what does a discovery attorney do?

by Kenya Mertz 7 min read

Duties:

  • Conducts legal review and codes documents (both electronic and paper) for relevancy, responsiveness, and privilege.
  • Prepares logs of privileged and/or redacted documents
  • Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned

They assist law firms in collecting and analyzing legal data they find through electronic resources and counseling their clients during discovery and legal proceedings.May 6, 2021

Full Answer

What is "discovery" and why is it necessary?

An e-discovery attorney is an expert in legal technology. In this career, you carry out duties related to researching and extracting electronic information to use in legal cases. Your responsibilities as an e-discovery attorney are to identify the best process to collect stored information that could aid a legal team in an investigation or courtroom case.

How does discovery work in a lawsuit?

Duties: Conducts legal review and codes documents (both electronic and paper) for relevancy, responsiveness, and privilege. Prepares logs of privileged and/or redacted documents Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned Required Skills Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision Superior attention to detail

What does the word discovery mean in legal terms?

This process is known as discovery. By its nature, it is a time-consuming and difficult process. But it is also the place where capable counsel excels, because it is where cases are won and lost. Prosecution’s Role Before diving into the discovery process, it is important to understand the role assigned to the district attorney by the Constitution.

What are the rules of discovery?

Dec 13, 2015 · Most Likely Range. Possible Range. The estimated total pay for a Discovery Attorney is $134,169 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $116,457 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.

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What happens in the discovery phase of a lawsuit?

Discovery is the pre-trial phase in a lawsuit in which each party investigates the facts of a case, through the rules of civil procedure, by obtaining evidence from the opposing party and others by means of discovery devices including requests for answers to interrogatories, requests for production of documents and ...

What are the three types of discovery?

That disclosure is accomplished through a methodical process called "discovery." Discovery takes three basic forms: written discovery, document production and depositions.Nov 29, 2018

What types of evidence can be legally obtained during the discovery process?

Discovery, in the law of common law jurisdictions, is a pre-trial procedure in a lawsuit in which each party, through the law of civil procedure, can obtain evidence from the other party or parties by means of discovery devices such as interrogatories, requests for production of documents, requests for admissions and ...

What is the purpose of a discovery?

Discovery enables the parties to know before the trial begins what evidence may be presented. It s designed to prevent "trial by ambush," where one side doesn t learn of the other side s evidence or witnesses until the trial, when there s no time to obtain answering evidence.Nov 28, 2021

What is the first step in the discovery process?

The first phase of the discovery process is the written discovery phase. During this phase, your attorney may send and receive requests to produce documents, requests for admissions of facts, and written interrogatories.Oct 27, 2020

What does discovery mean in court?

An examination for discovery is an important part of almost every civil lawsuit. It is not a trial but rather a pre-trial process at which lawyers for each of the parties questions other parties or their employees, under oath, about the matters involved in the lawsuit.

What questions will be asked at a discovery?

In Alberta, part of the litigation process includes a procedure referred to as Questioning....In personal injury claims, as a Plaintiff, you will usually be asked things like:How the accident occured.Your health before and after the accident.Your employment and educational history, and.More items...

What is exculpatory evidence?

Exculpatory evidence includes any evidence that may prove a defendant's innocence. Examples of exculpatory evidence include an alibi, such as witness testimony that a defendant was somewhere else when the crime occurred.Jul 30, 2020

What is protected from discovery?

Privileged information or communication (like attorney client communication) is protected from discovery, the attorney's work product in advocating his or her legal case, and trial preparation materials.

What are the four types of discovery?

The Four Major Types of Discovery Interrogatories. Request for Production of Documents and Things. Depositions. Request to Admit.

What are two types of discovery?

Discovery may be carried out by directly asking a person questions (oral depositions), by sending a person written questions (interrogatories and depositions on written questions), and by requesting that the person provide documents (motions for production, subpoenas duces tecum).

How do you prepare for discovery?

Tips for your Examination for DiscoveryInform yourself of the relevant facts. It pays to be knowledgeable about your case and the relevant facts. ... Tell the truth. ... Your evidence will be used against you. ... Listen carefully. ... Do not guess. ... Think before you speak. ... Avoid absolutes like “Always” and “Never” ... Verbal answers only.More items...•Apr 7, 2021

How much does a Discovery Attorney in United States make?

The national average salary for a Discovery Attorney is $77,537 per year in United States. Filter by location to see a Discovery Attorney salaries...

What is the highest salary for a Discovery Attorney in United States?

The highest salary for a Discovery Attorney in United States is $121,373 per year.

What is the lowest salary for a Discovery Attorney in United States?

The lowest salary for a Discovery Attorney in United States is $49,533 per year.

What is the a Discovery Attorney career path and salary trajectory?

If you are thinking of becoming a Discovery Attorney or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and sal...

What is discovery in a lawsuit?

"Discovery" is a legal term of art that consists of several tools that are used to uncover facts relevant to the various claims and defenses at issue in the case. The parties in a lawsuit engage in discovery so that they can be properly prepared for trial, and avoid surprises that can adversely affect the outcome of the case. Let's look at the different kinds of discovery, and how discovery-related disputes might be resolved.

What is discovery order?

"Discovery" is a legal term of art that consists of several tools that are used to uncover facts relevant to the various claims and defenses at issue in ...

What are the three types of discovery?

