Editor’s Note: This post begins ComplexDiscovery’s coverage of the Summer 2025 eDiscovery Pricing Survey, developed in partnership with the EDRM. Over the coming weeks, we will share survey findings in a series of focused posts highlighting current pricing realities and emerging trends across the eDiscovery ecosystem.

This year’s series is shared in memory of Kaylee Walstad, Chief Strategy Officer of the EDRM, whose energy, generosity, and community focus helped shape and sustain efforts like this survey.

As we publish this first installment, we honor Kaylee’s enduring impact — and extend our heartfelt support to Mary Mack and Holley Robinson of the EDRM, who shared in her leadership, friendship, and commitment to the community.


Content Assessment: Summer 2025 eDiscovery Pricing Trends: Setting the Stage

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94%

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A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit expressed as a percentage of positive reception of the recent article from ComplexDiscovery OÜ titled, "Summer 2025 eDiscovery Pricing Trends: Setting the Stage."


Industry Research

ComplexDiscovery Staff

The Summer 2025 eDiscovery Pricing Survey, conducted by ComplexDiscovery OÜ in partnership with the EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model), gathered responses from 70 participants across the eDiscovery ecosystem. Respondents included law firms, service providers, consultancies, corporations, government entities, and research organizations, with insights spanning 25 core pricing questions.



This post marks the first in a multi-part series that shares the survey results question by question, accompanied by detailed charts and narratives. At the end of the series, the full consolidated report with charts will be published.

Key Themes Emerging from the Survey

Even before diving into the details, several clear themes stand out across the responses:

  • Commoditization of Core Services – Hosting and processing continue to experience downward pricing pressure, with most respondents reporting costs that are well below historical benchmarks.
  • Premium Professional Services – Forensic collections, project management, and expert witness testimony remain firmly in mid-to-high cost tiers.
  • Variability in Review Costs – Review services diverge significantly between onsite and remote delivery, with per-document billing fragmented and uncertain.
  • GenAI Experimentation – Pricing for GenAI-assisted review is still immature, with per-document and hybrid models leading, but high uncertainty across the board.
  • U.S. and Legal Dominance – The survey remains heavily U.S.-centric, with law firms and service providers driving the majority of pricing insights.

Survey Demographics – A U.S.-Centric Lens

To set the stage, it’s important to understand the respondent base. Nearly nine out of ten participants reported conducting their eDiscovery business primarily in the United States, with limited representation from Europe, Canada, and Central/South America.

This demographic profile highlights the significant impact of the U.S. market on eDiscovery pricing and practices worldwide.


Survey Respondents by Geographic Region - Summer 2025

A Dedication to Kaylee Walstad

This year’s Summer 2025 survey series is shared in honor of Kaylee Walstad, whose passing last week has left a deep void in the eDiscovery and legal technology community.

Kaylee was a force of energy, enthusiasm, and generosity. As Chief Strategy Officer of the EDRM, she worked tirelessly to foster collaboration, elevate community voices, and support initiatives like this survey. Her passion, her sisu (strength, determination, and courage), and her ability to connect people left a mark that will not be forgotten.

Together with Mary Mack, CEO and Chief Legal Technologist of the EDRM, Kaylee helped guide the organization as it grew into a global hub for knowledge sharing and community building in eDiscovery. While Kaylee’s passing brings profound loss, Mary’s continuing leadership ensures that the collaborative spirit Kaylee championed remains strong.

Efforts like this survey are only possible because of the dedication and partnership of leaders like Kaylee. As we begin this series, we do so with gratitude, respect, and in remembrance.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share focused posts exploring:

  • Forensic services
  • Processing and hosting
  • Review costs
  • Licensing and project management
  • GenAI pricing models

Each post will provide detailed breakdowns, respondent data, and commentary. At the conclusion of the series, the complete Summer 2025 eDiscovery Pricing Survey Report will be published — including full datasets and downloadable charts.

We invite you to follow along, share your own perspectives, and continue the conversations that Kaylee championed with such dedication and heart.


“As eDiscovery adapts to rapid technological shifts and mounting regulatory demands, benchmarking pricing is essential,” said Kaylee Walstad, Chief Strategy Officer of EDRM. “ComplexDiscovery’s survey provides the data we need to understand current costs and prepare for the future. EDRM is proud to support this important resource.” – July 9, 2025


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Source: ComplexDiscovery OÜ

 

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