Cooperation proclamation. Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(f).
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March 13, 2023
Published by Michael Berman at March 13, 2023
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This blog discusses how the Court interpreted the ESI protocol in McCormick & Co., Inc. v. Ryder Integrated Logistics, Inc., 2023 WL 2433902 (D. Md. March 9, 2023)(Bredar, J.), McCormick was a consolidated breach of contract action involving multi-million dollar claims. The Court wrote: The ESI Protocol provides, under a subsection titled “No Presumption of […]
March 13, 2023
Published by Michael Berman at March 13, 2023
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There is a lot of debate over whether an ESI Protocol should be incorporated into a court order; however, the decision may be unimportant as a practical matter. In McCormick & Co., Inc. v. Ryder Integrated Logistics, Inc., 2023 WL 2433902 (D. Md. March 9, 2023), the parties did not incorporate their […]
March 3, 2023
Published by Michael Berman at March 3, 2023
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In 360 Security Partners, LLC v. Hammond, 2023 WL 1869633 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 9, 2023), a defendant tried to justify wiping a company laptop by asserting privacy concerns. The court did not accept that excuse. Instead, it sanctioned the defendant. Defendant Hammond was the former CEO of the plaintiff. Plaintiff terminated Hammond […]
February 7, 2023
Published by Michael Berman at February 7, 2023
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In Relativity’s® 2022 Data Discovery Legal Year in Review e-book (8th ed.), David Horrigan, Esq., highlighted a fascinating case, Martley v. City of Basehor, 2022 WL 1302820 (D. Kan. May 2, 2022)(“Martley I”). Mr. Horrigan described the case as a “clever … use [of] the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to find […]
January 4, 2023
Published by Michael Berman at January 4, 2023
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Josh Gilliland’s blog, Search Term Agreements Do Not Eliminate Relevancy Review – Bow Tie Law (Jan. 2, 2023), addresses: What happens when one party argues a producing party should produce all search term hits? The answer is no. Moreover, wishing to get all hits is a formula for madness. Josh writes that, […]
December 28, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at December 28, 2022
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Josh Gilliland’s excellent blog To Use Search Terms Before or After Predictive Coding – Bow Tie Law (Dec. 28, 2022), addresses “a simple question with a complex answer: Should search terms be used before or after predictive coding? That question was the subject of dueling motions in In re Allergan Biocell Textured Breast Implant Prods. […]
December 16, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at December 16, 2022
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The Sedona Conference recently published a public comment version of its “Primer on Managing Electronic Discovery in Small Cases” (Dec. 2022). There has long been an interest in low-cost technology. For example, two decades ago, I wrote “Low Cost Litigation Technology” (Md. Bar Journal Nov./Dec. 2000). Similarly, Craig Ball has blogged about […]
November 14, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at November 14, 2022
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The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes a big difference. This is illustrated by two recent Maryland appellate decisions – – one civil, the other criminal – – regarding discovery from cell phones. Cf. Richardson v. State, 481 Md. 423 (2022)(criminal), with St. Francis Academy, et al. v. Gilman School, Inc., […]
November 12, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at November 12, 2022
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If a litigant has actual knowledge that an opponent’s proposed search terms will not “hit” on responsive, proportional ESI, does the litigant have a duty to tell the opponent?[1] In Advanced Magnesium Alloys Corp. v. Dery, 2022 WL 3139391 (S.D. Ind. Aug. 5, 2022), the plaintiff, Advanced Magnesium, alleged that defendant Dery conspired […]
November 11, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at November 11, 2022
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In Advanced Magnesium Alloys Corp. v. Dery, 2022 WL 3139391 (S.D. Ind. Aug. 5, 2022), defendant, Alliance, agreed to search 159 terms. However, when it produced the text messages “hitting” those terms, plaintiff found the texts to be cryptic and asked for more texts to provide context. Alliance said – in my […]
September 26, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at September 26, 2022
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A recent ABA article describes a court sanctioning a litigant for pouncing on “any little ambiguity” to obstruct discovery and delay production of “obviously responsive materials.” Debra Cassens Weiss, Judge criticizes [law firm name omitted] and [litigant’s name omitted] for alleged effort to ‘obstruct and delay’ discovery (abajournal.com) (Sep. 16, 2022). According […]
August 12, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at August 12, 2022
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I have written a series of blogs on What is a Document? (Part III), What is a Document? (Part II), and What is a “Document?” In those blogs, I pointed to issues that may be presented by, for example, text bubbles, spreadsheet cells, Excel workbooks with multiple worksheets, PDF Portfolios, and […]
