eDiscovery Project Manager

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, a global Am Law 50 firm, is seeking a hard-working, proactive, motivated individual to serve as eDiscovery Project Manager.
This position can be based in the Washington DC or New York office. There is only one opening.

This position has a unique hybrid arrangement with a graduated in office requirement. For the first 6 months, the requirement will be a minimum of 3 days per week in the office and working from home the rest of the week. After the initial ramp up/training period is complete, and with approval, the requirement will transition to a minimum of 1 day per week in the office and working from home the rest of the week.

The eDiscovery Project Manager (PM) is responsible for the oversight and management of multiple eDiscovery matters simultaneously. This role requires expertise in the eDiscovery lifecycle, including data and project management, with a focus on customer service, planning and knowledge of the Sheppard Mullin technology suite. The PM will serve as the primary point of contact for attorneys, paralegals, clients and vendors involved with the case, and maintains a focus on excellent customer service.

Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities and Expectations- Provide sound advice and tactical support for the following:

• Data preservation
• Data collection, including a basic understanding of forensically sound methodologies and vendor management
• Data processing and culling, including collaborating with case teams on the application of analytical tools and techniques to remove non-relevant material
• Document hosting and review, including database design and the strategic use of analytics to increase efficiency, including concept searching/clustering, email threading, near duplicate detection, TAR, etc.
• Plan and manage all eDiscovery activities associated with assigned matters, serving as the primary point of contact for attorneys, paralegals, clients and vendors involved with the case.
• Conduct intake meetings with case teams to determine requirements, schedules, budget concerns, and deliverables. Develop eDiscovery cost estimates / budgets and advise on issues affecting costs and timelines.
• Perform document productions, including quality control checks and compliance with negotiated specifications.
• Perform quality testing of data deliverables, sent and received, including analysis of database load files, fielded data, images and compliance with specifications.
• Manage all vendor services (if necessary), quality check deliverables and monitor negotiated schedules and budgets.
• Troubleshoot eDiscovery applications and databases if necessary.
• Work collaboratively with other team members to meet all project goals and act as a coach to junior colleagues, assisting in their development.
• Maintain defensible records of case work and provide operational briefings to department management.
• Follow all department best practices/standards including maintaining internal tracking logs and following Information Governance procedures.

Essential Functions Of Job

• Able to translate technical issues and eDiscovery best practices to case teams in a way that enables them to understand the decision points and have confidence in the outcomes.
• Expected to make contributions to the operation and continuous improvement of the department, including collaborating on drafting / updating best practices, participating in internal projects and supporting the overall mission / goals of the department.
• Comfortable being hands on with the data as needed at each stage of the EDRM, including data processing, exception handling, data loading, deploying and leveraging analytics, running productions and other database maintenance and administration.
• Ability to recognize situations that would benefit from non-standard solutions and seek out additional guidance where appropriate.

Required Qualifications
Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' experience as an eDiscovery project manager, preferably in a large law firm environment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, focused on clarity, accuracy and tact.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple matters and escalate issues as appropriate.
• Customer service orientation with attention to detail and process management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results to case teams with moderate direct supervision.
• Emotional intelligence and professionalism consistent with the firm's performance culture.

Education
Required: Bachelor's Degree

License and Certification
Preferred: Relativity Certified Administrator or Equivalent

Computer/Software Knowledge
Required: Hands on skill with the following tools:

• Relativity, including Relativity processing.
• Analytics tools such as Relativity Analytics and/or Brainspace.
• Transcript/exhibit and key fact management tools such as CaseMap, TextMap, Case Fleet, Everchron, Opus2.
• Knowledge of advanced text editors such as Notepad++, UltraEdit, TextPad, EM editor.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, MS Teams.
• Basic understanding of forensic data collection tools and methodologies.

Preferred: Knowledge of Page Vault preferred

Work Environment

• Identify the working conditions and physical demands which relate to the essential functions of the position, such as working indoors/outdoors, working with exposures to hazards, etc. Include special considerations for the position, such as necessary overtime or working weekends/on-call, etc.
• Working indoors with limited exposure to hazards (only those that customarily come up in working in a high-rise or office building).
• Indoor office work environment.
• This position has a unique hybrid arrangement with a graduated in office requirement. For the first 6 months, the requirement will be a minimum of 3 days per week in the office and working from home the rest of the week. After the initial ramp up/training period is complete, and with approval, the requirement will transition to a minimum of 1 day per week in the office and working from home the rest of the week.
• Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel Requirements
Up to 10% travel within the U.S. for conferences and/or department/Firm meetings.

*New York: The pay range for this position is: $115,500 - $173,250 per year. Please note that the foregoing compensation information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position only and is provided pursuant to the New York City Salary Transparency Law.

Washington DC: The pay range for this position is: $115,500 - $173,250 per year. Medical, vision, and dental coverage is available, including coverage for dependents and domestic partners. Please note that the foregoing compensation and benefit information is a good-faith assessment associated with this position as of the time of this posting and is provided pursuant to the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023.*