need an E-Discovery Professional at Your Firm
/ACEDS Blog, Articles, Paralegal The development and use of technology in the legal industry are moving at break-neck speed. Technologies are changing, and thus, the sources of data are constantly evolving as well. Email was once the most common form of electronic evidence. Although it is still vital evidence, it is imperative to know what you have beyond email in legal, investigative and compliance matters.
Takeaways from ILTACON 2022 | JD Supra
The annual ILTA conference is back with a vengeance! At least, that is the word we hear on the street and throughout the industry. For the uninformed, the International Legal Technology Association Conference (ILTACON) is the annual gathering of legal professionals. It focuses on all aspects of legal technology, from its use to implementation and the myriad processes surrounding legal operations.
A New ISO Standard on Information Governance | JD Supra
The International Organization for Standardization, known as ISO, has been setting standards in the business world since the 1940s. Expert teams at ISO have developed more than 24,000 international standards impacting business processes in technology, manufacturing, the environment, energy, food safety, healthcare, quality and risk management, and many more.
E-Discovery Education: The Handful of Things You Must Get Right | JD Supra
No matter where you are in the legal world, at each stage of any e-discovery project there are a handful of things you need to get right to have a successful outcome. Clients of course want to save money, but a successful outcome can sometimes be more valuable than money. What is a successful outcome? For most litigators, it means that a sound, defensible process contributed to the desired result for the client.
E-Discovery Education: The Handful of Things You Must Get Right
No matter where you are in the legal world, at each stage of any e-discovery project there are a handful of things you need to get right to have a successful outcome. Clients of course want to save money, but a successful outcome can sometimes be more valuable than money. What is a successful outcome? For most litigators, it means that a sound, defensible process contributed to the desired result for the client.
Creating and Managing an E-Discovery Budget | JD Supra
Understanding the things that drive costs in e-discovery, knowing how to design and execute the project with those drivers in mind, and developing the scope of an e-discovery project to be commensurate with the value of the case and the expectations of the client are essential skills for any e-discovery practitioner. In project management, the process of estimating and controlling costs is called cost management. In the legal business, we might refer to this as proportionality management.
Creating and Managing an E-Discovery Budget
March 24, 2022/Mike Quartararo/ Understanding the things that drive costs in e-discovery, knowing how to design and execute the project with those drivers in mind, and developing the scope of an e-discovery project to be commensurate with the value of the case and the expectations of the client are essential skills for any e-discovery practitioner. In project management, the process of estimating and controlling costs is called cost management.
The Ongoing Debate About the “E” in E-Discovery: Passion, Purpose, and Persuasion | JD Supra
One of the things I love about e-discovery is the passion of the people who work in the industry.
Grammar, Style, and the Rule of Law in E-Discovery (plus Cheesecake) | JD Supra
I’m a big believer in rules. Rules bring order to what otherwise might be chaos. Rules set expectations. Rules guide human behavior (and sometimes non-human behavior). Heck, rules guide how machines perform calculations, execute tasks, and analyze data. We need rules. Admittedly, my rebellious side often suggests to me that some rules are meant to be broken. Take the stop sign in front of my house, for example.
A Two-Part Series on the Pandemic Job Market | JD Supra
The job market in e-discovery and across the legal industry is definitely in the middle of something. It’s not clear whether it’s the beginning, middle or end of something, but it’s definitely something. At ACEDS, we have never seen more inquiries about open positions, and we’ve never seen the lateral and upskill movement that we hear about from our membership. Complicating all of this is the COVID-19 pandemic and the fits and starts that come along with a public health crisis.
What Happens in Canada When You Fail to Preserve and Produce ESI | JD Supra
A recent decision from the Supreme Court of British Columbia illustrates how litigants may find themselves in trouble with the court and opposing counsel when they fail to properly preserve and produce electronically stored information (ESI) in discovery. In Zhang v. 328633 B.C. Ltd, et al., 2021 BCSC 650, the plaintiff, Zhang, brought suit for injuries sustained during an automobile accident that occurred in 2013.
You Know It’s Bad When The Court Decision Has A Table Of Contents: Part Deux
Every once in a while, a court decision involving e-discovery issues comes along that is particularly instructive. I wrote about a similar case here about 18 months ago. The outcome was not good then; if possible, this one is worse. Striking are the common themes that run through cases like this.
What If Racism Were A Crime?
I have always been a pretty staunch First Amendment advocate. Everyone should have a right to say or write pretty much anything that can be put into words. And in a free society, citizens should have a right to express themselves in almost unimaginable ways. So long as no one is getting hurt. As a layperson working in the legal industry for more than two decades, one cannot help but learn about the law.
