Document review is one of the most labor-intensive parts of the litigation process. Even with support from eDiscovery solutions, document review can require considerable time, energy, and expense. A research brief published by the RAND Institute found that document review accounts for 73% of the total cost of document production, which in turn accounts for much of the cost of litigation. Here are some ways to help make the document review process more efficient:
Maintain Consistent Standards and Processes Across Multiple Cases
While each case is unique, standardizing certain processes can improve efficiency by preventing attorneys and support staff from having to start fresh every time they begin a review. Certain elements are present in every case, and using the same case team for similar case types or for similar clients can create efficiencies. For example, using a document review team with extensive experience in antitrust matters to handle a new antitrust matter will reduce the need to explain core concepts and issues. Similarly, using consistent templates for collecting data and tagging documents across similar case or client types will speed the review process without sacrificing quality.
Choose the Right Team
Document review requires a distinct skill set, particularly when complex privilege or confidentiality designations are required. A review team needs strong project management skills and technological knowledge along with legal and subject matter expertise. Getting started with the right team can reduce the cost of document review by promoting maximum efficiency.
Choose the Right Tools
Document review and production no longer require lawyers to pore over every potentially responsive document in a litigation. Technology-assisted review (TAR), along with an experienced document review team, can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to help identify responsive documents. A document review team experienced in working with TAR tools can handle the details of managing the TAR process, freeing partners, associates, and in-house counsel to deal with other aspects of litigation.
Learn More
Baer Reed provides a wide range of support services for law firms and in-house counsel, helping them streamline and optimize complex litigation processes like document review and privilege review. Contact us today to learn more.
Mr. Reyes graduated with honors from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received the Procter and Gamble Student Excellence Award. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law. During law school, Mr. Reyes was part of the Philippine delegation to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot held in Vienna, Austria. He was also a member of the Ateneo Society of International Law and the St. Thomas More Debate Society. He completed his internship at the Public Attorney’s Office. He wrote a thesis entitled: “To Kill A White Elephant: An Analysis of the Fiduciary Exception to the Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege”. Mr. Reyes is admitted to practice law in the Philippines and the State of New York.
Ms. Lardizabal-Manzano is a graduate of San Sebastian College-Recoletos, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science. In 2003, she received her law degree from Lyceum of the Philippines and was admitted to practice law in 2004.
Matthew Hersh earned a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University in 1990 and graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 1999. He also holds a master’s degree in international relations from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Cap. Avi Levak (Res. IDF) graduated from from Israel’s prestigious Ben-Gurion University of the Negev with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics. He is also a Leadership and Communication coach trained in TuT coaching by Alon gal in Israel. Avi specializes in high-level, in-depth analysis of business and client needs, within systems and software strategy and architecture.
Ms. Tyler graduated cum laude from Georgetown University and received her law degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. During law school, she interned at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. She also worked on The Tax Lawyer journal and was a member of the award-winning Barristers’ Council Mock Trial Team. Ms. Tyler is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the District of Columbia.
Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo graduated cum laude and top nine in her batch from Miriam College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in InternationalStudies. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in Rockwell. During law school, she interned in Rivera, Santos, Maranan & Associates. She was also part of Ateneo’s Labor Law Bar Operations. She wrote her thesis on, “Stealing Privacy: Limitations on Media’s Photographic Invasion.,” Ms. Cruz-Anonuevo is admitted to practice law in the Philippines.
Ms. Aquino-Batallones obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Studies (with Minors in Global Politics and Hispanic Studies) from the Ateneo de Manila University. In 2011, she received her Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University School of Law. During law school, she interned at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles then became an intern of Ateneo Legal Services Center’s Clinical Legal Education Program.
Mr. De Guzman graduated from San Beda College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Economics and received his law degree from San Beda College of Law. He is multilingual and is fluent in three languages: Chinese, Filipino, and English. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2003.