Frequently Asked Questions
What is Legal Process Outsourcing?
American Discovery views Legal Process Outsourcing as partnering with our clients to assist them with cost restructuring, quality improvement, knowledge availability, and staffing management, all of which encompass numerous areas of litigation. Our outsourcing model emphasizes American Discovery as an integral extension of our clients’ legal departments as we quantify value, enhance productivity, and establish accountability.
What about cost containment?
American Discovery addresses the needs of corporations and outside counsel to seek new methods to reduce costs, while simultaneously increasing efficiency. It is important to note that Legal Process Outsourcing extends beyond cost reduction. Our business model focuses on the numerous inefficiencies that are a part of the litigation process. Consequently, we reduce hourly fees and the number of hours typically required for a project, while concurrently increasing productivity.
Does American Discovery host data? How does American Discovery interact with e-discovery service providers?
We work with our clients and their e-discovery service providers to ensure a seamless review process, from data collection, to hosting, and project completion. American Discovery has strategic relationships with leading e-discovery service providers and is able to work together in achieving our clients’ objectives. Our clients may choose to host their own data, use an e-discovery service provider, or have American Discovery host data.
Is the American Discovery team trained in different review applications?
Our organization supports the majority of review platforms, including many proprietary applications of law firms and corporations. At the onset of each project, our Review and Quality Control teams are trained on the platform selected by our client. We can also recommend review platforms that may be advantageous to the keyword and concept searches in the discovery process of a particular matter.
What does the Quality Control process include?
American Discovery employs a multi-layered Quality Control process. A QC Specialist closely monitors the Associate Attorneys' work product for accuracy and reviews their work document by document. After the initial review stage, a two-level Quality Control check is employed. The first level QC includes checking for conflicting tagging, checking for inconsistent tagging across family groups, reviewing all privilege designations, and spot checking document designations. Documents are then certified and passed to the second level QC team. This second level QC team performs complex searches and spot checks to ensure correct document designation. This redundant process guarantees the quality that our clients have come to expect from American Discovery.
I have a time-sensitive review project; can American Discovery meet my needs?
As former practicing attorneys at some of the largest law firms and corporations in the U.S., the American Discovery team understands the demands associated with large litigation projects. Our project managers immediately work with our clients to assess the resources and timelines required for project completion. Our globally-integrated resources provide scalable review resources coupled with our expertise in response our client’s requirements.
How do you train your attorneys?
American Discovery associates are trained using a comprehensive program that integrates training on American law and discovery, review application training, security training, and case-specific training to address the issues pertinent in a particular matter. In the initial training phase, attorneys take a series of classes to reinforce the principles involved in discovery practices, including review of evidence, civil procedure, and privilege. Our attorneys participate in courses on various review applications.
The training then enters the case-specific phase. As our project managers work closely with both in-house and outside counsel, they are able to develop protocols to address clients' exact needs and adjust the case specific training program accordingly. The Review team undergoes focused training on relevant federal and state laws and specific issues of the case. Our attorneys are divided into groups and given data-specific review binders to study. These contain case summaries, casts of characters, organizational charts, privilege name and term lists, pleadings, notices, pertinent court rulings, and other relevant information. Finally, Associate Attorneys are trained on the protocol developed for the project.