Data Analytics at Brattle

Leveraging state-of-the-art technology such as virtual machines and clustered computing, we excel in handling, processing, and analyzing colossal datasets, up to and including petabytes of data. At Brattle, we ensure the efficient transfer and management of these datasets, which are crucial for the sophisticated analyses required by our clients. Understanding that every project is unique, we tailor our tools and processes to meet specific needs, ensuring both immediate effectiveness and long-term sustainability. We can run thousands of parallel Monte Carlo simulations and other sophisticated analyses required by our clients to empower data-driven decision-making.

Machine learning and generative AI algorithms are not a substitute for human reviews but a powerful supplement, able to dramatically reduce scope and effort in order to prioritize human expertise where it is most needed. At Brattle, we leverage these advanced tools to categorize, de-duplicate, and detect patterns in data, even generating content such as metadata values when necessary. These techniques also bolster our advanced optical character recognition (OCR) platform, enabling accurate information extraction from low-quality or corrupted documents. Additionally, these technologies enhance our flexibility in tasks like web scraping, allowing us to adapt to dynamic online environments and uncover valuable insights with greater efficiency.

Data visualization tools have revolutionized the way we interact with data, making complex datasets more accessible and understandable. At Brattle, we use these tools to transform complex datasets into compelling stories, enabling users to identify patterns, trends, and outliers swiftly. By combining data visualization with the flexibility of code, we create highly customizable, dynamic charts and graphs tailored to specific needs.

Brattle uses geospatial analytics in a wide range of applications, including utilities planning, environmental litigation, telecommunications projects, and M&A proceedings. Mapping information is critical when working on overlap analyses or calculating draw areas, and this data can also supplement hedonic pricing models and analyze the effects of environmental contamination. Combined with our capabilities in data visualization, geospatial analytics can help transform data into compelling narratives.

Text and document analytics tools – such as PDF scraping, eDiscovery, sentiment analysis, and entity recognition – have transformed the way we analyze and make sense of unstructured data, such as emails, social media posts, and other documents. Commonly relied upon by our White Collar Investigations & Litigation practice, these tools can pull financial figures, email metadata, and other key information to enable clients to make informed decisions based on large document productions. Whether the client is looking for critical documents, constructing a timeline, or identifying themes, our deep experience will ensure that the insights needed are revealed efficiently and accurately.

Along with expert analysis, Brattle provides tools that provide clients with the ability to answer ad hoc questions about data. This may take the form of interactive dashboards capable of rendering millions of records, HTML web pages with embedded custom R and Python visuals, or interactive simulations such as those created with our Grid Scenario Impact Model (gridSIM). Learn more about the unique applications of modeling in Brattle’s Electricity practices here.

As a key driver in the rise of big data, social media data presents unique challenges in litigation, including those related to proprietary data formats and business logic. At Brattle, we utilize advanced social media and network analysis techniques to uncover critical insights in complex legal matters. Our expertise enables us to identify patterns, networks, and evidence of conspiratorial activities, providing robust support for litigation and other analytical needs.

For example, analyzing the open forum of messages on platforms like Discord requires a different approach than traditional direct communication channels such as email and phone. Our experience with these technologies has allowed us to develop programs and logic to transform massive communications data into comprehensible network analyses. In one pro bono case, we processed and analyzed over 32 million Discord messages to uncover networks and patterns of interaction, revealing conspiratorial activity and providing critical evidence that played a significant role in the trial’s outcome.

Asset tracing is an important tool in banking and cryptocurrency litigation, where it is used to track the flow of funds and financial or digital assets between parties. Tracing can identify the source of fraudulent transactions, trace hidden assets, and provide evidence of money laundering activities, and it is important in ensuring transparency and accountability – particularly with the anonymity and decentralization of crypto transactions. The flow of currency (both fiat and crypto) can reveal patterns and relationships between parties and provide crucial evidence in legal proceedings. This is why we have developed numerous tracing algorithms through work in our Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets, White Collar Investigations & Litigation, and other practices

Brattle’s Data Engineering team plays a crucial role in our projects, from the initial data transfer to the final report, trial preparation, and beyond. With robust coding skills and extensive experience, our team ensures that each project utilizes the most effective technologies available. In addition to their project-specific contributions, the Data Engineering team is dedicated to researching and implementing cutting-edge technologies to enhance project efficiency and introduce new capabilities. They also create comprehensive documentation and training programs, ensuring that expertise in the latest tools is shared across the firm, thereby reinforcing our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.