We Empower Clients to Make Data-Informed Decisions That Shape Their Business and Litigation Strategies Effectively: Scott Cooper of Pegasus Squire, Inc.

Pegasus Squire, Inc. is a leading provider of specialized services in Electronic Discovery and Computer Forensics, offering a full spectrum of solutions to corporate and legal clients. With five decades of experience, the company excels in delivering both proactive and reactive strategies to address complex data-related challenges. Pegasus supports clients with expert witness testimony, forensic analysis, and tactical advice, ensuring effective case management in high-stakes legal matters. Known for its deep technical expertise and strategic insight, Pegasus is a trusted partner for organizations managing data retrieval, digital evidence, and litigation support. Pegasus has been recognized as an Industry Leader by the Southern California Business Journal and also featured in the New York Times.

Pegasus Squire has its main offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco, but supports clients nationwide.

SME Business Review reached out to Scott Cooper, founder and Principal at Pegasus, for an interview to learn about his extensive experience in Electronic Discovery and Computer Forensics, as well as his perspective on the role of technology in legal and corporate matters. Mr. Cooper shared valuable thoughts on industry trends, challenges, and how Pegasus continues to provide innovative solutions for its clients in the field of data management, litigation support, and expert testimony. Here’s what Mr. Cooper had to say. 

Interview Excerpts

Could you elaborate on how Pegasus Squire was founded and discuss the initial vision behind its establishment?

I founded Pegasus to address the challenges corporations and legal teams face in electronic discovery and computer forensics. My journey began at KPMG Peat Marwick in its Information Systems Services practice, and then in 1984 I co-founded INSYNC Consulting Group, Inc., where I and our team developed additional expertise in these fields and further honed the skills needed to provide meaningful solutions. 

Later at FTI Consulting, Inc., I led their global Electronic Evidence Consulting practice, which further deepened my understanding of the industry's challenges and requirements. These experiences inspired me to create Pegasus, a firm that combines technical expertise with practical solutions, equipping clients to address the intricate demands of digital evidence management.

As a leading Electronic-Discovery consulting firm, what are Pegasus Squire’s key focus areas?

At Pegasus, we uncover the full narrative behind the digital evidence. We provide both strategic insight and tactical precision in electronic discovery and computer forensics. By addressing the critical questions—who, what, when, where, why, and how—we deliver a thorough understanding of the events at hand.

Our focus extends beyond data collection. We are dedicated to presenting complex findings in a clear, concise manner, ensuring that our clients, opposing parties, the Court, and the Jury can easily comprehend the information. With a commitment to clarity and accuracy, we deliver actionable insights that simplify the intricacies of digital evidence.

What can you tell us about Pegasus Squire’s E-Discovery solutions and what makes these solutions unique in the industry?

Our E-Discovery solutions are designed to address the unique challenges of corporations and legal teams, delivering precision, clarity, and actionable results. These include:

Data Identification and Preservation – Ensuring critical electronic evidence is accurately located and securely preserved to maintain its integrity.

Data Collection and Processing – Utilizing advanced tools and techniques to extract and organize data for analysis while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Forensic Analysis – Conducting detailed examinations to uncover the history and context of electronic evidence, artifacts, and all of the related metadata, addressing the key questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how.

E-Discovery Strategy and Planning – Developing tailored strategies to streamline the discovery process and optimize outcomes for clients.

Document Review Support – Assisting in the efficient review and categorization of documents (as well as identifying the location of smoking-gun evidence), ensuring relevance and privilege are properly addressed.

Expert Testimony and Reporting – Presenting findings in a clear and comprehensible manner, suitable for use in legal proceedings and accessible to all stakeholders.

How have Pegasus Squire’s precedent-setting cases in E-Discovery and Computer Forensics shaped industry practices and legal standards?

Our industry is growing at an incredible pace, with digital transactions and data management becoming more critical than ever. Pegasus has been at the forefront of this transformation, contributing to precedent-setting cases (including a sub-specialty in intellectual property theft) that have established new standards for handling electronic discovery and digital forensics.

Through these cases, we have not only demonstrated how to address complex cyber challenges effectively but also shaped best practices that are now widely adopted. For instance, our methodologies for reconstructing digital histories and presenting clear, actionable insights have set benchmarks for transparency and accuracy in legal proceedings. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the shift to remote work have only underscored the importance of these advancements, pushing the entire industry toward greater vigilance and innovation.

What can you tell us about your team and the expertise they bring to Pegasus Squire?

