IManage RMS
JAMES ELLISON JR, CIGO
Information Governance Practitioner & IG Technology Consultant
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Results oriented information governance practitioner with proven success developing and implementing information governance frameworks and programs.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
3
3
Languages
Work History
Sr Consultant, IG Advisory Services (MSFT Purview)
Lighthouse E-Discovery
New York, NY
10.2021 - Current
- SME lead on Information Governance ("IG") consulting engagements for Fortune 500 clients in financial services, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and legal sectors.
- Responsible for conducting formal records and governance program maturity assessments to identify gaps to mitigate risk and bolster compliance.
- Develop strategic preparedness plans for AI-driven solutions, emphasizing Microsoft Copilot's capabilities to enhance business processes and decision-making.
- Review clients' IG policies for clarity and evaluate their alignment with compliance initiatives.
- Conduct big-bucket reviews of client retention schedules to optimize electronic records management systems.
- Develop in-place records management solutions in SharePoint leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to auto-classify records, create metadata, and build taxonomies that support systematic and defensible disposition.
- Analyze environmental scans across client data stores to assess their IG posture concerning artificial intelligence readiness, security, and data lifecycle management across the enterprise.
- Lead client working sessions and demonstrations on leveraging native features of Microsoft 365 Purview to effectively and systematically prepare environments to deploy Copilot, manage security, data protection, data privacy, data preservation, e-discovery, and legal holds and records lifecycle management.
- Specialized in advanced prompt engineering crafting intricate queries to extract maximum value from AI models and deliver tailored solutions.
- Advise clients on using AI to ingest and transform complex datasets, facilitating their integration into PowerBi for enhanced business intelligence and reporting.
- Change agent for clients to facilitate the implementation of new business processes and deployment of new technologies or systems by developing strong communications plans, training programs, and educational materials.
- Partner with Advisory Services PMO to develop project plans, track project statuses and costs and coordinate reporting and deliverables.
- Partner with Sales Team as IG SME to develop proposals and statements of work.
- Partner with our Microsoft Channel Team to align our engagement offerings with Microsoft Purview stack.
Business Intelligence Solutions Architect
Epiq Global Systems
New York, NY
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Led and/or provided consultancy services on engagements related to records management systems ("RMS") migrations, offsite storage analysis; document management systems ("DMS") health checks; retention policy development, remediation and implementation; digital transformation efforts; records program assessments and records personnel skills assessments.
- Utilized Business Intelligence solutions to provide insight into IG programs for clients.
- Drafted strategic business intelligence roadmap, complete with data governance policies and tactical information safeguards.
- Authored SQL scripts to collect data from client matter management systems (e.g., Aderant and Elite) to facilitate DMS, RMS and Offsite Storage Analyses.
- Developed dynamic analytics, reporting materials and presentations for clients and senior management with BI tools, QlikSense and Sisense.
- Member of interdepartmental project management team tasked with designing and building data warehouse to track operational metrics and peer benchmarking in Sisense dashboards in real-time.
- Developed intelligence sharing dashboards providing on-demand access to curated data collections aligned with business needs of Epiq's service lines.
- Automated ingestion of client data in BI systems to benchmark performance, productivity and utilization metrics for records and IG, and office services support programs.
National Records Operations Manager
Epic Global Systems
New York, NY
08.2019 - 06.2021
- Coordinated records services for AMLAW 100 client with offices in more than 30 cities world-wide.
- Responsibilities included reengineering records workflows to ensure records operational continuity during COVID-19 crisis.
- Project managed series of digital transformation initiatives which were kicked-off as result of COVID-19 crisis.
- Managed gathering, analysis, and reporting of operational metrics to ensure that outsourced records management teams were highly productive and fully engaged during COVID-19 crisis.
- Developed key performance metrics derived from client data to track improvements in organizational efficiency.
National Records & Information Manager
Epiq Global Systems
New York, NY
09.2017 - 07.2019
- Oversaw AMLAW 100 law firm client's records and IG program across multiple offices nationwide.
