Towards More Efficient and Cost-effective Discovery

Chief Executive Officer and Senior Counsel

November 3, 2021

Discovery is typically the most time-consuming and expensive aspect of any legal dispute. This article provides some practical guidance and key tips for minimizing risk and cost for enterprises involved in disputes or regulatory matters that require the production of electronically stored information (ESI).

The most effective way to minimize eDiscovery cost and risk is to start with good document management and retention policies. While document management and retention are substantive and complex areas, there are a couple things that do not require software or expenditure that can make a substantial difference. … Read More

eDiscovery Preparedness – Technology Options

Crystal O’Donnell

Chief Executive Officer and Senior Counsel

October 13, 2021

Proactive management of electronic information is one of the best ways to minimize costs and risks associated with eDiscovery. This includes enterprises making decisions on the appropriate approach to managing eDiscovery based on needs, volume and resources available.

Over the last few years, the options available to enterprises to manage eDiscovery needs have changed considerably. The choices of available technology have increased, the functionality available has improved (and continues to improve), and the options for purchasing the technology have also changed.

While there is a wide spectrum amongst the below list, generally speaking, enterprises have the following options for managing eDiscovery:

Outsourcing
In-House
Hybrid

Outsourcing

Many enterprises leave all aspects of eDiscovery to external litigation counsel to manage as part of the litigation, including the decision to further outsource the eDiscovery work to vendors. … Read More

EDRM Appoints O’Donnell to 2021/22 Global Advisory Council

The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) has once again appointed Crystal O’Donnell, the firm’s Founder and CEO, to its Global Advisory Council.

The EDRM empowers global leaders of eDiscovery and creates practical global resources to improve eDiscovery, privacy, security, and information governance.

Since 2005, EDRM has delivered leadership, standards, tools, guides, and test data-sets to strengthen best practices throughout the world. It has an international presence in 113 countries, spanning 6 continents, and provides an innovative support infrastructure for individuals, law firms, corporations, and government organizations seeking to improve the practice and provision of data and legal discovery.… Read More

Tune in to an EDRM Podcast featuring Crystal O’Donnell

Tune in to the EDRM Global Podcast Network and listen to an interview/conversation with our Founder and CEO Crystal O’Donnell.

As part of the EDRM’s (Electronic Discovery Reference Model) educational content program, the organization produces and hosts an extensive series of podcasts to help eDiscovery practitioners improve their overall acumen.

Part of the EDRM Podcast Network is Illumination Zone. Hosted by Mary Mack, EDRM’s CEO and Chief Legal Technologist, and Kaylee Walstad, Chief Strategy Officer, Illumination Zone is a series of interviews and discussions with global leaders in eDiscovery and adjacent disciplines.

Click here to tune in to Crystal’s interview and discussion about her career path to eDiscovery and current issues and trends in Canada.… Read More

O’Donnell and Felsky Selected as eDiscovery Thought Leaders

We are happy to advise that both Crystal O’Donnell, the firm’s founder and CEO, and Martin Felsky, Senior Counsel, have been selected by the international Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as 2021 eDiscovery Thought Leaders.

The selection is particularly meaningful as two of the only seven people selected in Canada are from Heuristica.

Brian Pel, the firm’s COO and Senior Counsel said “the selection of both Crystal and Martin following both peer and client review is a testament to the progress the firm has made to be the leader in eDiscovery law and practice in Canada”.… Read More