Melissa Weberman leads Arnold & Porter's eDiscovery & Data Analytics (“eData”) group, where she advises clients on efficient, defensible eDiscovery practices and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in legal matters. She collaborates across practice groups to develop tailored discovery management plans for clients. Her expertise includes the application of generative AI and advanced analytics to document review and legal workflows, technology-assisted review, and cost-effective approaches to data preservation, collection, and analysis. She negotiates with opposing counsel on key discovery matters, including ESI protocols, TAR workflows, search terms, and protective orders, drafts and argues discovery motions, and manages all aspects of discovery-related litigation.
As a firmwide leader on AI in legal practice, Melissa advises clients on AI governance, enterprise AI strategy, and the privilege and compliance considerations that arise when organizations deploy AI tools in legal matters. She oversees the firm's legal technology initiatives, with a focus on evaluating and deploying tools ethically, defensibly, and effectively.
In information governance, Melissa counsels clients on defensible data disposition, legal hold processes, records retention policies, and discovery readiness, including the particular challenges these raise in the context of AI and other emerging technologies. She helps organizations implement practical, enterprise-wide information governance strategies to simplify compliance, manage risk, and reduce costs.
Melissa maintains an active poverty law pro bono practice. She serves on the Boards of Directors of the D.C. Bar Foundation, the leading funder of civil legal aid in D.C., and the Washington Council of Lawyers, the public-interest bar association for D.C. She is also a member of Arnold & Porter's Pro Bono Committee.
Before joining the firm, Melissa clerked for the Honorable Charles R. Wilson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and practiced at an international law firm in New York. She graduated with honors from Emory University School of Law, where she was Managing Editor of the law review, elected to the Order of the Coif, and served as a Dean's Teaching Fellow.
Experience
- Served as lead eDiscovery counsel for hair care company in a consumer product liability multi-district litigation and related state court actions. Designed and implemented an efficient and defensible document review process, overseeing the collection, review, and production of documents. Represented the client in discovery hearings and coordinated with the joint defense group on discovery matters.
- Represented a telecommunications company in obtaining regulatory approvals for multiple mergers and acquisitions. Managed hundreds of attorneys across five law firms and over 500 contract attorneys, overseeing complex review workflows, producing millions of documents, and managing hundreds of thousands of privilege log entries.
- Advised an aircraft manufacturer on eDiscovery compliance with European and French data privacy laws. Designed specialized collection and production procedures for French-language documents.
Perspectives
Recognition
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2008, with honors
- B.A., University of Virginia, 2003, with distinction
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, The Honorable Charles R. Wilson
Activities
- Co-Chair, DC Bar eDiscovery and Information Governance Committee (2024 - present)
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DC Bar Foundation
Member (2022–present), Board of Directors
Member (2021–2022), Advisory Committee
Co-Chair (2020–2021), Member (2017–2019), Young Lawyers Network Leadership Council - Member, Washington Council of Lawyers, Board of Directors (2019–present)
- Member, Pro Bono Committee, Arnold & Porter (2020–present)
- Member, Privilege Committee, Arnold & Porter (2019–present)