Skip to content
  • News & Events
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • English - United States
  • English - Canada
EN/US
Logo
  • Solutions
    • Solutions
    • eDiscovery
      • Early Case Assessment
      • Processing
      • Web Hosting
      • Consulting
    • Document Review
    • Court Reporting Services
    • Record Retrieval & Subpoena Services
      CA & TX
    • Traditional Services
      • Locations
    • Contract Legal Staffing & Legal Recruiting
  • Technology
    • Technology
    • Array In-House Solutions
      • Acumen
    • Strategic Partnerships
  • Experience
    • Experience
    • Our Team
    • Company Timeline
    • Testimonials
  • Insights
  • Solutions
    • Solutions
    • eDiscovery
      • Early Case Assessment
      • Processing
      • Web Hosting
      • Consulting
    • Document Review
    • Court Reporting Services
    • Record Retrieval & Subpoena Services
      CA & TX
    • Traditional Services
      • Locations
    • Contract Legal Staffing & Legal Recruiting
  • Technology
    • Technology
    • Array In-House Solutions
      • Acumen
    • Strategic Partnerships
  • Experience
    • Experience
    • Our Team
    • Company Timeline
    • Testimonials
  • Insights
    • English - United States
    • English - Canada
    EN/US
  • News & Events
  • Careers
  • Contact

Get Started

  • English - United States
  • English - Canada
EN/US
Get Started

Insights Articles

  • Insights
  • Articles
Services

This Week in eDiscovery: Privilege Logs are Evidence Too

| July 2, 2025

Every week, the Array team reviews the latest news and analysis about the evolving field of eDiscovery to bring you the topics and trends you need to know. This week’s post covers the period of June 22-28. Here’s what’s happening.

Last week we explored a case in which the plaintiff challenged several aspects of the defendant’s privilege log, resulting in a judge ordering the defendant to redo portions that lacked context. This week we have another privilege log case, except this time there was enough context in the defendant’s log to help the plaintiff beat one motion for summary judgment.

On the EDRM blog, Michael Berman writes about Conner v. Stark & Stark, P.C., in which the plaintiff, a former accounts payable and receivable manager, sued for wrongful termination, asserting disability discrimination and retaliation under New Jersey law and FMLA claims.

Conner’s supervisor testified that her termination was first considered on June 26 or 27, 2023. The court writes that according to the defendant, the plaintiff’s absence from the office on June 26, 2023—after she had been cleared by her doctor to return to work—led to her missing an important directive from Stark & Stark’s managing shareholder to initiate a $1.9 million wire transfer for a client.

Despite this testimony, “[d]efendant’s privilege log in this matter suggests Plaintiff’s termination was being discussed as early as May 23, 2023, and a human resources representative testified that “earlier in June” there was a direction to work out the logistics and process for terminating Plaintiff…. The timing of Defendant’s communication with outside counsel on May 23 is also significant in that it occurred on the same day that Townsend e-mailed Plaintiff asking whether she was cleared to return to work, advising her about medical leave and the need to be in the office more regularly…. Based on this timeline, a reasonable jury could conclude that discriminatory intent motivated Defendant’s decision to terminate Plaintiff.”

The court ultimately found the plaintiff had pointed to evidence sufficient to survive summary judgment on the state law claims, writing that “a reasonable jury could find that Defendant made the decision to terminate Plaintiff before the $1.9 million wire transfer incident.”

Takeaway: While communication with outside counsel is privileged and needs to be indicated as such on privilege logs, parties should be aware of all privilege log entries before preparing witnesses for testimony to avoid gaps or inconsistencies that could undermine their position.

Other recent eDiscovery news and headlines:

  • A Practical Handbook for eDiscovery: eDiscovery Best Practices (eDiscovery Today)
  • Beyond Purview: Extending the Legal Hold Capabilities of Microsoft Purview (ACEDS webinar)

Julia Helmer; Director, Client Solutions

With 15 years of expertise, Julia excels at optimizing enterprise eDiscovery workflows from start to finish. With a deep understanding of how to seamlessly integrate workflows across various eDiscovery platforms, Julia creates tailored solutions for data identification, legal holds, ESI collections, and productions. By harnessing the power of Technology Assisted Review and Analytics, she delivers efficient, cost-effective results that align with best practices and budgetary constraints. Julia’s exceptional communication and customer service skills have fostered strong, lasting relationships with both clients and Project Management teams, enabling her to effectively problem-solve and drive success across numerous projects.

Share this post

Keep reading

 This Week in eDiscovery: ILTA’s Technology Survey + Sedona Working Group on AI Data
eDiscovery

This Week in eDiscovery: ILTA’s Technology Survey + Sedona Working Group on AI Data

Sep 19, 2025 1:06:16 PM

 5 Common eDiscovery Mistakes – And How to Avoid Them
eDiscovery

5 Common eDiscovery Mistakes – And How to Avoid Them

Sep 19, 2025 9:03:10 AM

 This Week in eDiscovery: Delay in Discovery Deliverable Demands Deposition Do-Over
eDiscovery

This Week in eDiscovery: Delay in Discovery Deliverable Demands Deposition Do-Over

Sep 11, 2025 1:47:58 PM

 Why Business Intelligence is the Game-Changer Legal Teams Need: Q&A with JD Haschert
eDiscovery

Why Business Intelligence is the Game-Changer Legal Teams Need: Q&A with JD Haschert

Sep 11, 2025 11:43:00 AM

" Q: JD, legal teams today are facing more pressure than ever. What’s changed, and why is business...

Frame 35

People.
Process.
Excellence.

Lets Talk
  • QUICK LINKS
  • Solutions
  • Technology
  • Experience
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • News & Events

Stay Current. Stay Competitive. Stay Informed.

SOC 2
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Report Abuse
All Rights Reserved. ©2025 Array Trust Array