James R. Calvert

Jim consults with case teams and external clients to develop strategies and matter-specific discovery plans for a wide array of litigation matters in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations, governmental investigations, and regulatory proceedings.

Jim advises clients on all phases of discovery, negotiates discovery agreements, and advocates for clients involved in discovery disputes. He has managed the discovery process on a variety of matters including construction litigation, antitrust and other regulatory approval proceedings, SEC and DOJ investigations, commercial litigation, trade secret litigation, and patent infringement claims. Jim has represented clients in a wide range of industries, including energy, construction, technology, manufacturing, and financial services.

As a Principal with Troutman eMerge, a wholly owned subsidiary of the firm that provides end-to-end, integrated discovery services, Jim leads attorneys and technologists in developing, testing, and implementing technology solutions to increase accuracy and efficiency in eDiscovery practice. He is a leader in the use of artificial intelligence technology, including Generative AI, predictive coding, and continuous active learning, and was recognized as a 2024 AI Visionary by Relativity.

Jim also advises clients and develops strategies to address conflicts between international data protection regimes such as the GDPR and U.S. discovery obligations. He has negotiated and implemented data transfer agreements and standard contractual clauses (SCCs) for clients, implemented cross-border data collection and production workflows to address these challenges, and advocated for clients in motion practice on these issues.

Jim has experience overseeing discovery in large-scale multiparty matters, in which he has utilized predictive coding and other advanced analytics to help reduce the burdens and costs associated with manual review of ESI. He uses information learned throughout earlier phases of discovery to assist case teams preparing for depositions and trial. He also takes 30(b)(6) depositions on discovery topics and uses the knowledge gained to advocate for his clients.

Before Jim focused on eDiscovery, his practice included antitrust and trade regulation and commercial litigation.

• Negotiated and drafted discovery protocols allowing for efficient and effective discovery in complex construction, environmental, and commercial litigation matters.
• Prepared data transfer agreements and developed data collection, processing, filtering, and production workflows for multiple clients facing cross-border discovery challenges due to obligations under the GDPR and other data protection regimes.
• Deposed opposing party’s records custodian in a construction arbitration, uncovering details of discovery deficiencies that were then incorporated into a successful motion to compel.
• Oversaw discovery related to federal and multiple state regulatory approval proceedings for an energy client involved in a multibillion-dollar merger, including coordinating the efforts of the client and numerous outside counsel from a variety of law firms.
• Deposed opposing party’s corporate representative and discovery vendor to investigate discovery deficiencies in large-scale commercial litigation.
• Planned and implemented predictive coding document reviews to reduce costly manual review for clients in patent infringement, construction and environmental litigation matters.
• Within an accelerated “rocket docket” timeline, planned, implemented and managed a large-scale document review and production, then leveraged substantive knowledge of facts and key documents to help prepare the case team and multiple experts for trial in an environmental litigation.
• Created detailed plans and budgets for discovery in complex intellectual property, construction, environmental and commercial litigation matters, as well as governmental investigations and regulatory approval proceedings.

• Legal 500 United States for Dispute Resolution: E-Discovery (2024-2025)
• Recognized as an “AI Visionary” by Relativity in its 2024 AI Visionaries list
• Best Lawyers in America®: Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law (2023-2026), Privacy and Data Security Law (2026)
• Chambers USA: E-Discovery & Information Governance, Nationwide (2025)