Allison O. Skinner To Serve as Adjunct Professor of a Comprehensive Course on ESI-Electronically Stored Information at the University of Alabama

December 21, 2009

The University of Alabama School of Law has hired Allison O. Skinner, of Sirote & Permutt to serve as its first Adjunct Professor for a course to prepare law students for the growing number of cases that involve electronically stored information (ESI). The course is entitled “The Paperless Lawsuit: Preparing the Law Student for Trial Practice in the Age of E-Discovery.” The course will provide students with emerging case law on Electronic Discovery and its application to technology, along with the use of pragmatic practice tools. It is one of the first courses in the nation to provide hands-on training in reviewing actual electronic documents using the most current document review tools.

Ms. Skinner collaborated with Melissa Rogozinski and Chris Browne, both of Merrill Corporation, to construct a portion of the course to provide students with practical hands-on experience handling electronically stored information. Class participants will receive instruction and practice reviewing electronic documents for relevancy and privilege, as well as how to present electronic documents at trial.

“The University of Alabama School of Law is on the forefront of legal, technical and educational innovation in establishing this course,” said Heidi J.K. Fessler, Esq., Merrill Corporation’s senior director of business development and educational programming. “Law schools have traditionally done an excellent job of preparing law students for the practice of law. However, E-Discovery is focused on the confluence of law and technology, and the unique, constantly evolving requirements for handling electronically stored information. Few law schools offer courses specifically designed to prepare students for the rigors of these types of cases, which are becoming increasingly commonplace in today’s digital age. We are very excited about our partnership with the University in this groundbreaking endeavor.”

The course is slated to begin in January of 2010.

As a mediator for Sirote, Ms. Skinner assists individuals and business clients in all forms of mediation at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Skinner is registered as a trial, appellate and domestic mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution. Ms. Skinner is the first in Alabama to serve as a mediator or special master for e-discovery. She earned her BA at the University of Alabama and JD from the University of Alabama School of Law.

About Sirote & Permutt
Sirote & Permutt has been at the forefront of the legal profession since its founding in 1946, offering a full range of quality legal services. Today, Sirote attorneys continue this tradition of innovation and excellence, serving clients with interests throughout the state of Alabama from offices in Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile.

Allison O. Skinner To Serve as Adjunct Professor of a Comprehensive Course on ESI-Electronically Stored Information at the University of Alabama

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