On February 24, 2026, Hemming Morse professionals Travis Armstrong and Max Cranmer presented “Data Analytics for Litigators: Excel’s Capabilities, Limits, and Alternatives” at the Bar Association of San Francisco.
The program was designed to help litigators make more precise and effective data requests, conduct practical exploratory data analysis of data produced by opposing counsel, and determine when expert involvement or more advanced analytical tools are warranted. Drawing on their experience as forensic accountants and testifying experts, Travis and Max focused on the analytical and evidentiary considerations that arise when financial data becomes central to a dispute.
As data plays an increasingly prominent role in commercial litigation, employment matters, regulatory proceedings, and damages analyses, attorneys are often confronted with large, complex datasets in a variety of formats. While these datasets can provide significant insight, they also create risk if misunderstood, incomplete, or improperly analyzed. The presentation emphasized the importance of understanding core data terminology at the Request for Production stage, enabling attorneys to refine their requests and critically evaluate how responsive data was identified, extracted, and produced—issues that frequently become central in expert analysis and testimony.
The session included live demonstrations of common analytical tasks, such as conducting preliminary dataset evaluations and using pivot tables to summarize and assess large volumes of information. Travis and Max engaged directly with attendees, addressing practical questions from litigators about real-world data challenges and walking through example scenarios in real time. The interactive format underscored how early, disciplined data assessment can shape case strategy and inform decisions about expert involvement.
Their presentation reflects Hemming Morse’s ongoing collaboration with the legal community and the firm’s experience supporting counsel through complex financial investigations, data-driven disputes, and expert testimony.
