Extract from Julia Helmer’s article “Why Spreadsheets Aren’t a Legal Hold Strategy”
For many legal teams, spreadsheets have long been a go-to tool for tracking information. They’re familiar, flexible, readily accessible, and easily shared across teams. But when it comes to legal hold, relying solely on spreadsheets is risky – and in today’s litigation landscape, it simply isn’t sufficient. Legal holds require robust processes, defensible compliance, and reliable data preservation, none of which a static spreadsheet can truly provide.
The Limitations of Spreadsheets for Legal Hold
Spreadsheets might seem convenient for tracking custodians, data sources, and hold statuses. However, they fall short in several critical areas:
- Lack of Automation: Manual spreadsheets require constant updating, sending emails, and tracking acknowledgments manually. Missing a single step can compromise compliance and expose the organization to risk.
