[Editor’s Note: EDRM is proud to amplify the educational offerings of our Trusted Partners.]
As we propel through an ever-increasingly digitizing world, more and new data types and sources join the eDiscovery landscape. The demand for eDiscovery specialists and professionals, in turn, also increases.
While some law schools around the nation have implemented eDiscovery into their curricula, many schools still don’t provide any kind of formal education for students to learn how to prepare for legal proceedings with modern approaches.
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But how can you prove your speciality? One way is with eDiscovery training and certification programs.
Read on to learn more about the impact these programs can have on you, your legal team, and your clients.
Understanding Certification and Training Programs
eDiscovery training and certification programs typically fall into one of two categories: product specific programs and industry specific programs. A product specific program is usually offered by an eDiscovery provider and uniquely pertains to their platforms or applications.
Whereas industry specific programs are more broad in content, assessing how well you understand eDiscovery processes, compliance and regulation practices, information and data management, and much more.
Certification and training programs vary in difficulty and modality, depending on the provider. Programs typically range from introductory levels for students or individuals just starting out in the legal industry to mastery levels for eDiscovery veterans who have been working in the industry for years. Some programs are offered on-demand to provide more flexibility for the user, others are live or in-person, and some are a hybrid of the two.
The Struggles to Certify
While some law schools around the nation have implemented eDiscovery into their curricula, many schools still don’t provide any kind of formal education for students to learn how to prepare for legal proceedings with modern approaches.
Of course, data volumes are only going to increase and more cases and investigations will require the collection, preservation, processing, review, analysis, and production of electronically stored information (ESI). Thus, students and legal professionals must turn to independent certification and training programs to get the proper eDiscovery education they need.
However, eDiscovery certification programs are not always accessible. They can be costly and require a significant investment of your time. If cost is a barrier, consider persuading your organization to foot the bill. After all, furthering your legal education benefits everyone—as you’ll find below.
If you are constrained by a limited availability of time, look for self-paced and on-demand options to get the certification and training you need on your clock.
Credits & Value & Success, Oh My!
These programs come with a myriad of benefits for you, your legal team, and your clients, including:
- CLE Credits
Litigators are eligible to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits from participating certification and training programs to further their legal careers. The amount of credits earned varies with the content and rigor of the program.
- Freebies
Oftentimes, a program will offer free memberships or partnerships for a designated period of time, access to member-only webinars and seminars, and additional eDiscovery content alongside their program courses.
- Higher Success Rate
With the proper training and understanding that is provided by certification programs, you’ll be better equipped to tackle challenging cases and investigations and serve your clients. You’ll also be able to avoid noncompliance with data management and security regulations, and avoid court sanctions or fees that follow noncompliance.
By completing a certification program, you demonstrate that you have met the needed requirements to be successful and improve your reputation within the legal industry.
- Higher Value Role
Certification and training programs allow you to become a subject matter expert. With product specific programs, you can develop great knowledge in niche areas of the legal industry. This not only benefits you, but provides a point of contact for your organization to rely on your newfound expertise. It also shows your organization that you are dedicated to your professional development and are someone to invest in.
- Individuality in the Legal Sector
Most programs come with a digital badge for you to display as a token of completion. These can be displayed on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, in email signatures, your resumes, and even on your organization’s website. These badges symbolize your greater knowledge, setting you apart from other eDiscovery professionals.
Now, you can use your expertise, experience, and badge to negotiate a promotion with a higher-paying salary to match or leverage them for new career opportunities within the greater legal landscape.
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