What Makes a Good Review Lawyer?

​While recently interviewing lawyers to add to our review team roster, a candidate asked, “what are you looking for in a good document review lawyer?”   With a large review team to manage, we had some thoughts!

First, we assume that the lawyers who apply for document review positions are legally qualified to review and assess documents for relevance/responsiveness, privilege, etc., although some may be better qualified if they have prior document review experience.  Some lawyers may have a better aptitude for document review projects than others – one only needs to work on a project before knowing the answer to that question.

Beyond qualifications and aptitude, here are some traits that we believe make excellent document review lawyers:

• Professional – punctual for training and conference calls, dresses appropriately for the training and working on-site, stays alert and interested during the training session.  While these points seem obvious, they are important as to how we represent ourselves as a team.
• Team Player – follows the workflow protocols defined at the outset of the project, participates in team conference calls, and accepts and applies feedback.   Following the protocols in place make it so much easier with large teams.
• Flexible – both in terms of hours (we are often under time constraints that require extra hours on the weekend) and in focus.  Sometimes we are required to code records (for relevance or privilege for example) in a manner that is contrary to our law school training or practice.  Our supporting role as review lawyer requires an understanding of the bigger picture.
• Tech Savvy – while an IT background is not necessary, it does help to be comfortable with technology.   Having a good understanding of the hardware and software components are helpful.

The benefits of working as a review lawyer are personal to each one, but the one we hear most often are flexibility, which allows the lawyer to juggle other aspects of their life, while keeping their legal skills sharp.   Many of our review lawyers enjoy delving into varying types of cases that they would not otherwise be exposed to in a practice environment.

​Perhaps it is the “contract” idea that leads some to think of these positions as casual; however, we view all of our review lawyers as critical to e-discovery process and value them immensely.