To those of us on the outside, electronic discovery might seem like an unlikely place to find passion and fervor. But that is what makes the forerunners in this space so unusual. They come from different backgrounds. Some are lawyers, some are technology experts, and some are a little of both. But these e-discovery leaders all share an unmistakable and seemingly unbreakable dedication to an area of the law that makes many of us scratch our heads. They have explained e-discovery, quantified it, and helped shape the rules, the case law, and even the business models. Most of the pioneers listed below have been at this for decades, but like the field itself, they're just getting started. We still may not get as enthusiastic about e-discovery as they do, but thanks to their efforts, we're no longer mystified by it.

MARTHA DAWSON
Partner, K&L Gates

Dawson saw it all coming—not just how e-discovery was going to change the practice of law, but how it could also change the business of law. Before most lawyers were using email, she was tweaking—and sometimes inventing—processes to ensure that her firm was getting both sides of the equation right.