The parties are permitted to discover relevant facts through three main types of written discovery: Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, and Requests for Admissions. Interrogatories are written questions that must be answered in writing and under oath. Requests for Production of Documents require a party to produce specified documents for inspection and copying. Requests for Admissions seek to have a party admit the truthfulness of a statement of fact, so that proof of that fact will not be necessary at trial. Learn more about Interrogatories in a Personal Injury Case.

What is a deposition in civil court?

In addition to the types of written discovery discussed above, parties are also permitted to take "depositions" of persons who may have knowledge of relevant facts. A deposition is taken before a court reporter, and the person being deposed must give sworn testimony that may be used at trial. A deposition proceeds in a question-and-answer format similar to what occurs with witnesses at trial; there is, however, no judge present at a deposition to rule on evidentiary objections. The court rules governing depositions require that certain objections be made at the time of the deposition so that they are preserved in case a court ruling becomes necessary later on. Learn more about Depositions and Affidavits in Civil Cases.

What is oral discovery?

In addition to the types of written discovery discussed above, parties are also permitted to take "depositions" of persons who may have knowledge of relevant facts. A deposition is taken before a court reporter, and the person being deposed must give sworn testimony that may be used at trial.

What is an IME in a personal injury case?

For example, in a personal injury case, the defendant's insurance company may require the injured person to attend an "independent medical examination," or IME.

What is the purpose of discovery in a lawsuit?

Discovery can be used to seek information not only from the other party to the lawsuit, but also from people and businesses ...

What is discovery in legal terms?

Learn about discovery -- the legal procedures used to gather evidence for a lawsuit. Once a lawsuit gets underway, parties to the lawsuit or their lawyers start gathering information related to the lawsuit. This investigative process is aptly named "discovery," because it often turns up facts and documents that were previously unknown -- to ...

What is the rule of discovery?

The basic rule of discovery is that a party may obtain any information that pertains -- even slightly -- to any issue in the lawsuit, as long as the information is not "privileged" or otherwise legally protected (see "Discovery Limits," below). Here are some of the things lawyers often ask for in discovery:

What is a religious advisor?

religious advisor and advisee (although this privilege is often referred to as "priest-penitent," it applies more generally to any confidential conversation between a member of the clergy of a recognized religion and a person seeking spiritual counsel). Private matters.

What is the right to privacy?

Roughly, the right to privacy protects a person from having to divulge information that is not obviously relevant to the lawsuit and is a matter that a person would not normally discuss or reveal to anyone outside of immediate family and intimate friends. This might include issues such as: health or body issues.

What are the rights of third parties?

Privacy rights of third parties. Courts are more willing to protect the privacy of third parties -- for example, witnesses, co-workers, or family members of a party -- than the privacy of parties to a lawsuit.

What is a deposition in court?

Depositions. In a deposition, one party or that party's lawyer conducts face-to-face questioning of the other party or a witness to the dispute. The person being questioned (the "deponent") must answer under oath, and the answers are recorded for later use at trial.

How much should you negotiate?

See how your offer stacks up to other pay packages and negotiate confidently.

Recent Salary Reports

Below are the most recent discovery attorney salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.

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Written Discovery

Oral Discovery

  • In addition to the types of written discovery discussed above, parties are also permitted to take "depositions" of persons who may have knowledge of relevant facts. A deposition is taken before a court reporter, and the person being deposed must give sworn testimony that may be used at trial. A deposition proceeds in a question-and-answer format similar to what occurs with witnes…
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Physical and Mental Examinations

  • When a party's physical or mental condition is in controversy, the opposing party can seek a court order requiring that party to undergo a physical or mental examination. For example, in a personal injury case, the defendant's insurance company may require the injured person to attend an "independent medical examination," or IME. The examining physician is typically asked to prepar…
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Discovery Disputes

  • It is common for disputes to arise between the parties over particular discovery requests. Sometimes a party will argue that a certain question is irrelevant, vague or overbroad; other questions can be said to invade one's privacy or a privileged relationship (e.g., attorney-client, physician-patient); and still other questions might arguable be asked for improper purposes suc…
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Forming A Discovery Strategy

  • At the outset of a lawsuit, an experienced attorney will formulate a discovery strategy that is geared toward learning as much as possible about who the opposing party's trial witnesses will be, what their testimony will consist of, and what documents they will offer to support their claims. Depending on the number of witnesses involved and where t...
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What Can Be Discovered

  • The basic rule of discovery is that a party may obtain any information that pertains -- even slightly -- to any issue in the lawsuit, as long as the information is not "privileged" or otherwise legally protected (see "Discovery Limits," below). Here are some of the things lawyers often ask for in discovery: 1. anything a witness or party saw, heard...
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Limits on What Can Be Discovered

  • Virtually any bit of information that might have even a slight connection to the lawsuit is fair game for discovery. But this enormous latitude sometimes leads to abuse. Lawyers might try to pry into subjects that have no legitimate significance for the lawsuit, or that are private and confidential, serving only to annoy or embarrass the parties. Fortunately, there are some legal limits on this ki…
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Discovery Procedures

  • There are four types of formal discovery tools that are frequently used in lawsuits. They are: 1. Depositions.In a deposition, one party or that party's lawyer conducts face-to-face questioning of the other party or a witness to the dispute. The person being questioned (the "deponent") must answer under oath, and the answers are recorded for later use at trial. If the deponent cannot te…
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Want to Learn More?

  • These discovery tools are explained in detail in Represent Yourself in Court, by Paul Bergman and Sara Berman (Nolo), and Nolo's Deposition Handbook, by Paul Bergman and Albert Moore.
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