Requests For Production: How To Automate Preparation In 2024

What Is a Request for Production of Documents?

Requests for production are a legal procedure that is used during the discovery phase of a civil lawsuit or legal proceeding and is the asking of documents or other relevant items for the case to be presented.

These might be physical documents that need to be produced, or documents to simply be disclosed that could help the case move forward. It’s a vital part of the process that can enable both parties to gather evidence in preparation for trial.

It essentially asks the other party to produce any documents or other items that might be used as supporting evidence during a trial. If the other side claims that it doesn’t exist but then tries to produce it at the trial this can be objected to by the party to the judge. By requesting the documents ahead of time you can mitigate the risk of surprise evidence being produced during the court case.

Requests for production are a key part of the process and tend to include the following:

Specification of the exact documents required – The document should outline the documents, materials, or tangible assets that are required, being as clear and specific as possible. For example, listing the dates of bank statements.

The relevance of the items – The items that are requested must be directly related to the lawsuit issues and explicitly state why they are relevant. Vague or irrelevant requests could be objected to and the documents or assets not be disclosed.

The timeframe in which the items must be produced – You must add a reasonable timeframe for the documents/ other items to be handed over. This tends to be 30 days but can vary depending on the rules of the court, the jurisdiction, and other extenuating circumstances.

Why is a request for the production of documents so important?

A request for production is a vital part of the discovery process of a trial for many reasons. One of the first important things it does is allow parties to request and obtain relevant information that can support their defenses or claims.
These can help to build up evidence that can be used in a trial. It also enables transparency between both parties helping to prevent any surprises during the trial. This way both parties have the same information presented to them and can prevent a fair case.

The pre-presentation of documents before trial also enables attorneys to amend their case strategy accordingly, utilizing the information received to help add strength to their arguments and know what questions to put forth to the opposing party.

Another reason it’s so important is that it can help to streamline court proceedings, reducing time and helping to move the case along efficiently. It ensures the trial is fair and can aid in providing an efficient resolution for both parties in the case.

What are some key aspects of a request for the production of documents?

If a party feels the information requested is irrelevant, too vague, or wants privileged or confidential information they can object. This might need to be referred to the court to get further clarification and decide on the outcome of the matter.

There are specific rules regarding the format of the request for production. The court will set these rules which need to be followed. The request must be formally written and it must be very specific when outlining the exact information or items they are requesting.

What are some of the items that might be requested during a request for production?

Several items fall under a request for production and both parties must comply as much as they can. The items that might be called for include:

Documents

Physical documents can mean a number of different things, from letters and emails that have been sent to invoices, reports, bank statements, and invoices. It’s important to specify exactly what the documents are that are being requested and include as much detail as possible.

Photographs and Videos

Photos and video clips can be vital evidence during a court case. These could be taken at home, CCTV, or taken by a third party.

Physical objects

Physical objects might be requested in the case they could help provide vital evidence. These might be products or machinery that have relevance to the case.

Contracts and statements

You might request contracts such as phone or employment contracts, bank statements, agreements, or leases. They could help to prove (or disprove) certain aspects that have been put forward in the case by either party.

Medical Records

If the case has to do with someone having an injury or a claim relating to healthcare, medical records can be requested. This could include treatment plans, doctor reports, and any other related documents that could help. As this is confidential data it’s important to specify exactly what you’re looking for or your request might be denied or put forward to a judge.

Electronic Data

Electronic information is another thing that might be asked for. This can include any information such as text messages, emails, social media posts, website records, or computer files. Again, being specific is key for this. Try and include dates where possible to back up this.

Corporate Documents

If the lawsuit has to do with a work dispute, you could request corporate documents. This could include any policies, contracts, or documents related to the procedures of a company.

How To Automate Your Process

Utilizing automation software like ours at Briefpoint means you can focus your attention on the rest of the case. It automates the construction of commonly used litigation documents such as requests for production and is tailored to the document drafting processes you’ve already honed.

