At CDS, we let the work speak for itself. But behind every result is a team member that made it happen. Real People, Real Results is a monthly series that takes a closer look at the individuals who make up our team, exploring their backgrounds, their expertise, and what drives them.

This month, meet Chris Angelides, a Client Director at CDS.

Based in our London office, Chris plays a key role in supporting clients through complex, high‑stakes matters, bringing a thoughtful, measured approach to every engagement. His work sits at the intersection of technology, legal strategy, and client service, a space where clarity, adaptability, and sound judgment matter just as much as technical skill. Whether he’s guiding teams through shifting priorities or helping clients navigate unfamiliar terrain, Chris is known for his steady leadership and his ability to make challenging work feel manageable.

As part of CDS’ growing UK presence, Chris contributes to a culture defined by collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to long-term partnership. He brings a genuine enthusiasm for problem solving and a deep appreciation for the people he works alongside- qualities that make him an invaluable part of the team and a trusted resource for clients across the region.

How do you explain what you do to friends or family who don’t have a technical or legal background?

I’m sure that if you’re reading this, you’ve probably had similar conversations with friends and family. Some of my friends think I do “CSI computer stuff,” which makes the job sound cool and far more glamorous than it really is. My mum, meanwhile, seems convinced that I spend my days taking computers apart to look inside them.

Perhaps that’s a reflection of my inability to clearly explain what I do, though there may be good reason for that. My usual response is simply, “I handle data for law firms for their cases and investigations,” which, while technically true, is a huge oversimplification. I’ve probably given up trying to explain it at this point because, unless you’re a bit of a geek like me, it’s not exactly the most exciting topic!

Occasionally, however, someone does show an interest, and when they do, I can spend hours talking about what I do, the technology behind it, and how we solve some genuinely interesting problems.

What’s the most complex client engagement you’ve worked on, and what made it particularly challenging?

Every matter comes with its own challenges. While some are relatively straightforward, others are far more complex. I think in this industry it’s when you are thrown a curveball with a tight deadline that really tests your abilities.

One particular matter that springs to mind involved collecting data from almost every source imaginable across multiple countries utilising almost every tool in our arsenal (including those dreaded boxes of hardcopy documents that had not seen the light of day for over 20 years).

Despite this, we streamlined the process by implementing a rolling workflow for collection, review, and production. However, one month before trial, the searches were amended forcing a very quick turnaround for further collections and production. Nevertheless, and with a few extra coffees, we were able to manage the additional workload and meet the deadline.

What does collaboration look like on a day-to-day basis at CDS?

CDS is a collaborative environment where we rely on each other’s expertise and feedback to refine ideas and deliver the best outcomes. Being part of the UK team, which is relatively tight knit, means we work closely together and often wear multiple hats to support our clients. There is a strong culture of knowledge sharing, where people are always willing to offer guidance, collaborate on challenges, and help solve problems.

That collaborative mindset extends beyond our internal teams to the way we work with clients. CDS is unlike many of its competitors. We are independently owned and have grown organically for more than 20 years, never through acquisition. We don’t answer to a board or private equity, we answer to our clients. That independence allows us to focus on building long-term relationships and delivering solutions that genuinely meet our clients’ needs.

What’s a place you’ve always wanted to visit?

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some incredible places and experience wonderful cultures throughout my life, trips across Europe and multiple backpacking trips over Asia but New Zealand is still the one destination on my bucket list. As a Lord of the Rings fan, seeing the real-world landscapes behind Middle Earth from the Shire to Mordor and Mount Doom would be absolutely magical. The books were a big part of my childhood, and I rewatch the trilogy once a year (extended only!).

How do you maintain work-life balance in a demanding role?

As we all know, work-life balance in eDiscovery can be challenging, and there have certainly been periods in my career when I struggled to maintain. Today, I find that it comes down to setting clear boundaries, making time to recharge, and, importantly, having a team you can rely on and trust.

That said, it is not always straightforward. As I write this, I am sitting in a hospital with my laptop, preparing a handover while awaiting the arrival of my second child. Fortunately, I will soon be taking some much-needed time off to welcome him to the family (though disappointed to be missing Relativity Fest London for the first time!).

What excites you most about where CDS is headed?

What excites me most is how CDS is positioned at a time when eDiscovery is undergoing one of the biggest transformations I’ve seen in my career. Over the past 12 years, I’ve watched the industry evolve from manual and time intensive processes to more sophisticated technology driven workflows.

The biggest opportunity now is the advancement of AI and automation helping organisaions process and analyse data faster, more accurately, and at a much larger scale than ever before. What used to take weeks can now often be accomplished in days or even hours.

Beyond the technology itself, I’m excited about the value it creates with greater speed, improved efficiency, and significant cost savings while maintaining defensibility and quality. CDS is investing in exactly the capabilities that will define the future of the industry.

Having seen how much the field has changed over the last decade, I think we’re only at the beginning of what AI can do for eDiscovery, and that’s what makes this such an exciting time to be part of the industry and of CDS’s future.

We’re glad you took the time to meet Chris Angelides! Look out next month as we highlight more of the real people driving real results at CDS. To learn more about CDS, reach out to us at .