Short answer: Start with an inventory of systems and date ranges, have ethics counsel define what client information stays out, scope by system and folder rather than relying on redaction, and check what your platforms can export. Share nothing until a license agreement is signed; Mode says its intake asks only for descriptions and rough numbers.
On this page
1. Inventory systems and years
List email, document management, practice management, billing, chat and phone systems with their date ranges and owners. Mode asks for 3+ years and 5+ systems (Mode affiliate FAQ).
2. Ethics review before scoping
ABA Model Rule 1.6(a) bars revealing information relating to the representation of a client without informed consent or an exception (Rule 1.6), and Rule 1.9 carries duties to former clients (Rule 1.9). Your state's version is the one that binds you. ABA Formal Opinion 512 applies these duties to generative AI tools (ABA Op. 512); a license to a training buyer raises the same confidentiality questions more directly.
3. Scope by container, not by redaction
- Separate firm-administration mailboxes, shared drives and channels from matter workspaces.
- Exclude matter folders entirely rather than redacting them.
- List what stays out in the agreement, in writing.
4. Check what you can export
Export depends on your plan. On Slack, exporting private channels and DMs requires Business+ or Enterprise (Slack). Google Workspace has an admin Data Export tool (Google), and Microsoft 365 exports through Purview eDiscovery (Microsoft).
5. Keep control of the process
Mode says nothing is uploaded until the license agreement is signed, your own team uploads copies, and you can audit a de-identified sample before it is sent (Mode affiliate FAQ).
This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your own attorney or compliance advisor before you share or license any records.
What could your company's records be worth?
Answer 6 questions. See the published range for a company like yours and which program fits. Takes about a minute.
Frequently asked questions
Should we send a sample early?
No. Mode says it never asks for raw data before signing, and a sample can itself be a disclosure.
Who at the firm should own this?
A partner with authority plus ethics counsel. IT can run the inventory and exports.
Sources
- Mode affiliate FAQ (PDF, dated Oct 14, 2026)bizbuydata.com
- ABA Model Rule 1.6, Confidentiality of Informationamericanbar.org
- ABA Model Rule 1.9, Duties to Former Clientsamericanbar.org
- ABA Formal Opinion 512 on generative AI tools (July 2024)americanbar.org
- Slack Help: Export your workspace dataslack.com
- Google Workspace Admin Help: Export all your organization's datasupport.google.com
- Microsoft Learn: Export search results in eDiscovery (Purview)learn.microsoft.com
Referral-fee disclosure: we may be paid by a program if your company signs with it after using this site. General information only, not legal advice.
Compare programs
Best AI data program for a small law firm (10-29 staff)Side by side from each program's own pages. Rankings follow published rules, not referral fees.
See buyers that name law and professional-services firms, from their own pages, with sources and dates.