After five years of unrelenting hype, gossipy speculation and dizzying anticipation, we now stand on the precipice of the second edition of e-discovery amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

That's right, unless Congress acts to stop it, on Dec. 1, 2015, the amendments to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 1, 4, 16, 26, 30, 31, 34, 37, 55 and 84 will go into effect. The amendments that will most affect e-discovery are the changes to Rules 1 (cooperation), 26 (proportionality and scope of discovery), 34 (objections), and 37 (sanctions).

Over the course of my next few articles, I'll share my thoughts on the practical implications that the changes to these four rules will have on litigants and their counsel.