The platform can take an opposing counsel’s PDF discovery requests and transform them into professional discovery responses in next to no time. Once inside the dashboard, you simply upload the PDF, and the powerful tool will organize and list each request.

From there, you can select your objections and responses before asking the software to create a Word document, which can be edited and signed before being sent back to the opposing counsel or your CMS (case management system).

How Briefpoint Can Help

Discovery responses cost firms $23,240, per year, per attorney. $23,240 estimate assumes an associate attorney salary of $150,000 (including benefits – or $83 an hour), 20 cases per year/per associate, 4 discovery sets per case, 30 questions per set, 3.5 hours spent responding to each set, and 1800 hours of billable hours per year.

Book a demo and save on these costs with Briefpoint.

Document Automation For Lawyers (2024 Step-By-Step Guide)

As AI continues to play an increasingly vital role across all business verticals, law firms, and litigation attorneys across the country are naturally looking for ways to tap into its potential. Document automation for lawyers is one of the standout candidates, especially in relation to the Discovery Response process.

Whether representing a plaintiff or defendant, the discovery process is an essential part of the pre-trial legal procedure. Briefpoint is a dedicated tool designed specifically with document automation for lawyers in mind and will transform your approach to business forever. Here’s why it is the smartest investment you could ever make heading into 2024 and beyond.

What Is Automated Discovery Response?

As a successful law firm or litigation attorney, you will already be familiar with the discovery process and its purpose of enabling the two teams (defendant and plaintiff) to request and exchange information in a legally sound manner.

Your formal reply to this request is the discovery response and you will have three potential responses;

Comply – if the request is fair and relevant, you can accept it and supply the information that you’ve been asked for.
Object – when the other party asks for information that may not be relevant to the course, you can decide to object on behalf of your client.
Ignore – you can also decide to ignore the request until the other party obtains a court order for you to release the information.

For many years, law firms and attorneys had no choice but to complete either discovery responses through manual methods. However, thanks to Briefpoint, this process can now be streamlined through a combination of AI-supported procedures and document automation.

Test Briefpoint yourself by scheduling a demo here.

The Benefits Of Document Automation For Lawyers

Understanding the basics of what AI and document automation for lawyers can do is one thing. However, it can be difficult to take the leap of faith or change your approach to legal matters until you truly see the benefits. Here’s why Briefpoint is the perfect solution for attorneys and law firms.

1. AI-Supported Discover Responses Save Time

The most obvious reason for using AI and automation in any aspect of life is to save time. Briefpoint AI’s ability to read the opposing counsel’s PDF before listing each request translates to time savings. Meanwhile, Word document generation occurs in seconds whereas this could manually take you hours. Average time savings per document are 87%.

Every minute saved on this admin allows you to focus on building your client’s case rather than supplying info for the other party. It could additionally enable you to take on a higher number of cases each month, which translates to increased revenue opportunities.

2. AI-Driven Discovery Responses Save Money

Time is money, so the benefits of saving time will translate to financial benefits. The Rainmaker $89 per month package is statistically shown to save attorneys $91 per discovery set. Meanwhile, there are no hidden fees like implementation costs and you won’t need to worry about expensive training. Any attorney with basic IT proficiency can use the software.

The financial savings are further supported by the fact you’ll have unlimited uploads, downloads, and documents. From a financial perspective alone, discovery response document automation for lawyers is the ultimate addition.

3. It Removes The Reliance On Outside Counsel

Given the time and money often dedicated to traditional discovery response protocols, many law firms use outside counsels. If they aren’t using Briefpoint themselves, they’re probably billing you for a lot of hours. The switch to AI-supported discovery response allows you to break free from the reliance of an external party while also putting you in full control.

Internal approaches become more accessible and less time-consuming. In most cases and territories, you are obligated to respond to requests within 30 days. When matters are taken care of internally, you remove the threat of missing this due to your external counsel.

