ST. PAUL, MN - Merrill Corporation (www.merrillcorp.com ), a global diversified communications and document services provider, announced today that its Document Management Services (DMS) business has launched the Merrill Electronic Discovery Group. The Merrill Electronic Discovery Group was created through an alliance with Computer Forensics Inc.*, the leading consulting and forensic analysis service for electronic data in the United States. Although Merrill has been providing its Electronic File Discovery (EFD*) service to the legal community for two years, the new combination of the EFD service with the data analysis provided by Computer Forensics creates a comprehensive service never before seen in the industry. The process begins with the development of the client's initial electronic discovery strategy and ends with a searchable, discovery database accessible via the Web. "The field of electronic discovery is quickly emerging as the next frontier for litigation case management and we have developed a distinct, focused entity dedicated to this exciting, emerging market," Al McNee, president, Document Management Services, said. "We will provide resources necessary for developing products, understanding customer needs, and providing customer-service excellence through the Merrill Electronic Discovery Group." "The field of electronic discovery is beginning to be recognized by most attorneys as a place where cases can be won or lost before the first deposition has been given," said Joan Feldman, president and founder, Computer Forensics. "We've spent seven years building a methodology which is now recognized by the courts as standard while creating techniques to uncover evidence that most attorneys either overlook or don't believe exists." To begin the electronic discovery process, Computer Forensics consults with clients to create a strategy which may include ensuring specific types and timing of data collection, consulting during the drafting interrogatories, identifying custodians of record, developing questioning outlines for witnesses, and preparing effective responses for discovery requests. Computer Forensics then gathers the computer-based data and once analyzed, Merrill EFD assists in the development of databases. These databases can be viewed via a browser-based connection to its UR-Law* software. Attorneys can quickly review their data for privilege and production. If clients need a large number of tapes or hard drives converted into a discovery database, Merrill's EFD process quickly creates a searchable discovery database in whatever file format the client desires. "We are committed to assisting our customers in mastering the intricacies of electronic data management," McNee said. "The alliance with Joan Feldman and her superb team at Computer Forensics is a natural complement to our EFD service. " Feldman agrees. "This cooperative effort with Merrill is perfect for us," she said. "Together, we create the industry's next level of technology and service, making the Merrill Electronic Discovery Group the most powerful resource available for all of our clients' electronic discovery needs." About Merrill Corporation Merrill Corporation (www.merrillcorp.com ) is a diversified communications and document services company that applies advanced information systems and Internet/intranet technology to provide a broad range of services to its financial, legal and corporate clients. Merrill Corporation's services integrate traditional composition, imaging and printing services with document management, distribution, marketing and software solutions. Merrill Corporation is based in St. Paul, Minn., and has 38 business centers in 30 cities throughout the United States. Merrill Corporation also serves its international clients through offices in London and Paris, a strategic alliance in Canada, and other relationships with local document service providers in Asia, Latin America and Australia. Document Management Services Document Management Services (DMS) offers single-source document management solutions to the legal industry. Professionally staffed and equipped Document Service Centers provide clients with comprehensive, on-site services tailored to theirspecifications-from basic copying, mailroom management and equipment leasing to complex, technology-based document services such as desktop publishing, imaging, electronic scanning, storage and retrieval and distribution. DMS also provides large-scale litigation copying and document imaging and coding on a transactional basis. DMS's litigation support software business delivers sophisticated technology solutions to enhance speed, efficiency and accuracy of the litigation process. Clients include law firms, insurance companies and legal departments.