eDiscovery, and computer forensics. As Senior Consultant of Global Advisory Services and Strategic Client Solutions at KLDiscovery, he partners with clients to design cost-effective, defensible strategies for discovery, data governance, and privacy compliance. By bridging the gap between emerging legal trends and advanced technology, Mr. Merlino optimizes client workflows while ensuring alignment with industry-standard practices.

His expertise spans the entire EDRM lifecycle, from conducting forensic triage and Discovery Management assessments to managing large-scale international litigations and cyber incident responses. A seasoned expert, Mr. Merlino is frequently retained as a Neutral Expert, ESI Liaison, or 30(b)(6) witness. He provides critical expert testimony, affidavits, and declarations on complex technical processes, including data preservation, search term analysis, data authentication and production protocols. Throughout his tenure at KLDiscovery, his dual-lens perspective—technical forensic skill combined with a deep understanding of the client’s legal needs—has made him a trusted leader for complex, high-stakes investigations.

Mr. Merlino spearheaded the launch of KLDiscovery’s Social Media and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) practice, integrating sophisticated investigative techniques with traditional digital forensics. Under his leadership, the practice has successfully resolved a wide array of complex matters by identifying, preserving, and analyzing data from the public web. By leveraging OSINT methodologies, Mr. Merlino uncovers critical evidence within highly varied fact patterns—ranging from corporate espionage and IP theft to high-stakes litigation—ensuring that information gathered from open-source locations is both actionable and legally defensible.