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What are hyperlinked briefs and hyperlinked trial record review tools?
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They are exact replicas of your briefs or trial record "published" to CD-ROM or DVD. Each citation within the briefs is hyperlinked for instant retrieval. Cited documents can also be accessed directly from sortable, hyperlinked indices and tables of content. For example, we provide a linked transcript index that is organized both by volume and by witness and examiner. |
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The benefits to the court are obvious, but how does my law firm benefit when submitting a hyperlinked brief?
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Unwieldy records or complex issues can lead to confusion. The hyperlinked format assures that your arguments and key exhibits are clear and compelling. You can very effectively point out the opposition's inconsistencies or "loose" citations. And if the case goes on to further litigation (or in an appeal, additional briefing) the CD becomes an invaluable research tool for in-house use. |
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This is an important case for my firm. How can I be sure National Data Support is the right company to handle the job?
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NDS has handled some of the most high-profile, high-stakes cases in the nation. Our team has been creating hyperlinked briefs longer than anyone in the industry, and over the years we have developed software and procedures that automate the process, keep costs reasonable, and assure content integrity and security. |
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Are all the documents in a hyperlinked brief or trial review tool searchable?
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Yes. Electronic documents, by their nature, are searchable. When only hard copy documents can be obtained, we scan them to PDF, creating an exact image of the document, then use an OCR process (optical character recognition) that adds hidden, searchable text behind the image. The OCR process is quite accurate but will vary with the quality of the hard copy documents. |
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I've seen e-briefs that are clunky and hard to read. What makes yours different?
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No one wants to search through page after page of scanned documents. That's why NDS has developed an efficient and organized structure for our hyperlinked briefs. We always offer multiple ways to find documents, and links are made directly to the targeted location so you don't have to scroll. Our hyperlinked briefs and trial review tools are amazingly easy-to-use. |
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I've just filed a notice of appeal and would like to submit a hyperlinked brief. When should we start the process?
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Your law firm will benefit most by starting early. NDS takes the trial record and decision and creates a hyperlinked review tool that you can use in preparing the appeal. The time saved in document retrieval alone will add significant time to your research and brief writing. Then at each briefing stage, we update the project to include a hyperlinked version of the newly filed brief, which you also use as a research tool. When all briefs are filed, we create the final hyperlinked brief for filing with the court. |
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Will I have an opportunity to review a draft before submitting it to the court?
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Yes. Our automated procedures assure fast turn-around and, therefore, ample time for your review. |
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How do we send the files you'll need?
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Electronic documents of almost any size can be sent via our secure extranet. Hard copy documents can be sent via your carrier of choice. |
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I am a partner with my firm and don't have the time to project manage this.
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NDS generally works with a member of your support staff to get the job done. The process is simpler than you might think. |
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How long does it take to complete?
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That depends on the size of the project and when in the process we begin. Allowing time for law firm review, a single post-trial brief will take 5 - 7 days to complete, and a moderate to large appellate filing will be complete 7-10 days after the final submission. When hyperlinking multiple briefs for appeals, we begin work prior to the filing of the final brief. |
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How much does a hyperlinked brief or trial record review tool cost?
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The price varies greatly depending on a number of factors. For a quick estimate, please complete our worksheet, and we will respond with an answer shortly. |
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How do I get the client's approval. . . my partner's approval. . . the court's approval?
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When attorneys explain that the hyperlinked format allows them to work smarter and faster, getting the approval of a partner or client is usually a simple matter. To obtain approval from a court that does not have a rule or guideline regarding hyperlinked filings, attorneys will typically need to file a motion with the court. It has been our experience that courts appreciate hyperlinked briefs and will generally approve the motion unless the other party opposes — and has a compelling reason to do so. NDS can supply sample motions at your request. |
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Why shouldn't I just do this in-house?
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For a small or moderate filing, this may be a reasonable choice — if your staff has the technical experience. For larger or more complex cases, creating an electronic brief in-house could be too costly. Don't risk an important case to inexperience. |
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