Law.com Adopts Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) Framework into E-Discovery Road Map.

EDRM Project Promotes Standards in E-Discovery Industry

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) project, designed to develop and establish practical guidelines and standards for e-discovery, recently had its EDRM framework adopted by ALM Media Inc.'s Law.com as the primary graphical element of its E-Discovery Road Map. The EDRM framework was developed to help consumers and providers of electronic discovery services and software establish standards for collecting, processing and working with electronic data for discovery. Reference to the EDRM framework by Law.com, one of the top web- based legal news and information websites, confirms its role as one of the industry's leading resources of information for e-discovery.

The EDRM framework was the result of the combined efforts of approximately 80 people from 63 organizations over a one-year period. Independent consultants George Socha and Tom Gelbmann formed the group in May 2005 in response to concerns in the market regarding standards for dealing with electronic data. Since its inception the group has grown to include many thought leader participants from the corporate business environment, e-discovery vendors and law firms.

The E-Discovery Road Map can be found at:

http://www.law.com/jsp/legaltechnology/eDiscoveryRoadmap.jsp

"Law.com's acceptance of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model as an accurate and beneficial guideline helps validate our work," said George Socha of Socha Consulting LLC. "We've worked hard and brought together leaders in both the legal and technology industries to develop a systematic and straightforward approach for taking on the practical challenges posed by electronic discovery."

Following development of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model, in May 2006 existing and new participants in EDRM projects launched two new projects, the EDRM Metrics and the EDRM XML projects, both aimed at improving consumers' and providers' ability to monitor and facilitate the e-discovery process.

"As electronically stored information explodes, the need for stronger guidelines is only going to grow," said David Snow, editor of Law.com Legal Technology. "It's imperative that Law.com provides accurate and relevant information to its audience. The reference model graphic is a clear and concise depiction of the necessary steps of electronic discovery and production."

For more information on the Electronic Discovery Reference Model and the EDRM project team visit http://edrm.net.

About EDRM:

Launched in May 2005, the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) Project was created to address the lack of standards and guidelines in the electronic discovery market - a problem identified in the 2003 and 2004 Socha-Gelbmann Electronic Discovery surveys as a major concern for vendors and consumers alike. The completed reference model provides a common, flexible and extensible framework for the development, selection, evaluation and use of electronic discovery products and services.