August 8, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at August 8, 2022
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In Deal Genius, LLC v. O2 Cool, LLC, 2022 WL 874690, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Mar. 24, 2022), the court was faced with two parties that failed to cooperate concerning discovery of ESI, including design of search terms. The court wrote: It should go without saying that months of arguing over five […]
August 7, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at August 7, 2022
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In Doma Title Ins., Inc. v. Avance Title, LLC, 2022 WL 2668530 (D. Md. Jul. 11, 2022)(Quereshi, J.), the Court addressed a motion to compel discovery in a breach of contract action. The Court held that defendant’s discovery objections were too general; however, on the facts presented, including the manner in which […]
June 23, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at June 23, 2022
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Two recent articles describe alleged “win-at-all-costs” tactics in defense of wrongful conviction lawsuits in Baltimore and Chicago. They point to, on the one hand, allegations of damages claims for unreasonable amounts by exonerees and, on the other, alleged scorched earth defenses costing millions of dollars and subjecting exonerees to unreasonable indignity. I […]
June 2, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at June 2, 2022
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As described in the initial blog in this series, the “ESI Amendments” to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure went into effect in December 2006. And, as Judge Facciola explained “[I]t is startling how small the changes to the 2006 rules really are. Anyone looking for a revolution in civil procedure will […]
May 31, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at May 31, 2022
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Like many of its other publications, The Sedona Conference’s “Cooperation Proclamation” was an inflection point. The Cooperation Proclamation was published by The Sedona Conference in 2008.[1] It was followed by a number of publications, endorsed by Mancia v. Mayflower Textile Services. Co., 253 F.R.D. 354 (D. Md. Oct. 15, 2008), and by […]
May 30, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at May 30, 2022
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It would be difficult to overstate the significance of The Sedona Conference and the EDRM in shaping the contours of ESI in civil litigation. Kenneth J. Withers is the Deputy Executive Director of The Sedona Conference. In “The Sedona Conference and Its Impact on E-Discovery,” Chap. 35 in M. Berman, et al., eds., […]
May 18, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at May 18, 2022
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“The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right,” by Atul Gawande, M.D.,[1] is a fascinating analysis of the history and uses of checklists. In a nutshell, the thesis is that there are many areas where we have sufficient knowledge to solve problems; however, we fail to apply it correctly. “Getting the steps […]
April 21, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at April 21, 2022
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Philip J. Favro, Esq., has edited the just-published “Selected eDiscovery and ESI Case Law from 2021-22” (The Sedona Conference 2022). This is an excellent resource in an always-changing field. Phil’s work runs the gamut of topics, including cooperation, ephemeral messaging, ESI protocols, ethics, Fed.R.Evid. 502(d), privilege logging, redactions, litigation holds, social media, […]
April 10, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at April 10, 2022
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I have written about Misconduct in Remote Trials and Misconduct in Remote Depositions. In the words of Yogi Berra, “it’s deja vue all over again.” Improper Texting During Remote Testimony Can Result in Significant Consequences to Litigants and Lawyers | Publications | Insights | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Traci McKee […]
April 4, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at April 4, 2022
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Fed.R.Civ.P. 34 authorizes discovery of “any designated documents or electronically stored information….” That Rule is limited to the scope of discovery set out in Rule 26(b)(“matter that is relevant to any party’s claim or defense and proportional ….”); see Md. Rules 2-402 and 2-422. In a prior post, I addressed What is a […]
March 31, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 31, 2022
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Although the ABA’s “technological competence” standard is a good “first step,” it could be improved. Simply telling attorneys “be competent” – – with no further guidance or implementation – – does little to advance the ball. Several articles make this point and suggest the need for additional specificity, education, and greater emphasis […]
March 29, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 29, 2022
