Top 10 Document Review Attorney Certifications

Certifications for document review attorneys are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Document review attorneys must be able to quickly and accurately assess legal documents, so having a certification can help demonstrate that an attorney has the necessary skills to do so. Additionally, certifications provide an indication of an attorney’s commitment to their work, as they often require a significant investment of time and money to obtain. Finally, certifications can also serve as a way for employers to distinguish between candidates and ensure that they are hiring the most qualified individual for the position.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Document Review Attorneys and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Document Review Attorney Certifications?

Document review attorney certification is a process through which attorneys are certified to review documents for potential relevance to a legal matter. This process helps ensure that the attorneys have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to accurately assess the relevancy of documents in accordance with applicable rules of civil procedure and other laws. It also helps protect against potential conflicts of interest by ensuring that the attorney has no prior involvement in the matter being reviewed. Certification requires an attorney to demonstrate proficiency in document review techniques, including understanding how to evaluate electronic data, identify privileged information, apply relevant legal standards, and use appropriate technology tools. Document review attorney certification can help organizations save time and money by ensuring that their attorneys are qualified to handle document reviews efficiently and accurately. Additionally, it can help reduce risks associated with improper or incomplete document review by providing assurance that the attorneys have been trained in best practices for document reviews.

Pro Tip: Before signing a document review attorney certification, make sure to review the scope of work and any other contractual obligations that may be required. Additionally, you should always be aware of any applicable ethical rules or regulations that may impact your ability to provide services.

Related: What does a Document Review Attorney do?

Top 10 Document Review Attorney Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Document Review Attorneys today.

1. Certified Document Review Attorney (CDRA)

A Certified Document Review Attorney (CDRA) is a specialized attorney who has been certified to review documents in the course of legal proceedings. This certification requires that the attorney demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in document review, as well as a commitment to professional ethics. The CDRA must have at least five years of experience in document review and must pass an exam administered by the American Bar Association (ABA).

The process of becoming a CDRA can take anywhere from six months to one year, depending on the individual's experience and qualifications. In order to become certified, an applicant must submit an application to the ABA, along with supporting documentation such as transcripts and references. Once accepted, applicants must attend an approved training program and then take the ABA-administered exam.

The cost for becoming a CDRA varies depending on the applicant's experience and qualifications. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000-$5,000 for all associated fees and costs. Additionally, some employers may require that their attorneys maintain their certification by taking continuing education courses or attending seminars related to document review.

2. Certified Legal Document Reviewer (CLDR)

Certified Legal Document Reviewer (CLDR) is a certification program designed by the National Association of Legal Document Examiners (NALDE). The CLDR certification is intended to recognize legal document reviewers who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of legal document review. It is an important credential for those looking to work as a legal document reviewer or to advance their career in the field.

The CLDR certification requires that applicants have at least two years of experience in the field of legal document review, pass an exam, and complete continuing education requirements. The exam covers topics such as contract law, discovery rules, evidence rules, and other areas related to legal document review. The exam can be taken online or at one of NALDE's testing centers located across the United States.

It typically takes about three months to complete the entire process from start to finish. The cost of obtaining the CLDR certification varies depending on whether you take the exam online or at a testing center. Taking it online costs $195 while taking it at a testing center costs $295.

3. Certified Electronic Discovery Specialist (CEDS)

Certified Electronic Discovery Specialists (CEDS) are professionals who specialize in the collection, processing, and production of electronically stored information (ESI) for use in legal proceedings. The CEDS certification is offered by the Association of Certified eDiscovery Specialists (ACEDS), a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in electronic discovery.

The CEDS certification program consists of an online course and a comprehensive exam. The online course covers topics such as ESI fundamentals, data collection methods, data processing techniques, document review strategies, and legal considerations. It typically takes about 40 hours to complete the online course.

To become certified as a CEDS, you must pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken at any ACEDS testing center. It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam.

The cost to take the CEDS certification program is $1,995 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. This fee includes access to the online course materials, one attempt at the comprehensive exam, and one year of membership with ACEDS.

