See what I did there?  😉  While we have seen a move toward more self-service eDiscovery in recent years, there are still plenty of service providers offering full-service eDiscovery.  So, do you prefer self-service or full-service eDiscovery?  As this article from Compliance discusses, the answer could be either, or even a bit of both, depending on the project.

In their article posted yesterday (Self-Service or Full-Service eDiscovery? Fill ‘Er Up!), Compliance reminds us that eDiscovery workflows are like snowflakes, no two are alike.  They can vary based on, the nature of the dispute, the type of proceeding (e.g., arbitration, state or federal court), the type of data in the ESI collection and more.

Not only that, but the people and teams involved in executing these workflows can vary widely – from a sole proprietor attorney managing discovery for their individual plaintiff clients to a large company with an entire team dedicated to managing a busy discovery docket.  As a result, each company or firm has different needs when it comes to their approach to eDiscovery.  And, for many, those needs even vary from project to project and require support for a variety of workflows. As they note in their article, “eDiscovery service providers can be likened to gas stations – fill up with gas, check the battery, clean the windows, or put air in the tires – yourself, with assistance, or some of both!”  Unlike full-service gas stations (which have mostly disappeared), there is still plenty of need for full-service assistance eDiscovery service providers. 

So, when should you consider self-service or full-service discovery?  When is a hybrid approach appropriate?  And where do you go from here?  The answers to these questions (and more) are available in their article here.  And please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Disclosure: Compliance is an Educational Partner and sponsor of eDiscovery Today

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the authors and speakers themselves, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.