Today’s screaming for qualified e-discovery professionals has reached an unprecedented volume. Recently, Socha-Gelbman published an overview of the results of their annual survey on the Legal Technology News site.
One of the most important single observations from it is the shortage of expertise in the market-place with providers, law firms and corporations reported as “fighting each other for the few people who actually understand what is involved in handling electronic documents”. That is significant because the lack of qualified professionals can only grow as a problem. Predictions of 20% or 25% growth in the field does not guarantee that a generation of skilled and knowledgeable people are simply going to pop up. …
As a result of this crying need from judges, law firms and vendors alike, a new non-profit organization, The Organization of Legal Professionals (www.theolp.org) has been formed for the purpose of providing an exacting and tough certification exam to establish core compentencies. This organization has assembled a stellar Board of Governors and Advisory Council to assist them. The names of these legal icons are the best in the nation and beyond.
The benefits to law firms, legal departments and vendors alike are tremendous. Just a few include the delivery of higher level quality services; better adherence to risk management; lower malpractice rates; and assured competencies in a new profession that at present, has no barriers to entrance.
Certification has helped paralegals gain credibility with their law firms. The NALA and NFPA certification exams have been very successful in getting across the point that paralegals with documented knowledge have the core competencies necessary to do the job. The e-discovery certification, while open to many different positions, will help to serve as another tool for paralegals to move ahead in the profession.
We need your help. We need you to join and support us. We need you to help spread the word. The lack of qualified people in the fastest growing arena of litigation is unprecedented. And now, there is help.
Please go to http://www.theolp.org and join as a member, sponsor, student member or affiliate partner. Or, join us on the Advisory Council for 1-2 hours per month. Become a Subject Matter Expert and be in on the ground floor of this exciting adventure in solving a major problem in the legal field today.
The enormous challenges that have already been met by lit. support stars and hard-working, dedicated and persistent individuals in this field today should not be underestimated nor dismissed. It's simply time to take a look at the future and who will be entitled to call themselves an e-discovery expert and why.
I look forward to your thoughts. Please feel free to contact me or anyone on the Board of Governors or Advisory Council directly.
