Ephemeral messaging applications are considered solutions for data protection and privacy concerns (Blink, And I’m Gone: E-Discovery Challenges and Considerations With Ephemeral Messaging). However, courts are wary of ephemeral messaging applications given they can empower a litigant to avoid discovery obligations. A recent decision from the District Court for the District of Arizona, details the consequences of using
Continue Reading Court Sends Signal to Parties Who Spoliated Documents Using Ephemeral Messages
When Does My Duty to Preserve End?
Generally, a litigation hold letter* will issue to preserve documents and information potentially relevant to a reasonably anticipated lawsuit. However, when does one’s duty to preserve potentially relevant documents end? Unfortunately, the answer is not necessarily when the litigation ends. Indeed, a recent decision out of California reminds us there may be instances when one’s preservation obligations are ongoing, even
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Spoliation of Evidence: When a Litigation Hold is no Longer Privileged
In New York, it is widely recognized that the duty to preserve documents arises once a party “reasonably anticipates litigation” (see Voom HD Holdings LLC v EchoStar Satellite, 93 AD3d 33, 41-42 [1st Dept 2012]). And so, issuing timely a litigation hold notice is critical for preserving information relevant or potentially relevant to an actual or threatened litigation.
Continue Reading Spoliation of Evidence: When a Litigation Hold is no Longer Privileged
Text Messages Must be Preserved
Whether we like it or not, a reality of today’s world is that often important business is conducted by text messages. And so, when it is time to issue a litigation hold notice, you must include an instruction to preserve text messages as well as the devices from which they are sent/received (i.e., smartphones). Your failure to do so can
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A Lawyer’s Obligation to be Technologically Competent – Part 2
This is Part 2 in a multi-part blog discussing various core requirements that can serve as the road map to allow a lawyer to fulfill his/her duty of technological competence. [Click here to read Part 1]
2. Implement Appropriate Preservation Procedures
ESI spoliation remains a real issue that lawyers must confront. The best way to prevent spoliation is to take
Continue Reading A Lawyer’s Obligation to be Technologically Competent – Part 2