In a few short weeks, the global loss attributable to cybercrime is expected to surpass $6 trillion.* Therefore, in an effort to protect financial institutions and consumers from further loss, agencies including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (A Cybersecurity Wake Up Call: SEC Sanctions Eight Firms for Cybersecurity Deficiencies) and the United States Department of
Continue Reading If You See Something, Say Something: FinCEN Updates Advisory on Managing Ransomware Attacks
Court Reminds Parties That Discovery Orders Are Not a Hoax
For some, discovery is merely a necessary evil in the litigation process. And so, it should come as no surprise that the discovery process is often ripe with gamesmanship. A recent decision reminds practitioners, however, that discovery is meant to be cooperative, and gamesmanship – especially repetitive and intentional gamesmanship – may be met with “death penalty sanctions” (Heslin
Continue Reading Court Reminds Parties That Discovery Orders Are Not a Hoax
A Cybersecurity Wake Up Call: SEC Sanctions Eight Firms for Cybersecurity Deficiencies
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) recently identified cyberthreats as an enforcement priority (see 2021 Examination Priorities). Within months of the Commission’s announcement, the Commission brought three enforcement actions* which resulted in sanctions against eight investment advisory firms who failed to report cyber related attacks, failed to adopt, or failed to implement proper cybersecurity policies in
Continue Reading A Cybersecurity Wake Up Call: SEC Sanctions Eight Firms for Cybersecurity Deficiencies
Two-Steps and Voila: How To Authenticate Text Messages
When confronted with an issue of first impression – how to authenticate text messages – the Colorado Court of Appeals chose not to reinvent the wheel. Rather, it wisely borrowed from the Federal Rule of Evidence (“FRE”) 901.
Factual Background
In People v Heisler, the defendant and victim had been romantically involved. They remained in touch after they broke
Continue Reading Two-Steps and Voila: How To Authenticate Text Messages
Fit For Discovery: The Discoverability of Wearable Devices
It is estimated that more than 100 million people are wearing an Apple Watch* and another approximately 31 million people are using the Fitbit.** It is further predicted that sales and use of these devices will continue to grow. And so, as people increasingly look for wearables that both “make technology more personal” and include a “cool factor”
Continue Reading Fit For Discovery: The Discoverability of Wearable Devices
Cheat Sheet for Effective Search Terms
A prior post (Keyword Searching – What is it? And How Do I Do It (Well)?) offered some tips for crafting effective search terms for use in the e-discovery process. Although those tips still hold true, today’s blog offers ways to utilize an ESI protocol to promote a more seamless electronic search process.*
An ESI protocol is
Continue Reading Cheat Sheet for Effective Search Terms
The Invaluable Benefits of Multi-Factor Authentication
The need to input a username and password when logging into a computer is a “single factor” authentication. But, from a security perspective, that single factor authentication only goes so far. Consider, for example, the ramifications if a hacker steals or guesses your username and password. What information could be compromised?
For law firms, cybercrime and data breaches have become
Continue Reading The Invaluable Benefits of Multi-Factor Authentication
Big Law’s Internal Audit of Associate Billing Reveals Padded Bills Associated with Document Review
We have heard it many times before – document review in today’s e-ubiquitous world is expensive. But imagine a client’s surprise when it learns an already expensive litigation task was plagued by associate over-billing.
According to a recent complaint filed with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (“IADRC”) (see In the Matter of Stephanie Alexandra Gerstetter), an
Continue Reading Big Law’s Internal Audit of Associate Billing Reveals Padded Bills Associated with Document Review
Boilerplate Objections and Discovery Games Require Little Effort but Result in Big Sanctions
Bursztein v Best Buy Stores, L.P., (2021 WL 1961645 [SD NY 2021]) involves a personal injury lawsuit arising from plaintiff Perla Bursztein’s slip and fall accident in a New York City Best Buy store.
During discovery, Bursztein requested: (i) video surveillance footage of the accident; (ii) maintenance, and repair records for the location of the accident; and (iii) Best
Continue Reading Boilerplate Objections and Discovery Games Require Little Effort but Result in Big Sanctions
Just When You Thought You Understood ESI…
Riddle me this: Is a document that resides on your network and which you embed in an email via a hyperlink the functional equivalent of an attachment to that email?
Magistrate Judge Katherine H. Parker, in a recent decision out of the Southern District of New York (Nichols v. Noom, Inc., No. 20-CV-3677 (LGS) (KHP) (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 11, 2021)
Continue Reading Just When You Thought You Understood ESI…