Privacy Concerns: What Lawyers Need to Know

Privacy Concerns

Social media continues to play an important role in trials as precedent-allowing social history as direct and indirect evidence grows. This not only includes public accounts, but also those whose owners had locked as private. A desire to protect these private accounts has led to sanctions against clients for the destruction of or failing to preserve evidence. Attorneys have also faced sanctions for telling clients to wipe accounts or for not instructing them to preserve their accounts. To avoid issues, attorneys must be aware of potential privacy concerns as well as the correct way to approach them.

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Interactive Internet Depositions: The Convenient and Cost-Effective Solution

During the discovery process, there are certain things to be gained from an in-person deposition ⎼ like an account of body language and the ability to adjust your strategy in real-time. Unfortunately, busy schedules and travel distances don’t always allow that. You can send another attorney, but they’re still bringing you back secondhand information and may not handle surprises exactly as you would have. Interactive internet deposition services offer you a solution that gives you everything you need without the cost.

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Why You Should Consider a Jury Consultant

Litigators leave nothing to chance, juries included. While most trial lawyers feel comfortable selecting and working with a jury, a jury consultant is an invaluable addition to your trial team. Magna jury consultants work hand in hand with your trial team to plan, refine, and retool arguments, evidence, and visual communication strategies in order to strengthen your case with the jury.

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How to Improve Court Reporting Skills

Court Reporting Skills

Court reporting is an essential aspect of the litigation process. From depositions to closing arguments, shorthand reporters ensure that a detailed record of all proceedings is maintained for the record. Even the most skilled experts in this field, however, should continuously practice their skills to keep up with the fast-paced environment of courtrooms and depositions. Here are a few tips on how you can constantly improve:

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6th Annual Chopped for CHOP

This past November, legal professionals across the country converged in Atlantic City for the annual Chopped for CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) competition. The event featured a micro panel workshop and mock trial that pitted four respected attorneys against each other. With $12,000 worth of donations to CHOP on the line, the event promised and delivered an exciting and unexpected two days.

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CIVC Partners Announces Investment in Magna Legal Services

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CIVC Partners, L.P. (“CIVC”), a Chicago-based middle market private equity firm focused on investments in the business services and financial services industries, is pleased to announce the firm’s investment in Magna Legal Services (“Magna” or the “Company”), in partnership with the management team.

Magna provides litigation support services to over 2,000 law firms and corporations across the United States.  The Company supports its clients through each phase of the litigation process including court reporting, jury evaluation and consulting, translation, video, graphic design, and record retrieval services.  Magna was founded in 2007, and over the last 11 years has established itself as one of the leading and fastest growing providers of litigation support services in the industry.  For additional information on Magna, visit www.magnals.com.    

Magna’s entire senior management team will remain in place following the investment and will maintain a significant ownership position in the Company.  The partnership will support Magna’s continued growth, both organically and through acquisitions.

The Company’s President, Bob Ackerman, said, “We are thrilled to be partnering with a CIVC team that enthusiastically shares our vision for Magna.  CIVC has been an active investor for nearly 30 years and has extensive experience partnering with founder-led companies.  We expect CIVC to be a value-added partner going forward as we execute on our growth strategy.” 

Scott Schwartz, a partner at CIVC, commented that, “Magna is one of the leading companies of scale in a highly attractive industry defined by recurring revenue, limited cyclicality, and a fragmented base of smaller competitors.  We are excited to partner with Bob Ackerman, Mark Calzaretta, Peter Hecht and Jon Ackerman to support the company in accelerating organic growth and pursuing strategic acquisitions.”  Doug Potters, a principal at CIVC, added, “Magna is a tremendous investment opportunity for CIVC and a strong fit with our experience investing in growing business services companies that operate in highly fragmented industries benefiting from strong outsourcing trends.”

The partnership with Magna builds on CIVC’s investment experience in the outsourced business services industry.  Other representative investments within outsourced business services include KPA (provider of compliance services), Yellowstone Landscape (provider of commercial landscape services), Magnate Worldwide (provider of asset-light logistics services), and GPRS (provider of private utility locating services).

About CIVC Partners, L.P.

CIVC Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm investing in high growth middle market companies in the business services and financial services sectors.  Since 1989, the team has invested $1.6 billion in 62 platform companies and currently invests from CIVC Partners Fund V.  More information on CIVC Partners and its portfolio companies can be found at www.civc.com.

If you have an opportunity that may be an acquisition candidate for Magna, please contact Scott Schwartz ([email protected]) or Doug Potters ([email protected]).

CIVC Press Contact

Patty Walker
CIVC Partners 
(312) 873-7300
[email protected]

Lee Diamondstein Nominated as Subcommittee Chair

Lee Diamondstein

Congratulations to our very own Lee Diamondstein, Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Magna Legal Services, for his nomination for the Subcommittee Chair of the ABA Mass Torts Subcommittee on Experts and Evidence. In this role, Lee will be involved with participating in monthly committee calls, contributing to newsletter and website articles, supporting programming activities, and assisting in the recruitment of new members.

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