4. Document Automation For Lawyers Stops Human Error

Whether you currently handle matters internally or through an outside counsel, the manual approach always leaves the door open to the risk of human error. For example, a particular request may be overlooked or you may provide information that you could have rejected on the grounds of it being irrelevant to the case.

With discovery response document automation for lawyers software at your disposal, everything from the content to the layout of the generated documents will be right. It also supports accurate spelling and grammar, which allows you to maintain professionalism.

5. Every Document Is Standardized

When sending a discovery response to the opposing counsel via your CMS or other channels, it must meet all expectations. Moreover, it should look professional. The use of document automation for lawyers enables you to create a template that can be used for all future responses, incorporating elements like your logo and digital signature.

Aside from satisfying legal obligations, it makes it easier for you and your client to go over the document if ever needed. This enables you to understand what information was requested, what was provided, and why any requests were denied.

6. Get Automated Help When Needed

Most people who use Briefpoint AI will address the list of requests themselves. However, you can click a button from the dashboard that lets the AI make suggestions on the appropriate action for each request. The generated Word document can show automated responses to provide details of why you have rejected a request. Try the free trial to see the dashboard.

The automated suggestions can all be edited where applicable. So, you can easily overturn a suggestion or add further information to a rejected request within your response. Again, you will be able to complete the entire process within minutes rather than hours.

7. Use It For All Case Types

Before implementing any new procedure or tech features, you need to know that they are relevant to your business. Discovery requests and responses may be required across an extensive range of cases including family law, personal injury claims, and any other case where two parties are trying to prove their version of events or reach a desired outcome.

Whichever niche your law firm operates in, document automation for lawyers through Briefpoint AI will deliver great results regardless of which state you work in. Furthermore, the AI-driven tools are suitable for attorneys who take on cases in multiple fields of law.

8. Comply With Data Privacy Regulations

Data privacy isn’t only vital for attorneys. Data breaches in the U.S. quadrupled over a decade starting from 2012. When working with the sensitive data associated with clients and their opposition, you simply cannot afford to fall victim. In addition to providing an efficient and convenient solution, Briefpoint AI is highly secure.

After all, the document automation for lawyers software is a cloud-based package. This comes with extra layers of protection. On a side note, it means that people with the right credentials (you and your team) can access cases and documents from multiple devices.

9. Briefpoint Supports Propounding Discovery Too

While efficient discovery response protocols are vital for meeting legal obligations and staying organized, you must not forget that there is a two-way exchange of information between the parties. Regardless of which side you represent, it may be necessary to request information to help build the case. The formal process is known as propounding discovery.

As with responses, AI-powered propounding discovery requests can be completed via standardized templates and automated document generation that can then be added to your CMS or officially submitted. The process could not be straightforward.

10. It Gives You Confidence In Business

Every practicing law firm knows that it is a highly competitive arena. The leading 100 U.S. legal firms generate $130.8bn but your company can only generate revenue if it attracts clients. To maintain the reputation required to keep winning contracts over your competitors, you must be prepared to evolve. This is especially true concerning technology.

When you do, though, it can be the catalyst for added self-assurance. After all, in addition to the direct benefits of document automation and AI-supported discovery responses, you will be free to provide the best comprehensive services to all clients.

Conclusion

Given that discovery response is a procedure that primarily supports the opposition, it’s quite understandable that this assignment won’t be at the forefront of your thinking. In reality, though, it’s in the best interest of your client as well as the other party to get this under control.

How Briefpoint Can Help

Book a demo and save on these costs with Briefpoint.

How to Develop a Relationship with AI Built on Trust

The release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT showcased the significant advancements in generative AI. As a result, various niche industries, including the famously archaic legal sector, have started to test the waters of high technology for the first time.

In this case, “generative AI” refers to a type of AI system known as a “transformer” that writes natural language one word at a time based on a combination of (a) statistical probability gathered from millions of samples of text and (b) human feedback. Due to the volume of text used to train these systems, transformers are also commonly called “Large Language Models” or “LLMs.”