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I recently wrote about The Perils of a Misfocused Preservation Letter, discussing Malone v. Wicomico County, MD, 2021 WL 1312900 (D. Md. Apr. 8, 2021), and Some Tactical Options for Businesses Faced With Pre-Litigation Preservation Demands. Phil Favro’s excellent blog Lessons Learned for 2022: Spotlighting Five eDiscovery Trends from 2021 – Innovative […]
March 26, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 26, 2022
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Much has been written about the discoverability of litigation hold notices. Are Litigation Hold Notices Discoverable?, When is a Litigation Hold Notice Discoverable? — When a Litigation Hold is Defective, and When is a Litigation Hold Notice Discoverable? The flip side of the coin is whether the steps taken by a potential […]
March 24, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 24, 2022
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In St. Francis Academy, et al. v. Gilman School, Inc., No. 1390 (Md. Ct. Spl. Apls. Mar. 21, 2022) (unreported), the intermediate appellate court affirmed an order directing forensic imaging and searching of non-parties’ cell phones under a strict protocol to protect the cell phone owners’ privacy. It carefully balanced the discovering […]
March 23, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 23, 2022
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This blog focuses on: authorities denying permission to redact irrelevant information from discoverable documents; a minority view to the contrary; and, a proposed solution using a Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(f) conference of the parties where appropriate. If a party foresees the need to redact irrelevant or confidential information from an otherwise discoverable document, the […]
March 8, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 8, 2022
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Much has been written about the duty to cooperate. In 1850, Abraham Lincoln wrote: “Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can…. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man [or woman].” [1] No attorney wants a judicial opinion stating that they have wasted the client’s […]
March 7, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 7, 2022
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Preservation orders may be entered by agreement, ex parte, or upon motion after an opportunity for briefing. Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(b)(3)(B)(iii) and Rule 26(f)(3)(C) authorize preservation orders as part of a discovery plan or scheduling order. Additionally, “[a] federal court may also issue preservation orders as part of its inherent authority to manage its […]
March 5, 2022
Published by Michael Berman at March 5, 2022
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The debate over discoverability of litigation hold notices continues. I recently wrote on this topic in When is a Litigation Hold Notice Discoverable? — When a Litigation Hold is Defective and When is a Litigation Hold Notice Discoverable? A different approach to hold notices was recently suggested in an ABA article by […]
December 9, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at December 9, 2021
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In New Sedona Primer Implements the “Bull’s Eye View” of Discovery Requests, I discussed the recent “public comment” version of Sedona’s Primer on discovery requests. Here, I discuss Sedona’s 2018 “Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 34(b)(2) Primer: Practice Pointers for Responding to Discovery Requests,” 19 Sedona Conf.J. 447 (2018), in conjunction with […]
December 8, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at December 8, 2021
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The Sedona Conference has released its “Primer on Crafting eDiscovery Requests with ‘Reasonable Particularity’” (Nov. 2021, Public Comment Version). The Primer is a valuable contribution. It gathers a substantial body of research in an easy-to-read, authoritative resource. It focuses entirely on discovery requests, not responses, and does so in depth. And, it […]
November 28, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at November 28, 2021
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Sanctions were imposed in DG BF LLC v. Ray, No. 2020-0459 (Del. Ch. Nov. 19, 2021).[1] The court dismissed a fraud and retaliation lawsuit for discovery abuse. Among other issues, plaintiff testified that he did not know what a “litigation hold” was, even though defendants sent a preservation demand to him. It […]
November 28, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at November 28, 2021
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Collins v. Tri-State Zoological Park of Western MD, Inc., 2021 WL 5416533 (D. Md. Nov. 19, 2021), centers on allegations that defendants maintained a public nuisance by the neglect and ongoing mistreatment of animals residing at defendants’ zoo. On the spoliation issue, “Plaintiffs allege … that Defendants not only failed to issue […]
November 27, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at November 27, 2021
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The Hon. Paul W. Grimm recently wrote of the need for more education about discovery. Judge Grimm wrote that law schools share some of the blame for discovery abuses “for not spending sufficient time teaching students about discovery obligations in civil procedure classes.” P. Grimm, “Good Faith in Discovery,” 46 Litigation 23 […]
