EDRM 2.0 Project

EDRM 2.0 was released September 1, 2026, following a global community project involving approximately 150 multidisciplinary practitioners. The updated model integrates information governance, a unified Data Acquisition framework, Disposition as a core phase and Continuous Analysis throughout the discovery lifecycle.

Electronic Discovery Reference Model 2.0 (2026)
Download the EDRM 2.0 Model (2026)

Project Team

Co-project trustees: Shannon Lex Bales, Rian Kennedy, Stephanie Clerkin and Brett Burney

Leadership support: David R. Cohen and Mary Mack

Global Advisory Council guidance: Robert Keeling, chair

Graphics: Megan McKeirnan and Ryan Hill

Operations support: Holley Robinson

EDRM acknowledges Charisma Starr, charter co-trustee, and the late Kaylee Walstad, EDRM chief strategy officer and project champion, for their contributions. EDRM honors Tom Gelbmann and George Socha for creating and stewarding the original model.

Project contributors authorizing their names to be publicized: Hon. Ralph Artigliere (ret.), Kostantino “Dean” Athanasopoulos, Denise B. Bach, CEDS, Hans-Ulrik von Bülow, Moira Cochran, Jen Coleman, Robert Daniel, Clint Davis, Diane Diaz, Sally Evans, Irene Fiorentinos, Brandy Freeman, Colleen Freeman, Tristan Jenkinson, Doug Kaminski, Chuck Kellner, Jasmine Lam, Alisa McLellan, Bree Murphy, Angie Nolet, Tom O’Connor, Chris O’Connor, Grace Parker, Partha Ray, Rob Robinson, Chuck Rothman, Jill Rubio, Adam Schryer, Jyoti Singhal, Julie Son, Jonathan Tu, Lynn H. Tublinal, Adam Wehler, David West, Bradley Wolf and Jeffrey Wolff.

Project History

The EDRM 2.0 project team built on the work of the EDRM Revision team led by project trustee Tara Emory, the Information Governance Reference Model team led by Eric Mandel and the Processing Guidelines team led by John Tredennick and Craig D. Ball. The EDRM Revision team reviewed and updated the supporting material for each aspect of the EDRM model.

Special thanks to Rob Robinson of ComplexDiscovery for his keen eye and assistance with the fine details of the refreshed 2023 EDRM model and to Robert Keeling and David R. Cohen for their review of that diagram.

Project Timeline

  • Phase 1: Project development and Advisory Council input. Project trustees and contributors developed the model and sought input from the EDRM Global Advisory Council. The project team considered the Advisory Council’s input and made revisions. This phase is complete.
  • Phase 2: Public comment. The draft model was published for public comment from June 30 through July 30, 2026. This phase is complete.
  • Phase 3: Trustee review and final publication. Project trustees reviewed every submission to determine whether additional committee review or revisions were warranted. The final EDRM 2.0 model was published September 1, 2026. This phase is complete.
  • Phase 4: Thought leadership. We are here. Work continues to develop thought leadership around each element of the model and the relationships among them.

Governance and the Sponsorship Firewall

EDRM operates with a strict separation between sponsorship, Trusted Partner status and community consensus project work.

Project Resources

Archived EDRM 2.0 Public Comment Version

The EDRM 2.0 public-comment version was available for community review from June 30 through July 30, 2026. It was superseded by the final EDRM 2.0 model published September 1, 2026.

Electronic Discovery Reference Model 2.0 (Public Comment Version)

View the final model, definitions and structural enhancements on the Current EDRM Model page.

Earlier Model Resources

Contact info@edrm.net for more information about EDRM projects and the global project community.