Metadata, put simply, is data about data. It is used in a wide variety of contexts pertaining to a wide variety of media. Here we will talk about the term metadata as it is used in the context of digital files such as word processing documents, spreadsheets and email, and the particular risks associated with its misuse in a legal setting. We will also discuss various ethics rules that address the potential confidentiality problems inherent in metadata transmission and methods for “scrubbing” or removing metadata from documents. Please note that the information here does not apply to files that are produced during discovery. It is now routine to look at metadata in these files as a legitimate item for production and to shed light on issues that cannot otherwise be cleared up by the documents themselves. “Scrubbing” of these types of files could be interpreted as destruction of evidence. Continue reading ‘Metadata & Ethics Rules for Attorneys’
Monthly Archive for May, 2009
As the year progresses and law firms continue to struggle to make ends meet, technology budgets will take a large hit, meaning more must be done with less. Nothing new is the name of the game as there is simply no funding available for the latest and greatest. From putting software upgrades on the backburner to purchasing netbooks rather than laptops, firms large and small will have to think of creative ways to make the most of what they already have. Here are some tips to make the most of your technology dollars. Continue reading ‘Making the Most of Your Technology’