How EDiscovery Project Managers Bridge Gaps and Drive Success

How EDiscovery Project Managers Bridge Gaps and Drive Success

According to an ACEDS article by Ari Kaplan, eDiscovery project managers are evolving into indispensable professionals who blend technical expertise, leadership, and communication skills to navigate complex, high-stakes litigation. Kaplan cites a recent ACEDS webinar highlighting this role’s multifaceted demands, emphasizing that success requires more than technical proficiency—it demands strategic resource management, risk anticipation, and organizational agility.

The article notes the following key traits of successful eDiscovery project managers:

Effective project managers prioritize seamless handling of eDiscovery basics, fostering trust and reliability. Their silent efficiency ensures smooth processes that often go unnoticed but are critical to overall success.

Navigating finite budgets, time, and personnel is pivotal. Jeff Jacobson of Faegre Drinker noted that project management often involves “just math”—balancing tasks, timelines, and resources to meet goals while avoiding costly errors.

EDiscovery project managers coordinate teams, anticipate challenges, and mitigate risks. As Dera Nevin of FTI Consulting described, these professionals facilitate seamless handoffs and design workflows that produce accurate, defensible results.

Technical proficiency alone is insufficient; success hinges on combining eDiscovery tools with quality control and case-specific strategies. Al Lindsay of Hogan Lovells stressed the importance of expert teams and meticulous documentation to navigate potential pitfalls.

Organizations must empower project managers with professional development, advanced tools, and autonomy. This fosters leaders who bridge legal, technical, and operational silos, delivering innovative, efficient solutions.

By embodying adaptability, expertise, and humility, eDiscovery project managers are invaluable to law firms striving for excellence in litigation.