PR Log - Aug 22, 2011 - Miami - The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists and the Association of Litigation Support Professionals today announced a landmark partnership that will facilitate the certification as Certified E-Discovery Specialists of the members of ALSP.

The partnership focuses on CEDS certification but also portends a broader collaboration by the two associations. A recent survey by Litigation Support Today, the leading publication of the litigation support industry, shows that nearly one out of five litigation support professionals is affiliated with ALSP, and that the growth curve is steep.

“We are very happy to join hands with ACEDS in promoting competence and verifiable knowledge in this vital litigation and arbitration field," said Robin Thompson, president of ALSP.

"We were invited by ACEDS to go through the CEDS certification process and take the examination that precedes the awarding of the CEDS credential to successful candidates. ALSP was impressed by the professionalism of the certification process and the integrity, depth and breadth of the rigorous CEDS exam," she added.

ALSP is longstanding supporter of e-discovery certification
"ALSP has always said an independent, objective and professional e-discovery certification examination is crucially important because of the high risk and cost everyone faces in this field. The advent of ACEDS and the CEDS exam satisfy us that this need has been met. There is no need to duplicate efforts. ALSP is proud to endorse the CEDS certification."

“ALSP will concentrate on expanding its service to the fast-growing litigation support community by building community through chapters, forums, seminars and conference, and expanding its education and training," the president of the most recognized organization of litigation support specialists said.

Members of ALSP are the backbone of the litigation function of many law firms, corporations, government agencies and other entities. They discharge diverse duties and have varying backgrounds and skills, usually including a strong dose of technological prowess.

Under the new ALSP-ACEDS agreement, ALSP members will receive a reduced price to take the CEDS exam and attend the online Exam Preparation Course. The exam is offered at 600 ACEDS-Kryterion Testing Centers worldwide. When they register for the exam, ALSP members will receive an extensive CEDS Exam Preparation Manual covering the areas treated in the test.

ACEDS president Charles Intriago, a former federal prosecutor, Congressional committee counsel and law firm partner, said, "In today's environment, with electronically stored information linked to every humans endeavor, no lawyer, company or government agency can function effectively without verifiably knowledgeable professionals. ACEDS is proud to join with a great organization that represents the vital members of the legal and technological teams that those persons and organizations rely on."

Overview of CEDS certification exam
The CEDS certification is based on the first legally defensible, psychometrically-constructed certification in e-discovery. The culmination of a long process involving 40 experts, testing experts and the results of a global survey, the exam contains 145 scenario-based, four-choice questions that test lawyers, and professionals in litigation support, IT, records management and other occupations. The questions probe knowledge of the principles reflected in the US Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, but do not focus solely on US requirements. Diverse professionals in the US, Canada, United Kingdom and China have earned the Certified E-Discovery Specialist credential.

About ALSP
ALSP is the premier litigation support peer networking organization that has led the way in sharing knowledge and experience to those facing challenges in law firms and corporate legal departments. ALSP is the only organization whose members comprise the full range of individuals in litigation support, including litigation support managers and analysts, attorneys, paralegals, technical support staff, consultants, software developers and staff members of judges. In keeping with its mission to establish global standards for the litigation support profession, ALSP is dedicated to advancing the profession and contributing to the career development of practitioners worldwide through collaboration, education and training.  

ALSP has more than 1,400 members with chapters located in the US and Canada. In a survey conducted by Litigation Support Today, litigation support professionals were asked to list which organization they most identified with.  45.5% of them identified with ALSP, up from 18% in 2010.  

About ACEDS
ACEDS is a membership organization that serves the professional interests of the global e-discovery community. Its mission is to enhance competence through the Certified E-Discovery Specialist certification that is awarded to persons who meet eligibility criteria and successfully complete a rigorous examination. ACEDS provides online and live training, community for e-discovery professionals through online and in live events to facilitate the exchange of ideas and solutions to professional and career challenges. For more information visit http://www.ACEDS.org

For information about organizational and higher education partnerships with ACEDS and the CEDS certification, please call Gregory Calpakis, Executive Director, at 786-517-2712 or e-mail gcalpakis@ACEDS.org.

(Accredited members of the media may obtain access to the members-only portion of ACEDS.org, as well as credentials to cover the ACEDS 2012 Annual Conference, on April 2-4, 2012, at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, FL, by contacting Robert Hilson, Editorial Director, at 786-517-2714 or rhilson@aceds.org.)
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The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists, is for professionals who work in the field of e-discovery. ACEDS builds a community of e-discovery specialists for the exchange of ideas, training, best practices, and offers e-discovery certification.

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