2. Utilize a Centralized Discovery Database

The sheer volume of electronically stored information that can be involved in a large-scale action begs for a better solution than a shared network repository or just loading “everything” into stand-alone platforms such as Concordance or Summation. First, it is risky business to push tens of thousands of documents into a network folder, or load them into a Summation/Concordance platform without regard for relevance or organization. Many attorneys have suffered through the inefficiency and frustration of reviewing large data populations via one of these challenging approaches.

As technology has advanced, the functionality and accessibility of web-based document review repositories improved, and the cost of hosting has decreased. It is now economically feasible (and advisable) to host all of the documents that are relevant to a large-scale action in a single data repository. At Altep, we recommend the use of a centralized litigation database for a variety of reasons, including preservation of work product, enhanced organization and analysis of data, improved efficiency and accuracy in productions, and the ability to easily access and share relevant information.

If you really want to maximize the value of your discovery investments, use a centralized database in conjunction with a robust online review platform. There are many “next-generation” review platforms available now, many of which boast such features as real-time review and production tracking, outside counsel monitoring and incredibly robust search capabilities. Additionally, many of the newest platforms are highly customizable and flexible, providing support for early case assessment and theme-based discovery, deposition and trial prep kits, document clustering, horizontal and vertical de-duplication, and much more. Typically, these review platforms are relatively inexpensive when licensed as part of an all-inclusive hosting, review and matter management package.