Why early access to expertise matters and how ILS Advocate™ is changing the conversation
What happens when you don’t know what evidence you’re missing, which experts to call, or how much getting help will cost?
For plaintiff attorneys working on contingency, these aren’t simply discovery questions. They’re decisions that can affect case strategy, budgets, and ultimately, the clients they represent.
A single catastrophic injury case can involve complex electronic evidence spread across devices, cloud systems, social media, and multiple custodians. Knowing what to request, what might be missing, and which technical questions to pursue requires specialized knowledge.
But accessing that expertise can introduce another challenge: uncertainty about costs.
At ILS, we call this the Discovery Uncertainty Trap.
Understanding the Discovery Uncertainty Trap
In a new interview with Bob Ambrogi on LawNext, ILS President Steve Crossman discusses a challenge familiar to many plaintiff firms.
When every call to an expert potentially creates another bill, attorneys may hesitate to seek guidance early in a matter.
That hesitation can have consequences.
Questions that could have been addressed early may become more complicated and expensive to resolve later. Important evidence sources may go unexplored, and opportunities to develop a stronger discovery strategy may be missed.
Steve describes this as a discovery tax, one that can place an additional burden on firms already managing the financial realities of contingency-fee litigation.
What if plaintiff attorneys could access experienced discovery professionals earlier, with greater predictability around costs?
That’s the purpose behind ILS Advocate™.
Watch the Conversation
ILS President Steve Crossman joins Bob Ambrogi on LawNext PR to discuss the Discovery Uncertainty Trap, the role of AI and expert judgment in plaintiff litigation, and the introduction of ILS Advocate™.
Introducing ILS Advocate™
ILS Advocate brings together experienced discovery professionals, advanced technology, and ongoing support under a predictable monthly pricing model designed specifically for eligible plaintiff matters.
Initially focused on single-plaintiff catastrophic injury and other high-value cases, the offering combines defined discovery services, technology, and expert guidance to help attorneys navigate complex discovery questions.
The goal is straightforward: Make it easier for plaintiff attorneys to involve the right experts early, when asking the right questions can help avoid costly problems down the road.
As Steve explains in the interview, technology continues to evolve rapidly. Artificial intelligence can help analyze large volumes of information, but understanding the context of that information and its significance to a particular case still requires experienced judgment.
That’s why ILS combines technology specialists with litigation professionals who understand the unique challenges of plaintiff-side discovery.
The Advocate Behind Every Advocate
At ILS, our commitment to the plaintiff community shapes everything we do.
We work exclusively with plaintiff attorneys because we understand the importance of leveling the playing field and giving advocates the resources they need to pursue justice for their clients.
We believe technology is only as valuable as the expertise behind it.
And we believe plaintiff attorneys deserve access to that expertise when it matters most.
ILS Advocate reflects that commitment by making experienced discovery support more accessible through a predictable service model.
Because effective discovery requires more than the right tools. It requires knowledgeable people working alongside you, helping you ask the right questions at the right time.
We’re plaintiff-only. We’re committed to the plaintiffs’ bar.
We’re the advocate behind every advocate.
Learn more about ILS Advocate™ and how our team can support your discovery needs.