Name: Oliver Silva
Location: Boston MA
What kind of work were you doing before litigation support found you?
I held various managerial positions within IT for government agencies involving the investigation and prosecution of criminal and civil matters. My core responsibilities related to the management and support of databases and business applications.
How did you get the opportunity to join the litigation support community?
I hired a consultant from a local service provider to assist me in rolling out training on Summation. This consultant left the vendor, became a litigation support manager for an AM Law 100 firm, and convinced me to make the switch.
When did you realize that this career would be a good fit for you?
About six months into working at a major firm, I realized I was in the right career. I have always enjoyed finding technical solutions to legal problems. This field offers new challenges – almost daily – which is what drives me.
Do you prefer to be out in front and working with the clients or behind the scenes working with the technologies?
Initially, I enjoyed staying behind the scenes, looking for new and innovative ways to increase efficiency or streamline processes. As of late, I look forward to direct interaction with clients and firm leadership. I now take pleasure in high-level discussions regarding case strategy and management.
Is there an area of litigation support that had a steep learning curve for you?
The translation of “geek” to “non-techie”. After working in IT for many years, you become comfortable in the tech jargon. Litigation support requires you to take a complex technical process and break it down, while being clear and concise. This is something that I’ve had to develop over time – and continue to do so.
What do you consider to be one of the coolest things about working in litigation support?
I think the coolest thing about litigation support is the opportunity to learn. I’m always looking to learn something new, and I don’t know anyone in this industry that knows it all. What other job do you know where knowledge of case law, court rules, relational database design, programming, project management, help desk, and drafting documents can all be found on the job description!
Which types of employers have you had while working in litigation support?
- Law Firm
- Government
Litigation Support is a well-paying career. How much has your salary increased since joining the litigation support community?
$50,000 – $70,000
How many years have you been working in Litigation Support?
6 years
Care to share any words of encouragement or advice?
Don’t ever say something can’t be done unless you are absolutely certain. Always try to find a solution to a problem, and never dismiss a task as “too difficult”. The great thing about this industry is it is full of people who want to share their thoughts, experiences, and tricks. When you are stuck on an issue, look to your peers who are usually willing to lend a helping hand.
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