Our team is built on a diverse foundation of expertise in computers, systems, and data, complemented by decades of experience across various industries and business platforms. This combination enables us to approach each client matter with both a business and legal perspective—addressing not only the technical aspects but also the broader issues. We prioritize strategic and tactical solutions to ensure cases advance effectively and efficiently.

Many clients lack the technical expertise to determine whether an ‘expert’ is truly the right fit, both during the selection process and even during the case evolution. To address this, our team provides a well-rounded, strategic approach, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients. 

More importantly, members of our team belong to several nationally recognized investigative organizations, granting us valuable insights into the activities and methods employed by cybercriminals.

Personally, with over 40 years of expertise in Electronic Discovery, Computer Forensics, and IT consulting, and as a nationally recognized expert having provided testimony in Federal and State courts across diverse industries, including technology, manufacturing, entertainment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, energy, and general business, I lead the Pegasus team, and am active in the High Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA), the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Forensic Task Force (CFTF), the FBI’s InfraGard task force, the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), and the Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA).

I am also certified by the California State Bar as an authorized MCLE course provider, frequently lecture on e-discovery and computer forensics, and have published articles in the National Litigation Consultant’s Review and California CPA publications. I hold certifications as a Certified Management Consultant, Certified Expert in Cyber Investigations, and Certified Cyber Crime Examiner. On multiple occasions, I’ve served as a Special Master, Court’s expert, and Court-appointed Referee as well.  This extensive expertise ensures we consistently deliver exceptional results.

What truly sets us apart from others in the industry is our ability to grasp the essence of each case and help clients navigate obstacles strategically and tactically. While we fully understand and analyze the technical “bits and bytes” that form the foundation of our work, our client conversations center on strategy, risk, and outcomes. We empower clients to make data-informed decisions that shape their business and litigation strategies effectively.

Could you provide an example of a recent success story where Pegasus Squire’s solutions significantly impacted a client’s operations or outcomes?

Our clients are predominantly law firms engaged in corporate litigation on behalf of their clients. In some cases, we work directly with the company involved, while in others, we represent an individual. Occasionally, our work involves internal investigations where litigation may or may not arise. The majority of our clients, however, are large law firms managing complex, high-stakes matters for prominent clients. Approximately one-third of the AmLaw 100 are included in our client roster. Recognizing the nature of large-scale cases—where both sides are often represented by major firms—we strategically limit our client base to fewer than half of the AmLaw 100 to minimize potential conflicts of interest.

With our five decades of history, we have honed a set of proven methodologies that shape our approach. These methodologies follow a series of structured steps that remain consistent across projects, whether we’re working with The White House,  The US Department of Justice,  General Electric,  Exxon,  Kirkland & Ellis,  O’Melveny & Myers,  Skadden Arps,  United Airlines,  JP Morgan,  Trader Joe’s and many other large national and international corporations and law firms dealing with litigation and internal (and external) investigations.

What is your vision for the future of Pegasus Squire, and how do you see the company positioning itself in the E-Discovery and Computer Forensics industry?

Our vision for Pegasus is to set the benchmark for excellence in the E-Discovery and Computer Forensics industry. We aim to consistently advance by staying ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and challenges. As data volumes grow exponentially and legal complexities increase, our focus will remain on delivering precise, actionable insights that empower our clients to make highly-informed decisions.

We see Pegasus positioning itself as a trusted partner for law firms and corporations, known not just for technical expertise but for our ability to translate intricate data into meaningful, strategic outcomes. By embracing innovation and prioritizing our clients' success, we strive to lead the industry—combining advanced solutions with a deep understanding of business and legal priorities.

Do you have any final thoughts or comments before we conclude?

We’ve been active in this field since the early 1980s, long before terms like “Electronic Discovery” or “Computer Forensics” even existed. Back then, even technical experts had limited understanding of recovering deleted data, and lawyers would often say, “Just print everything out.” They didn’t realize this could mean producing thousands of boxes of paper instead of a single binder of crucial documents.

It wasn’t until December 1, 2006, that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure first mentioned Electronically Stored Information (ESI). Even after that, it took nearly a decade for many lawyers, including those at many of the large firms, to begin to fully understand how ESI—covering live data, deleted data, fragmented data, and metadata—differs from simply “emails and documents”.

Scott Cooper, Founder & Principal, Pegasus Squire, Inc.

What truly sets us apart from others in the industry is our ability to grasp the essence of each case and help our clients navigate obstacles both strategically and tactically.

By embracing innovation and prioritizing our clients' successes, we strive to lead the industry—combining advanced solutions with a deep understanding of business and legal priorities.