#1 - What is Litigation Support? [Side Bar: Elio Motors]

Hello Steemit community! Lit-Guy here… thought I'd start a blog discussing my experiences as a Litigation Support Professional. And, here we go…

First off, what is Litigation Support? It has many facets and may differ from law firm to law firm. In terms of my experience, Litigation Support assists in discovery (paper and electronic) and helps prepare a trial team (lawyers, paralegals, document clerks and experts) to try a case. This includes managing and training in a document review platform, preparing demonstratives and supporting trials. It really goes far beyond these few examples because, in reality, to be a really good Litigation Support person, you must be a jack-of-all-trades.

The bulk of my time, if you look at all the responsibilities on a Lit Support person's plate, is spent on managing/administering a document review platform. So, what is a document review platform? It is a database which houses all the relevant and, many times, non-relevant documents in the case. It's a tool used by the attorneys and paralegals to search, review and code each individual document. In a very large document intensive case, a trial team would not be able to efficiently manage their case without one.

There are many review platform choices out there. Some hosted by third-party vendors and some you can bring in-house. Here is a short list that comes to mind (not sorted in any particular order):

• Relativity by kCura
• Xera by iCONECT
• Viewpoint by Xerox
• Introspect by HP Autonomy
• Catalyst Insight

I have used all five in varying degrees. We currently use Xera as our in-house solution at the firm. It is very robust and scalable. I've worked on a case which housed millions of documents in a database with no pronounced latency issues. A very good review tool indeed.

Like many Litigation Support professionals who have been in this field for over 15 years, this wasn't a job I targeted. In fact, it fell on my lap. It is a fairly new and niche market. Yes, it's challenging and I believe it takes an even-keeled personality to work with some attorneys and paralegals who do not manage their stress level well. But, I got to tell you… it is very rewarding.

~lit-guy
Not legal advice

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Side Bar:

Love the Elio commuter car slated for production in 2018. I know, I know… there are critics and naysayers out there who don't think it will be made. But, a guy can wish, right?

84 MPG Highway
2 Seater Tandem
$7,450 Targeted Base Price
https://www.eliomotors.com/

If it does get built, I'm using some crypto profits to pay in full!!! :)