E-Discovery Data Mapping: A Practical Guide For Lawyers

by James Shook

Companies of all types and sizes struggle with the process of electronic discovery for litigation. But most omit a basic tool on their journey -- a map. Building and maintaining an electronic Data Map can substantially improve the eDiscovery process, cutting costs and risk.

This guide, which is targeted for lawyers, will help you to:
- Grasp the basics of common IT systems;
- Review common methods for preserving and collecting electronically stored information (ESI) and understand the benefits and risks of each type;
- Put it all together to build a Data Map customized for your needs.

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2013

Reviews

[Earl Leonard Mcgowen IV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good and quick overview of the E-Discovery Data Mapping process. It should only take an hour or so to read.

It begins with describing the various systems, devices, files, and archives that are subject to E-Discovery Data Mapping. It discusses the stages of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model.

It gives an Excel version example of an E-Discovery Data Map, but it also suggests the use of a database server for larger company.

It goes through the walk through and update process with several examples that the corporate attorney should go through to make sure the database and the E-Discovery data attributes are correctly updated. It gave an interesting example of finding a current litigation case in the news to test and audit the system as if the company was in litigation.

This was easy to read and well worth the overview to make sure a company can determine relevance and prevent spoliation.