On this Earth Day, take a moment to reflect on how adopting sustainable legal technology can not only benefit the environment but also make your law firm or legal department more competitive.
The legal industry is witnessing a significant shift towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance. Recent data reveals that 68% of legal professionals see an increased demand for ESG-oriented legal expertise. However, only 29% of law firms and 41% of corporate legal departments feel very prepared to address this surge in ESG demand. Nearly one-quarter said they are not very prepared or not at all prepared to meet this need.
ESG compliance involves adhering to standards in three critical areas:
- Environmental: Minimizing environmental impact through practices like reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources.
- Social: Ensuring fair treatment of employees, promoting diversity and inclusion, and engaging with the community.
- Governance: Maintaining transparent and ethical management practices, including board composition and risk management.
To align with these ESG principles, law firms can implement “green” eDiscovery strategies aimed at reducing their energy footprint. Collaborating with an eDiscovery provider can help identify specific areas for improvement and develop a strategic plan.
What is Green eDiscovery?
eDiscovery often involves handling vast amounts of data, which requires significant energy for storage and access. Green eDiscovery focuses on reducing the carbon footprint associated with these processes. Strategies include:
- Document Repositories: Utilizing shared digital storage spaces where documents are stored once and accessed by authorized personnel, reducing redundant storage and enhancing security.
- Nearline and Cold Storage: Implementing cost-effective storage solutions for infrequently accessed data, such as nearline storage for monthly access and cold storage for archival purposes.
- Cloud and Local Storage: Balancing between local storage for speed and cloud storage to minimize server equipment and maintenance costs, thereby optimizing energy usage.
At Array, we are committed to pioneering green eDiscovery solutions that help clients minimize their environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and security. Our team collaborates with clients to identify areas for improvement and develop customized sustainability plans tailored to their unique needs and goals.
With the growing emphasis on ESG initiatives among corporate clients, law firms must go beyond offering legal counsel on ESG. Developing internal ESG policies and sustainability credentials is essential, and implementing a green eDiscovery strategy is a proactive step in this direction.
This Earth Day, consider embracing a greener future for eDiscovery. Whether you’re a law firm aiming to enhance ESG compliance or a corporate legal department seeking sustainably minded partners, Array is here to support you.
Take action today. Contact our team to learn more about how our green eDiscovery solutions can provide a competitive edge while contributing to environmental preservation. Together, let’s make every day Earth Day in the legal industry.
