Barnes & Thornburg Expands Legal Operations Department with Addition of Joseph Tate as Director

PHILADELPHIA (June 4, 2025) — In a move that marks significant continued investment in its award-winning Legal Operations function, Barnes & Thornburg has tapped industry vet Joseph Tate to head its eDiscovery team.

At a time when rapidly evolving technology and AI are driving major change, Tate brings nearly 30 years of experience in building and scaling high-performing litigation support and eDiscovery functions in both Am Law 100 firms and the federal government. 

Tate has driven innovation by leveraging AI-driven platforms, streamlining discovery processes, and applying advanced analytics to enhance efficiency, mitigate risk, and deliver exceptional client service. Previously, he led an Alternative Legal Service Provider (ALSP) as both a partner and managing director at another Am Law 100 firm, transforming its approach to eDiscovery, document review, and information governance services. 

“Amidst the changing technological, business and legal landscapes, Joe’s experience and innovative approach will be central to enhancing our capabilities and delivering even better results for our clients,” said Chief Legal Operations Officer Jared Applegate. “As we enter the next phase in the firm’s eDiscovery services, Joe brings a clear understanding that staying ahead of change is key to building the tools our clients count on more than ever.” 

Tate will oversee Barnes & Thornburg’s growing eDiscovery team and work closely with the eDiscovery and Knowledge Management Co-Chairs Jessica Brennan and Jennifer Tudor Wright to enhance the firm’s technology-driven litigation capabilities and provide exceptional client service. The firm’s eDiscovery team is known for its sophisticated, end-to-end support in managing electronically stored information and combining legal insight with technical knowledge to deliver defensible solutions. 

As one of the few firms with a dedicated Legal Operations team, Barnes & Thornburg creates simple, effective services that address day-to-day legal and business challenges and drive improved collaboration between attorneys and clients. With the mission of being the easiest firm to do business with in the Am Law 100. 

Tate earned his J.D. from the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University and his B.A. from Boston University.

With more than 800 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm service clients worldwide from its offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, South Florida, Texas and Washington D.C. For more information, visit us at www.btlaw.com.