Opus 2 is a secure cloud platform that unites multiple tools for litigation teams into one easy-to-use workspace that can be accessed from any connected device. It is a dynamic workspace for annotating, managing and hyperlinking key documents and transcripts. Build a case Chronology or utilize the Characters worksheets to enable the efficient management of data, arguments, themes, or persons relevant to the case.



Documents 

The Documents page allows users to access, organize and manage case documents. Within this area, users can upload and export folders and documents, add issue tags, import document metadata (information about the documents such as: Document name, status, version, deponent, Bates number, etc), or apply exhibit stamps for either entire folders or individual documents.


Folders

Creating folders and uploading documents in Opus 2 is a straightforward process. Text-searchable PDFs are the recommended format for uploaded documents, but Opus 2 can perform optical character recognition (OCR) on the documents as well.


In Opus 2, documents and transcripts are generally organized in folders in the Documents tab. These folders can be customized for any name or color desired by the user. Click on the + button in the Documents tab sidebar to create a new folder. Inside the Create folder dialog, a folder name, description, color, and location (nested folders are possible) can be defined.



Uploading

Drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy for users to simply bring in documents and entire folders from their local drive to the Documents worksheet. Upload options: click on the destination folder and select the Upload button located on the toolbar. Then select if a document(s) or a transcript(s) will be uploaded

 

In the dialog window click on Select Files and drill down to the desired documents on the local drive; OR, drag and drop the files directly from the local drive directly into the window. In the top of the window verify the proper folder is selected for the documents to be placed in at upload finish, and select if OCR is needed. 

 


Opening and Annotating Documents

To open a document in the viewer,  click on the Document name in the table, then click on its preview in the right-hand side preview pane. Once inside a document, users can annotate text. Simply drag your cursor over the desired text, which will then highlight the selected text in YELLOW, and open the creation toolbar. Users can specify if they would like to create an event, note, redact, or create a link to another document or location. 

In the Notes dialog, users may add desired text, add a Note Tag or send the Note to a specific user(s) in the workspace. Additionally, notes can be tied to chronology, characters, or organizations. 


Tags

The process of applying Tags to either individual or multiple documents at a time is quick and simple. Tags are useful for marking documents to group them into specific categories, such as issues or for further review, and can be extremely helpful for sorting and organization in case collaboration and trial preparation.


Tagging Documents

There are several ways to tag documents, which can be achieved from the table view in the Documents worksheet:

    1. Tag a single document
      1. Click the document in the table which opens the preview pane on the right.
      2. Navigate to the details tab of the right pane.
      3. Find and apply any necessary tags. 
      4. Save the changes. 
    2. Tag a selection of documents
      1. Select the documents to be tagged by checking the selection boxes in the leftmost column of the table. 
      2. Select Actions & Tag documents.
      3. Complete the dialog window to add or remove tags. 
      4. Apply tags.


Transcripts

Opus 2 Users can upload transcripts for collaborative work among the case team and/or with co-counsel and opposing counsel. Transcripts in Opus 2 offer functionality for uploading and syncing deposition video, designating and annotating testimony, linking exhibits, sharing Notes and exporting full copies of the Transcript that include selected work product.


Importing Transcripts

To import a transcript, From the documents toolbar select Upload, Upload transcript. Users can then drag and drop an Opus 2-supported electronic transcript file (TXT, PTF, MDB, PCF, LEF) into the Upload Transcript window, or click on Browse for files and select the file from the local PC. Once the transcript loads into the Import dialog, select the destination folder (it is recommended that a Transcripts folder first be created in the Documents tab so that all transcripts can be loaded to it), and set any relevant details, before hitting Save. The transcript will then be uploaded.


Change or set transcript details by clicking on the desired transcript in the Documents table and then clicking into the Details tab in right panel as described for Documents above.

To link a video file to a transcript, select the transcript using the check box in the left most column, navigate to Actions from the Documents table toolbar, navigate to Update, and select Manage transcript media. Drag and drop the associated recording or click Browse for files to select the associated recording. Click save and allow the recording to upload.  

Click on any transcript in the table and the right preview pane to open it in a new tab. Once inside a transcript, users can designate & annotate portions of testimony, run exports & link uploaded exhibits to their references within the transcript text. Drag your cursor over desired text to highlight it, similar to the description above for Documents, which launches the Actions toolbar where users may add annotations, designations or links from the toolbar.