An Update on International and Cross-Border Discovery | JD Supra
Parties in the US are allowed broad and liberal discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) relevant and proportional to the claims and defenses in a legal action. When a US-based litigant seeks ESI stored in other countries, however, it raises thorny legal and practical issues. ACEDS recently conducted a webinar on this topic entitled “Now What? Cross-Border and International Discovery Post-Schrems II” with Bryant Isbell from Baker & McKenzie and Eric Mandel from Driven.
E-Discovery Platform Relativity Announces Next-Gen Aero User Interface
E-Discovery software company Relativity announces this week the release of their Aero user interface, a sleek and powerfully new way to navigate documents and data in an industry-leading e-discovery platform. I spent some time recently with the product team and was privileged to see an early demo of the new UI. Because I have not logged into a Relativity workspace for a few years, I learned some things, and I think users will appreciate the new developments as well.
The State Of E-Discovery 2020
No one I know who is working in the legal industry thinks that less e-discovery work is moving in-house. A recent report produced by Exterro and The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) confirms quite the opposite. Full disclosure, I’m the president of ACEDS, and we are committed to providing information to the legal community that is helpful.
Towards Developing a Proposed TAR Framework | JD Supra
Recently, ACEDS hosted a webinar entitled “Point|Counterpoint: A Proposed TAR Framework,” during which a stellar panel of lawyers, including Redgrave’s Christine Payne and Kirkland & Ellis’ Michele Six represented the defense bar, and Suzanne Clark and Chad Roberts from eDiscovery CoCounsel represented the plaintiff’s bar. Retired US Magistrate Judge James C. Francis, IV, now with JAMS, agreed to moderate the discussion.
Ipro Tech Acquires NetGovern To Expand Offerings
Ipro Tech has been around in the legal technology space for as long as I can remember. I was using their eCapture tool in the ’90s before the EDRM and most of the processing engines in the market even existed. Today, they are a leader in the legal technology industry, providing solutions across the e-discovery lifecycle. Recently, the Tempe, Arizona-based company announced the acquisition of NetGovern, an information and data governance and compliance product.
Work Smarter, Not Harder: How To Automate E-Discovery Processing
They say that a watched pot never boils. That’s not really true, but in legal technology a lot of people spend time waiting with their finger over a button. The wait is over. I was recently introduced to Toronto-based Rampiva Automate, a business process automation solution that integrates with Nuix’s well-known e-discovery processing engine to automate processing on e-discovery projects. I spent time talking with Rampiva founder Daniel Boteanu recently. Below is a distillation of that conversation.
Paralegals Are Project Managers Too! | JD Supra
I wrote this piece a few years ago for my own personal blog because I thought then and I still think now that paralegals are e-discovery project managers. I also wrote something similar for NALA’s Facts & Findings publication, and again, my argument holds up. Whether you’re traveling a long distance, going on a short road trip, or just heading out to buy dinner, the most important piece of information you need is where you’re going, right?
Process Trumps Software All Day For Legal Operations
I feel like we all spend time at the beginning of each year predicting what will happen in the ensuing 12 months. By my count, in recent months, I have read more than 50 predictions for what will happen in legal technology in 2020. Legal operations is not exempt from these predictions. Notwithstanding that it’s impossible to predict the future, we pile on and offer prognostications.
Day 53: Musings On The Quarantine Of 2020
It is Day 53 of my quarantine. I do not know about you, but I have been cooped up at home for too long. It has officially passed into the ridiculous zone. Human beings were clearly never intended to live in isolation. I mean, I do not mind being alone at times — alone with my thoughts, on some intractable task, or listening to Miles Davis. But this is getting nutty. And the trouble is that there is no real end in sight.
Relativity Trace: A Corporate Compliance Tool For Legal Ops Pros
From time to time, I take a look at software and technology products and try to alert the legal community, particularly readers in legal operations, to solutions that really seem to solve a problem. Recently, I’ve been looking at corporate compliance tools, and I had an opportunity to speak with Jordan Domash, GM of Relativity Trace, who heads up the development and deployment of this corporate compliance application. Below is an edited distillation of our conversation.
If One Good Thing Could Come From This Damn Virus…
One of the hats I’ve worn in my career is that of an educator. Whether it was training new attorneys and paralegals, teaching academic classes, or just coaching someone in a current or future role, I’ve been teaching for decades. And I’ve spent the better part of the past 10 years working to convince law school and paralegal school leaders -– frankly, anyone who’d listen — that online education (aka distance learning) is the future. It’s the big disrupter that the education business needs.
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