August 30, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at August 30, 2021
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Federal Rule of Evidence 502 was passed in 2008 by a unanimous vote in the Senate, overwhelmingly in the House, and signed by President George W. Bush. Anything with that degree of support has to be good and Rule 502 provides substantial and necessary benefits. An excellent publication describes the rule in […]
August 28, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at August 28, 2021
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In a prior blog, I discussed the evolving and fluid concept of “what is a document?” The following spreadsheet demonstrates one aspect of the issue on simplified facts. Assume that an accountant is being deposed about a spreadsheet that the accountant prepared many years ago, and the issue is the manner in […]
August 17, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at August 17, 2021
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Back in the days of paper-based litigation, it was rare to argue over the definition of a “document.”[1] Usually, it was clear where a letter, memo, or contract began and ended. But, ESI is much different than paper and recent cases bring that issue to the forefront. In Sandoz v. Un. Therapeutics […]
August 10, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at August 10, 2021
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Josh Gilliland’s Bow Tie Law Blog has an excellent discussion of several recent decisions governing document unitization. “Identifying Logical Document Breaks in Discovery Order” (Bowtielaw.com Aug. 8, 2021). Proper document unitization maintains the organizational structure of the original documents. It is logical and facilitates use in litigation support platforms. Improper unitization – […]
July 28, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at July 28, 2021
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Maker’s Mark Distiller, Inc. v. Spalding Grp., Inc., 2021 WL 2018880 (W.D. Ky. Apr. 20, 2021), is often – and properly – cited for its discussion of the use of Microsoft Outlook for ESI searches. However, another interesting issue addressed in that opinion is mutual abrogation of the duty to cooperate. It […]
July 20, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at July 20, 2021
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There has long been a split of opinion as to the applicability of the “document correlation” provision of Rule 34(E)(i) to the production of ESI.* In April of this year, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania weighed in.** There is, however, a straightforward way to avoid the problem. It involves negotiation, cooperation, and […]
May 13, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at May 13, 2021
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Bloomberg Law reports that a company has allegedly mishandled potentially important emails in a 70,000 person class action. J. Feeley and D. Glovin, “Sanofi Accused of Destroying Emails Tied to Zantac Recall” (Bloomberg May 11, 2021). The potential spoliator’s response is instructive. In the products liability action, plaintiffs allege that the defendant’s […]
February 14, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at February 14, 2021
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Marc Hirschfeld’s presentation at Legal Week, “Navigating the Pitfalls of E-Discovery for Boutique Litigators,” is well worth watching on Vimeo and Legal Week. Marc is the owner and president of Precision Legal Services. Marc and I have collaborated on many projects. Marc discusses a number of topics in the one-hour video. Among […]
February 7, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at February 7, 2021
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In Membreno v. Atlanta Restaurant Partners, LLC, 2021 WL 351174 (D. Md. Feb. 2, 2021), the Court penalized a litigant for her untimely filing of a spoliation motion, even though the motion had merit. While the Court granted the request for sanctions, it denied a request for attorneys’ fees due to the […]
January 29, 2021
Published by Michael Berman at January 29, 2021
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After litigation starts, a business faced with unreasonable preservation or discovery demands can resort to the court’s procedural rules to request relief from a judge. However, the duty to preserve potentially responsive information often arises in a “free for all” zone before litigation is commenced. In that situation, there is no umpire […]
May 12, 2020
Published by Michael Berman at May 12, 2020
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I am pleased to announce the publication by the Maryland State Bar Association of M. Berman, et al., eds., ELECTRONICALLY STORED INFORMATION IN THE MARYLAND COURTS (2020). This book is intended as a practitioner’s handbook addressing primarily – but not exclusively – how ESI is addressed in Maryland State courts, comparing and […]
July 30, 2011
Published by Michael Berman at July 30, 2011
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The American Bar Association has published M. Berman, C. Barton, and P. Grimm, eds., Managing E-Discovery and ESI: From Pre-Litigation Through Trial. The 761-page work features chapters by The Hon. Paul W. Grimm (D.Md.), The Hon. John M. Facciola (D.D.C.), The Hon. James C. Francis IV (S.D.N.Y.), and The Hon. Joseph F. […]