Change is hard. It’s hard in life, and it’s especially hard at work—particularly when it feels forced or you don’t feel confident in the next step. I know this firsthand.

When I was fresh out of paralegal school, I landed a role as a litigation paralegal. The firm had hired me specifically because I was “green”—someone they could train their way. I expected to be doing filing, assisting with pleadings, and supporting litigation. What I didn’t expect was a large eDiscovery component. I had never even heard the word eDiscovery.

Enter Cheryl from Commonwealth Legal. She came to train me in Summation, a litigation support and eDiscovery software platform I knew nothing about. I was terrified. I was 24, new to the legal world, and surrounded by lawyers I admired (and honestly, was a little intimidated by). But Cheryl didn’t just teach me the software. She listened to my needs, laid out a training plan, and gave me a sense of confidence I didn’t know I needed. By the second day, I knew—I wanted to be her when I grew up.

That moment lit a spark in me. I realized change doesn’t have to be the enemy. It can be a tool—one that empowers, streamlines, and even inspires. I understood databases more intuitively than I’d understood anything in school. I saw the benefit of digital discovery solutions firsthand—fewer boxes to lug, no document sorter sticks, and much more efficient document review workflows. The ability to organize documents by date with just a click felt revolutionary.

Looking back, it’s no surprise that my career has brought me to this point—leading firms through complex change management initiatives in eDiscovery. And while it’s not always a warm welcome (let’s be honest, I’m often the least popular person in the room at first), I’ve learned not to take it personally. My goal is always to leave people feeling the way Cheryl made me feel: confident, supported, and ready.

At Array Canada, we’ve walked through our fair share of eDiscovery and document review transformations, both internally and with clients. And I still lean on our leadership team when I need guidance. As our Director of eDiscovery & Client Services, Esther Trifan, beautifully said in her blog post Forging the Path Forward: “Each shift brought its own learning curve, but also new opportunities. And through it all, one thing has remained absolutely consistent: our unwavering commitment to our people and our clients.”

That commitment is something I’ve experienced both as a client and now as an employee. And it’s the foundation for how we approach change—especially in the world of eDiscovery services.

Why Do Firms Undergo Change Management in eDiscovery?

There are plenty of reasons firms find themselves facing change—some predictable, others less so. Often, it starts with outdated technology. Legacy eDiscovery platforms like Summation or Case Logistix stop receiving updates, and what once felt like a clever workaround eventually turns into “keep an old laptop with Windows 7 just to open a database” territory. (Yes, we’ve all been there.)

The shift to remote work made in-house software less practical, and suddenly even the most tech-resistant teams were asking about cloud-based eDiscovery platforms. Sometimes document review workflows evolve, too—what used to work in-office just doesn’t hold up when you’re logging into Citrix from your kitchen table. And then there’s the wildcard: team changes. Whether it’s someone “finding a better place” or onboarding a new hire with experience on different platforms, these transitions often come with data migration needs. In one way or another, something forces your hand—and that’s when change management stops being optional and starts being essential.

How We Guide Clients Through Change at Array

At Array, we prioritize people through every step of the process. Our change management methodology for eDiscovery projects is structured yet flexible – and always grounded in empathy.

Every successful migration starts with a clear “why.” We pin down the purpose and benefits first, then map out what success will actually look like for your firm. From there we create a smart strategy—identifying which cases and litigation data move now, which get archived for later, and what can happily stay behind. We incorporate real‑world constraints like trial dates, looming deadlines, and that urgent case everyone’s worried about, so the timeline is realistic, not wishful thinking.

With goals and guardrails in place, we define the scope: what gets migrated, what gets cleaned up, and who is responsible for each step. Finally, we make the plan stick by aligning stakeholders, training users, and preparing systems and workflows so the transition to a new eDiscovery environment is as smooth as possible.

The Part Where the Migration Happens

We believe in rolling change out in stages wherever possible: testing, adjusting, and making sure your team feels supported every step of the way. Active, time-sensitive cases are prioritized first, with older or dormant ones handled afterwards.

We don’t leave anything to chance: our proven eDiscovery migration workflow, paired with tailored training plans mean your team isn’t left to “figure it out.” And once the migration is complete, we stay engaged, tracking progress, gathering feedback, and celebrating milestones as your team settles confidently into the new system.

It Always Comes Back to People

Change can feel uncomfortable—but it doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right planning, tools, and support, it can be an opportunity to improve your eDiscovery process, streamline workflows, and future-proof your legal team.

At Array, we’re not just eDiscovery experts—we’re people experts. And we’re here to guide you through the toughest transitions with clarity, empathy, and confidence.

If you’re ready to evolve your eDiscovery strategy (or even just starting to think about it), we’d love to help.

Heather Mailman, Litigation Support Solutions Specialist

Heather Mailman is a Litigation Support Solutions Specialist at Array with over two decades of experience in legal technology. Beginning her career in document centers and continuing her education to become a Litigation Paralegal, she now specializes in helping organizations implement efficient, defensible eDiscovery workflows.