The following was originally shared by the author as a post on LinkedIn
Dear eDiscovery Industry,
This is a love letter to you—an ode to the journey we’ve shared, the paths we’ve walked, and the lessons you’ve taught me. You’ve been more than just a career; you’ve been a crucible, shaping me through every role I’ve played, every challenge I’ve faced, and every success I’ve earned. From the gleaming offices of the Big Four, where I honed my professionalism and learned how to navigate the intricate corporate landscape, to the scrappy days at boutique firms where I was forced to get creative and resourceful, I have grown in ways I never could have imagined. It was in those smaller firms that I found my voice, testifying in court, no longer standing behind Big Four partners but standing on my own merit, carrying the weight of my own expertise.
But it wasn’t always easy. For a long time, I thought I had failed. I didn’t go to law school, and I watched as others followed the more traditional paths into the courtroom while I dove into IT, managing data, wrangling code, and studying emerging tech. I thought I had taken a detour, that somehow I had strayed from the “right” path. But what I’ve come to realize—and what I now treasure—is that this so-called detour has been the most beautiful journey of all. It has given me a deep understanding of your core, of the inner workings that only those who have lived inside your trenches can appreciate. I found my strength in the intersection of law, data, and technology, where my expertise became an asset, not a shortcoming.
You see, eDiscovery, you’ve always been an industry of insiders—of professionals who earned their place through blood, sweat, and tears, who know what it means to grind, to troubleshoot, to solve complex problems under immense pressure. It’s not an industry for outsiders to waltz into from the top down. We’ve seen private equity firms bring in executives from other fields, hoping to impose external strategies on you, but they often fail. They don’t understand you in the way that insiders do. They don’t grasp your intricacies, your unspoken rules, or the community that binds us together. But here’s the thing about you: while you can be insular and protective of your own, you’ve always been open to new professionals who are willing to learn from the ground up. You reward those who put in the time, who are willing to dig deep, to understand your complexities. For those who want to grow within you, you provide opportunities that no other industry can match.
And now, I find myself as one of the new business owners in this space, not as an outsider looking in, but as someone who was raised from within, who has been molded by the very essence of what makes you special. I am standing on the shoulders of giants—the veterans who built this industry from the ground up, whose hard work has paved the way for those like me to continue the journey. My path has been circuitous, but it is the lessons learned along the way that have prepared me for this moment.
From project management to data analytics, proactive risk and compliance, and digital forensics, I’ve played every role and done the hard work. I’ve stood side by side with law firm partners, more often in the courtroom than many who hold law degrees. And now, as I step into my role as an entrepreneur, I do so with confidence because I know the value of being an insider. I know the value of having lived this industry from the inside out, and I know that my journey—just like those who came before me—has been perfectly crafted to lead me to this point.
But there’s something else I’ve come to appreciate over the years, and it’s something we often overlook: the importance of giving back. Pro bono work isn’t just a noble endeavor; it’s the pressure valve that provides perspective when the demands of this industry threaten to overwhelm us. We’re all so busy, so stressed, that it can seem impossible to make time for anything outside of our billable hours. Yet what I’ve learned over the past three years, volunteering in the country of Lesotho in Southern Africa, has changed the way I see it. Building a digital forensics lab there, training technicians, prosecutors, and investigators—it wasn’t just about helping others. It was about reminding myself why I fell in love with this work in the first place. It gave me perspective, showing me how valuable our skills can be in places where resources are scarce, and it reaffirmed my belief that eDiscovery, at its best, can truly make a difference. Pro bono work is more than a duty—it’s a gift, one that keeps us grounded, refreshed, and connected to the larger mission we all serve.
So, here’s to you, eDiscovery, an industry that challenges, rewards, and protects its own. Here’s to the veterans, the insiders, and those who are brave enough to come in, learn from the bottom up, and become part of this incredible community. I am proud to be among you, standing tall as a new business owner, ready to carry the torch forward, knowing that I am part of something much larger than myself.
With admiration and respect,
Jerry Bui
The #ForensicsWeirdo
In addition to his investigative work, Jerry is an external advisor to INTERPOL, contributing to their Metaverse Forensics and Synthetic Media programs by developing global frameworks and defensible evidence acquisition methodologies. He has also partnered with AARP to deliver educational webinars aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, from falling victim to deepfake scams.
Jerry's expertise extends beyond the United States, as he is involved in a program with the Financial Services Volunteer Corp to provide technical assistance and improve the skill level of Digital Investigators in Southern African countries. His reputation precedes him, and he is often requested by name to conduct in-depth forensic examinations of computers, cell phones, and cloud accounts belonging to key persons of interest, providing expert opinions to defend his findings.
Furthermore, Jerry is available to serve as a court-appointed neutral in cost-sharing scenarios, helping to move cases stuck in ediscovery forward and facilitate more efficient handling of court dockets. With his extensive experience, specialized knowledge, and commitment to advancing the field of digital forensics, Jerry is considered a leader in his industry.