However shiny, with all new tech comes new risks. Front of mind for litigation attorneys, none want to be made famous for citing fake cases in a brief.

Avoiding generative AI in light of this risk is not, however, the solution. As this article will outline, there are safe methods for employing generative AI in a manner that will not only increase efficiency – it will make you a better attorney.

By automating various tasks and surfacing key insights, generative AI has the potential to significantly enhance the work of any litigation attorney. According to Goldman Sachs, AI could automate up to 44% of legal tasks, giving attorneys who adopt this technology a competitive advantage. A LexisNexis survey revealed that 84% of legal industry respondents expect efficiency improvements due to generative AI.

When considering a generative AI solution, the critical factor is whether it can handle routine tasks that require memory but not creativity. Small law firms and solo practitioners, unable to develop their own AI platforms like Lexis AI, can still benefit from reliable alternatives in the market. Here is a list of areas where generative AI can be useful for litigation:

● Legal research

● Drafting discovery responses

● Locating and creating fact citations

● Generating fact statements and fact summaries

While exploring and adopting generative AI, addressing general concerns and reservations about its use is crucial. Ensuring the technology is employed effectively and safely will enable litigation attorneys to optimize their practices while maintaining professional standards.

General Guidelines for Using Generative AI

If you come across a generative AI company claiming their product has no downsides and can do all the work for you, approach it with caution. A good generative AI should be viewed as a supportive tool, not a replacement for a skilled litigation attorney. However, like any team member, it requires proper management.

When using generative AI, it is essential to understand how to utilize prompts effectively. A well-crafted prompt can significantly impact the quality of the output. For instance, in brief writing, the appropriate prompt can adjust the tone to suit the desired work product.

This process involves asking specific questions and using the correct language to obtain the desired results, similar to the search operators you are familiar with. The ideal prompts will vary depending on the generative AI, so ensure you read the relevant company’s instructions.

Once you have the generated content, rely on it only partially. Always double-check it from top to bottom. This is important for several reasons: it is ethically responsible as a practicing lawyer, helps avoid biases that algorithms might introduce, and ensures the work product is accurate and effective.

Having explored the general capabilities of generative AI for litigation attorneys, we can now delve into specific applications for each of the four areas mentioned earlier, starting with legal research.

Generating Fact Citations with Clearbrief

Locating and citing facts and evidence is crucial to any case, whether you’re working on a demand letter, pleading, memo, or correspondence. Sometimes, the correct fact can be challenging due to the sheer volume of documents to search, or you might need to know what’s available.

Traditionally, fact citation work has been manual and labor-intensive for attorneys, making it an ideal task for an efficient AI to tackle.

Clearbrief is highly recommended for generating fact citations and summaries. It is used by hundreds of law firms, courts, and agencies in the U.S. and was named the 2023 Litigation Product of the Year at Legalweek. Clearbrief is an effective tool for both solo practitioners and large law firms.

To use Clearbrief, highlight any fact sentence in a Word document and utilize the “find fact” cite function. Clearbrief’s specialized AI finds facts from discovery materials (documents and transcripts) with similar or related keywords and identifies related concepts in texts with different languages. Citations are automatically generated in the correct format and directly inserted into your Word document, with hyperlinks to the relevant document or transcript from discovery. Additionally, Clearbrief can compile exhibits and a Table of Authorities with hyperlinked citations.

Learn more about Clearbrief or schedule a demo.

Casetext’s CoCounsel and Legal Research

Legal research is an essential aspect of a litigation attorney’s work, requiring identifying controlling precedent in the relevant jurisdiction, additional supporting laws, and potential weaknesses.

Avoiding “hallucinations,” which can occur when generative AI is not used cautiously, is crucial in this context. Algorithms that create content may occasionally or frequently generate incorrect sources and facts, which is unacceptable for litigation attorneys in any setting.

