Electronic Discovery Proficiency Certificate

The Electronic Discovery Proficiency Certificate is designed to enhance the skills of paralegals in the field of electronic discovery.

Due to an increased use in computers and digital devices, an estimated 80% of legal documents are kept entirely in digital form. Over the past decade, a body of case law has emerged to regulate electronic discovery ("ediscovery"), or the practice of exchanging electronically stored information, during litigation. This practice area deals specifically with the ediscovery process and the attendant identification, collection, processing and review of electronically stored information.

This certificate builds upon the Paralegal Studies and Digital Forensics programs offered at the College, since the emerging ediscovery field requires training in both of these areas in order for paralegals to have a complete understanding of the ediscovery lifecycle. Digital forensics provides insight on the early stages of the ediscovery lifecycle, while the Paralegal Studies Program provides instruction on the remaining stages.

Please note that this certificate is not a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) because it does not meet the ABA minimum of eighteen semester hours of legal specialty courses, among other requirements and does not prepare students to work as paralegals. If students are interested in a Community College of Philadelphia ABA-approved program, please refer to the Paralegal Studies degree program or the Paralegal Studies post-degree proficiency certificate.