WEST PALM BEACH, FL— As high-stakes litigation increasingly relies on sophisticated data analytics and artificial intelligence, a new venture is giving mid-sized law firms access to the eDiscovery tools once reserved for the industry giants — without sacrificing the human touch that can ultimately sway a judge or jury.
Zest eDiscovery (“Zest”), operating as an independent subsidiary of Florida-based law firm Gunster, combines enterprise-level technology with strategic guidance that is all too often taken for granted within the scope of eDiscovery projects presented to mid-sized firms.
"We've stood exactly where they stand," says Michelle Six, Zest Founder. "We understand that eDiscovery is an area of litigation that can carry a lot of risk and costs that the uninitiated might find intimidating. That's why we built Zest — to give mid-sized firms the sophisticated technology and guidance they need to tackle modern discovery challenges."
Alongside co-founder Christine Payne, Six has honed a distinctive approach: merging cutting-edge, enterprise-grade technology with hands-on support. As Six explains, “Being a women-led organization isn’t just a label. It shapes our work. We bring diverse ideas, determination, and a genuine sense of empathy to every project.”
Through a strategic partnership with Epiq, the leading legal and compliance services platform integrating people, process, and technology, Zest harnesses advanced AI capabilities through the Epiq Service Cloud, including Epiq AI Discovery Assistant™ that analyzes up to 500,000 documents per hour. “We are pleased to partner with Zest and support their business and community goals," said Scott Berger, Epiq’s Senior Vice President, Managed Services and Cyber Solutions. "By leveraging our Managed Services framework and the Epiq Service Cloud, we are confident we can support Zest in the delivery of coordinated, secure, and defensible end-to-end discovery services.”
Michelle Six’s own journey — starting as a contract attorney in a New York law firm basement — cemented the company’s authentic approach in her mind. "I could get there without ever seeing daylight — straight from the F train through the tunnels," she recalls. "That experience taught me what it really means to be in the trenches."
Six eventually rose to partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she spent over a decade before joining Payne at Gunster.
Managing Director Walker Hartz, drawing on his nearly 20 years focused on eDiscovery technology, sums it up: "Most vendors hand over powerful software and walk away. We’re teaching firms to fish — showing them how to leverage advanced technology while preserving their unique client relationships. Sometimes you need an AI-powered howitzer; sometimes you need a precision scalpel. The key is knowing the difference."
Partnering with Epiq, Zest offers managed document review, data forensics, and AI-assisted analytics designed to support a firm’s in-house team. In addition to the invaluable experience level of its executive team, Zest draws on Gunster’s decades of success to provide strategic advice and reliable support to navigate today’s complex litigation challenges.
Zest made its soft debut at the University of Florida eDiscovery Conference in February, with this year’s conference theme of E-Discovery with Heart.
"Our tagline is 'Tech World. Human Touch' for a reason," Six says. "We’re bringing an infusion of fresh thinking — a real zest for discovery, if you will. We meet our clients exactly where they are, in a way that’s both innovative and unmistakably personal."
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About Zest
Zest is a women-led eDiscovery service provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. — one of Florida’s most established commercial law firms. With a focus on clear strategy, advanced technology, and personal service, Zest delivers tailored eDiscovery solutions that empower mid-sized law firms to navigate complex litigation challenges. Learn more at http://www.zestediscovery.com.
About Gunster
Founded in 1925, Gunster is one of Florida’s oldest and most respected commercial law firms. Known for its collaborative culture and strong community ties, Gunster’s commitment to excellence forms the foundation for Zest’s client-focused approach. Learn more at www.gunster.com.
About Epiq
Epiq is a leading legal and compliance services platform integrating people, process, and technology. Through this combination of innovative technology, legal and business expertise, and comprehensive solutions, Epiq drives efficiency in large-scale and increasingly complex tasks. High-performing clients around the world rely on Epiq to streamline the administration of business, settlement administration, legal, and compliance operations to solve immediate challenges and provide scalable ongoing support to transform the enterprise. Learn more at www.epiqglobal.com.
