As e-discovery matures, law firms, corporate law departments and government agencies are struggling to find the right combination of people, processes and technology to handle the ever-escalating volume of electronically stored information during litigation. For many, the answer is e-discovery managed services (EMS) from vendors that offer infrastructure as a service—hardware, software and people who can help manage dynamic requirements.

But EMS also presents unexpected opportunities: it can help lawyers and other legal professionals grow their careers. EMS can free up legal professionals to tend to more important tasks that have stronger impact on the organization's success. That can lead to higher productivity and career growth and can help our community address a crucial goal: to encourage women to jump into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)—which can help demolish the 17 percent gender pay gap across the legal industry.

How, you ask? Let's look at the experience of three women: Susan Usatine, Ellen Kain and Lori Chavez.