From artificial intelligence to machine learning in document review, experts agree that technology is set to revolutionize the legal market in the coming years. In fact, for White & Case litigation support it already is.

In 2017 the Firm introduced an in-house platform for disputes-related document analysis and review, built on advanced technologies and supported by a team of certified professionals. This initiative has been led by the Practice Technology Group within the Knowledge Department in support of the Firm’s 2020 strategic goals.

This means it is now much rarer for us to task large numbers of attorneys to conduct a linear, manual review of documents. Instead, we can be responsive to client demands for a more efficient cost-effective approach to what has traditionally been the most expensive part of the discovery/disclosure process.

“Given the plethora of emerging technologies available in the marketplace, our team is careful to select proven, fit-for-purpose tools on a case-by-case basis.”

Janet Sullivan, eDiscovery Counsel and Global Director of Practice Technology

It’s here that technology provides an invaluable helping hand. eDiscovery Counsel and Global Director of Practice Technology Janet Sullivan explains: “Given the plethora of emerging technologies available in the marketplace, our team is careful to select proven, fit-for-purpose tools on a case-by-case basis.”

The Firm’s technology portfolio includes best-in-class systems such as hosting platform Relativity and advanced analytics tool Brainspace, which is used by many governmental agencies and regulators to parse huge volumes of data and visually cluster topics and communication threads.

“While there is no substitute for a lawyer’s keen eye and analysis, the right tool can identify important documents earlier in the process, which helps inform the legal strategy. What used to take months to do in some cases can now be done in hours.”

The Firm continues to facilitate clients’ use of vendors for various aspects of the discovery lifecycle; however, in response to overwhelming client demand for alternatives, more and better options are now available in-house.

Janet explains: “Bringing this function in-house with the help of a managed services partner gives us a level of control and agility that we previously lacked, in a way that makes financial sense for the Firm.

“We were able to go-live within seven months in 2017, which is quite remarkable and testament to the strength of our seasoned team of in-house eDiscovery professionals.”

In addition to best-in-class technology, the Firm has built a disputes practice technology team made up of certified professionals with decades of top industry experience. We currently have an in-house team embedded with practice groups in New York, Washington, D.C., Tampa and London, with additional support in Manila.

Janet says: “The plan now is to continue to build out the team in our London and Frankfurt offices, and to extend services into EMEA by the end of this year. We’ll then assess our needs in Asia in 2019. Our eventual aim is to offer a full 24/7 service.”

“What used to take months to do in some cases can now be done in hours.”

Initial results in the United States have been impressive, with case teams seeing an immediate benefit that translates into real dollar-and-cent savings for the client.

“We’ve been able to identify documents that would have otherwise taken a long time to find,” explains Janet, “and we’ve been able to identify gaps in data sets that can be addressed early on.”

The tools are web-based and fully mobile, with dual factor authentication, so stakeholders can securely gain access from multiple devices or locations.

Janet says: “Exploring emerging technology benefits everyone, making our lawyers’ lives easier and improving our service to the client.

“From the Firm’s point of view, it’s vital that we exploit technology for the benefit of our clients, because if we don’t, our peer firms will.

“There is no question that technology is changing the legal landscape and that the Firm has fully embraced this change to the benefit of our clients.”

To find out more about discovery/disclosure tools or to arrange a demo, visit the Global Practice Technology pages on Connect.