- Developed and implemented departmental policies and procedures to support the Firm's records and information management program ("RIM").
- Developed and monitored the Firm's IG and RIM programs to ensure efficiency and compliance with records retention, preservation, data privacy, data security and data protection policies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on IG related issues and concerns in order to develop and measure the effectiveness of standards, policies and procedures.
- Supervised, trained and lead department's resources responsible for implementing RIM program and identify areas for improvement.
- Managed the Firm's matter mobility function, including attorney on-boarding and off-boarding, file transfers to clients, co-counsel and other outside related parties, and internal file transfers.
- Project managed critical enterprise-wide technology projects, e.g., FileSurf (legacy RMS) migration to iManage RMS and its integration with Intapp Walls (Ethical Wall Partitioning System) and Aderant (Accounting System).
- Managed third-party vendor relationships for all records management functions.
- Consolidated offsite storage inventories under one national vendor, reducing per unit storage costs by 50%. Negotiated offsite storage vendor contracts to reduce service costs by 50% on average.
- Leveraged QlikSense Business Intelligence software to enhance technology project management, and drive synergistic collaboration between the firm's practice groups and support services.
- Utilized QlikSense to analyze offsite storage invoices which led to $100K in savings.
- Utilized QlikSense to identify process gaps and overspending to drive optimal productivity and reduce departmental expenses.
Director
JEJRAA
New York, NY
09.2008 - 08.2017
- Founded JEJRAA in June of 2002; Active periods 2002-2005 and 2008-2017.
- Advised clients in all manner IG and RIM technological management methodologies related to: E-Discovery, Records Management Systems (RMS), Content Management Systems (CMS), Client Matter Management Systems (CMMS), and On-line Document Review Systems.
- Advised clients in all phases of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM).
- Developed strategic initiatives for Litigation Support and Practice Management Systems Integration (PMSI).
- Project managed implementation firm/corporate records retention policies.
- Project managed RMS selection and records migration projects.
- Project managed integration of RMS packages into firm/corporate work-flows (conflicts, managing clerk, litigation holds, ethical walls, practice support).
- Developed document categorization standards and taxonomies.
- Conflict of Interest administration (policy development, work-flow, third-party affiliate cross reference and corporate family tree builds).
- Developed and project managed implementation of document imaging solutions for legal, healthcare, insurance and banking sectors.
- Supported clients with business analysis, documentation and data modeling.
- Saved clients considerable costs by renegotiating outsourcing contracts.
- Researched and compiled tailored monthly analytics and reports for all senior management utilizing Bi tools such as Roambi, Tableau and QlikSense.
Operations Manager
RVM, Inc
New York, NY
12.2007 - 08.2008
- Developed and implemented strategy for RVM operational management to align with performance plans and budgets.
- Responsible for 50 technical production personnel and project managers, production equipment, and RVM business processes.
- Established and maintained appropriate systems for measuring necessary aspects of operational management and development across regional production facilities.
- Designed and built database to track operational metrics and productivity in real-time.
Senior Account Manager
Williams Lea
New York, NY
11.2005 - 01.2007
- Managed P&L’s for a book of business worth $12 Million.
- Responsible for out-sourced IT, practice/litigation support accounts with law firms.
- Developed and implemented full service litigation support programs supporting full-cycle case management with special emphasis on native file format data mining, imaging, scanning, and electronic document repository development and discovery.
- Managed one hundred managers, supervisors and line-staff across six client operations.
- Standardized operational procedures, developed training procedures, conducted key-user meetings, managed vendor/client deliverables and developed national vendor relationships.
- Performed best practices consultative services in pre-sales capacity to determine service offerings and cost analysis.
- Conducted client sales presentations, and monthly/quarterly reporting.
Regional Document Manager
Archer Management Services
New York, NY
02.2000 - 05.2002
- Oversaw P&L’s for a book of business worth $3 Million.
- Managed 60 managers, supervisors and mid-level employees across 15 client operations.
- Responsible for evaluating document management needs of prospective clients.
