Redgrave Adds E-Discovery Pro From Ogletree In Chicago

E-discovery firm Redgrave LLP announced Tuesday that an experienced attorney who most recently spent six and a half years with Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC joined its Chicago office as a partner.

Thomas Lidbury began his new position with Redgrave at the start of December, and he told Law360 Pulse on Wednesday that the firm's focus on e-discovery and information law matters, along with the strength of its attorneys in those areas, were some of the main factors that led him to join.

"Navigating the complexities and challenges of information law has long been an important part of my practice, starting over two decades ago at Mayer Brown where I was asked to be the founding associate in an e-discovery group," Lidbury said.  "Working alongside some of the brightest talent in the field was an opportunity I could not pass up.  I joined Redgrave to fully focus on e-discovery and information law within a firm devoted exclusively to that practice."

Lidbury graduated from Washington University School of Law, and he said that his practice focuses on the e-discovery aspects of litigation, including overarching matter strategy, responding to discovery requests, negotiating scope with opposing counsel, drafting and arguing discovery disputes, and managing document review for production, fact development and deposition preparation.

He added that he also has experience testifying as an expert witness on e-discovery in high-stakes litigation matters and presiding as a special master over e-discovery and forensics issues.

"I primarily work with corporate clients looking for experienced and skilled information law counsel with the depth of understanding to navigate the evolving challenges facing the field, from complexities presented by increasing volumes of data to issues presented by generative [artificial intelligence] and collaboration platforms," Lidbury said.

He noted that AI and emerging technologies are among the biggest areas of note when it comes to e-discovery law, adding that generative AI in particular will have a major impact on the field.

"Technology-assisted review has long been an accepted AI tool in the space, and we see opportunities for GenAI to have the potential to outperform traditional machine learning," Lidbury said.  "With these opportunities, there will also be challenges.  I see potential issues surrounding AI-generated documents or deepfakes and evidence authentication.  Regardless, AI will not replace human talent in the information law space; rather, we must understand it and determine how to leverage it to increase efficiencies for our clients."

Lidbury also said that there has been an increased demand for quality information law counsel as discovery in high-stakes litigation becomes increasingly more complicated.

"Document volumes continue to grow, and an increasing variety of data sources are implicated," Lidbury said.  "Clients, especially in complex, high-stakes matters, are looking to specialized discovery counsel to help them navigate these challenges.  We are also seeing an uptick in discovery on discovery as courts are expressing frustration with the inability of corporations to effectively and efficiently manage the discovery process and meet obligations and deadlines."

Before joining Ogletree, Lidbury spent a little over a year as director of e-discovery and records management with Health Care Service Corp., an experience he said gave him an insider's perspective of his practice after spending the previous 20 years as outside counsel at a number of firms.

"HCSC gave me an opportunity to see the challenges of implementation from the inside counsel perspective," Lidbury said.  "My experience there expanded my perspective and provided better insight into the challenges inside counsel and [information technology] face in these areas.  It made me a better e-discovery and information governance adviser."

Lidbury also spent nearly three years with Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP; around two and a half years at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP; two and a half years at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, now known as Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; 14 years with Mayer Brown LLP; and four years at Gould & Ratner LLP, according to his LinkedIn page.

"We are thrilled to welcome Tom to Redgrave as a practitioner and thought leader in e-discovery and information governance," managing partner Victoria Redgrave said in a statement Tuesday.  "Tom's extensive litigation and e-discovery experience, along with his work serving as an expert witness and special master addressing discovery and forensic issues, will enhance our ability to serve our clients effectively in complex matters."

Other recent additions by Redgrave include a 10-person team based out of Washington, D.C., that joined in October from Sidley Austin LLP, and partner Vikram Masson, who was brought on in January to the D.C. office.

Redgrave currently has nearly 50 attorneys working out of Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Northern Virginia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., according to the firm's website.

By Adrian Cruz

Editing by Melissa Treolo.