Casetext’s CoCounsel is an excellent option in this regard, as users report that hallucinations are not a concern. Over 10,000 law firms utilize CoCounsel, which has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on G2 based on over 74 reviews.

By inputting the core legal issue, jurisdiction, and key facts, you’ll receive controlling precedent along with well-crafted arguments in a comprehensive research memo. Quoting and automatic citation in the correct format are also easily achievable.

In addition to legal research, CoCounsel offers other generative AI use cases, such as creating deposition outlines and drafting answers to complaints. Experience the benefits of Casetext’s popular CoCounsel by trying a free demo.

LexisAI and Enhanced Legal Research

As an advanced legal research tool, LexisAI offers unparalleled support to litigation attorneys seeking to optimize their research process. This powerful AI-driven platform comprehensively analyzes case law, statutes, regulations, and other legal materials, ensuring that attorneys have access to the most relevant and up-to-date information.

LexisAI eliminates the need to sift through countless documents manually, saving time and increasing efficiency. The platform’s AI algorithms identify pertinent legal authorities, highlight important passages, and suggest related materials that may strengthen your case or reveal potential weaknesses.

In addition to its core research functionality, LexisAI offers various features that support litigation attorneys throughout the entire case preparation process. These include drafting pleadings, generating deposition outlines, and creating answers to complaints, all with the precision and accuracy expected of a top-tier legal research tool.

LexisAI’s robust offerings make it a must-have tool for any litigation attorney seeking to stay ahead of the competition. To explore the full range of benefits LexisAI can provide, consider scheduling a demo or learning more about this cutting-edge platform.

Briefpoint and Discovery Responses and Requests

Drafting discovery responses is a crucial aspect of litigation work, but it can become monotonous when you already know what you want to say. For example, a response to a request for admissions may involve repeating the same objection multiple times.

As a litigation attorney, your valuable time would be better spent focusing on strategic planning rather than typing and double-checking for errors, which likely wasn’t your primary motivation for attending law school.

Software solutions like Briefpoint can alleviate this burden for California-based litigation attorneys. With a single browser login, you only need to upload the opposing counsel’s PDF. The Briefpoint platform supports most California documents.

Whether using a premade template or specialized AI, Briefpoint enables you to populate a page with the desired language, whether a response or an objection. Customers find the user interface intuitive and easy to use, allowing you to benefit from a no-cost demo quickly. If you prefer, you can learn more about our service before trying it out.

In addition to drafting discovery responses, Briefpoint offers features for preparing propounding discovery, including requests for admission, requests for production, and interrogatories. This comprehensive approach streamlines the entire discovery process, saving you time and effort while maintaining accuracy and consistency in your legal documents.

Test Briefpoint for yourself by scheduling a demo and starting a trial account.

Everlaw and Drafting Factual Statements

Using off-the-shelf tools like ChatGPT for generating legal writing is not recommended, as litigation attorneys require specialized software for their technical material.

If you use Everlaw to manage discovery, consider trying its drafting function, EverlawAI Assistant. Built-in safeguards prevent hallucinations from becoming an issue. Instead, Everlaw works based on your discovery evidence, including the documents it helped you locate.

This generative AI can provide a useful initial draft, whether you need a deposition summary or a fact-focused section for a brief. While you will ultimately edit the draft, having a fact-based starting point will help you reach the finish line. If you have yet to try Everlaw, consider a free demo.

Leveraging Generative AI in Litigation

Generative AI has significantly impacted various industries, including the legal field, and will continue to do so as the technology advances. While its use has both advantages and disadvantages, as discussed earlier, careful implementation and understanding of prompts can help manage the risks associated with generative AI without sacrificing competitive edge.

Ultimately, generative AI is an exciting new technology that skilled attorneys can handle effectively, just like any other risk or legal issue.

At Briefpoint, we specialize in automating repetitive aspects of discovery drafting, enabling litigation attorneys like you to focus on more profound thinking. We have witnessed our software’s benefits to clients and hope you experience similar advantages from the various technologies outlined in this article.