Gardere Partner Peter Vogel Helps Establish American College of E-Neutrals
DALLAS – Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP is pleased to announce that firm partner Peter S. Vogel has co-founded the American College of e-Neutrals with Allison O. Skinner, Of Counsel at Sirote & Permutt, PC, in Birmingham, Ala.
The American College of e-Neutrals (ACESIN) is providing judges and attorneys with a free directory of qualified "e-Neutrals" – third-party referees who resolve disputes involving electronically stored information (ESI). The need for a complete list of qualified e-Neutrals, such as Special Masters and e-Mediators, has continued to grow with more courts demanding parties cooperate in ESI e-Discovery.
Designed to help courts and parties identify the best e-Neutral for the unique needs of each case, ACESIN's directory is the first of its kind. Mr. Vogel has handled ESI disputes for more than 30 years, and mediated hundreds of technology lawsuits. Prior to entering law school, he was a computer programmer and earned a Masters in Computer Science. In his legal practice at Gardere, he represents buyers and sellers of computer technology and Internet services exclusively.
Mr. Vogel has served as a Special Master in computer technology and Internet services for more than two decades. Based on his experience and technical expertise, he frequently is called on to identify qualified Special Masters and e-Mediators, inspiring Mr. Vogel and Ms. Skinner to create the American College of e-Neutrals. To access the Directory of e-Neutrals, log on to http://www.acesin.com.
Mr. Vogel founded the Gardere e-Discovery Group in 2004 to assist clients and lawyers with e-Discovery. He frequently lectures around the United States on the issue of e-Discovery.
"I am honored to be a co-founder of ACESIN with Allison Skinner, who is the great innovator of e-Mediation. Allison's pioneering writing and teaching e-Discovery at the University of Alabama School of Law has led many of us to promote e-Mediation and use of Special Masters in e-Discovery disputes," says Mr. Vogel.