4. Certified eDiscovery Professional (CEP)

Certified eDiscovery Professional (CEP) is a certification program offered by the Association of Certified eDiscovery Specialists (ACEDS). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of electronic discovery. The CEP certification is based on a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as data collection, preservation, processing, review, and production.

The CEP exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. To be eligible for the CEP certification, candidates must have at least two years of experience in eDiscovery or related fields. They must also complete an application and pay an exam fee of $395 USD.

Once the candidate has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their CEP designation and will be listed in ACEDS’s online directory. The CEP certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by completing continuing education requirements or retaking the exam.

5. Certified Document Examiner (CDE)

Certified Document Examiner (CDE) is a professional who specializes in the examination of documents to determine their authenticity. A CDE has expertise in analyzing handwriting, signatures, typewriting, and other document characteristics to determine if they are genuine or forged.

The process of becoming a Certified Document Examiner takes approximately two years and includes attending specialized courses, completing an apprenticeship with a qualified examiner, and taking an exam administered by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE). The exam covers topics such as document analysis techniques, handwriting comparison, forgery detection, and courtroom testimony.

In order to become certified as a CDE, an individual must be at least 18 years old and have a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or related field from an accredited college or university. They must also have at least three years of experience working as a document examiner.

The cost of becoming certified as a CDE varies depending on the specific requirements of each program. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 for tuition fees and certification costs.

6. Advanced Document Review Attorney (ADRA)

Advanced Document Review Attorney (ADRA) is a specialized legal service that provides experienced attorneys to review and analyze large volumes of documents quickly and accurately. ADRA attorneys are trained to identify key information, evaluate potential risks, and provide a comprehensive assessment of the documents. The process typically involves analyzing documents for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or contractual obligations.

The length of time it takes to get an ADRA attorney depends on the size and complexity of the project. Generally, an ADRA attorney can be engaged in as little as one week for smaller projects and up to several weeks for larger projects.

To get an ADRA attorney, you will need to contact a legal services provider that specializes in document review services. You should provide them with details about your project, including the type of documents you need reviewed and any specific requirements you may have. The provider will then assess your needs and match you with an appropriate attorney who can complete the work within your timeline and budget.

The cost of hiring an ADRA attorney varies depending on the scope of the project, but typically ranges from $100-$200 per hour.

7. Advanced Legal Technology Certification Program (ALT-CP)

The Advanced Legal Technology Certification Program (ALT-CP) is an online program designed to help legal professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to use technology in their practice. The program is offered by the National Institute for Technology in Law (NITL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing legal technology education and training.

The ALT-CP consists of four modules: Introduction to Legal Technology, Advanced Legal Technology, eDiscovery, and Cybersecurity. Each module includes lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments that will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of legal technology.

The program takes approximately 16 weeks to complete if you are taking one module at a time. If you are taking all four modules together, it will take around 8 weeks.

To get the ALT-CP certification, you must successfully complete all four modules with a passing grade of 80%. You must also pass an online final exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the ALT-CP certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take one module at a time or all four together. Taking one module at a time costs $995 per module; taking all four modules together costs $3,495.

8. Forensic Document Examiner Certification Program (FDECP)

The Forensic Document Examiner Certification Program (FDECP) is a certification program designed to recognize and promote the professional skills of forensic document examiners. The FDECP is administered by the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE), which is recognized by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

The FDECP requires that applicants have a minimum of two years of full-time experience in forensic document examination, as well as a bachelor's degree in forensic science or a related field. Applicants must also pass an examination that covers topics such as handwriting analysis, paper comparison, and ink identification. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by the ABFDE.

The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. The cost of the program varies depending on the applicant's experience level and other factors, but it typically costs around $1,000-$2,000 USD.

To get started with the FDECP, applicants should contact the ABFDE directly for more information about eligibility requirements and application procedures.

9. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Certificate in Document Examination

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Certificate in Document Examination is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the field of document examination. The certificate is awarded to those who successfully complete an approved course of study, pass an examination, and demonstrate their expertise through practical experience.

In order to obtain the AAFS Certificate in Document Examination, applicants must first complete a minimum of 60 hours of approved coursework in document examination. This includes courses such as handwriting identification, forgery detection, paper analysis, ink analysis, and more. After completing this coursework, applicants must then pass an examination administered by the AAFS. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as handwriting identification, forgery detection, paper analysis, ink analysis, and other related topics.

Once the applicant has successfully completed the coursework and passed the exam they must then demonstrate their proficiency through practical experience. To do this they must submit evidence that they have conducted at least 20 examinations on documents related to their field of study within a two-year period prior to applying for certification. Once all requirements are met and verified by the AAFS Board of Examiners, the applicant will be awarded with the Certificate in Document Examination.

The cost to obtain the AAFS Certificate in Document Examination varies depending on how long it takes you to complete all requirements. Generally speaking it can take anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years or more depending on your individual situation. It is important to note that there may also be additional fees associated with taking any required courses or exams as well as any other costs associated with obtaining practical experience such as travel expenses or laboratory fees.

10. National Association of Document Examiners Certification Program (NADE-CP).

The National Association of Document Examiners Certification Program (NADE-CP) is a comprehensive certification program for document examiners. It is designed to recognize the expertise and qualifications of individuals who are involved in the examination of documents, such as handwriting, signatures, and other forms of identification. The NADE-CP provides a standardized method for evaluating an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities related to document examination.

To obtain the NADE-CP certification, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a written examination administered by the National Association of Document Examiners. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as handwriting analysis principles, techniques for analyzing documents, legal considerations related to document examination, and ethical considerations related to document examination. Applicants must also submit documentation demonstrating their experience in the field.

The NADE-CP certification process typically takes between six months and one year from the time an application is submitted until a certificate is issued. The cost of obtaining certification varies depending on the type of exam taken; however, it generally ranges from $300-$500 USD.

Do You Really Need a Document Review Attorney Certificate?

The short answer is no. A document review attorney certificate is not required to review documents, and in many cases, it's unnecessary. However, there are certain circumstances where a document review attorney certificate may be beneficial.

For example, if you are dealing with sensitive information or confidential documents that require a higher level of scrutiny and protection, a document review attorney certificate can provide assurance that the reviewer is qualified to handle such matters. Additionally, if you are considering litigation or arbitration involving documents that could be used as evidence in court proceedings, then it would be prudent to obtain a document review attorney certificate from an experienced lawyer to ensure that the documents have been reviewed thoroughly and accurately. Finally, if you are working on an important project or transaction involving large sums of money or valuable assets, then having a document review attorney certificate can give you peace of mind that all parties involved understand the legal implications of any agreements they may sign.

In summary, while a document review attorney certificate may not always be necessary for every situation, there are times when it can provide valuable assurance and peace of mind when dealing with sensitive or complex matters.

Related: Document Review Attorney Resume Examples

FAQs About Document Review Attorney Certifications

1. What is a document review attorney certification?

Answer: A document review attorney certification is a credentialing program designed to provide attorneys with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively review documents for litigation and other legal matters. The certification program typically includes training in document review techniques, processes, and software, as well as best practices for managing large-scale reviews.

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must complete an approved training course and pass an examination administered by the certifying organization. The certifying organization will also require you to have experience in the field of document review prior to taking the exam.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified can help attorneys demonstrate their expertise in document review, improve their marketability, enhance their professional reputation, and increase their job opportunities. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire attorneys who have completed a certification program due to the enhanced quality assurance that comes with it.

4. How long does the certification last?

Answer: Most certifications are valid for two years from the date of completion or renewal of your certification credentials. After two years, you must renew your credentials or retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least one year of experience in document review prior to taking the exam or completing a training course. Additionally, some organizations may require applicants to demonstrate proficiency in specific areas such as legal research or technology skills related to document management systems before they can take the exam or begin training courses