In the June 19, 2025 edition of The Legal Intelligencer, Kelly Lavelle writes, “Revisiting ‘Zubulake’ 20 Years Later.”
Introduction
It has been 20 years since Judge Shira A. Scheindlin issued the landmark Zubulake decisions, a series of rulings that profoundly reshaped e-discovery practices in federal litigation. At a time when electronically stored information (ESI) was rapidly expanding and began to overwhelm traditional discovery practices, Zubulake addressed critical issues related to preservation, production, and cost-allocation. These decisions expanded the definition of ESI, established new standards for attorney oversight, and set a precedent for holding both parties and their attorneys accountable for failing to fulfill their e-discovery obligations. This article revisits Zubulake and explores its enduring impact on e-discovery standards and practices, as well as the significant developments that have occurred since these pivotal decisions.