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Request for Broad “Apex” Executive Discovery Replaced by Phased Discovery Order
A federal court rejects broad apex executive discovery requests, instead ordering phased ESI production that balances proportionality, cost, and relevance under Rule 26.
Inadvertent Production of Work Product Did Not Waive Protection; However, Recipient Showed Substantial Need and Overcame That Protection
In Aerosonic LLC v. Joby Aero, Inc., the court held that inadvertent disclosure of work product did not waive protection under Rule 502 and the ESI Protocol. However, the receiving party demonstrated substantial need and...
Plaintiff Sold Her Cell Phone After Litigation Commenced
In Hernandez v. DiBiaso (N.D. Ill. Mar. 9, 2026), the court held that selling a cell phone after litigation began violated preservation duties under Rule 37(e). Although the loss of ESI caused prejudice, the court...
“The Fire and BPA’s Preservation of Evidence”
An Oregon federal court imposed adverse inference sanctions against BPA for willful spoliation of physical evidence and ESI following the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. The decision analyzes when the duty to preserve is triggered and...
Two Courts, Two Answers: When Does Using AI Waive Privilege?
Mike Berman explores a post by Jennifer Ellis, JD, LLC. discussing Heppner, the case that says clients using AI, not at the direction of counsel, cannot withhold those documents or that ESI as privileged.