I was a little surprised last year to find myself considered as an “authority” on electronic discovery. As many people explained to me, and I’ve gradually learned from observation, my unique skill is the ability to explain the technology aspects of electronic discovery in ways that lawyers can understand. I also routinely talk to more people in the field of electronic discovery than I would have ever imagined possible.
So, what am I going to do in electronic discovery? I’m not going to do any consulting or other electronic discovery work. I’m only going to do what I do best and what people believe is unique. I’m putting together a half-day Crash Course in Electronic Discovery and Computer Forensics seminar that I’ll offer to law firms and other audiences for a reasonable fee. I’ll create an audio product based on the same materials. I’ll also do some paid keynote or other shorter talks and continue to do webinars, on behalf of electronic discovery vendors, like Fios, or others.
I’ll continue to talk to the players in the field and, because I have no intention to angle for my own consulting work, I’ll just be an “authority” on electronic discovery without a dog in the hunt. But, I’ll be an authority who can explain things in ways that lawyers can understand and that, I believe, is a huge thing.