- Coordinated the efforts for a client and external vendor to collect 8,400 data sets; crafted and negotiated search terms and custodian selection; and managed ECA, filtering, review, and production processes of 10+ million documents in copyright infringement action that sought over $1.2 billion in damages.
- Managed the scheduling and preparation for 330 depositions of 90 defendants and third parties, training and managing the work of attorneys creating witness kits and deposition outlines in action against correspondent lenders relating to the origination and sale of defective residential mortgage loans.
- Supervised the coding of at least 40 million pages of documents, in more than 12 languages, by 300+ contract attorneys; hired, trained, and managed the contract attorney team.
- Prepared 30(b)(6) witnesses relating to document retention and collection for deposition and defended their depositions in lawsuits filed by reorganized bankrupt entity’s trust against D&O’s and auditors for breach of fiduciary duty and professional malpractice.
- Worked with ESI Laboratory, LLC to create tool to quickly eliminate false hits and identify true PII to redact in 800,000 documents in action filed by European asset managers, pension funds, and central banks against major banks for foreign currency market manipulation.
- Phone: +1 404 881 7821
- Email: melissa.dalziel@alston.com
Melissa Dalziel is a member of Alston Discovery, the firm’s e-discovery team, and manages large teams during all stages of discovery and trial preparation. Melissa has overseen discovery in a wide range of intellectual property and commercial disputes, including patent, trademark, and copyright; unfair competition, fraud, and breach of contract; and RMBS, securities, and financial services.
Melissa prepares discovery budgets and develops procedures and protocols for the collection and review of massive quantities of documents. Her work includes negotiating search terms, TAR protocols, and ESI protocols, hiring, training, and managing review teams, and implementing quality controls. She uses, and trains teams regarding the use of, analytic applications such as concept clustering and technology assisted review to reduce costs and identify key documents. Melissa has conducted PII/GDPR reviews on behalf of European clients suing in U.S. courts and clients that have experienced data breaches. She advises clients and attorneys on legal developments and best practices in document preservation, collection, searching, filtering, and data privacy.
In a former role, Melissa assisted in the review and assessment of more than 20 generative AI legal tools being considered for the firm’s use. She has conducted extensive trials of four tools, using them on live cases, and is working with three providers to assist in developing their tools. She advises clients regarding the development of AI use policies.
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Speaking Engagement March 24–27, 2025ALM Law.com 2025 LegalWeekMelissa Dalziel will speak on the panel “Search, Analyze, Synthesize: How GAI Powers Litigation Soup to Nuts” on March 25 and the panel “Thinking Beyond Document Review: Examining AI’s Expanded Role in Modern Discovery” on March 26. Monette Smith will speak on the March 26 panel “Human Oversight in the Digital Age: Enhancing Communication, Collaboration and Accountability.”Speaking Engagement March 24–27, 2025ALM Law.com 2025 LegalWeekMelissa Dalziel will speak on the panel “Search, Analyze, Synthesize: How GAI Powers Litigation Soup to Nuts” on March 25 and the panel “Thinking Beyond Document Review: Examining AI’s Expanded Role in Modern Discovery” on March 26. Monette Smith will speak on the March 26 panel “Human Oversight in the Digital Age: Enhancing Communication, Collaboration and Accountability.”
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Speaking Engagement December 11, 2024Cost-Effective E-Discovery Solutions for Solo and Small FirmsMelissa Dalziel will present at this webinar hosted by the National Business Institute.Speaking Engagement December 11, 2024Cost-Effective E-Discovery Solutions for Solo and Small FirmsMelissa Dalziel will present at this webinar hosted by the National Business Institute.
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Speaking Engagement November 12, 2024The Masters Conference 2024Melissa Dalziel will be speaking on the “GAI, Meet Lawsuit! How to Make Extraordinarily Effective Use of Discovery Data Throughout Your Matter.” The panel will discuss how effective use of GenAI (GAI) can speed up access to critical factual information, guide you to timely insights, and better prepare you to prosecute or defend your matter.Speaking Engagement November 12, 2024The Masters Conference 2024Melissa Dalziel will be speaking on the “GAI, Meet Lawsuit! How to Make Extraordinarily Effective Use of Discovery Data Throughout Your Matter.” The panel will discuss how effective use of GenAI (GAI) can speed up access to critical factual information, guide you to timely insights, and better prepare you to prosecute or defend your matter.
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Speaking Engagement October 29–30, 2024The Sedona Conference Working Group 11 Midyear Meeting 2024Melissa Dalziel will be speaking on the October 29 panel “Potential AI Projects Update.”Speaking Engagement October 29–30, 2024The Sedona Conference Working Group 11 Midyear Meeting 2024Melissa Dalziel will be speaking on the October 29 panel “Potential AI Projects Update.”
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Speaking Engagement May 3, 2024The Sedona Conference Working Group 11 Annual Meeting 2024Melissa Dalziel will speak on the panel “Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Automated Decision-Making,” an informative discussion on analyzing privacy issues related to use of AI in automated decision-making.Speaking Engagement May 3, 2024The Sedona Conference Working Group 11 Annual Meeting 2024Melissa Dalziel will speak on the panel “Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Automated Decision-Making,” an informative discussion on analyzing privacy issues related to use of AI in automated decision-making.
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Speaking Engagement April 24, 2024Relativity AI Bootcamp: AtlantaMelissa Dalziel will speak on the session 3 panel “Trust in Generative AI: A Guide to Evaluating and Adopting AI-Driven Solutions” at this conference hosted by Computer Discovery Source.Speaking Engagement April 24, 2024Relativity AI Bootcamp: AtlantaMelissa Dalziel will speak on the session 3 panel “Trust in Generative AI: A Guide to Evaluating and Adopting AI-Driven Solutions” at this conference hosted by Computer Discovery Source.
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Speaking Engagement October 7, 2023Women in eDiscovery SoCal Tech ConferenceMelissa Dalziel spoke on “Your Journey Towards AI Competence and Confidence.”Speaking Engagement October 7, 2023Women in eDiscovery SoCal Tech ConferenceMelissa Dalziel spoke on “Your Journey Towards AI Competence and Confidence.”
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Speaking Engagement September 26, 2023RelFestMelissa Dalziel spoke on “Law Firms, Generative AI & The Future of eDiscovery.”Speaking Engagement September 26, 2023RelFestMelissa Dalziel spoke on “Law Firms, Generative AI & The Future of eDiscovery.”
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Speaking Engagement June 20, 2023Relativity AI Bootcamp: Powering the Future of LegalMelissa Dalziel spoke on “The Rise of Generative AI.”Speaking Engagement June 20, 2023Relativity AI Bootcamp: Powering the Future of LegalMelissa Dalziel spoke on “The Rise of Generative AI.”
Languages
- Spanish
Bar Admissions
- California
- Georgia (Not Admitted)
Education
- Brigham Young University (J.D., 2000)
- University of Toronto (B.A., 1997)
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- Association of E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS)
- Sedona Conference Working Group 11 Brainstorming Group – AI
- Women in eDiscovery