Electronic Discovery, Online Controlled Devices, and Legal Ethics

Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti interviews panelists of the incredibly important seminar titled “Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence: Pre Discovery Through Trial” at The Florida Bar’s 2015 Annual Conference. In the first part of the podcast, he talks with electronic discovery experts John Jorgensen and Steven Teppler about the presentation “The Internet of Things,” and devices controlled online by computer code. They examine issues of hearsay and authentication in cases where these devices malfunction in a harmful way. Explaining technological evidence to a jury or judge can often be the most difficult part of these cases.

In the second part of this podcast, Laurence interviews Christian Dodd and Larry Kunin about the merging of technology and legal ethics. They discuss The Florida Bar’s proposed increase in technology CLE requirements, client data stored on printer hard drives, supervising non-lawyer staff, and what is a reasonable level of competence. Most importantly, they emphasize that technology is growing exponentially. As lawyers, if we don’t have a basic understanding now, we are already falling behind.

John Jorgensen is chief executive officer and a founding partner of the Sylint Group, a computer forensics and cybersecurity firm that operates out of Sarasota, Florida.

Steven Teppler is a partner in the Abbott Law Group, a trial firm for catastrophic personal injury. Steven directs the firm’s electronic discovery and technology based litigation.

Christian Dodd does commercial litigation, class action defense, IP litigation, electronic discovery, and digital evidence for the Hickey Smith Firm. He’s based out of Jacksonville, Florida.

Larry Kunin is a partner at Morris Manning & Martin in Atlanta, and is chair of the data security practice. He specializes in commercial litigation and technology litigation.