Characters

The Characters worksheet serves as a centralized hub for key individuals, streamlining the organization of witness binders. With multi-directional linking, users can efficiently establish connections between witnesses, documents, and case elements. The customizable layout allows for easy modification of information fields, and advanced views like worksheets and cards provide diverse perspectives on case information. 


Adding Characters

To add a character, select Add Character from the top toolbar of the Characters worksheet. Add details about the character like: 

  • Full Name
  • Abbreviation of their name
  • Role in Case
  • Photo
  • Job Title
  • Organizations they could be associated with
  • Phone Number
  • Email Address
  • LinkedIn URL
  • Description
  • Tags
  • Associated Documents


Editing Characters

Characters can be edited similar to the way information can be updated about documents and transcripts. To edit information about an existing character: 

  1. Click the character in the table view.
  2. Click into the Details panel, or select and click into another tab in the top of the pane.
  3. Update the necessary information.
  4. Click save changes at the bottom of the panel. 


Changing the view

The Characters worksheet contains several views for displaying and understanding the involvement of the characters in the case. For example, the table view shows the characters and their relevant information in a tabular format. The table can be searched over to using the "Find" search bar in the top left to isolate information of a particular type. 


The Characters worksheet view can be modified from the tabular display of the table to a timeline, kanban card style, or a calendar view from the Display dropdown in the toolbar. Character data can be updated by dragging & dropping cards, or by clicking on a character on a calendar / timeline view & updating the information in the pane to the right. 



Chronology

The Chronology tab allows users to build a fact log or case timeline, enabling the efficient management of different arguments, facts or themes in a single place. Create entries to corresponding to specific events in the case; link these entries to documents or characters within the workspace. Add metadata or issue tags to further organize your facts.


Creating Events

To start building your Chronology, click on the Add Event button in the toolbar, and fill in the dialog with a date and time, event type, summary, tags, involved characters or organizations, status of the event (disputed or undisputed), and create a link to supporting evidence in the documents/transcripts by highlighting text. 

Note: Events can be created in the Documents viewer by highlighting text and using the quick creation bar similar to the creation of annotations / designations described above.


Editing Events

To edit events after they have been created:

  1. Click an event in the Chronology table. 
  2. The Details panel will open on the right. 
  3. Select a tab in the panel. 
  4. Click anywhere into the pane to update the values and information. 
  5. Save the updates at the bottom of the pane before navigating away.

Designations

The Designations worksheet acts as a central hub for efficiently handling and organizing annotated and designated sections within documents and transcripts. This feature provides a unified space to review and manage designated content. Users can easily navigate, modify, and export designated portions, enhancing collaboration and saving time. 


Designations can be added from the Add Designation button in the top toolbar by completing the dialog box. Hit the pencil icon to select a document and text via highlighting to populate designation, page/word/line numbers.  Alternatively, designations can be added in the Documents / Transcript viewer and added by highlighting text and accessing the action menu.


Changing the View:

The Designations worksheet can be displayed as a table view or as a card view, similar to the Characters view. To change the display, select the Display drop down to toggle between a Card view or a Table view. Information can be updated by dragging / dropping cards to different categories. 


Notes

The Notes worksheet offers users a single compiled place to see and search across all notes created on the Documents and Transcripts. Notes can be modified by selecting in the table, and clicking into the right Details panel. 


A view of the highlighted text pertaining to the note can be accessed by clicking the page icon in the Highlighted Text column of the table. This opens a document viewer and takes the user to the relevant location with the text in question highlighted. 



Organizations

The Organizations worksheet offers a comprehensive solution for creating and tracking entities such as companies involved in a case. Users can easily create, modify, and track entity details, facilitating collaboration and ensuring accuracy in case documentation. With the Organizations Worksheet, legal teams can effectively manage and analyze entity data.


Organizations can be added with the Add Organization button in the top toolbar. The organization name, description and involvement can be added in the dialog window. Organizations can be edited from the Details panel on the right which can be called by clicking on a row in the table. 


Additionally, from the Details pane organizations can be linked to new/existing characters, chronology events, or notes from documents and transcripts by utilizing the appropriate tab.