Director, E-Discovery

Nixon Peabody LLP; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Nixon Peabody LLP is seeking a Director of eDiscovery to lead strategy, operations, technology, and client service delivery. The role oversees the full lifecycle of electronically stored information for client matters and requires building a high-performing team, establishing best practices, and guiding eDiscovery projects from discovery through trial.

The position offers remote work with other arrangements considered, and requires extensive experience, leadership, and knowledge of Relativity,

Qualifications

• 10-12 years eDiscovery experience with at least 5 years in an eDiscovery service provider or law firm.
• JD or master’s degree preferred; work experience may substitute for a degree.
• Expert in eDiscovery software delivery methodologies/tools and practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and change management skills with the ability to motivate and guide direct reports.
• Ability to work effectively with partners, attorneys, business professionals, and firm leadership.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence others outside the direct chain of command.
• Knowledgeable in ACEDS, Relativity, Law and EDRM.
• Strong organization and project management skills.
• Competent in business administration (budgeting).
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal civil procedure and court processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of highly skilled legal technology experts.
• Lead the firm’s eDiscovery function and establish best practices, workflows, standards, and protocols.
• Advise attorneys and clients on eDiscovery strategy across litigation, investigations, regulatory matters, arbitration, and internal reviews.
• Monitor developments in eDiscovery law, technology, analytics, data privacy, and information governance.
• Develop recommendations, cost estimates, budgets, procedures, vendor recommendations and specifications for scanning, coding or eDiscovery processing from discovery through trial.
• Prepare required project documentation including database design specifications, vendor processing and delivery specifications and reporting.
• Oversee/coordinate resources and track project progress and workflow.
• Prepare annual capital and expense budgets in accordance with the firm’s budget process.
• Build internal and external awareness of the firm’s eDiscovery capabilities.
• Work with team to decide appropriate resources (internal and external) to deliver eDiscovery projects.
• Work with associates and partners related to scoping, pricing, and delivery of matter-based eDiscovery projects.
• Develop and maintain key vendor relationships.
• Advise attorneys and clients on upgrades and/or enhancements to existing systems and technologies related to eDiscovery, evidence management, specialized databases, and trial presentation.
• Responsible for identifying, deciding on, and assisting in the implementation of technologies that advance client, practice group and firm priorities.
• Conduct training for attorneys and paralegals related to the latest in litigation support and eDiscovery.
• Consult with Practice Group Leaders and Team Leaders, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Budgeting

Team mentorship

Client service

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD or master’s degree preferred

Tools

Relativity

ACEDS

Job description

Job Description:

The Director, eDiscovery is responsible for leading the firm’s eDiscovery strategy, operations, technology, and client service delivery. This includes leading the business development, consultation, training and delivery of eDiscovery technology services. This role oversees the full lifecycle of electronically stored information for client matters, including preservation, collection, processing, review, production, and presentation. This position is responsible for leading a team and providing recommendations related to the best course of action necessary in electronic discovery matters. The Director works closely with attorneys, clients, litigation support professionals, vendors, IT, information governance, privacy, and firm leadership to ensure efficient, defensible, and cost-effective eDiscovery practices. A remote work arrangement is available for this position. Other work arrangements may be considered.

A career at Nixon Peabody is the opportunity to do work that matters. It’s the chance to use your knowledge to shape what’s ahead. To share, to innovate, to learn at a firm that taps the power of collective thinking.

We’ve created a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for our clients and each other. We offer fast growth, connectedness and training in business as well as law. And our rigorous standards assure you are part of a diverse team of top talent at every turn.

If you’re someone who’s looking toward the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Location:

• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York City, NY
• Rochester, NY
• San Francisco, CA
• Washington, DC

• Manage and mentor a team of highly skilled legal technology experts.
• Lead the firm’s eDiscovery function and establish best practices, workflows, standards, and protocols.
• Advise attorneys and clients on eDiscovery strategy across litigation, investigations, regulatory matters, arbitration, and internal reviews.
• Monitor developments in eDiscovery law, technology, artificial intelligence, analytics, data privacy, and information governance.
• Develop recommendations, cost estimates, budgets, procedures, vendor recommendations and specifications for scanning, coding or eDiscovery processing from discovery through trial.
• Prepare required project documentation to include database design specifications, vendor processing and delivery specifications and reporting.
• Oversee/coordinate resources and track project progress and workflow.
• Prepare annual capital and expense budgets in accordance with the firm’s budget process.
• Build internal and external awareness of the firm’s eDiscovery capabilities.
• Work with team to decide appropriate resources (internal and external) to deliver eDiscovery projects.
• Work with associates and partners related to the scoping, pricing, and delivery of matter based eDiscovery projects.
• Develop and maintain key vendor relationships.
• Advise attorneys and clients on upgrades and/or enhancements to existing systems and technologies related to eDiscovery, evidence management, specialized databases, and trial presentation.
• Responsible for identifying, deciding on, and assisting in the implementation of technologies that advance client, practice group and firm priorities.
• Conduct training for attorneys and paralegals related to the latest in litigation support and eDiscovery.
• Consult with Practice Group Leaders and Team Leaders, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job responsibility listed above, satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Nixon Peabody retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the skills and abilities required.

• 10-12 years eDiscovery experience, with at least 5 years either with an eDiscovery service provider or a law firm. Experience with Litigation case management is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree Required. JD, master’s degree preferred. Work experience in lieu of a degree will be considered. Industry-relevant certifications preferred (RCA/ACEDS/RCE/RCM, etc.).
• Expert in eDiscovery software delivery methodologies tools and practices.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and change management skills and the ability to motivate, guide and support direct reports.
• Ability to work effectively with partners, attorneys, business professionals, and firm leadership.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence others outside the direct chain of command.
• Knowledgeable in ACEDS, Relativity, Law and EDRM.
• Strong organization and project management skills.
• Competent in business administration skills (i.e. budgeting).
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal civil procedure and court processes.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows:

• Rochester, NY: $148,500 to $228,800
• Boston, MA: $163,500 to $251,900
• Chicago, IL: $163,500 to $251,900
• Los Angeles, CA: $163,500 to $251,900
• Washington, DC: $163,500 to $251,900
• New York, NY: $180,000 to $277,200
• San Francisco, CA: $180,000 to $277,200

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody’s good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting.

Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Aff... Disability / Veteran.

Nixon Peabody is committed to creating a fair workplace and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E-Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information.