When it comes to electronic discovery, many attorneys focus their attention on relevant documents stored on hard drives and e-mail exchanges. But social networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter can also provide pertinent evidence, said attorney Bruce A. Olson, President of ONLAW Trial Technologies, LLC, a trial technology, e-discovery and computer forensics consulting company in Appleton. Olson was one of four panelists who discussed electronic discovery strategies for small firms during a session at the ABA TechShow on March 26. “I don’t think it’s been in the consciousness of attorneys. They’re only now beginning to realize they have to look for those things,” Olson said in an interview. Olson suggested that social media sites might offer particularly valuable information in personal injury, family and employment disputes. For example, if an attorney has a client who contacts the firm after an auto accident to file an injury claim, the lawyer should make sure there aren’t any pictures or postings online which might contradict the claim. “Anyone not paying attention to this is making a mistake,” said personal injury attorney Jeffrey R. Zirgibel. The Brookfield attorney represented the family of an individual who crashed and died after drinking at a house party. Several witnesses posted about the incident on their Facebook pages and Zirgibel was able to use the information in the case. To Continue Reading: Click Here ---------------------------------------- Source: wislawjournal.com By: Jack Zemlicka

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