- Created data analysis tools to allow Sales and Operations teams to leverage utilization, performance, and productivity metrics to drive program operational enhancements.
- Performed pre-sales on-site best practices, and cost analysis.
- Conducted client sales presentations and consultation.
- Standardized operational procedures, developed training procedures, conducted key-user meetings, marketed new operations, and ensured timetables were met for vendor/client deliverables and developed national vendor relationships.
- Responsible for out-sourced records and practice/litigation support accounts with law firms and corporations throughout the Northeast Corridor.
- Developed and implemented full service document management programs with the following components: retention scheduling, automated records management, conflicts of interest, imaging and scanning, ethical walls, and legacy systems integration.
- Integrated BI assets into customer relationship management tasks, improving actionable intelligence to prioritize workloads, and manage equipment and supplies inventories.
Records Manager/Conflicts Administrator
Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler, LLP
New York, NY
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Coordinator of the Firm’s conflict of interest program and directed client intake administration.
- Led implementation of the Firm's retention policy.
- Directed RMS database administration.
- Led contract negotiations with vendors and consultants.
- Managed department’s seven personnel and prepared department's annual budget.
Litigation Support Supervisor/Supervisor of Technical Operations
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
New York, NY
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Planned, designed and implemented business intelligence solution to increase revenue for Litigation Support Document Processing Center.
- Oversaw large in-house litigation coding/imaging facility; managed 72 personnel distributed across multiple shifts; led project teams: staffing, training, productivity and cost analysts.
- Responsible for database and report design, load file creation, file conversions and integration, department consulting and marketing; negotiated department's contracts with temporary agencies.
- Project leader of inter-departmental new technologies development and deployment team Records Center.
- Coordinated and supervised the dismantling of Skadden's 18,000 square foot annexed records facility and co-managed 10 records employees; established firm-wide records management procedures; introduced new records management technologies.
- Designed and implemented each office's records transmittal notification and confirmation procedure, using email as the delivery mechanism.
- Coordinator of the firm’s on-going implementation of its records retention policy.
- Planned, designed and implemented diverse business intelligence solutions.
Education
MBA - Strategic Planning
Edinburgh Business School
United Kingdom 01.2020 - Current
Communications & Political Science
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 08.1981 - 12.1985
Skills
Strategic planning
Operations
Project planning and development
Project Management Methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, Scrum & Kanban)
Software Analysis
Business Intelligence Analysis
Data Mapping
SQL and Database DEV
Financial and operational reporting
Data Analysis
Information Governance Framework Dev
Records Maturity Assessments
Software
FileSurf RMS
FileTrail RMS
Elite RMS
QlikSense BI
SiSense BI
Tableau BI
PowerBI
IManage WorkSite & FileSite
NetDocuments
WorldDoxs
Google Docs
Aderant
Excel
PowerPoint
Office 365
Microsoft Purview
MindManager
Exterro
Relativity
Copilot for M365
Wand AI
Synthesia IO
Certification
Certified Information Governance Officer (CIGO)
Timeline
Certified Information Governance Officer (CIGO)
03-2022
Sr Consultant, IG Advisory Services (MSFT Purview)
Lighthouse E-Discovery
10.2021 - Current
Business Intelligence Solutions Architect
Epiq Global Systems
06.2020 - 06.2021
MBA - Strategic Planning
Edinburgh Business School
01.2020 - Current
National Records Operations Manager
Epic Global Systems
08.2019 - 06.2021
National Records & Information Manager
Epiq Global Systems
09.2017 - 07.2019
Director
JEJRAA
09.2008 - 08.2017
Operations Manager
RVM, Inc
12.2007 - 08.2008
Senior Account Manager
Williams Lea
11.2005 - 01.2007
Regional Document Manager
Archer Management Services
02.2000 - 05.2002
Records Manager/Conflicts Administrator
Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler, LLP
01.1998 - 01.2000
Litigation Support Supervisor/Supervisor of Technical Operations
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP
01.1995 - 01.1998
Communications & Political Science
University of Arizona
08.1981 - 12.1985