Migrated from eDJGroupInc.com. Author: Mikki Tomlinson. Published: 2013-04-11 04:30:25Format, images and links may no longer function correctly. Although not the core subject of any of the panels at the San Francisco Today’s General Counsel Institute (TGCI) “The Exchange” event, eDiscovery education continually came up throughout the discussion. I have been attending these events for the last several years and eDiscovery education – or lack thereof – comes up at nearly every one of them. What was refreshing at the San Francisco meeting was that the discussion seemed to move beyond the recognition that we need to better educate judges and lawyers on eDiscovery, and into discussion on acting on solutions to the problem.
If you follow my blogs you know that eDiscovery education is a significant point of interest for me. I mention it in nearly every post. In a blog I wrote this past November, I even vowed to “…dedicate myself to educating the eDiscovery ignorant.” I have pointed out the many pitfalls of being unknowledgeable (e.g., risk of sanctions, cost, malpractice), so I will not burden you with my arguments once again. Instead, I will follow-on with the conversation at TGCI and look at the advancement of eDiscovery education.
It is apparent that the standard CLE conferences on eDiscovery aren’t doing the trick. Either they aren’t attracting those that need the education the most, or it is not the ideal learning environment for the novice. Or both. Looking on the bright side, there seems to be a shift happening in eDiscovery education with a movement toward more practical training.
Josh Gilliland recently organized a hands-on event in California on responding to discovery requests. Josh and I spoke briefly during one of the breaks at TGCI and he indicated it was a successful learning event that was well attended. The TGCI format, which is a roundtable discussion with a “no attribution” rule, is also an excellent set-up for learning. I always walk away from these events with a new tool to add to my toolbox. The open discussion and sharing of experiences is invaluable. Here at eDiscoveryJournal we are leading Boot Camps, which are hands-on style workshops focused on specific topics.
In my mind, it doesn’t get any better than hands-on, practical training and pragmatic advice that can be applied immediately. I am excited to see more of these types of events taking place, and am hopeful that the industry will advance as a result.
eDiscoveryJournal Consultant – Mikki Tomlinson (mikki@eDJGroupInc.com)
Don’t miss Mikki Tomlinson’s Legal Hold Boot Camps being held next week in Houston (April 16) and Dallas (April 18)! Both events are free for attorneys and litigation support to attend and will be eligible for up to Three Texas CLE credits.