The Clock Is Ticking on Relativity Server: Why the Standard Has Moved—and How to Catch Up
The Legal Tech Curve Has Shifted—And the Ground Is Moving Fast
There’s a moment in every technology lifecycle where the pace of innovation outruns those who haven’t moved. In eDiscovery, that moment is now.
We’re no longer in a world of early adopters cautiously piloting cloud-based platforms with integrated machine learning and analytics. We’ve crossed well into the late majority stage. For firms or corporations still running on Relativity Server, the issue isn’t just whether you’re “cloud-ready” or if you should upgrade to the “latest and greatest”—it’s whether you’re still aligned with the current standard of reasonableness. Because that standard has moved, and it’s moving fast.
Relativity Server was once the backbone of enterprise-grade eDiscovery. Today, it’s being outpaced quarter by quarter. Not because it’s broken—but because it’s no longer evolving. The data types you handle, the speed clients or courts expect, the regulatory scrutiny you face—all of it has changed. And if you’re still relying on a static platform to meet dynamic challenges, you’re falling behind.
Reasonableness Is Not Static—It Evolves With Technology
The legal industry operates on precedent. But in eDiscovery, precedent for what is “reasonable” in discovery practice is being rewritten in real time and continually evolving. AI and GenAI are reshaping what’s possible. And what’s possible quickly becomes what’s demanded as the new standard.
With the launch of RelativityOne aiR, we’re seeing real, material change in how review and case strategy are conducted. Document sets can now be prioritized with generative AI. Case summaries can be generated automatically. Key facts, privilege issues, and concept clusters emerge through tools that didn’t exist even a year ago. The same applies to Relativity Extend products like integrated translation and PII detection—capabilities that are fast becoming table stakes for cross-border and data-sensitive matters like data breach response.
Meanwhile, Relativity Server remains in maintenance mode. No new innovation. No aiR. No Extend products. What once was the industry standard is increasingly a legacy holdover and a legal liability.
And courts, regulators, and clients are watching. The question “is your review defensible?” is only answered against the backdrop of “is your approach consistent with more advanced capabilities now available?”
The Real Cost of Staying Behind
One of the biggest misconceptions holding organizations back is the idea that RelativityOne—and particularly aiR—is “more expensive.” It’s a claim often made without examining the full picture.
RelativityOne eliminates user and backend storage fees. It includes automation for redactions, collections, and processing. And when deployed with Lineal’s Amplify™ suite, it accelerates document review, enriches analytics, and brings in tools for image classification, privilege detection, and intelligent case setup. All of this reduces manual effort, improves speed, and ultimately lowers review costs.
In contrast, staying on Server means absorbing the full cost of infrastructure, maintenance, third-party add-ons, and slower, less efficient workflows. That’s not cost savings—it’s cost deferral. And eventually, it catches up.
Lineal’s Role in Moving the Market Forward
At Lineal, we’ve been at the forefront of this transition. As a RelativityOne Gold and Development Partner, we’ve helped some of the world’s most sophisticated legal teams move from Server to RelativityOne without disruption.
Our migration approach is seamless. Zero downtime. No surprises. And once in RelativityOne, our clients benefit from a technology stack that includes the most advanced tools Relativity has ever released—enhanced by Amplify™, our proprietary platform extension designed for enterprise review at scale.
We don’t believe in managed stagnation. We believe in managed acceleration. That’s what our team—and our technology—delivers.
The Migration Isn’t a Question of “If” Anymore. It’s “When.”
Every firm still on Server is facing a choice. Wait and see—or move and lead.
But here’s the reality: the longer you wait, the wider the gap grows. Between what you’re capable of and what your competitors are already doing. Between your infrastructure and the expectations of the market. Between Server’s maintenance mode and the relentless innovation of RelativityOne.
The legal standard isn’t set by where you’ve been. It’s set by what’s possible now and industry leading lawyers are integrating tech into their practice.
And with Lineal, we specialize in bringing what’s possible within reach.
Let’s talk. Whether you’re evaluating the move or ready to accelerate, we’ll show you how to get there—faster, smarter, and without the friction.
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About Author
Brian Stempel is a law practice technology executive and thought leader with over 30 years of experience in delivering innovative solutions and services to the legal industry. He is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Client Solutions at Lineal where he helps clients solve legal challenges with Lineal’s award-winning Amplify™ platform. Before Lineal, Brian ran eDiscovery operations at Kirkland & Ellis, Paul Hastings, and Debevoise & Plimpton. A life-long learner he also holds executive education certificates from Cornell University, MIT Sloan School of Management, Columbia Business School, and Harvard Business School in various fields related to artificial intelligence, innovation, DEI, and leadership.
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About Lineal
Lineal is an innovative eDiscovery and legal technology solutions company that empowers law firms and corporations with modern data management and review strategies. Established in 2009, Lineal specializes in comprehensive eDiscovery services, leveraging its proprietary technology suite, Amplify™ to enhance efficiency and accuracy in handling large volumes of electronic data. With a global presence and a team of experienced professionals, Lineal is dedicated to delivering custom-tailored solutions that drive optimal legal outcomes for its clients. For more information, visit lineal.com