Jeff Beard is the managing e-discovery consultant in Faegre & Benson's national e-discovery consulting practice. In this role, Jeff works with Faegre & Benson attorneys, paralegals, client technology services staff and clients to provide strategic and tactical electronic discovery services as well as developing and implementing best practices.

Jeff has previously worked with companies and law firms on legal, e-discovery, and litigation technology challenges for more than a decade. He has been involved in the more complex issues confronted by large firms and corporate law departments, including enterprise litigation readiness and response, electronic discovery, litigation support, records retention, information security and data privacy.

Jeff brings with him a rare combination of legal technology, large firm, in-house and consulting experience. Before joining Faegre & Benson, Jeff provided both proactive and reactive consulting services with a leading e-discovery services provider, was the head of legal IT for an international Fortune 50 company's legal division, and provided litigation and legal technology services within an AmLaw 200 firm.

Jeff is also a Six Sigma Green Belt, having engaged in numerous Six Sigma projects. His extensive experience with systems and processes includes e-mail, network, storage, backup, and numerous other enterprise IT systems. Jeff understands firsthand the distinct challenges organizations face in managing their data, as well as in designing and implementing effective processes to improve compliance and defensibility.

Jeff earned his J.D. from Marquette University Law School (Moot Court, Thomas More Scholar), and his B.S. in Business Management, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin. He is an active member of the Wisconsin State Bar, the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and the Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP).