XLS is managed by a tight-knit team of experienced legal, technology and operations experts with a singular mission: to help clients complete their e-discovery projects on time, while managing cost and risk. Our team is led by:
Randall A. Burrows
Vice President and General Manager
Randy Burrows is the chief executive responsible for the financial and operational performance of XLS, including the overall management of 270 employees and all aspects of the company’s technology platform and professional services. Randy brings over 25 years’ experience in the litigation and e-discovery business, including 20 years as a litigator and trial lawyer. Randy’s expertise in large, complex litigation is a major asset to XLS’ clients. As a trial lawyer and litigator, he founded and chaired McKenna & Cuneo LLP’s Litigation Management Services group, which provided consulting services to corporate counsel on the use of effective techniques and technologies in litigation management. For more than ten years, Randy has focused on the challenges of electronic discovery. He frequently speaks and writes about topics related to electronic discovery, litigation management and related technology. Randy is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and the University of California at Berkeley.
Gabriela P. Baron, Esq.
Vice President, Business Development
Gaby Baron is responsible for overseeing all of XLS’ business development activities. She joined XLS’ predecessor company, Amici LLC, in 2004 as General Counsel and later transitioned into the role of Director of Business Development. Today, as Vice President of Business Development, Gaby still serves as Account Executive for several of XLS’ largest accounts. Gaby has assisted XLS’ largest clients with regulatory investigations, major class actions, employment matters and commercial cases filed in federal and state courts. Previously, Gaby practiced law for eight years as a litigator at the New York office of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP (formerly Dewey Ballantine LLP). She is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Vassar College, and speaks frequently at industry events on e-discovery-related topics.
Andrew D. Barrett
Vice President, Finance
Andy Barrett is responsible for financial planning and analysis, contract and pricing negotiations, accounting, billing and accounts receivable for XLS. Andy’s expertise in each of these areas ensures a comprehensive view of revenue and profit delivery across all aspects of XLS operations and support. Andy has 22 years experience with Xerox Corporation in a variety of roles, including Billing Analyst, Technology Manager, Billing & Cash Program Manager, Federal Origination Manager and Federal Contracts Manager. He joined XLS in January 2007 as the Pricing and Contracts Manager. Andy attended American University, where he studied Management Information Systems.
Adam Bell
Vice President, Document Operations
Adam Bell is responsible for all data processing for e-discovery, from collection to production. Document Operations is a 24×365 data processing team, with a staff of 150 people. Prior to joining XLS, Adam was Vice President of Technical Operations at iLinc Communications, a start-up web-conferencing company. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of technical operations for the company, including development, IT and hosting, and customer service. Prior to iLinc, Adam was IT Director for the largest law firm in Albany, New York, where he managed IT operations and built, implemented and maintained extensive litigation support systems, using both off-the-shelf and internally developed database systems. Adam holds a Masters degree from the State University of New York at Albany and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont.
Sheila Mackay
Senior Director, E-Discovery Consulting
Sheila Mackay was hired to manage XLS’ electronic discovery consulting group. This group advises corporations and law firms on all aspects of the e-discovery process, including but not limited to litigation readiness, data preservation, collection strategies and defensible data reduction strategies. Prior to joining XLS, as an independent consultant, Sheila provided strategic e-discovery-related consulting services to corporations and law firms and worked with leading e-discovery service providers advising on product positioning, marketing and development. Sheila speaks regularly on the topics she advises clients on at industry events. With over 20 years of experience, she is well known in the e-discovery and litigation support space. Sheila holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Paul Matthews
Vice President, Systems Operations
Paul Matthews is responsible for technology infrastructure to support the XLS platform environment. He is an expert in distributed computer systems architecture and network security and understands how to translate ever-changing client needs into successful technical solutions. Prior to joining XLS, Paul was the lead Systems Architect for Intranaut Inc., where he provided systems design and support for high-availability, distributed computing applications. He also worked at Duffelbag.com, an online music retailer, as the Systems Architect; in this role he developed systems architecture and supported operations from start-up through rapid growth and acquisition. Paul studied Computer Science at the University of Utah.
Christopher C. O’Brien, Esq.
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Chris O’Brien is responsible for general operations and human resources at XLS. Prior to joining XLS, Chris served as General Counsel to New York State Governor George E. Pataki. In that role, he oversaw major cases involving the Governor and other State officials and coordinated the review of judicial candidates for appointment by the Governor. Chris also advised the Governor and senior staff on matters relating to economic development, taxation, and racing and wagering. Previously, Chris served as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, a 5,000-person agency that collects and administers in excess of $40 billion annually. As Chief Legal Officer, a staff of approximately 80 attorneys reported directly to him, including a large litigation department that handled all tax-related litigation for the State. Earlier in his career, Chris was in private practice and handled various commercial litigation matters. Chris is a graduate of Albany Law School of Union University (cum laude) and Hobart College.
Ellen J. Polhamus
Vice President, Client Services
Ellen Polhamus is responsible for leading and managing XLS’ team of more than 50 client services and project management professionals. As one of the largest client support teams in the industry, this group is responsible for delivering beginning-to-end e-discovery services designed to create efficiencies throughout the process. Ellen brings more than 25 years of legal management and operations experience to this role. Prior to joining XLS, she held senior leadership client services positions for several large international law firms, including Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and K&L Gates LLP. Prior to these positions, Ellen spent ten years at E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., where she led initiatives for a legal assistant program and oversaw the development of in-house litigation support capabilities. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Geneva College and a Masters of Science in Information Studies from Drexel University.
John Schneider
Vice President, Software Development
John Schneider is responsible for leading the design and development of all new features on the Omnix™ platform and data processing system, as well as evaluating and integrating new technologies that will benefit clients. Prior to joining XLS, John served as Director of Software Development at Reynolds & Reynolds, where he developed and maintained the company’s flagship commercial software product, ERA, used to run the daily operations of more than 10,000 automobile dealerships in North America. John also worked at Dell, Inc. as Lead Technical Architect and managed the design and development of Dell’s major online e-commerce and finance systems. John earned an MBA from Drake University and is a graduate of Iowa State University.