Discovery Master
A Discovery Master is a legal professional, usually an experienced attorney or retired judge, who helps manage complex document and information exchanges between parties in a lawsuit. Think of them as a specialized referee who oversees the evidence-sharing process (called 'discovery') in legal cases. They're appointed by courts when cases involve lots of documents or when parties have disputes about sharing information. They save time for judges by handling document-related disputes and making recommendations about what information should be shared between parties.
Examples in Resumes
Appointed as Discovery Master in multiple federal court cases involving complex corporate litigation
Served as Special Master handling discovery disputes in healthcare industry lawsuits
Led document review teams as Discovery Master in multi-million dollar class action suits
Typical job title: "Discovery Masters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Discovery Masters
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where two parties strongly disagree about sharing certain documents?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to mediating disputes, understanding confidentiality concerns, and making fair decisions based on legal precedent and rules.
Q: What experience do you have with managing electronic discovery in large corporate cases?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with digital document management, understanding of electronic storage systems, and handling large volumes of electronic evidence.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you stay organized when managing multiple discovery requests?
Expected Answer: Should explain their system for tracking requests, maintaining deadlines, and ensuring all parties receive proper responses.
Q: What factors do you consider when determining if a document is privileged?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, and other common legal protections.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the basic discovery process in civil litigation?
Expected Answer: Should explain the standard steps of discovery, including document requests, interrogatories, and depositions.
Q: How do you ensure confidentiality in the discovery process?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic confidentiality agreements, protective orders, and proper document handling procedures.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (3-5 years)
- Basic understanding of civil procedure rules
- Document review experience
- Knowledge of confidentiality requirements
- Basic case management skills
Mid (5-10 years)
- Experience with complex document reviews
- Ability to handle discovery disputes
- Knowledge of electronic discovery tools
- Strong legal writing skills
Senior (10+ years)
- Extensive litigation experience
- History of court appointments as special master
- Expert knowledge of discovery rules
- Strong dispute resolution skills
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of litigation experience
- No knowledge of electronic discovery tools
- Poor understanding of confidentiality rules
- Limited experience with complex cases
- No history of court appointments
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