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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Evidence Analyst

💰 $75,000 - $115,000

LegalData AnalysisComplianceInformation TechnologySecurity

🎯 Role Definition

The Evidence Analyst serves as a vital technical liaison between our legal, compliance, and IT departments. This role is fundamentally about ensuring the defensibility and integrity of our evidence management lifecycle. You will apply forensic principles and data analysis techniques to manage electronically stored information (ESI) from identification and collection through to production. Your work will provide the factual foundation for our legal strategies and investigative conclusions, requiring a blend of technical expertise, meticulous documentation, and clear communication to non-technical stakeholders.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal with a technical focus
  • Data Analyst
  • IT Security Specialist
  • Digital Forensics Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Evidence Analyst
  • eDiscovery Project Manager
  • Digital Forensics Investigator
  • Litigation Support Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Compliance Analyst
  • Data Governance Analyst
  • Information Security Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage the end-to-end eDiscovery lifecycle for litigation, regulatory requests, and internal investigations, adhering to the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM).
  • Perform forensically sound collection of electronically stored information (ESI) from a variety of sources including laptops, servers, mobile devices, and cloud-based platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
  • Maintain a strict and defensible chain of custody for all physical and digital evidence, meticulously documenting every step of the handling, transfer, and analysis process.
  • Utilize industry-leading eDiscovery platforms like Relativity, Nuix, or Logikcull to process, index, and host large volumes of structured and unstructured data for attorney review.
  • Conduct advanced data filtering, culling, and search term optimization (including the use of complex Boolean logic and regular expressions) to reduce non-relevant data and minimize review costs.
  • Perform rigorous quality control checks on all data loads, processed information, and document productions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to specifications.
  • Collaborate directly with in-house and outside counsel to understand case narratives, develop data collection strategies, and provide technical guidance on eDiscovery best practices.
  • Administer and manage user access, permissions, and workflows within the eDiscovery review platform, providing technical support and training to legal review teams.
  • Develop and execute custom data queries using SQL and scripting languages (like Python) to extract, analyze, and report on specific data sets relevant to ongoing investigations.
  • Prepare and format final document productions according to specific legal requirements, including Bates numbering, redactions, and the creation of privilege logs.
  • Recover and analyze data from deleted files, unallocated disk space, and system artifacts using digital forensic tools such as EnCase, FTK, or Cellebrite.
  • Analyze file metadata, email headers, and system logs to establish timelines of events, identify user activity, and uncover critical pieces of evidence.
  • Create detailed forensic reports and technical summaries that clearly articulate complex findings to non-technical audiences, including legal teams and senior management.
  • Provide expert consultation on legal hold processes, ensuring all potentially relevant data sources are identified and preserved in a defensible manner.
  • Assist in the preparation of witness materials and evidentiary exhibits for depositions, hearings, and trials, ensuring all technical details are accurate and understandable.
  • Stay current with emerging technologies, forensic methodologies, data privacy regulations (like GDPR and CCPA), and evolving case law related to eDiscovery and digital evidence.
  • Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all evidence handling, data collection, and processing tasks to ensure consistency and defensibility.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to data collection hardware, forensic software, and eDiscovery processing engines to minimize downtime and project delays.
  • Manage relationships and project timelines with external eDiscovery vendors and forensic consultants when specialized services are required for complex matters.
  • Conduct mobile device data extractions (both logical and physical) and analyze the resulting data, including call logs, messages, application data, and location information.
  • Support data breach and incident response investigations by collecting and analyzing logs and system images to identify the scope and nature of the compromise.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for various business units.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data governance strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with engineering and IT teams to translate data needs into technical requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and legal tech teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • eDiscovery Platforms: Deep, hands-on expertise with at least one major review platform such as Relativity (RCA certification is a major plus), Nuix, or Logikcull.
  • Forensic Tools: Proficiency with digital forensic software like EnCase, Forensic Toolkit (FTK), Axiom, or Cellebrite for imaging and data extraction.
  • Data Processing: Strong understanding of ESI processing, including data ingestion, de-duplication, OCR, indexing, and exception handling.
  • SQL & Scripting: Competency in writing SQL queries for data extraction and analysis; experience with a scripting language (Python, PowerShell) for automation is highly desirable.
  • Operating Systems: In-depth knowledge of Windows, macOS, and Linux/Unix file systems, registry, and system artifacts.
  • Cloud Environments: Experience collecting data from cloud-based services like Microsoft 365 (e.g., Purview), Google Workspace, Slack, and AWS/Azure.
  • Mobile Forensics: Familiarity with mobile device operating systems (iOS, Android) and the tools used for their data extraction and analysis.
  • Data Preservation: Expertise in forensically sound data collection techniques and maintaining a defensible chain of custody.
  • Search & Analytics: Skill in crafting complex search queries (Boolean, regular expressions) and using advanced analytics features like concept clustering and email threading.
  • Networking Concepts: Foundational understanding of TCP/IP, network logs, and common network protocols to support investigations.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An unwavering commitment to accuracy and precision, as small errors can have significant legal consequences.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: The ability to analyze complex technical challenges, assess incomplete information, and develop logical, defensible solutions.
  • Exceptional Communication: Capable of clearly explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, including lawyers, paralegals, and executives, both verbally and in writing.
  • Discretion & Integrity: A strong ethical compass and the ability to handle highly sensitive, confidential, and privileged information with the utmost professionalism.
  • Time Management & Organization: Proven ability to manage multiple competing projects and deadlines simultaneously in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
  • Collaborative Mindset: A team player who works effectively with cross-functional teams, including legal, IT, HR, and security, fostering a spirit of cooperation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of professional certification and work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, or a Juris Doctor (JD) with a technical background.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Systems
  • Digital Forensics
  • Cybersecurity
  • Criminology
  • Paralegal Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5+ years of direct experience in an eDiscovery, digital forensics, or litigation support role.

Preferred:

  • Experience working within a corporate legal department, law firm, or a consulting firm specializing in eDiscovery and forensic investigations. Certifications such as Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA), Certified E-Discovery Specialist (CEDS), EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), or GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) are highly valued.
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