EDRM Releases EDRM 2.0, Modernizing the Global Framework for Electronic Discovery

Updated reference model integrates continuous analysis, flexible data acquisition and information governance for the AI era

CORBETT, OR, UNITED STATES, September 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM), a leading standards organization for global best practices in e-discovery, information governance and legal technology, today released EDRM 2.0, the first substantive update to the Electronic Discovery Reference Model since it incorporated the full Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM). Developed by approximately 150 multidisciplinary practitioners across the global EDRM community, the updated model reflects how electronic discovery is practiced today and where that practice is heading.

The Electronic Discovery Reference Model, originally stewarded by Tom Gelbmann and George Socha, has served as the foundational visual reference for discovery practice since 2005, giving courts, corporate legal teams, government agencies, law firms, service providers, technology professionals and academics a shared framework and common language for how electronic evidence moves from creation through use at trial. EDRM 2.0 modernizes that framework to reflect two decades of evolution in technology, data volumes, rule changes, regulatory expectations, cross-functional practice and court decisions.

“EDRM remains the best entry point for understanding eDiscovery, and Model 2.0 gives the profession a stronger foundation for the future,” said Shannon Lex Bales, EDRM 2.0 co-project trustee.

Key updates in EDRM 2.0 include:

• Information governance foundation. The Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) now grounds the discovery lifecycle as a foundational layer, reflecting how governance principles shape every downstream discovery activity.

• Data Acquisition framework. Identification, Preservation, Collection and Processing are grouped within a unified Data Acquisition framework, recognizing that these activities increasingly operate together rather than as strictly sequential steps as discovery work moves upstream, especially for producing parties.

• Disposition as a core phase. Disposition is now represented as a discrete phase, acknowledging the practical, legal and ethical responsibility to address data at the end of the eDiscovery lifecycle when it is no longer required.

• Continuous Analysis. Analysis is now represented as an activity spanning every phase of discovery and serving as connective tissue among iterative phases, reflecting the growing role of legal judgment, analytics, data science and AI throughout the lifecycle.

“There were many spirited debates during the process, and it is a testament to the organizational abilities, tact, and skillful leadership of this amazing group of project trustees, that this revised model came together and has captured such broad support from the project participants,” said David R. Cohen, CEO of ATJustice and chair of EDRM’s board of project trustees.

“While we continually debated going back to the original model, the updates better reflect today’s eDiscovery workflows,” said Rian Kennedy, EDRM 2.0 co-project trustee.

EDRM 2.0 builds on the Information Governance Reference Model (IGRM) version 4.1, released by EDRM in June 2026. Together, the updated IGRM and EDRM 2.0 provide an integrated reference for how organizations manage information from creation through final disposition in the AI era, with discovery activities grounded by that broader governance lifecycle.

“Having a committee that pulled in practitioners from every corner of the legal industry was instrumental in making sure the model continues to reflect how discovery actually works across different roles,” said Stephanie Clerkin, EDRM 2.0 co-project trustee.

Public Comment Process Completed

Public comment on EDRM 2.0 opened June 30, 2026, and ran through July 30, 2026. Project trustees then reviewed every submission to determine whether additional committee review or revisions were warranted before final publication.

While changes were incorporated into the model after public comment, some comments raised issues that had already been addressed through votes by the larger group of contributors. The trustees’ responses to the comments are available here: https://edrm.net/2026/08/edrm-2-0-public-comments-key-issues-and-trustee-responses/

“We are grateful to our eDiscovery community and celebrate the trustees, contributors and public comment participants supported by our global advisory council and trusted partners,” said Mary Mack, CEO and chief legal technologist for EDRM. “As we incorporate the updated consensus model into our respective workflows, classes and products, EDRM looks forward to amplifying new and emerging best practices.”

EDRM 2.0 co-project trustee Brett Burney said, “It has been an honor to work alongside an amazing group of dedicated professionals through this important update, and I am enthusiastic to observe and be part of its continued evolution.”

The EDRM 2.0 diagram, like its predecessors, is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) to allow the eDiscovery community to adapt it to its varied use cases. No permission or compensation is necessary to use the model, even for commercial use. The only requirement for use is simple attribution back to edrm.net and a note if the diagram has been modified from the original.

A complimentary webinar, Inside EDRM 2.0: The Trustees Discuss the New Model, featuring Rian Kennedy, Stephanie Clerkin, Brett Burney and Shannon Lex Bales, moderated by David R. Cohen, will be held on September 15, 2026 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

In an abundance of caution to meet various state bar requirements, this communication may be considered attorney advertising and does not constitute legal advice.

For more information about EDRM’s resources and programs, contact info@edrm.net.

About the EDRM 2.0 Project

EDRM 2.0 was developed by approximately 150 contributors from across the global EDRM community, including in-house counsel, law firm practitioners, service providers, technologists, academics and members of the judiciary. The project was led by EDRM 2.0 co-project trustees Shannon Lex Bales, Rian Kennedy, Stephanie Clerkin and Brett Burney, with leadership support from David R. Cohen and Mary Mack, with guidance from the EDRM global advisory council chaired by Robert Keeling. Megan McKeirnan and Ryan Hill provided graphics support and Holley Robinson provided operational support.

EDRM acknowledges Charisma Starr, charter co-trustee, and the late Kaylee Walstad, EDRM chief strategy officer and project champion, for their contributions. EDRM honors Tom Gelbmann and George Socha for creating and stewarding the original model.

EDRM 2.0 contributors authorizing their names to be publicized at press time include:

Hon. Ralph Artigliere (ret.), Kostantino “Dean” Athanasopoulos, Denise B. Bach, CEDS, Hans-Ulrik von Bülow, Moira Cochran, Jen Coleman, Robert Daniel, Clint Davis, Diane Diaz, Sally Evans, Irene Fiorentinos, Brandy Freeman, Colleen Freeman, Tristan Jenkinson, Doug Kaminski, Jasmine Lam, Alisa McLellan, Bree Murphy, Angie Nolet, Tom O’Connor, Chris O’Connor, Grace Parker, Partha Ray, Rob Robinson, Chuck Rothman, Jill Rubio, Adam Schryer, Jyoti Singhal, Julie Son, Jonathan Tu, Lynn H. Tublinal, Adam Wehler, David West, Bradley Wolf and Jeffrey Wolff.

About EDRM

Empowering the global leaders of e-discovery, the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) creates practical resources to improve e-discovery, privacy, security and information governance. Since 2005, EDRM has delivered leadership, standards, tools and guides to improve best practices throughout the world. EDRM has an international presence in 145 countries, spanning six continents, and offers an innovative support infrastructure for individuals, law firms, corporations and government organizations seeking to improve the practice and provision of data and legal discovery. Learn more at https://edrm.net.

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