Special Master

eDiscovery Special Master

Nothing is more counter-productive than lawyers arguing technical e-discovery issues when an expert in the field could illuminate a case knowledgeably. This is where an eDiscovery Special Master, or court-appointed expert, becomes a valuable resource. This special master is appointed by the court and has the authority to carry out court orders, whether agreed to by the parties ahead of time, or ordered by the court after hearing testimony, arguments, or recommendations by party experts.

Primary Benefit of a Special Master

• Reduced Costs. A special master will streamline the discovery process and settle disputes efficiently regarding scope, format, and manner of production to the parties.
• Technical Expertise. Guide the parties on methodologies and protocols to find what you need quickly.
• Manage Costs and Deadlines. Work with the parties to establish reasonable deadlines and workflows.

Discover Our Exclusive Special Master Package

FRCP 53

As lawyer technologists, we are uniquely positioned to serve either as eDiscovery Special Masters under FRCP 53 (or its state equivalents) or as court-appointed experts to help explain the e-discovery process in a cost-effective way.

FRCP 16 and 27

We can help the court and counsel identify and sample only the most relevant data as evidence. Using best practices and in conformance with the amended federal rules regarding e-discovery, we also work with all counsels to devise a fair Discovery Plan, as envisioned in FRCP Rules 16 and 27.

The Benefit to Law Firms

We can help your law firm:

• Limit your motion practice to those issues that really count.
• Devise e-discovery protocols.
• Recommend search criteria and protocols.
• Provide advice on technology implementation choices (e.g., data sampling; native file format production; rolling productions; imaging protocols).
• Propose rulings or advise the court on e-discovery motions and cost-sharing issues.
• Assist with the collection, preservation, and processing to prepare the electronically stored information (ESI) for legal review and production.

Experienced Trial Lawyers

As experienced trial lawyers, Howe Law Firm understands the litigation process and what is required to prepare fully for it. We also serve as Special Masters for Digital Forensics and neutral court-appointed experts to assist court and counsel in guiding and streamlining e-discovery in complex cases.

Qualified Experts in Federal and State Courts

Tom Howe has been qualified as an e-discovery expert in many cases and has been recognized as “among the top 200 e-discovery attorneys worldwide” by Seth Davis, then an attorney and recruiter for Major, Lindsey & Africa, in an article entitled “E-Discovery Attorneys: Hot or Not?” that appeared in Findlaw.com.

Special Master Fees

We are very transparent about our fees. Most of our services are provided for a flat-fee. An exception is court time, which is charged at an hourly rate. Please see our “Fees” page for all the details.

eDiscovery Special Master Services Nearby Throughout the United States

We provide Special Master services for law firms throughout the United States, in federal and state court cases.

Confidential Information

Many courts choose us because we are lawyers and eDiscovery/forensic experts. We understand client confidentiality and strictly adhere to legal ethics.

How to Choose an eDiscovery Special Master

Please “Contact Us” to discuss Special Master services for your case.

State	Statute or Rule
Alabama	Ala. R. Civ. P. VI. Trials. Rule 53 Masters
Alaska	Alaska R. Civ. P. 53
Arizona	16 Part 1, A.R.S. Rules of Civ Proc., Rule 53
Arkansas	Ark. R. Civ. P. 53
California	Cal. Civ. Proc. Code, Article 12. §§ 845 – 846
Colorado	Colo. Ct. C.P.R. 53
Connecticut	Conn. R. Super. Ct. Proc. Family Matters § 25-53
Delaware	Del. S. Ct. R. 43(b)(v)
Dist. Of Columbia	D.C. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 53
Florida	Fla. Stat. Ann R.C.P. Rule 1.490
Georgia	Ga. Code Ann. §§ 9-7-1 to 6
Hawaii	Haw. R. Civ. P. 53
Idaho	Idaho R. Civ. P. 53
Illinois	N/A
Indiana	Ind. R. Trial P. 53
Iowa	Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.935
Kansas	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-253
Kentucky	Ky. R. Civ. P. 53.01
Louisiana	La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13:4165
Maine	Me. R. Civ. P. 53
Maryland	Md. Cir. Ct. R. Civ. P. 2-541
Massachusetts	Mass. R. Civ. P. 53
Michigan	Mich. Ct. Rules Prac. R. 3.913
Minnesota	Minn. R. Civ. P. 53
Mississippi	Miss. R. Civ. P. 53
Missouri	Mo. R. Civ. P. 68.01
Montana	Mont. Code Ann. § 25-20-R. 53
Nebraska	Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-1129 to 1137
Nevada	Nev. R. Civ. P. 53
New Hampshire	N.H.R. Super. Ct. 85-A
New Jersey	N.J. R. Civ. Prac. 4:41
New Mexico	N.M. R. Civ. P. 1-053
New York	N.Y. Unif. Trial Ct. R. §202.14
North Carolina	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1A-1, R. 53
North Dakota	N.D. R. Civ. P. 53
Ohio	Ohio Rev. Codd Ann. Civ. R. 53
Oklahoma	Okla. Stat. Ann. Tit. 12, §§ 612-619
Oregon	Or. R. Civ. P. 65
Pennsylvania	231 Pa. Code Rule 1920.51
Rhode Island	R.I. R. Civ. P. 53
South Carolina	S.C. R. Civ. P. 53
South Dakota	S.D. Codified Laws § 15-6-53
Tennessee	Tenn. R. Civ. P. 53
Texas	Tex. R. Civ. P. 171
Utah	Utah R. Civ. P. 53
Vermont	Vt. R. Civ. P. 53
Virginia	Va. S. Ct. R. 2:18, 3A:1
Washington	Wash. Super. Ct. Civ. R 53.3
West Virginia	W. Va. R. Civ. P. 53
Wisconsin	Wis. Stat. § 805.06
Wyoming	Wyo. R. Civ. P. 53

Special Master Fee